Page 39 of The Most Unsuitable Prince
“At least you’re not suggesting it might be elegant.” Rupert knew the moment Winter started laughing all over again that he’d done something he never believed possible. He had an inside joke with his husband, who understood it and him, too. It was aheady feeling, and Rupert felt prouder than ever as he carefully whisked his husband around the dance floor.
“When I was talking to Farrow earlier, he commented on my coat, and again I made sure he knew the tailor responsible was a Simigile business.”
“That man is going to be rushed off his feet before the next ball,” Rupert commented.
“It’ll be beneficial for local business,” Winter agreed. But then he got a twinkle in his eye. “He also mentioned, in the course of our conversation, that he raisedpeacocks. He wondered if we might like a breeding pair to live in the castle grounds. As a wedding gift, you understand.”
That damned bird.Rupert grinned at his mate as he had a sudden thought. Leaning even closer, he whispered, “I do believe, my wonderful husband, that the castle already has the peacock to rule all peacocks. In my opinion, one is more than enough.”
Winter laughed so hard he stumbled, although he quickly regained his footing. “That, Rupert dear,” he said, when they were both dancing smoothly again, “that delightful comment is worth a night cap invitation, if you’re so inclined.”
“With you, my dear husband, the answer to that is always yes.” Rupert nodded to a couple passing by them, a bit closer than they should be on a dance floor, but then it was getting crowded. Once he was sure no one could overhear, he asked quietly, “Why do you call me ‘Rupert dear’. I don’t object at all, but you’ve been doing it since we met. I was hardly dear to you then. I am sure I was barely tolerable.”
“I was giving you something to work toward.” Winter looked up and stroked his face, completely uncaring of their audience.“You succeeded, Rupert dear. In fact, I’d go so far as to suggest you exceeded my expectations.”
“You definitely exceeded mine.” Rupert chuckled and then, because Winter looked so incredible under the lights from the chandelier and he felt so darn happy, he actually laughed out loud. He couldn’t remember if he’d ever done that in public in the past fifteen years, at least, but that’s how being with Winter made him feel.That’s going to cause some gossip,he thought, but in that moment Rupert didn’t care. He had a nightcap to look forward to.
The End
