His best intentions chapter 15
From their table, Richard had to stifle a cheer the moment he saw Travis sign the paper. “He did it, Robbo!” he said, barely keeping his enthusiasm contained. “I knew he would.” He raised his glass to toast with Rob.
"You knew nothing of the sort,” Rob retorted, though he joined in, raising his glass as Jake joined them.
“I can’t believe that worked,” Jake added. He looked over his shoulder at Travis, who was still sitting at the bar with his paper and his drink. “What an idiot.”
Richard looked at Travis and sneered. “Perhaps someone should tell him how much of a fool he is.”
He stood, but Rob held his arm. “No, just leave it. Let’s get Jared and -” Rob paused and looked around. “Where is Jared?”
“He left,” Jake replied.
Rob grabbed Jake’s shirt front. “He left?! He can’t leave without us! The Prince will kill us! Where did he go?”
Jake shrugged in reply. Rob turned to Richard, but the man took advantage of the distraction and approached Travis. Leaving Rob to whine, “No,” as he went after him.
Richard took the seat Jared had just vacated. “You’re an idiot.”
Travis turned to him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You’re an idiot. You had a guy like Jared madly in love with you and you blew it. He’s a great kid. But you lie to him and leave him broken-hearted.”
Travis shook his head. “I didn’t lie to Jared. Who-?”
“Uh, yeah, you did,” Richard said, interrupting him. “When you said you were going home to fight in the war, remember that? And when you said you loved him. You didn’t love him. You probably don’t even know what love is!”
Rob took Richard by the arm. “We have to go. Now.”
Richard shook him off. “In a minute, I’m not done here.”
“Who are you?” Travis asked, looking slightly amused by Richard’s rant.
“We’re Jared’s friends. Do you realize what that guy did?”
“Friends? He only has two friends, that Genny girl and that blond fool.”
“No, you’re the fool. Jared has lots of friends, important friends. How do you think he found you? He traveled across the country for you because you made promises to each other. He gave up everything for you.”
“Everything? He had nothing.”
“Richard, we need to go now,” Rob repeated.
“He had the keys to the kingdom! He could have had whatever he wanted, but he wanted you. You threw him away. But, you know what? You’re not good enough for him.”
“Not good enough? My family owns the mill. He’s an orphan. I’m going to run-”
Exasperated, Rob moved between them. “Richard. We have to go. Jared is gone. He left.”
“He left?”
“Yeah, and if we don’t find him…”
“Heads will roll.” Instantly sober, Richard forgot his quarrel with Travis and left him at the bar. “Jake, go to the Morgans.”
“Me?” Jake squeaked.
“Do you see another Jake?” Richard understood the kid didn’t want to tell the Prince they lost Jared, but someone must. “Look, he might have gone there. Maybe you can catch him on the road. Go!” Turning to Rob he said, “Let’s go to the inn. Maybe he went to get his things.“
“Why are you so interested in where Jared went? Who are you anyway?” Travis asked as he strolled over to them.
“No one of consequence,” Richard replied.
“I need to know.”
“Get used to disappointment,” Rob said, moving past Travis to the door.
After searching the inn, it was obvious that Jared hadn’t returned. Richard sent two men to search the town and Rob went to their room.
“What are you doing?”
“Packing.”
“Why? We have to find Jared. Do you honestly think you can run and hide from this?”
Rob stopped and looked at Richard like he had grown two heads. “Because if Jared went to the Morgans, the Prince will want us there. If he has disappeared, we have to help search. Either way, we’re not staying here.”
“Good point.” Richard stuffed his things into his bag. “My money is on Jared being at the Morgans.”
"Mine, too. He probably assumed we were right behind him.” Rob packed Jared’s things. “I just hope the Prince doesn’t get angry when he sees we’re not.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. Prince Jensen will be so happy to see Jared, he won’t care about where we are or aren’t.”
Dusk was falling at Burton Manor.The Morgans and their guests gathered in a sitting room listening to Hilarie’s handmaiden play the piano.
As he listened, Jensen’s mind swam with concerns. Why didn't he hear from his men? Or Jared? It was quite unlike Richard to stay away for a day. His father’s voice snarled in his brain, They aren’t your men any longer. You are not their Prince. They owe you nothing . That’s true, Jensen mused, but Jared… Jared had said he cared for him. That was before he met with Travis. The man he stayed true to even when offered the kingdom.
He closed his eyes and focused on music, silencing the voice in his head. If morning comes with no word, I will go into town and speak with Jared. I will not lose him without a fight, Jensen decided with a new sense of determination. Or perhaps he should go to him tonight. He broke from his musing when the song ended and the others applauded.
A servant rushed in, quickly bowed, and said, “I beg your pardons, but there is a man at the door demanding to see the Prince. He refuses to leave until he’s granted an audience.”
Perplexed, Jensen looked at Jeffrey, who shared his befuddled expression. No one knew he was there except his men. This was highly unusual. “Did they give you a name?” Jeffrey asked.
“Yes, Sir. He said his name is Jared.”
The Prince blinked in surprise. Had he somehow summoned Jared? Moreover, why would Jared be there without the others? “Jeffrey, Ladies, please excuse me.”
