A/N: Alright my pretties (I can call you that, yes?) - Friday is going to be super busy for me, so I am posting a bit early. That's okay, I love waking up to your reviews. Hope you have a lovely weekend & I'll see you on Tuesday!
As Lady Lopez had said, the missive announcing the impending visit of the King's designee had been delivered to the Anderson Manor by a court page. The parchment paper had been sealed with purple wax and carried the signet marking of Prince Kurt. Inside, it simply stated the household should be prepared to accept the arrival of Prince Kurt, three days hence, who would interview Lord Blaine Anderson in regards to his request for a Writ of Marriage. Lord Anderson should anticipate spending several hours in the company of the Prince, and therefore should reschedule any commitments made previously.
The Duke had crumpled up the letter and thrown it into the fireplace, watching it smolder in the ashes before pouring himself the first of several stiff drinks. Livid that Lady Lopez had chosen not to use her considerable influence to bring Prince Finn to their household as he'd insisted, Duke Anderson ordered Blaine to his study, bent on beating his son once again for his lack of discretion that had led the entire family to this threshold. At the last moment, his wife had pointed out that the bruises wouldn't fade in time for his meeting with the prince. But his anger was just as strong as it had been three days ago.
Dressed to meet the Prince, Blaine stood unsteadily before his father listening to the Duke rant.
"You've got one chance at this, boy, one chance. If you manage to fumble it, what happened between us after the Masque will look like child's play. Whatever it takes, you will convince the prince to allow this marriage to move forward."
"Yes, sir," Blaine answered quietly.
"The gossip will end, Blaine. One way – or another," the Duke growled.
Gooseflesh broke out on Blaine's arms, despite the room's warmth. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that his father would carry through with his threats to beat Blaine within an inch of his life if he failed to get the prince's approval for his marriage. A loud knock at the door to the study had him jumping in place.
"Enter!" His father continued to glare at Blaine as a member of the household staff entered and bowed at the waist. "His Royal Highness, Prince Kurt, has arrived and requests that Lord Anderson meet him outside."
"What!? burst the Duke.
Blaine met the gaze of the servant, asking, "Are you certain?"
"Yes, m'lord. The prince asked me to fetch you. I believe he means to take you riding. He and his guardsmen are all on horseback. He politely refused our offers to bring him to the Duke's study, insisting that you be brought to him," the servant supplied.
Bowing towards his father, Blaine asked, "By your leave, Your Grace?"
The Duke picked up an apple set into a basket of fruit on his desk and hurled it toward the doorway, just missing the nose of the servant. "Ridiculous!" he shrieked. "You will meet here, in this study, under my supervision – or not at all." Stalking out of the room, Blaine had no other choice but to follow his father.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to the servant who had stooped to pick up the pieces of apple.
"Best of luck, m'lord," the servant replied quietly.
By the time Blaine stepped through the front door and shut it behind him, his father stood arguing with the prince who sat astride a large grey horse. Biting his lip nervously, Blaine hurried down the marble steps and across the gravel path until he stood a few feet behind his father. He was aware that the prince's eyes had tracked him the entire distance.
"You can meet in my study," demanded his father.
Kurt allowed his gaze to drift back to Duke Anderson. "Thank you, Your Grace, but we'll be quite comfortable where we're going."
"But it's … expected," the Duke argued, reaching out to grip the reins of Kurt's horse.
"Exactly," Kurt drawled. "Meeting others' expectations hasn't ever been … part of my agenda, Your Grace."
The Duke's nostrils flared as his anger boiled. "Then I forbid my son to leave in your company. Blaine?" he said, looking back to his son, "go inside the Manor. You'll not meet with His Highness until he comes off his horse and joins you inside."
Amused at the Duke's choice of words, Kurt attempted to cover his snicker with a gloved hand, before turning a hard gaze on the Duke. "I'm not coming down off my high horse, Your Grace. It's one of the benefits of having been born a prince, and not, say, a duke. Lord Blaine may return to the manor, he is your son. However, if he fails to attend today's interview, the Writ of Marriage will be summarily dismissed and a new one will not be granted. Do you need a moment to consider?"
The crunch of gravel drew Kurt's attention away from the Duke's glare and to Lord Blaine who'd moved to stand next to Kurt's saddle. "Lord Anderson," Kurt acknowledged.
"Your Highness," Blaine offered, bowing his head. "I'll come with you. I … I'd like the Writ to move forward … if it pleases you to allow it."
"Well, Your Grace?" Kurt gave the Duke one last time to voice his objection. When Duke Anderson held his tongue, Kurt slipped his foot out of the stirrup and held a hand out to Lord Blaine. "You've ridden double before, Lord Blaine?"
Swallowing hard, Blaine nodded while slipping his hand into the prince's and swung himself up to sit behind the prince.
"We'll return before the sun sets," Kurt declared, tugging the reins from the Duke's hand. "And despite any rumors you may have listened to that suggest otherwise … your son will return to you with his virtue intact. I'm not in the habit of seducing those who are intended for someone else."
Not waiting for a response, Kurt kicked the flanks of his horse, moving away from the distaste Duke Anderson had left in his mouth.
End Note: Thank you for reading and for the favorites & follows & reviews. The shockingly amazing news is the next four weeks (yes you read that correctly) of updates are written and ready to post - which leaves me time to finish the last 2.5 sections of this story, and the next chapter of Cheer Captain. Hope you have a beautiful weekend. k8.