The Diplomat’s Bride by Samantha Cayto
Book 2 in the Treaty Brides series
General Release Date: 28th June 2022
Word Count: 53,223
Book Length: NOVEL
Pages: 188
Genres:
ACTION AND ADVENTURE,EROTIC ROMANCE,FANTASY,GAY,GLBTQI,ROYALS
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Book Description
Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.
Kexen of the Outer Vale has made a unique splash in the Moorcondian palace and has captured the attention of Benedict, Lord Tentrees, a diplomat trying to make his mark. When a winter-long mission arises to negotiate a trading treaty with a foreign queen, Ben needs a wife by his side. Never having been attracted to women, he sets his sights on marrying the enticing Kexen. He means for him to be both a helpmate navigating court society and a shield against the flirtatious queen.
Because Kexen is someone who—by his own admission—is neither male nor female, he is intrigued by the idea of becoming Lady Tentrees and presenting entirely as a woman. Ben sweetens the offer with a lucrative trade deal between their families. Kexen will not ignore his duty while also being drawn to the virile diplomat who desires him. He cannot help but accept the proposal.
Their journey through both their diplomatic mission and marriage proves to be a rocky one. Kexen is not as experienced as his husband first believes, Ben is more driven by his career than Kexen appreciates and neither of them anticipates the intrigue waiting for them at their destination. The strength of their growing bond will be tested as they fight for their survival.
“It makes no sense to leave this as your bedroom, Soren. You spend every night with me, so what’s the point of taking up space for things you never use anymore?”
“I can’t argue with your logic, my dear.”
The prince stood next to his wife, staring at the large, ornately carved bed that was clean and fresh, if for no other reason than the one the duchess had given. It was never used. Like any gentleman, the prince went to his wife for conjugal relations—and never the reverse. There was nothing unusual in the use of the duchess’s bed. It was the frequency that caused this room the three of them stood in to be pointless. Kexen was pretty sure most married couples didn’t dally every night with each other. And even among those who did, what made this royal couple different was that the prince stayed with his wife the whole night. It was, in Kexen’s eyes, the most obvious proof that this was a love match. The romantic in him applauded it all, but it meant that this room wasn’t used for any purpose other than to dress. It was no surprise that the practical part of the duchess saw it as a waste.
“What would you have me do about it?” the prince continued.
“Turn it into a private sitting room, somewhere that you can relax or work, at your discretion, but with no one needing to be entertained. Your receiving room can become more of an office, big enough to receive members of the court for official business without having to remove anything personal that you don’t want to share with others.”
The duchess moved closer to the doorway between the two rooms being discussed and spread his arms wide. “This will become a clear line between the prince and the man that you can use any time of the day. It will become your haven.” The duchess beamed at his husband.
“A fine idea, I have to admit. But you will join me in my private domain, will you not?” The prince sent a heated look to his wife that Kexen didn’t miss, even from where he stood awkwardly waiting for the duchess to call on his service. As always, he envied the passion between them.
The duchess’s cheeks pinked, and he lowered his gaze. “If you ask me to.”
Just when Kexen began to feel as if the prince’s bed was going to get a fervid sendoff, voices could be heard coming from the prince’s receiving room, his cousin’s being one of them. Kexen thought nothing of it, given how close Rolf was to the prince. It was likewise commonplace when Deward appeared in the doorway to request his master’s presence. After the trusted servant shut the door, Kexen knew there must be some important business of the realm to deal with. He hoped it had nothing to do with the Marshers or anyone else that would lead to yet another war. The duchess shot him a worried look, and Kexen did his best to convey confidence that this was no more than the usual workings of the place until Deward begged the duchess’s pardon and asked him—and only him—to join the prince that alarm bells started ringing.
Don’t be such a ninny. This has nothing to do with you. It’s none of your business, that’s all.
His own reassurance lasted only a few minutes, because the duchess himself came to the door next and bid Kexen to join them. There was a look of worry in the man’s eyes that he couldn’t quite bank. Kexen tried to remain calm. As he entered the room, however, the expressions on both the prince’s face and Rolf’s broke his reserve. “Is someone dead?” Visions of his parents, siblings and other family members raced through his head as he steeled himself for the worst.
The duchess was the first to answer. “No!” He took Kexen’s hand. “I’m sorry for the drama. It’s just that Rolf has some news—good news, I think,” he added with a slight grimace, belaying his words.
Kexen looked at his cousin. “What is it?”
Appearing surprisingly uncomfortable, Rolf took a step toward him. “I’ve been approached by a gentleman who desires to make you his wife.”
It took a few seconds for the meaning to sink in. Once it did, Kexen couldn’t stifle a chuckle. “Really? How absurd.” Remembering in whose presence he stood, he hastily clarified. “I mean that it’s ridiculous that anyone would want to marry me. Who is it?” As he waited for the answer, he sifted through his memories to see if he’d somehow led one of his admirers to think there was more to their relationship than a bit of fun.
“Benedict…Lord Tentrees.”
