Darragh’s eyebrows rose. “You didn’t like the throne room?”
“It’s impressive, but it’s designed to intimidate. All that space, the high ceiling, the throne itself sitting on a raised platform. Anyone walking in there already feels small.” Finn met his eyes. “I assume that’s intentional.”
“It is.” Darragh grinned. “My grandfather commissioned the remodel. He believed in making people understand the power of the crown before negotiations even started.”
“Did it work?”
“Sometimes.” Darragh swirled the wine in his glass. “But it also made conversation nearly impossible. It’s really difficult to get honest opinions when people are busy being intimidated.”
“So you use rooms like this one instead.”
“When I can, yes.”
The door opened, and servants brought in the first course - a simple salad with fresh vegetables from the castle gardens. They set down the plates and left without a word, closing the door behind them.
Finn watched them go. “They’re very quiet and efficient. Is that deliberate or standard procedure?”
“I told them to bring the food and leave us alone. Trying to have a conversation with people hovering is impossible.”
“I’m glad.” Finn smiled and then added, “But didn’t your advisers object?”
“My advisers object to everything. If I listened to all their concerns, I’d never leave my office.” Darragh took a bite of salad. “They think this whole week is a mistake, by the way.”
“I’m not surprised. I got that impression during the first interview.”
Darragh was surprised. “They actually told you that?”
Finn shook his head as he picked up his fork. “Not in so many words, but it was obvious. The tall one…”
“Aldric.”
“Aldric looked at me like I’d tracked mud across expensive carpets. The slightly younger one seemed concerned I might steal the silverware.”
“Thomas. He’s suspicious of everyone.” Darragh grinned. “What about Helena?”
“Helena was interesting. I couldn’t really tell what she was thinking. It was as if…” Finn paused a moment, looking to the side as if he was thinking about that interview. “She seemed amused by the whole thing. Like she was watching a play and couldn’t wait to see how it ended.”
“That sounds like Helena.” Darragh finished his salad and pushed his plate aside. “So knowing my advisers think this is a terrible idea, why did you come?”
Finn set down his fork. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure. Part of me thinks this is insane, and I should have declined politely. But another part...”
“There’s another part to this?”I’m so glad you didn’t decline. I would’ve chased you anyway, and that would’ve really upset Aldric.
“I liked you,” Finn said simply, and the honest words took Darragh’s breath away. “During the interview. You were direct and funny, and you actually seemed interested in what I thought, not just whether I’d agree with you. That doesn’t happen often in my experience.”
“People usually just agree with you?” Darragh had the same problem.
But Finn was shaking his head. “The society elite usually don’t ask my opinion at all. I’m the fifth son, remember, someone of no consequence. I’m sure they think I’m hanging onto the title of lord by my fingernails. Nobody expects me to have thoughts about governance or policy.” Finn picked up his wine. “Talking to you, it was refreshing to be taken seriously, even if I was trying to convince you how unsuitable I am.”
“About that.” Darragh leaned forward. “I need to know. Was that a performance - during your interview with me? Were you being deliberately difficult because you wanted to be dismissed as a candidate?”
“No.” Finn met his gaze steadily. “I was being honest. I don’t have court training, I don’t know protocol, and I would absolutely say the wrong thing to a visiting dignitary. Those are all true. I wasn’t exaggerating them for effect. That’s just who I am. As you were, technically, considering me for an important position both in the country and in your life, I felt it was important to be honest in all my answers. Anything else would be deceptive and that’s not who I am.”
Relief. That is exactly what Darragh had been thinking over the past six days – or at least hoped.I’m so glad that was true.“So tell me, if you were king consort? Would you change your behavior? Would you try to fit in with the expected mold?”
“I don’t know how,” Finn admitted as he pushed his plate aside. “I’ve spent my whole life being myself, Darragh. I’m not sure I could pull off being someone else even if I wanted to - which I don’t - not even for you.”
Yes. He’s perfect…Darragh wanted to dance around the room, but he was also trying to make a good impression.
