From others, that omission would have been forgivable, because others sought only to use her in their schemes and politics. But Edward was her best friend. She had never kept any secrets from her cousin, and his silence on this matter was unpardonable.
And he deserved to know that.
Inside Gifford’s bedchamber, the clomping paused and something decidedly wet sounding plopped on the floor. A rank odor came from the room.
Unacceptable.
Jane hurled her bouquet stems at the door, marched out of Durham House, and ordered a carriage to take her to the palace.
The whole ride there, Jane practiced what she would say to Edward. She would lay out the points for him: the breach in trust, the disappointment, the hurt, and the reminder that she had married this horse boy because he had asked.
Only as she stomped up the palace steps, receiving raised eyebrows from members of the esteemed noble class, did she realize she was still wearing The Gown and all her wedding attire. The Gown rested askew on her chest and hips, and the headdress listed to one side. The plaits in her hair had come undone in her sleep.
Well, it had been very late at night by the time the wedding was over, and there’d been no spare clothes for her in that wretched room, not even a nightgown. Certainly she wasn’t going to sleep naked in the presence of that—that—horse boy.
“My lady.” A nose appeared, Lord Dudley following close behind. “I’m surprised to see you.”
She smoothed back her hair as the duke approached her. “As I’m sure you’ve guessed, my new husband is indisposed right now.”
Lord Dudley grimaced. “Ah, yes. Of course you know about my son’s . . . condition.” Embarrassment flashed across his face, and Jane had the sense he wasn’t used to discussing the equestrian affliction with anyone, and therefore wasn’t used to disguising his feelings on the subject.
She smiled and threw back her shoulders, anxious to take out her frustrations on someone. “Of course I do. He’s quite a magnificent creature, don’t you think? Very strong. Regal. I can see you only purchase the finest quality hay for him. What sort of diet does one feed a beast like that? Horses are herbivores, if I’m not mistaken. But human men can be quite carnivorous. I assume you considered the logistics of a meat diet on a horse stomach years ago, though. I’d be interested to see your research, my lord.”
Her husband’s father turned pale.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to acquire a horse of my own. I thought I might get outside more and enjoy some exercise. Imagine the benefits of riding a horse that truly can understand your every command, and spot potential danger not just on an instinctual level, but a human level as well. No more shying at wheelbarrows or cows or other harmless things.”
The duke’s frown was turning into a glower. “Gifford is my son, not an animal.”
“Given his E?ian existence and his rather promiscuous nocturnal activities, I would think you’d have realized long ago that being your son does not preclude him from also being an animal. The two states are not mutually exclusive.”
Alarmingly, Lord Dudley gave her an oily smile when he should have shriveled further. “Promiscuous perhaps, my lady, but you appear to have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of his experience.”
Jane immediately turned red.
“Can we expect happy news soon? I have been looking forward to the idea of more grandchildren.”
Her face felt like it was on fire, but as the duke turned away, a superior set in his expression, she called out, “I’m surprised you don’t have a hundred already!”
Then she realized that was not quite the stinging quip she had intended, and actually dug her deeper into the losing side of their verbal battle. As the duke vanished around a corner, she crossed her arms and shifted her course to a small powder room where she could begin to make herself presentable—not that Edward ever cared how she appeared, but she didn’t want everyone in the palace to assume she’d had a rambunctious night with her new husband.
She spent several minutes adjusting The Gown as best she could, and then she went to work on her hair, first carefully removing the headdress. Untangling the mess took a bit more work, followed by some finger combing, and then she pulled her hair into a low bun and pinned it into place.
After she inspected herself in the framed silver mirror, she proceeded to the turret room where Edward spent all his time lately.
A pair of guards stood watch at the base of the stairs.
“I’m here to see the king,” she announced.
The two men glanced at each other, and the one with a big, bushy unibrow said, “His Majesty is asleep. If you’d like to wait in the library, someone will be along to tell you when he’s ready to receive you.”
Jane frowned. Edward had never been a late sleeper before. Then again, he’d never had “the Affliction” before. He’d looked so pale and worn last night that it was a wonder he’d even been sitting straight by the end of the feast.
Well, there were worse places to wait than the library.