The answer floored him. If not for the duchess still holding his hand, he might have toppled over. “That’s ludicrous,” he blurted out, the first words he could think of. “This has to be a joke.”
Rolf shook his head. “I assure you, it’s not. He has presented a trade agreement between our families, whereby we can source their excellent honey on an exclusive and discounted basis so long as you bind the contract with your body. It is a very fine arrangement,” Rolf added with some obvious reluctance.
“Oh.” He must have swayed because the next thing he knew, the duchess had steered him to a chair and sat him down. The impudence of sitting while his masters stood in front of him would have appalled him if his mind weren’t reeling from the news.
Kexen looked at Rolf again. “I’m not sure I truly understand. I barely know Lord Tentrees.”
Rolf’s lips formed a straight line before he answered. “Apparently you made a favorable impression on the man the night of the servants’ ball.”
Kexen felt his cheeks warm. He was never prone to embarrassment, but somehow the mention of that brief encounter turned him shy in front of these other men. “It was a small dalliance, nothing of note.” Despite his own words, his mind conjured up the very pleasant memories of the night and how attracted to the young lord he’d been…and remained. “Surely he only wants me as an exclusive lover?” He’d almost said ‘mistress’, as that word fit better. Powerful men often took lower class women as playthings by bribing the family. It was a considerable step up from the outright capturing and rape of long ago, yet no one could claim that it was truly consensual, given the pressure on those women to accede.
Rolf pressed a palm against his forehead. “No. I’m doing a poor job of this if I’ve left you in any doubt about the arrangement. He wants to marry you, Kexen, in the legally binding sense.”
“Oh.” Despite his training, he settled back into the cushions of the chair, unable to rise given the sudden weakening of his knees.
Kexen hadn’t seen this coming at all. Despite the precedent set by the royal couple in the room, a marriage between two men was still unheard of. He’d assumed marriage was not for him, given that he had put his lack of interest in women to the test early upon his arrival at the palace. The results of that encounter had been definitive. He desired men exclusively, but this offer from one had blindsided him. It was hard to imagine how it would benefit him personally. Being a wife was a more secure position than a lover, but it still meant giving up his freedom and being under the control of another. Because he was of the noble class, Lord Tentrees would always be the master of their marriage. Kexen wasn’t sure he liked that idea.
“I would become Lady Tentrees?” He glanced at the duchess, whose hand remained clasped with his, a steady show of support that Kexen appreciated. It also gave him his answer, of course. Having no title of his own, his husband’s would define him legally.
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Rolf confessed. “I suppose so.” He looked at the prince.
“Indeed. And as the diplomat’s bride, you will be expected to travel with him for all his missions. Wives are considered an important part of the job, facilitating the social requirements and forging ties with foreigners that might prove useful in the future. Only pregnancy puts an end to that—which, of course, won’t be a problem in this case,” he added, rubbing at one earlobe with a thoughtful look on his face. Even the prince was struggling to absorb the news, apparently.
Kexen latched onto that point. “Oh, but surely that’s an impediment for Lord Tentrees. I can’t give him an heir.”
“I raised that point as I reviewed the offered agreement,” Rolf said. “As a younger son, he has no familial expectations in that regard. And he says it’s of no importance to him personally. He likes men in general…and you in particular. That’s all that matters to him.”
“I see.” Kexen went silent for a while as he contemplated his fate. When he’d thought about his future, he’d pictured eventually finding his one true love and settling into a permanent relationship. But that had always been something he’d pictured for later in his life, after he’d enjoyed what youth and living in the palace brought him. He took great pleasure in experiencing a variety of other men and wasn’t ready to tie himself to one man so soon. And he’d never expected to marry anyone, let alone a nobleman such as Lord Tentrees. He could do worse, he supposed. The man was devastatingly handsome, the epitome of masculinity and just the sort of man Kexen had always been attracted to. He was charming, as well, which hopefully meant that he had a pleasant demeanor in general. Being married to a surly or even abusive man wasn’t something he could imagine tolerating.
There were more important issues at play, however, than Kexen’s personal happiness. “It is a good agreement for the family, you say?”
“Very,” Rolf confirmed. “That being said, you know we will not sacrifice you for the sake of a trade deal. If you don’t want this man, then that is that.”
Kexen peered at the concerned faces surrounding him, marveling that people as important as the prince and the duchess would worry themselves over his future. “I do like him.”
The duchess squeezed his hand. “You hardly know him. This would be forever, Kexen. You must not make a hasty decision.”
While he appreciated the advice, he also knew what lay unspoken was how the Marsher boy had been given no choice in his husband. The duchess clearly didn’t want the same fate for Kexen, yet the royal marriage had proven to be the perfect match. Love could come from so little. There was no reason why he wouldn’t fall in love with Ben. If nothing else, he expected sex would be most satisfying, and if that was all they had between them, so be it. Regardless of what everyone was saying, Kexen understood his duty to his family and his country. And he did relish the excitement that came from living within a royal court. He’d make an excellent diplomat’s bride—of that, he was sure.
