His Royal Favorite by Lilah Pace

Author:Lilah Pace [Pace, Lilah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2016-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The Last Act of His Reign

As spring came, James began to feel hopeful. Maybe he and Ben were going to make this work.

True to his word, Ben was really trying. Instead of being such a stick in the mud about theatrical events, he now picked out two or three a month for them to attend, ones in which he took a genuine interest—even a movie premiere or two. He now traveled with James for many events outside London, though he did not yet appear alongside James in any official capacity. That would have been inappropriate with anything less than a fiancé, even for a heterosexual couple. To James and Cassandra’s mutual amusement, Ben had made fast friends with Spencer, which meant the four of them were getting together more often.

The media quickly noticed the change. The Sun claimed that James was keeping Ben close out of fears of infidelity, but most tabloids preferred the idea of Ben slithering his way into a position of influence. BENJI MAKES HIS MOVE said the Express headline, echoing the other redtops.

However, the more responsible mainstream press reacted sanely, pointing out that James and Ben clearly “hoped for greater acceptance,” and noting “signals that Mr. Dahan is expected to remain at Clarence House for some time.” The Daily Telegraph even began referring to Ben as the “Royal Favourite”—a centuries-old term for a sovereign’s lover.

Ben’s reaction was to muse, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d rather be called Benji.”

One night they had a dinner party, one of the so-called private gatherings—supposedly informal parties at James’s house, which in fact involved the full kitchen staff, and at which precedence was observed all the more rigidly for not being announced. James had always hosted these, but very few. Now, however, they were tools he could use to wedge Ben into society, regardless of how either Ben or society felt about it. This particular dinner promised to be more informal and enjoyable than most. Nearly everyone James had asked was someone he especially liked. Even better, Indigo had promised to attend, which was rare for her. Out of deference to her anxieties, James invited one of her few close friends.

Then, midafternoon on the day of the event, James received a phone call from Kensington Palace.

“She’s not especially bad, sir,” said Hartley. “Not doing any harm to herself, not even in her closet, but Her Royal Highness is, shall we say, unsteady.”

James breathed out. “Does she need me to come to her?”

“I think she’s well enough, sir, but it shan’t be possible for her to come to the party. She feels sincerely regretful about it, and about not speaking to you herself.”

“I realize that,” James said. “Thank you, Hartley. I know you always look after her.”

After he’d hung up, he left his personal office and went down the hall, to where Ben had taken up writing in a space previously left vacant. Not only did having his own office give Ben a place in the palace proper, but it also made quick conferences like this one much easier.

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