Lord Morgan held out a hand to stop the Prince as he addressed his servant, “Dexter, take the man to my office.” Then he turned to Jensen. “Why would he come alone? Do you want a guard with you?”
Jensen shook his head, eager to get to Jared. “No. I’ll be fine, but I should see him at once.”
Jared paced the room like an anxious caged animal. He couldn’t believe Morgan’s servants didn’t take him directly to the Prince. Why was he forced to wait? What was taking Jensen so long?
When Jensen burst through the door, his thoughts poured from his mouth. “Jared, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Where’s Richard and Rob? Where’s Travis? Is everything all right?” Jared’s disheveled clothes and his heavy breathing concerned him. “Jared, tell me what happened. Where are the others?”
Jared stared at his Prince, completely enamored. He had forgotten how handsome Jensen was, how his soul shone in his eyes. He took a breath to prevent himself from grabbing Jensen and kissing him senseless.
Jared’s hand trembled retrieving the paper from his coat pocket. “It’s over,” he explained. “Travis signed it. Now nothing can keep us apart.”
Jensen took the paper and tried to restrain his emotions as he read it. “And you truly want to be with me? Even if I have nothing?”
“That’s why I came here the moment he signed the paper. I don’t want to live another minute without you.” Jared took a step forward.
Jensen took a step back and held his breath. No matter how much he wanted this, his thoughts warned him of heartbreak. “Have you thought this through? If you chose me, you will have less stature than you did as an apprentice. I don’t want you to regret your decision and resent me.”
“The only thing I have to offer is my love, and it’s yours. My heart, mind, body, and soul are yours. I can’t ask for more in return. If you’ll still have me, I’m yours.”
Jensen shook his head, amazed by Jared’s declaration.
Jared mistook Jensen’s silence for disbelief and continued, “You felt I was capable when you chose me for your Intended. Let me prove I am. We are strong, intelligent young men. Neither of us is afraid of hard work. We can support each other.” Jared took Jensen’s hand in his. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want the rest of my life to start right now.”
Jared’s admission erased months of agony. “I want that, too. I have never wanted anything more.”
Consumed with the need to touch Jensen, Jared stepped closer. He cupped Jensen’s face in his hands and pressed his lips to Jensen’s. When he broke the kiss, Jared rested his forehead against Jensen’s and though his heart raced, he sighed in relief. Finally, he could kiss his Prince.
Jensen held Jared close, breathing him in, and wondered if Jared could feel the thundering of his heart. He leaned forward to capture Jared’s mouth in another kiss when Jeffery’s servant burst through the door with Jake Abel on his heels.
“Sire, please excuse our interruption, but another man, who claims to be your servant-”
“Your Highness, Jared has,” Jake froze when he saw Jared standing with the Prince. “You’re here,” he babbled in relief. “Sorry, Your Majesty.” Jake bowed quickly. “Jared left in such haste he didn’t tell us where he was going. We’ve all been searching for him.”
Jensen tore his eyes from Jared to respond. “Thank you, Jake.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry anyone,” Jared replied hastily, and turning to Jensen, he added, “I just wanted to get to you as quickly as possible.”
“My men know there would be hell to pay if anything happened to you.” Jensen squeezed Jared’s arm. “It’s fine. You were found, no harm was done.” He faced his man. “Jake, return to the inn. Have Richard and Rob pack Jared’s things and their own and come here at once. You and the others can have a couple of days’ holiday. We will meet you at the end of the week.”
“Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!”
Once they were alone again, Jared asked, “We won’t be staying at the inn?”
“No, I want my friends, the Morgans, to meet you. I’ve told them about you and we will be much more comfortable here than the inn.”
“But the Morgans are members of the court. I don’t know how to act around such people,” Jared complained.
Seeing Jared’s uneasiness, Jensen took his hand. “Jared, the Morgans are just regular people who live in a big house. You are every bit as good as they are. Remember, as long as we love each other, who cares what they think?”
Jensen’s words soothed some of Jared’s nerves and he smiled tightly at the Prince.
Jensen kissed Jared’s hand, then moved to the door to beckon a servant. “My valets will arrive this evening with his belongings. Please prepare a room for them.”
“Yes, your Majesty. Right away, your Majesty.”
Jensen faced Jared and took his hand again. “Jared, my love, let’s get married right now, tonight. The Morgans have a minister staying here. We can ask him for an affrèrement this very evening.”
“Tonight?”
“If you want to wait, we will,” Jensen conceded. Looking up into the eyes of his beloved, he added, “But you are my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. I ache to be with you. It will be my greatest challenge to remain chaste around you.”
Jared smirked. “Oh, my dearest Jensen, don’t misunderstand me.” He kissed the knuckles of Jensen’s hand. “I don’t want to waste any more time. I want our life together to start as soon as possible. We will get married tonight. Then we will make love until the sun rises.”
Jensen’s eyes darkened with Jared’s oath, and he pulled him into another kiss.
Lady Hilarie struggled to get comfortable in her chair. The baby she carried made every position insufferable. She whispered to her husband to get another pillow, but he didn’t hear her.
