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understand. Your mother was not your grandfather’s first choice for a daughter-in-law.”
    “Yes, but she was from a noble family.” James shook his head. “This is insanity, anyway. Pearl is my best friend.”
    Peter raised an eyebrow. “Many marriages have been based on less than that.”
    “Do you really think Father would approve?”
    “He might and he might not. The thing is, though, he’s not so much eager that you have a wife as that you have an heir.”
    James nodded. “I figured that was what he was thinking. He was just being polite by not mentioning ‘bride’ and ‘child’ in the same sentence.” He looked at Peter, The older man was possessed of keen insight, not only into people, but also into situations and events.
    “What would you do?” James asked.
    Peter looked at him kindly, “I’d follow my heart.”

    The next morning watery sunlight shone through James’s window. He had barely slept all night, falling asleep in the dark hour before the dawn. The only thing he was sure about was that he had to talk to Pearl, and soon.
    His clothes had already been laid out for him, and he dressed quickly. He hoped he would see Pearl when he went to the village. He grimaced. Even if he was able to see her, talking to her would prove a different challenge.
    When he entered the Hall, he found Robert eating breakfast alone. The marquis looked up, stood, and bowed. James nodded and kept walking. He was in no mood for idle chatter.
    “Highness, if I may have a moment of your time.”
    James groaned and considered what would happen if he just kept walking. He measured the distance to the door and wondered if he could feign deafness. He had vowed to keep an eye on the duke, though, and that included watching his son. He turned and smiled weakly. “What is it, Robert?”
    “I was actually wanting your advice on something.”
    James’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He wouldn’t have thought that Robert would want his advice on anything. Intrigued, he asked, “What about?”
    “Women. Or, to be more precise, one woman.”
    Now James was really bewildered. “Go on”
    “I have fallen in love with a young lady and I wanted to ask her father for her hand in marriage.”
    “A noble endeavor. Where does the difficulty lie?”
    “The lady in question is common born—a peasant, to put it bluntly”
    “I see,” James replied slowly. “And you’re worried about marrying her and the possible repercussions?”
    “Yes, Highness, I am.”
    “Do you love her?” James asked, privately astonished that he and Robert should have more in common than he would have thought.
    “I do.”
    “Then do not worry. My father might not be happy, but he will not block your union with this woman.”
    “Your father has always seemed to me to be very benevolent, and respectful of all, regardless of their station,” Robert noted.
    “Yes, he is,” James answered, smiling. “I’ve always admired him for that.”
    “As is to be expected. Now, if my own father will prove as understanding, all should be well.”
    “I shall pray for understanding from both of our fathers,” James remarked, knowing Robert could not know he would be asking it for them both. James nodded his head. “I will see you at dinner.”
    Robert bowed, and James headed for the door. Once he reached it he turned back around. “Robert, when you have proposed to your lady, bring her back to the castle so that she might prepare adequately for your wedding.”
    “You are too gracious, Your Highness,” Robert said, bowing once more.
    Smiling, James left the room. If he could help Robert, he must be able to help himself.

 

     

    Pearl reached the doors of the church her steps halting and her heart hammering in her chest like a frightened bird. Tears fell on the flowers she carried in her hand. It was supposed to be good luck for the bride to cry. Pearl was afraid, though, that no amount of luck could save her.

    Pearl stood at the fruit cart, trying hard