Just give me one more reason to hit you, I think, staring down the man in front of me. Go on—I dare you. I’ve managed to restrain myself so far, but my control is slipping fast—and I’d love nothing more than an excuse to punch him again, to give him another black eye to match the one he’s currently trying to hide under what appears to be quite a bit of makeup.

The bastard glares at me. From even our two brief interactions, I can tell this man is used to being the smartest and most respected person in the room—but he’s not used to facing down a prince.

What did Justine ever see in this bastard? I think. But I already know the answer to that—a man doesn’t grow up in politics without seeing the way people react to power and confidence. If this was the only man Justine has ever loved, she was obviously quite inexperienced—and quite innocent—when she met him. And considering how her family treats her, it’s no wonder she fell hard for the “brilliant” authority figure who showed an interest in her. He took advantage of her, plain and simple.

Rage on her behalf bubbles up in my stomach—as does a twisting, nauseating pain that anyone could treat her in such a way. Justine is strong and intelligent and stubborn, but beneath that she’s raw and vulnerable, and it makes my chest hurt to imagine this man taking advantage of that.

The man’s eyes shift from me to Justine, then back again. “I should go look over my keynote address,” he says finally, his jaw tight.

I continue to stare him down. “Yes, you should.”

He looks back at Justine. “Though I still think we should have a private word later. Personal issues aside, I have a few suggestions for how you might expand upon your efforts here this week—ways you might bring additional awareness and funding to your cause and your country. Judging by the current state of things, I suspect you might find such advice extremely useful.”

“Justine doesn’t need your help,” I say. “She can manage everything herself.”

“I can speak for myself, too,” she cuts in with a sharp look at me. To James, she adds, “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to give it some thought.”

“Please do,” he says. “Trust me, Your Highness, you’ll want to hear what I have to say.” He gives an almost mocking bow to the pair of us then turns and saunters out the door as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. My fists tighten at my sides, but I resist the urge to charge after him and finish the job I started last night.

As soon as he’s gone, I turn back to Justine. “You aren’t honestly considering accepting his help, are you?”

“What I decide to do isn’t your concern. I have work to do, and if he can help—”

“Of course it’s my concern. I’m your husband!”

“In name only. And—”

“I wouldn’t say it’s in name only. Not after last night.”

Immediately, that pink, glowing flush returns to her cheeks. “This is not the time nor the place to discuss that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a million things to do before tonight. I can’t have any more distractions right now.” She sits back down and begins sorting through things on her desk.

For a moment, I just wait. I’m not sure whether I’m hoping she’ll speak or if I’m just trying to calm my temper, but I don’t want to leave the room right now, not until we’ve settled whatever is happening between us.

After a few minutes, she can’t seem to take it any longer. She looks up at me, but there’s no longer any anger in her eyes—just the stress I saw earlier.

“Please, William,” she says quietly. “This conference is important to me. I’m not lying when I say there’s still a lot for me to do today, and I really need to concentrate on getting it done.” She looks down at her hands and then back up at me. “Earlier you offered to help me. I don’t imagine I’ll get you to promise to stay away from James, but there’s something else you could do for me.”

There’s something almost pleading in her eyes. The last of my anger seeps out of me. When she looks at me like that, I’d do anything for her.

“What do you need?” I ask.

“There’s a welcome reception this afternoon. I was originally planning to attend myself, but with the storm and the subsequent repairs, I’m way behind schedule. Do you think… Is it possible I could convince you to go in my place and greet the guests? Someone from the royal family really should be there, and I don’t think I could get anyone else in my family to bother—not that I trust them with that, anyway.”

But you trust me, I think, looking down at her. You trust me enough to help you with something this important.

“I’d be honored to,” I tell her. “Just tell me where to go and what to do.”

The look of relief that flashes across her face sends a wave of joy through me. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll let me take on some of her burdens. After our recent struggles, this small thing means more to me than she could know. And I intend to prove to her, once and for all, that she can trust me.

Except around James Camden, I remind myself. God help me, if I cross paths with that man again, I won’t be held responsible for what I do.

* * *

A few hours later, I’m dressed and on my way to the welcome reception. Most of the conference’s activities will take place at the old parliamentary buildings next to the palace, facilities that have since been converted into a luxury hotel and event space. Apparently tourism in Rosvalia isn’t what it once was, though, and far more often than not, the buildings sit empty. Justine hasn’t said as much to me, but I suspect she’s hoping that a successful conference might bring other events here, revitalizing the city over the next few years.

And I plan on doing everything in my power to help. I have little interest in the arts myself—I’d far prefer an hour of fencing to an hour in a museum—but I find Justine’s passion inspiring. Besides, isn’t it my job to support her in such things? She is my wife, after all.

My wife. That word means so much more after last night. We might still have some things to figure out between us, but my hope is alive and well, especially now that she’s trusting me to greet her guests.

I’m almost cheerful as I head out of the palace. As I hurry down the front steps, I adjust my cuffs and give myself a once-over, making sure everything is in place. I’m so concerned with my clothes that I don’t notice Reginald and Lady Clarissa until I’m almost on top of them,

“Whoa, there, Brother,” Reginald says with a sneer. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“Justine’s arts conference begins today,” I remind him curtly—I don’t have the patience for him right now. “I don’t suppose you’d remember something like that.”

Reginald laughs. “Don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten. In fact, I hear you’ve already met the guest of honor. And gave him quite a beating, if the rumors are to be believed.”

“I was simply defending Justine’s honor,” I say. “Since clearly no one else in her family seems to care to.”

Reginald’s gaze sharpens. “Funny to hear you say that after how your family treated her. You Montovians have a very twisted sense of what honor means.”

Clarissa gives a loud, “Harrumph!” of agreement, nodding.

But as much as I’d like to teach these two about Montovian honor, I have places to be.

“We’ll have to continue this chat later,” I tell him. “If you’ll excuse me.”

I make it three steps before he says, “I hate James Camden, too, you know. Perhaps I can help you.”

I can’t help it—my curiosity gets the better of me. I stop and look back over my shoulder. “How can you help me? And why?”

“Believe it or not, I do care about my sister’s good name. It’s part of why I hate you and your family for what you did to her.” His sneer is back. “There’s more to Dr. Camden than meets the eye.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He glances over his shoulder. The only people within earshot are members of the Royal Guard, but that seems to be too many.

“Come to my quarters after you’re done with whatever it is you’re doing,” he tells me. “We have some things to discuss.” Without waiting for my response, he turns back and heads up the stairs, Lady Clarissa on his arm.

What in bloody hell was that about? I wonder. But I don’t have time to think about that now—right now, I have a promise to keep to Justine.