Page 63 of A Queen's Match
He smiled, unconcerned. “I wonder if one could build something similar for a sled in the snow? I have three nephews, you know; the princes of Sweden. What a delightful Christmas present for them…”
Maximilian trailed off as, across the table, Ernie rose to his feet.
“Thank you all for a lovely visit,” he began, and paused, waiting for conversations around the table to die down.
Alix shot her brother a curious look; she hadn’t known he was planning a toast. Though it made sense, since all their guests would be leaving for Potsdam the next day.
“The past week has reminded me of the importance of family, and of good friends,” Ernie added, nodding to Maximilian. “Which is why I wanted everyone here to be the first to hear our fantastic news. Ducky?” He gestured across the table, and their cousin stood, tossing her unruly dark hair over one shoulder.
Like Ducky, Ernie was smiling, but the smile didn’t seem to reach his eyes. “Today I asked Ducky to marry me, and to my great delight, she said yes.”
There was a moment of startled surprise, and then the table erupted in noise. Uncle Alfred grinned, pumping Ernie’s hand in both of his, while Aunt Marie laughed and ran around the table to hug Ducky. They were clearly thrilled that their oldest daughter had chosen such an easy match—not the future King of England, perhaps, but a known quantity, a cousin who would keep her close to home. Even Alix’s father seemed to have livened up a bit at thenews, clamoring that one of the footmen needed to come at once.
When the footman arrived, it was Johann.
“Bring several bottles of champagne from the cellars!” Louis exclaimed, looking at Johann. “Ernest has proposed! We have a future Grand Duchess of Hesse!”
Alix saw the blood drain from Johann’s face—saw the way he glanced over at Ernie, hurt and bewilderment on his face. But Ernie was still smiling that broad, social smile, looking anywhere but at Johann.
It was only later, afterendless toasts and congratulations, that Alix found her brother alone. He was walking down the hallway toward the front staircase, his steps slow, as if he’d depleted all his energy on that celebratory dinner and had nothing left.
“Ernie!” she whispered. “Are you all right?”
He turned around, heaving a sigh when he saw her. “I suppose the news must have caught you by surprise. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”
“What happened? Did Grandmother arrange this, or Father?”
Ernie nodded to the formal sitting room—the one at the front of the house that they almost never used. Alix followed him inside, not bothering to sit.
Her brother shut the door, then leaned against the frame, bracing his palms on the wood behind him.
“I know this is unexpected, but it’s for the best, really.And I have you to thank! You gave me the idea the other day, when you told me that Ducky is in love with her cousin Kiril.”
“I was just guessing!” Alix had told Ernie of Ducky’s strange comment aboutme and Kiril,and how May had helped herwriggle out of that engagement to Eddy.
“Well, your guess was correct. Ducky confirmed it forme.”
“Ernie. What did you say?” Alix asked, staring at him.
“I told her that I was looking for a wife who would not expect fidelity from me, and that in return, I would offer her the same courtesy.” He let out a breath, seeming amused. “It was so nice, speaking frankly with the opposite sex, instead of all the useless social niceties we were taught. Honestly, you should try it.”
“Surely you didn’t tell her about…”
“About Johann?” Ernie’s expression fell, just a little. “I’m not a fool, Alix. I merely said that I suspected she held affections elsewhere, and that I was in a similar situation. That it could benefit us both to be married. I intend to keep pursuing my own relationships, and will make no objection if she does the same.” He shrugged. “I told her that she can invite Kiril here all she wants, entertain him personally.”
That was a shocking offer—and far more than any other husband would give Ducky. Alix bit her lip. “Are you sure?”
“What other options do I have? Follow Grannie’s orders and marry Maud?”
“Grandmother won’t make you marry her if you don’t wish to!”
“Of course not.” Ernie seemed to slump lower against the door. “But if it’s not Maud, it will just be someone else. Princesses will keep being paraded before me, ‘coincidentally’invited to Balmoral when we are there, turning up unexpectedly at Darmstadt.” He refrained from pointing out that Maximilian had done exactly that, turning up on Alix’s doorstep uninvited. “The matchmaking won’t stop until I marry. Ducky is the best option available to me.”
“Oh, Ernie.” Alix felt tears pricking her eyes.
“I don’t understand. Why aren’t you congratulating me? This is a good solution for me, and for Ducky.”
“Because you’re talking about your marriage as if it will suffocate you, as if it’s a—” Alix fumbled for the word. “A prison!”
