Winter's Bees Read Online Free PDF

make a quick exist.
    "How may I help you, Marcel?" The marquise tilted her face up so he could kiss her cheek.
    "I want to speak to you about my proposed engagement to Gilbert."
    "What about it?" She eyed him curiously. "I have spoken to Henri-André about this, and we both agree it is a good match. Very advantageous for our family to have yet another tie to the royal line, and as the youngest son, Gilbert could do far worse than you, my dear."
    "Yes, well." Marcel squared his shoulders—did he really want to do this? This was his one chance at a life with Gilbert. They could take it slowly, make it work. But then he remembered the sadness in Gilbert's eyes and the way he'd been so distressed by the idea of marrying Marcel. "I want you to speak with Henri-André about finding me another match."
    The marquise turned slowly to stare at him, a frown creasing the space between her eyes. "Why? It is a good match and you and Gilbert have been good friends since you were children."
    Marcel hesitated; he did not want to tell tales at Gilbert's expense, yet he needed to say something to justify himself. "I think his heart belongs to another."
    She laughed at that, moving around her desk and settling herself behind it. "My dear, this is a contracted marriage, a business arrangement, nothing more." A smiling lingered on her lips as she gazed at him fondly. "You two will be good together, but as long as you get along it need not be anything more. If he is in love with another, than his marriage to you need not stand in the way of that."
    "But …"
    She waved her hand in that dismissive way he remembered so well from his childhood, a gestured of the emperor's own Chief Magistrate not his mother. "Do not worry so much Marcel. You have remained unmarried for too long as it is, and this match will be good for you and this family. Accept it. Married life is not nearly as difficult an affair as you seem to believe, especially if you let it be what it is and do not expect more."
    He looked at the floor, trying to think of something to say to persuade her. I'm in love with Gilbert and cannot bear to think that this marriage would bring him even a little bit of harm or unhappiness. But that would be far too emotional of him, far from the elegant legal argument that was the only kind she would accept. He wasn't like her, he didn't know how to use words like a knife or tool to gain exactly what he wanted or bend his opponent to his will.
    "I don't want this marriage. Henri-André promised me that if I did not want it he would not push it upon me and Gilbert, so I am telling you now I do not want this match."
    She sighed, and Marcel stomach tightened like a fist. He was going to lose; he knew even before she opened her mouth to speak.
    "Do not be a child, Marcel, you think there will be a better match for you than one of the emperor's own sons? All his other children are already taken, and Gilbert as Lord de Blois will bring us lands that this family could very much use. Now despite what Henri-André may have told you, I am telling you now that the decision has already been made and the emperor and I have been more than generous. You will not disobey me in this. Whatever is between you and Gilbert, fix it, accept your duty, and move on with your life."
    Marcel let out a long breath. "Of course." He bowed to her and turned on his heel to leave.
    "Marcel." His name stopped him and he turned to see her gesture for him to come close. As soon as he was in reach, she took his hand, clasping it between her smaller, more slender ones. "I am very happy for you," she said, some of her chill thawing. "I never wanted you to marry a stranger, and I hope you grow to be happy with this choice."
    "I hope so too." He really did hope that both he and Gilbert could be happy with this. He bent and kissed her cheek in a more affectionate farewell.
    She was right, of course, he reflected during the carriage ride back to his own apartments. It was just a business