His Best Intentions chapter 13
The forest gave way to farmland, and that led to more and more houses. Soon, there were other travelers on the road. Some joined them on their route, others headed the opposite direction.
Jensen turned to Jared. “We’ll be in Lancaster, soon.”
Jared nodded and smiled to hide his anxious mind. His future depended on Travis being the same man he remembered. Jared, himself, had matured, so he knew Travis may have as well. However, no matter how Travis had grown, Jared no longer loved him.
Just as they came upon a crossbuck fence running parallel to the road, Jensen’s scouts returned with news.
Jensen spoke with Tahmoh before asking Jared for a moment. “The men have found someone who claims to know Travis. He will meet you at the inn. I’m going on to Lord Morgan’s manor to the north.”
“Okay,” Jared said absently. This was it. He’d see Travis today or, at least, soon. He would have Travis sign the paper releasing him from their old promises and give him the freedom to be with Jensen. “Wait. What? You’re not joining me in Lancaster?” he asked as his mind caught up with Jensen’s words.
Jensen smiled sadly. “No. It’s customary to stay with courtiers, and well, you’ll be with Travis soon.”
“Only to get that paper signed. I’m not staying with him,” Jared affirmed.
Jensen nodded. “That might change when you see him again, Jared.”
“It will not change. I don’t love him anymore. I’ve told you that.”
“Yes, you have,” Jensen replied, sounding almost condescending. “Nonetheless, decorum demands that I stay with the Morgans while in town.”
Something in the Prince’s unusual demeanor gave Jared pause, and he reached for him. “This isn’t goodbye, is it? You aren’t abandoning me for Muldera, are you?”
Jensen looked away. He took a moment before meeting Jared’s eyes. “No, but please don’t ask me to witness your reunion with Travis. I can’t. I know I said I would, but...” His eyes had such sorrow in them that Jared didn’t argue. “You won’t be alone. Richard and Rob will be with you. As will a few others.”
The pain in Jensen’s eyes felt like a weight on Jared’s chest. His fondness for Jensen had grown considerably during this trip. Jared didn’t want to be without him, nor did he want to add to Jensen’s distress. Clearing his throat, he said, “Please, believe me, I’m doing this so that I don’t have to look over my shoulder, wondering when he’ll show and ruin our happiness. Thank you for sending Rob and Richard with me. This isn’t goodbye. We’ll see each other again soon.”
Jensen nodded, but his eyes betrayed his resignation.
Jared watched Jensen ride away, each step another pound of guilt. Taking a few deep breaths, he resolved to not only be finished with Travis but to build a life with the Prince. He swore he’d never cause the Prince such sadness again.
From the moment they entered the small city of Lancaster, Richard’s head was on a swivel. Eyes constantly assessing every person, every building, every street. Something pricked at his consciousness.
That evening when they gathered in the inn’s pub, he shared his concerns with Rob. “Lancaster is not a large city. It’s about the size of Wildebridge, wouldn’t you say?”
Rob took a swig of his ale and nodded. “Yeah. Give or take.”
“That’s what bothers me. Why didn’t the first contingent of the Prince’s men find Travis when they came through here?”
Rob shrugged, indifferent to Richard’s musings. “Who knows?”
“Do you remember who it was?” Richard asked.
Rob shook his head. “No. I didn’t pay much attention. I’m sure Tahmoh could tell you, or maybe Brock.”
Richard rubbed a hand over his mouth in thought. “Yeah, I’ll ask Brock. He’s the one who found our contact, right? Who is this person anyway? How did Brock find them?”
Rob rolled his eyes in exasperation. “I don’t know. The Prince charged me with looking after Jared, and that’s all I can worry about right now. Where is Jared?” He looked at the door. “I better go get him. I don’t want him wandering off on my watch. When is Brock supposed to be here?”
“Soon, I suppose. Go get Jared. I’ll stay here, make sure no one takes our table.”
Jensen and his men were greeted by others on horseback.
“Your Highness, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Burton Manor. Lord and Lady Morgan are eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Jensen accepted their greeting with a warm smile and a nod. “Thank you, gentlemen. Lead the way.”
They rode up to a grand house that was nearly the size of Jensen’s Wildebridge estate. Lord Morgan greeted them as they dismounted.
“Welcome to my humble home, Prince Jensen,” he said genuflecting.
“This is anything but humble, Jeffery,” Jensen replied as he took in the fields and cattle around them.
“Well, thank you.” Jeffery smiled, and all formality was forgotten. He clapped Jensen on the shoulder and said, “Come on, let’s get you boys settled. Lady Hillarie is dying to see you.”
“How is Lady Hillarie? I got her letter declining my invitation to the festival. Is she still feeling poorly?” Jensen asked as they walked through Burton Manor.
“Yes, she’s not feeling like herself, but I’m sure your visit will lift her spirits,” Jeffrey replied.
Jensen frowned. The Morgans were dear friends, and he could see the worry on Jeffrey’s face when he spoke of his wife. Jeffery tapped on a door. “Hillarie?”
A maid opened the door and immediately bowed to Jensen. “Your Majesty.”
He gave her a nod but barely glanced her way. His eyes were glued to Lady Hillarie being helped to her feet by two ladies-in-waiting. “Hillarie!”
“Your Majesty,” she panted while attempting to curtsey, only to have Jensen stop her and hold her arm.
“Hillarie, don’t you dare try to curtsey!” Jensen admonished her gently before turning a stern eye to her husband. “Jeffery, why didn’t you tell me?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he helped a very pregnant Hillarie into her chair. “This is so wonderful! When are you due?”
