Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
“Fucking brilliant,” Bram said. “I’ll send a bird to Mars immediately.”
“I’m not done,” Farah told him quietly.
Bram didn’t move.
None of them did.
She turned again to True.
“And we need to invite real people to the wedding, True. You have the charmed folk represented. But who you are, what you represent, we need more. A trusted soldier you know and his family. A tutor from your childhood you particularly liked. A servant of the castle who is close to you, someone day to day who gives their loyalty to the crown, and to you, in ways otherwise unseen, and not often honored.”
She scooted closer and carried on.
“None of these invitations will be questioned or considered strategic. If they have touched your life, it is not out of character for you that they have your regard and for you to make a point of that on what is considered by the Dellish the most important union you’ll make in your life. This will be a small gesture, but I have no doubt it will be noted and spoken about.”
She was absolutely correct.
It would.
And that would spread wide.
“In this case, it’s advantageous,” she continued. “But in truth, if True Axelsson was being wed, and not Prince True, you would have done this from the beginning. In fact, these would be the first invitations, outside family, that you’d send.”
He loved it that she knew that about him.
Farah reached out and wrapped her fingers over his hand where it rested on the table.
“You are the prince of the people, True,” she said. “You wish to give them a voice in the governing of their land. Start that by having them represented at your wedding. I do not think this will alleviate their indignation at having to pay further taxes. But I think it will definitely state who you are and what you’re about and even might be considered your response to your father’s decision to require more of his people without giving anything in return. He has foolishly, for reasons I don’t understand, not made it known what boons have been negotiated for Wodell in Firenze. But you have. He’s taxing, but you are making arrangements to put more coin in their purses at the same time giving generously and honoring those who serve the realm. Your father can’t counter that. And should you wish to press regency, he might even be pushed into the position by the will of the people to accept it.”
“How is it that you are this perfect?” True asked the instant she stopped speaking, and when he did, he watched her eyes grow large. “Beautiful, gregarious, kind and sage,” he murmured. “You are an impossibility.”
He saw the blush rise on her cheeks and was enjoying it when Alfie interrupted.
“We send birds now, to the queen and to Mars. As well as Bram riding immediately with the fullness of our message and making sure it’s carried out. We follow on the morrow and make haste to Notting Thicket. Once there, you and Farah are seen in the city, not only attending the opera, but also visiting an orphanage.”
True turned his hand, captured Farah’s fingers and brought them down to his thigh as he nodded to Alfie then to Bram.
“Do it,” he bid.
Bram was out of his chair instantly.
“Your mother might not like having to find extra chairs for extra guests in your temple,” Farah murmured.
“Mother will do what’s best for the realm,” he replied, for he knew she would.
She always did.
What was best for Wodell.
And what was best for True.
He looked to Alfie. “Carrington’s secretary.”
“Yes?” Alfie asked.
“If Carrington does not treat him well, could we possibly recruit him in our endeavors?”
Alfie nodded. “I’ll grab Bram before he rides. He’ll need to attempt that personally.”
True lifted his chin. “Before you go, give him these names to give to my mother to add to the wedding list.”
True recited the names as Alfie listened. True knew his captain needed to take nothing down. He’d remember.
His friend might not be jocular and talkative, but he was observant, exceptionally loyal and wickedly smart.
Alfie left their company.
“I’ll order us more ale,” Luther muttered, and got up to do that.
“If we leave on the morrow, I have a lass to say farewell to, so I best get on doing that,” Florian shared, and then he was gone.
“And I best get on that message to Baldrick,” Wallace declared, and on a grin, he left Farah and True alone at the table.
“I hope the Lights play tonight,” Farah said. “We have not had luck while we’ve been here, and although this village is very charming and the people in it more so, it would make me sad we came here but have to leave without seeing the Lights.”
Although he agreed with her, True did not comment on that.
He said, “You think I am a marvel, but you are a wonder.”