Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The route they took to Lord Trotten's home was convoluted and lengthy. They made several stops to take any precautions of being followed. Theo thought that his nerves might have lessened after leaving the palace, but he found that with each turn they made through the city, his stomach would tighten even further. By the time they had arrived at the back entrance to Lord Trotten's home, Theo's stomach was full of knots.

He led Addie in through the servants' entrance, which was slightly ironic as she was a servant no more. No one could mistake her as one in the stunning gown she had worn to meet the king and queen. Theo knew that Emilia had helped her pick it out, and his sister had not let them down.

It was a shimmering gold, almost translucent in appearance, beautifully adorned along her curves. The cut was just low enough to make Theo's mouth water, and her skirts billowed out around her legs in a train that was fit for a queen.

He had never seen anything more exquisite. And he likely wouldn't again after this day. If Addie chose to marry the prince, this was to be their goodbye.

Emilia greeted them at the door, having arrived at Lord Trotten's earlier that day. She had made minimal protestations at the prospect of temporarily moving in with her ex-fiancé, but Theo knew it was for Addie's sake, not his. Emilia was a smart woman, and she knew that if there were any other options, she would not be here.

"How did it go?" Emilia grabbed onto Theo's arm the moment they stepped over the threshold of the house.

"Quite well," Theo said, though he did not feel well at all. "King Ernest agreed to all of Addie's stipulations."

"After Andrew told him that the marriage agreement had already been sent to the press and to parliament," Addie added, humor in her voice.

Andrew smiled but stopped in the doorway. "Is there anything else you need from me, Your Royal Highness?"

"Not at all, Your Grace. I think you've done quite enough."

She walked back to the older man and before he could do anything to stop her, gave him a quick, tight squeeze. Though startled by the hug at first, he appeared to return the embrace before stepping out into the chilled air of London.

Emilia grabbed Addie's hand then, leading her through to the main staircase of Lord Trotten's townhouse.

"Let me show you to your rooms, Addie."

Addie nodded and followed his sister up the steps. He watched her shimmering steps disappear.

"This is where you've come to warn me, no doubt," Lord Trotten drawled in his usual unenthusiastic fashion, startling Theo from his moments of inward admiration. He spun to meet the man's eyes dead on.

"You better believe it, Trotten."

"Do get on with it then," he replied, giving a languid wave of his hand.

"If you so much hurt a hair on either of those women's heads, I will personally pummel you so far into the ground that you'll feel hell on your ass."

"Oh," the viscount replied, drawing the syllable out. "How long have you been coming up with that threat? Quite impressive, Your Grace."

Theo did not dignify that with a response.

"Both you and I know that neither of those women will let me get anywhere near the hair on their head. You've nothing to worry about, Kingfield."

Theo had everything to worry about.

"Need I point out the state of the king's emotions as we left Buckingham today?" Theo questioned.