Hillarie blushed at him and rested her hand on his. “Ten days or so. You can see why I couldn’t attend your festival. I so badly wanted to go!”
“If you like, I will challenge your husband to some fencing for your amusement,” he offered before kissing her hand. “Your health is much more important than my silly festival.”
“I told her you’d feel that way, but she complained for days anyway,” Jeffrey said. “And I’d rather not accept that challenge if you don’t mind, as I’m sure I will only embarrass myself.”
“I wanted to dance and watch you compete and dance and did you have fireworks? Tell me I didn’t miss fireworks!” She pouted.
Jensen winced. “I’m sorry. You know me so well. I did have fireworks. I’m sorry.”
She huffed. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault I’m in this condition.”
“It better not be,” Jeffrey grumbled, though the playful look in his eye meant he was joking. “Come, my Prince, let’s get you settled, and we’ll have dinner. Then you can tell us all about your Year of Promise.”
Jared and Rob entered the pub from the inn while Brock Kelly walked in from the street with a young man by his side. Richard waved them over to his table, but Jared didn’t sit. Instead, he towered over the young man. “So you’re the kid that knows Travis Wade. What’s your name, kid?” Jared asked, surprising the others with a voice that sounded commanding.
“Um, I’m Dylan, Sir. Dylan Everett. And yes, like I told your man here,” he nodded at Brock, “I know Mr. Wade. I, I can introduce him to you if you want.”
Jared remained standing. He put his foot on his chair and rested a hand on his knee. “How do you know Mr. Wade?” Jared asked as he loomed over Dylan.
The boy swallowed as he looked up at Jared. “He was kind of seeing my brother but left him a month ago. Yesterday, I learned he was engaged to Adrianne Palicki.”
Jared smirked. “What kind of family are the Palickis?”
Dylan looked confused. “What do you mean, Sir? I guess they’re wealthy, like you lot. Why, they live in one of the nicest homes in town. Mr. Palicki is a minister at the church.”
Jared nodded as he listened. “Where can I find Mr. Wade?” he asked.
“Well, most nights he’s at the Boar’s Head Pub, when he’s not with Miss Adrianne, that is. During the day, he’s at his family’s mill.”
Jared turned to Brock. “Have this boy show you where the mill is.” Then he took some money from his pocket and held it out to Dylan. “Don’t tell Mr. Wade, or anyone else, that we were looking for him.”
Dylan’s eyes grew enormous at the sight of the money. “I won’t, Sir! Thank you, Sir!”
When Dylan left them, Jared sat with Richard and Rob. “I know I’m supposed to have one of Jensen’s men with me all the time, but when I meet with Travis tomorrow, I must be alone.”
Richard and Rob exchanged looks. “I don’t know,” Rob mumbled.
“The Prince will quite literally kill us if something happens to you,” Richard explained. “One of us must go with you.”
Jared frowned as he took a minute to think. “Can you stay hidden somehow?”
“We are masters of stealthery,” Richard assured him. Jared raised a brow at Richard’s choice of words.
“He means yes. We can stay out of sight,” Rob explained. “We’ve done it with the Prince several times.”
“Good.” Jared looked around to make sure no one was listening to their conversation. “So, here’s my plan. I’ll confront him at his family’s mill, first. I’m betting he’s going to want me out of there, so we’ll meet again at night. I’ll suggest the Boar’s Head. If he is the man I think he is, he’ll suggest another place. And that’s when I’ll know my plan will work.”
Richard and Rob exchanged looks and shrugged.
After dinner, Hillarie, Jeffrey, and Jensen retired to a comfortable sitting room. While the men drank brandy, Hillarie had some tea and quizzed Jensen about his Intended. It was the only part of his Year of Promise that interested her.
Jensen smiled fondly as he thought of Jared. “I chose the most marvelous man. He is clever and kind and level-headed.”
“Is he handsome? Does he dance well? Is he scholarly, or did he work in the fields?”
Jeffrey rolled his eyes at his wife’s questions, but Jensen huffed a small laugh. “Yes, Jared is handsome and a wonderful dancer. He worked in a shop in town, not a field.” He paused, and his smile brightened as he added, “He’s got the most wonderful laugh. He lights up every room he enters.”
Jeffrey shook his head. “You, my dear Prince, sound like a man in love.” He poured them more brandy.
Jensen’s smile faded. “That’s the problem. Jared says he cares for me, but he, well, we made this trip so he could see a former love, and I’m worried it might stir up old affections.”
“You think this Jared would choose someone from Lancaster over the future King?” Hillarie asked in disbelief.
Jensen shrugged. “Jared’s not like other men. He doesn’t seem to care about becoming royalty.”
Jeffrey quirked a brow in doubt but said nothing. Jensen wanted to tell Jeffrey about his banishment, but he didn’t want to worry Hillarie. “Choosing Jared was the easiest decision I made all year. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way I hope, Jared is the perfect man for me. However, my father’s continuous tests exhaust me. I’m grateful this trip allows me to relax.”
“We are grateful to have you visit; however, we have a small favor to ask,” Hillarie paused. Her eyes darted to her husband, and she subconsciously rubbed her belly.
“Anything I can do for you, Lady Hillarie, you know I will,” Jensen replied when she didn’t continue.
Jeffrey smiled at her, then turned back to their guest. “Your Highness, we are so grateful for your friendship, and we feel blessed that you are here now. Would you do us the honor of being the godfather to our child?”
“It would be a privilege,” Jensen replied with a smile that hid his reluctance. Surely they wouldn’t bestow that honor if they knew he was banished.