Page 27 of Bloom
“Elira, that’s…that’s low to accuse another ofrapejust because you didn’t want to marry him.”
“Unfortunately, it happens. Money, position...A man who thinks he’ll get those things only to realize he won’t might get quite angry. He saw a way to punish me. In his mind, it was justified. I’m not entirely sure who Alton believed since he didn’t state his real feelings on the matter. If he didn’t believe his cousin at all, I don’t think he wanted to say so, especially to a family member.”
“Zacharie seems to trust you,” Jaime started. Clearly, with so many trusting and believing him, Lord Gautier wasn’t a dangerous man. “Even though he's a bit…” He cut off.
“Young?”
“Well…yeah…it’s your business, not mine.”
Lord Gautier chuckled. “I admit, it probably seems odd. He was eighteen when he approached me and admitted he’d been having feelings. I refused at first because of the age difference, and I thought it was a silly crush he’d forget about in three days. He was rather persistent. I’m glad I finally said yes. He’s quite a sweet man. I insisted we go slow in case he decided he didn’t want to be with a man so much older. It’s been almost two years.”
If they were happy together, that was all that mattered. Jaime’s opinion wasn't relevant to their feelings for each other.
“Aleric’s rather jealous which has caused strain between them.” Lord Gautier shook his head. “I’m hoping he’ll come to terms with this in a few years because I would like to marry Zacharie, and I don’t want there to be a rift they can’t close.”
Jaime raised an eyebrow. “He’s jealous?” He didn’t see Aleric as being the type to like an older man too.
“Yes. He’s tried breaking us up once before. I remember them as children. Aleric first, of course. After his Mother died, the twins passed shortly afterward. Aleric was small, and I think losing people at such a young age isn’t good for the mind. One might be fine later, but another won’t be. I went to the Regent’s court once. The Crown Prince Sébastien is similar in a way, and he lost his parents. I must admit, I didn’t particularly like him, although that doesn’t leave this room.”
It could account for Aleric’s asshole attitude. While Jaime hadn’t grown bitter after losing family, people didn’t always react the same way.
“Have you talked to Aleric? Maybe he feels like he’s losing his brother. The spouse often ends up being more important. I don’t have siblings, so I’m just guessing here.” Aleric also didn’t have his spouse either, and Jaime wasn’t sure if he should ask about it.
Lord Gautier waved a hand. “He doesn’t listen and won’t discuss anything with me. He’s had many problems with his attitude over the years, and he’s grown quite selfish. I think being the only child for a while and suddenly having a half-brother brought here to live changed him too. Don’t mention what I’ve told you to anyone.”
“No, of course not.” Aleric would be furious if he knew Lord Gautier had been talking about him and revealing sensitive information.
“As for your situation, I’d say to just…when he gets an attitude, don’t let him rile you up.”
Easier said than done, especially after fucking even though it had been to cure Aleric’s heat fever.
“I think he likes it at times. Getting the other riled, I mean. I imagine it makes him feel more in control. Why do you think I said nothing when he refused to clasp arms with me earlier? It would bring him satisfaction to see me annoyed. If he tells you to fetch a drink or to shut up, just do what he says. He might get bored after a while and pay less attention to you once he realizes you’re not entertaining.”
“All right.” Jaime could at least try.
“I should go find Zacharie since he said he might want to go riding.”
“All right. Enjoy your afternoon, m’lord.”
“You can call me Alexandre if you like. Some do.”
***
Jaime took a deep breath before opening the door.
He’d rather hoped that Aleric would be in his bedroom. Instead, he was sitting in an armchair by the cold fireplace with a book and a crystal lantern lit on the table beside him. One wouldn’t think anything out of the ordinary had happened, and he looked nothing like the horny, begging, whiny version from earlier who’d presented his slick ass to Jaime. He’d changed, and the laces of his sleeves were perfect. He’d also combed his hair, and the soft strands brushed the embroidered collar of his turquoise coat.
“You finally decided to come back?” he demanded.
The attitude hadn’t changed either.
“I only went to the library.” Jaime walked over and stood near the couch. “About earlier, I’m sorry I knocked and came in without-”
“Save it.” Aleric lowered his book to glare at him.
“We only had sex so I could cure you,” Jaime hastily said anyway. “It wasn’t to try your ass out. You were clearly in pain, and you were begging me to make it stop. It was either that or walk out and leave you, and I couldn’t. It was also more my fault. I don’t know about you, but I think it would have been pretty fucking cruel to abandon you since heat fever can last for hours.”
“In the future, you better think twice before you barge into my bedroom to start with. That’s not a space you can enter unless I specifically call for you or tell you when to enter.”
