His Grace, the Duke of Northumberland, toasted his king with a clink of crystal against cut crystal. Then, the old duke with a tuft of billowy white hair turned to young Prince Edward and saluted him, too.

"How will your Grace break the news to your son?" asked His Majesty.

The Duke snorted as he sipped a delightful claret. "Hardly matters, as long as I give him ample time to arrive at the church. His own words, mind you, Sire."

"Surely, he was being facetious," Prince Edward replied with a snort.

The Duke waved a dismissive hand. "My son, for once in his misbegotten life, made a sensible choice. He's left the choosing of his wife to me, and I did rather well for him."

Prince Edward chuckled as he studied the stiff parchment he was holding up. "Well, he's a better man than me then."

"Marriage is not a covenant to be entered into lightly," his Grace opined, a hardened faraway look in his eyes. "I could have chosen some frightful shrew given my son's insolence. Yes, I ought to have done. Instead, I've given him a wife of great beauty and charm, by all accounts. It's more than the ingrate deserves. But, of course, he owes all his future happiness to your Majesty's generosity."

The king made a benevolent gesture.

"Do give me time to speak to Evelyn first before reading the banns," Edward implored. "Let me get her accustomed to the idea."

The Duke opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to protest. But his sovereign nodded in agreement. "Quite right! Get her used to the idea. See that she has all she needs, Edward. Has she come out yet?"

"Yes, Father. Hence why I want to ease her into the idea."

"Jolly good! Do as you see fit, with our blessing."

The Duke was about to speak again when a pair of massive doors sprung open, signalling the end of this audience. Then, with a click of his heels and a curt bow, the Duke departed.

Prince Edward congratulated himself on this, his most brilliant plan. This marriage will solve so many vexing problems. Evelyn can now quit the Warwicks. She'll soon be too well-placed for anyone to question her. It might even put a stop to her foolish pursuits. His Majesty was pleased to have Evelyn settled. The Duke looked forward to more lands and the promise of heirs. The Marquess gains a pretty wife. In time, the happy couple might even grow to like each other, though that's of no consequence.

Yes, Prince Edward thought as he congratulated himself with a fine claret. This was a masterful plan indeed!