Lord Jeffrey Morgan stared at the door, barely listening to his wife or to the young lady playing the piano. He shouldn’t have let the Prince leave alone. It wasn’t safe; it wasn’t protocol, and it made him crazy not knowing what was happening. Lady Hilarie patted his arm. “Pillow, please,” she repeated, this time pointing over him.
“Yes, darling, of course.” He took the pillow from his side and gently placed it next to his wife. The moment he turned away from the door, the Prince entered with another man.
A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to the two men. Prince Jensen smiled as he looked around the room and back to Jared. “Lord Jeffrey Morgan, Lady Hilarie Morgan, it’s my deepest honor and truest pleasure to introduce my Intended, Jared.”
Everyone stood and bowed. Unsure under the scrutiny of the room, Jared slightly bowed to everyone.
Jeffrey held out his hand and stepped forward. “It’s an honor to meet you, Jared.”
As they shook hands, Jensen turned to the minister and asked, “Reverend Holland, would you be willing to perform our affrèrement this evening?”
“Tonight, your highness?” the minister gasped. “Wouldn’t you rather wait until you’ve returned to the Capital?”
“No. We want to be wed immediately. A celebration can be held anytime.”
The minister looked to Lord Morgan for guidance, but he seemed just as surprised. Lady Hilarie , however, was smiling giddily. “Of course we can have the affrèrement this evening. However, our dear Jared must first answer the court’s questions.”
Jeffrey and Jensen both began to argue, but Hilarie silenced them with a raised hand. She stepped in front of Jared, looked up into his eyes, and asked, “What would you do if Florin attacked us again?”
“Jared, you don’t have to answer any questions,” Jensen began, but Hilarie interrupted him.
“It is customary that the court asks questions of the Intended before blessing the marriage. I’m just abiding by tradition,” she explained before turning back to Jared with an expectant look.
Jared had used the brief distraction to formulate his reply. “Well, I hope they respect the Treaty of Porthcawl and they never attack again. However, if they dare to invade us again, all efforts of diplomacy should be exhausted first. Although, I genuinely hope that we would slap them back to the stone age.”
Hilarie nodded. “Acceptable answer. And now, for my final question.” Her eyes narrowed. “What makes you think you’re worthy of marrying Prince Jensen?”
Shocked by the boldness of Hilarie’s question, time seemed to stop in the room. The Prince made a disgruntled noise and placed a hand on Jared’s forearm. But before he could speak, Jared said, “I don’t think I am.”
Jensen pulled Jared’s arm, forcing him to look at him. “Jared, of course you are. Don’t say such a thing.”
Jared smiled at him reassuringly. He turned back to Hilarie and said, “When I first met the Prince, I wanted nothing to do with him or this custom. However, over the past several months, he has proven to be the kindest man I’ve ever met. He’s smart, he’s humble, he’s loyal, he’s true to his word without caring what it might cost him. He gave up everything for me and asked for nothing in return except my friendship. And even that he didn’t demand of me. Jensen is the greatest man I have ever known. He makes me strive to be a better person.”
He smiled affectionately at Jensen. “He let me fall in love in my own time. I will spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy of him.” He turned back to Hilarie. “If you don’t approve, we will still get married, for Jensen and I are in love and your approval, or lack thereof, doesn’t change that.”
Lady Hilarie looked taken aback for a moment. Then she smiled warmly at the men before her. “Well done, your Highness. This man does indeed suit you. Jared, Prince Jensen, you have the court’s blessing.”
“Reverend, go gather what you need for the affrèrement. We don’t want to stand in the way of true love,” Jeffery commanded.
“Yes, sir.” The minister hurried out of the room, waving for a servant to follow him.
Lady Hilarie immediately directed servants to change the room around to accommodate a marriage ceremony instead of a piano recital. However, she told her handmaiden to play love songs as they waited.
Jensen stared adoringly at Jared. “You’re amazing. I’m the luckiest man on earth.”
Jared shook his head. “No, the fact that you still want me means I’m the lucky one.”
Jeffrey rolled his eyes at their lovey-dovey sentiments but said nothing. One look at his wife and he knew he had been just as passionate on their wedding day.
“Would it be improper to wait for Richard and Rob to arrive?” Jared whispered to Jensen. “They have been with us from the beginning. I would like for them to witness our happy ending.”
“Of course.” Jensen walked over to one of the many servants. “When my valets arrive, show them in here, please.”
“Yes, Sir, of course, Sir.”
When Rob and Richard entered the room, they immediately apologized to the Prince for letting Jared get away.
Jensen smiled and waved off their concern. “Please don’t worry about it. Jared and I are about to be married. We want you to be here since you have been part of our journey from the beginning.”
Both men bowed. “It is our honor, Sir,” Rob replied.
Jensen shook their hands. “Thank you. Please find a place to sit. I think we’re ready to begin.”
After Jensen stepped away, Richard whispered to Rob, “You know what this means, right?”
Rob nodded. “That we have to move Jared’s things to Prince Jensen’s room.”
“No, well yes, that, too," Richard shook his head in amusement. “It means the Prince cannot be banished.”
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I stole 2 things from the Princess Bride.