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Oh, how she hated her husband. Yes, she was stubborn not to move to the bed, but she thought that her little rebellion was the only way she could assert her independence in that cramped little tower, to show him that just because he’d gotten her to live with him didn’t mean he’d won her affection.

Now, he was walking beside her, smelling like a fresh winter morning, reminding her of the first day they met.

Everyone’s eyes were turned to them as their heads bowed toward each other, and a hushed whisper spread around the ballroom.

The bastard and the rebellious princess.

Most people present at the ball looked at William with either disdain or disgust, though Victoria noticed a few who regarded him with something akin to curiosity, and some bold women unabashedly admired him with eyes heavy-lidded and brimming with desire. Her fingers tightened on his sleeve possessively.

He had never been welcomed in many aristocratic homes before, which she attributed to his bastard status, but now she wondered if it was because he had cuckolded one too many noblemen.

With his youth, wit, charm, and pleasing looks, he had always turned heads, of that she was certain. She had fallen for him, after all. And she couldn’t be the only one.

Now married to someone of Victoria’s lofty lineage, connected to not one, but two of Europe’s oldest royal families, he’d undoubtedly become the most coveted prize among women seeking a passionate dalliance.

Victoria followed his line of sight, wondering if he was looking at anyone in particular, but he seemed oblivious to the attention he was getting. He held his head high, a carefree smirk playing upon his lips.

After all, he’d gotten what he’d wanted, hadn’t he? A foot in the door of high society and a lovely princess on his arm.

They made their way down and were met by the Duke and Duchess of Kensington at the base of the staircase.

“Brother!” William exclaimed loudly. “What a pleasure to finally be welcomed into your home.”

Kensington’s jaw clenched, his lips thinning into a single line. He didn’t reply, just bowed politely toward Victoria.

Caroline flicked a quick glance toward her husband, communicating silently in a way only married couples did, and the duke immediately turned toward William, unclenched his jaw, and smiled. “Lovely to see you… ahem… brother.”

That was the most insincere greeting Victoria had ever seen.

“Yes, welcome, Victoria, William.” Both Caroline and Victoria dipped into polite curtsies.

“You seem tense, brother,” William noted. “I thought we managed to mend the bridge between us.”

Kensington’s nostrils flared. “Quit calling me brother, brother. And do not pretend like you didn’t put a huge gash in that bridge by abducting my wife’s cousin.”

William frowned in thought for a while, mouthing something to himself, then smiled widely. “Ah, yes, Victoria is your wife’s cousin. We are twice as relatives now, aren’t we?”

“Do not remind me,” Kensington growled.

“You are the one who reminded—”

“How about we take a turn about the room, shall we?” Caroline interrupted the childish banter between the brothers. Then she added in a hushed whisper, “We need to keep up appearances. Please, pretend to be civil.”

“My wife doesn’t like it when I pretend or lie or deceive,” William drawled.

Victoria let out a deep sigh. “And yet you never had a problem with it before.”

Caroline fairly snatched William’s arm, while Kensington offered his elbow to Victoria, and both couples moved in a circular pattern along the room.

“How is your living arrangement with William?” Kensington asked with genuine worry in his eyes.

Well, Your Grace, I sleep on the armchair, dress and clean myself, eat the food cooked by your brother, and I am not allowed to leave the house without an escort. She smiled. “Quite well, thank you.”

He greeted an approaching couple with a polite smile and a bow before returning his concerned gaze to Victoria. “Are you certain? Because if there’s anything that you are uncomfortable with…”

Victoria shook her head, still smiling. She didn’t want anyone to think that she was a damsel in need of rescue. She could—and would—take care of William by herself. “I assure you, Your Grace, I am quite well and content. Besides, it’s just a three-month arrangement, and after that, I shall be free.”

They stopped, and the next moments were followed by them fielding questions from the curious crowd. “I think it’s time for you to have your first official dance as a married couple,” Caroline said when the curiosity died down a little.