He took a deep breath for courage before he could change his mind. “I accept. Please tell Lord Tentrees that I will become his wife.”
Rolf studied him shrewdly for a few seconds before saying, “Very well. I can find nothing objectionable about him, based on my inquiries.”
“He does have a good reputation,” the prince confirmed. “I have heard nothing that blemishes his character, and he has the king’s confidence in his diplomatic skills. His reputation is one of confident drive bolstered by equanimity. How he might act in private is another matter, of course. A man can have two faces and be good at hiding the one he doesn’t want others to see. Regardless, I have no reason to question Lord Tentrees’ temperament.”
The prince’s words weren’t all that reassuring. Still, Kexen said, “Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate your opinion.”
Rolf chimed in with better news. “And I added in a clause to the agreement that you must be permitted to visit your family at least twice a year, his duties permitting. Plus, they pay a steep penalty if Tentrees treats you badly.” Rolf leaned toward him with a stern look. “You must swear to tell me if he does.”
Touched, Kexen reassured his cousin, “I promise I will.” Even as he said the words, however, he wasn’t sure he meant them. Once married, he would be emancipated from his family, if not his husband. He needed to stand on his own feet and deal with whatever trouble his marriage brought. A picture of Ben smiling at him made it impossible for him to imagine the man ever hurting him, so the promise was an easy one.
The duchess took everyone’s attention. “Soren, now would be an excellent time to give Kexen our gift.”
“I agree.” The prince strode over to his desk.
Kexen looked up at his master. “Your Grace? You have given me so much, surely I am deserving of nothing more.”
The duchess dismissed that statement. “Let us be the judge of that. We’ve showered you with mere fripperies. Your service has gone above and beyond and calls for a larger measure of our gratitude.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Kexen as the reality of his circumstances started to sink in. “Oh, Your Grace, who will dress you if I am wed and gone from the palace?” He loved his job and had assumed to keep it for many years, if not for the rest of his life.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll find someone suitable to replace you. Having done the hard work of creating the right style for me, I’m sure someone clever will follow it. I shall miss you, however,” the man added with a wan smile. “And when you return, we can be friends for once…and not master and servant.”
Kexen didn’t have time to contemplate that happy future because the prince returned and held out a thick piece of paper tied with a dark blue ribbon and sporting the prince’s seal. Kexen had to release the duchess’s hand to take it. He stared at the weighty document, not able to imagine what it was until Rolf cleared his throat and nodded at it. Understanding, Kexen broke the seal and unfolded the paper. He stared at the words but he didn’t truly fathom their import. He shook his head. “Your Highness?”
“That is a deed, Kexen, for a free-holding on the border of Vostguard and the Outer Vale. It contains a small cottage with fifteen rooms, a stable and thirty tenant farmers. It generates a fine annual income. The previous owner died last summer with no heirs. It reverted to me, and I’ve been waiting for the right person to bestow it on. That would be you.” The prince grinned broadly, holding out his hand until his duchess went into his embrace. Then they both smiled at him.
Kexen’s fingers went lax, causing him to almost drop the precious document. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
“Good gods, boy,” Rolf said, “say ‘thank you’.”
Kexen jumped to his feet. “Oh yes, of course. Thank you, Your Highness, Your Grace. This is a most marvelous gift. Too good for the likes of me, especially now that I’m going to be married. Surely Ben must stay by the palace when he’s not on a mission. We won’t be able to enjoy this.”
The prince chuckled. “Members of the diplomatic corps are not chained here. They do get home from time to time. And it’s not necessary for you to reside there until you are ready. There is a staff that keeps the cottage year-round, regardless. There will also be easy access to the annual income, because the funds will be deposited in an account for you here.”
“For Lord Tentrees, you mean, Your Highness.”
“No,” the duchess interjected. “It will be in your name. This is your property, Kexen. You won’t be financially dependent on your husband.”
“My goodness.” Kexen’s mind whirled at the idea of having his own money. “I don’t know how I’ll manage that.”
“You’ll get used to it,” the duchess said with a quick grin. “I did.”
Kexen returned the expression. “Yes, of course.” He swallowed hard. “It’s all settled then. Please sign the trade agreement, Sir Rolf.”
“I will today. And you must busy yourself with getting ready for your wedding and travel. Lord Tentrees’ next mission begins in a fortnight, which means you will be married within a week. There’s no time to dally.”
“A week? My gods. I best get to know my groom quickly, I see. And I need a trousseau. Mistress Camilla will pitch a fit at the rush order. I’m not even sure what I should bring. How does a diplomat’s wife dress?”
The duchess rushed to his side. “Not to worry. Remember when I was in this position? You and the seamstress worked wonders for me. We will do the same for you.”
Kexen nodded in agreement, yet his mind still reeled with all that had to be done. It was all happening so fast. It scared Kexen as nothing else ever had. But it also excited him. He couldn’t wait for his wedding night. He’d saved that one last part of himself for a special man. Now, he would give it to his husband and hope that love would follow.
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Samantha Cayto
Samantha Cayto is a Boston-area native who practices as a business lawyer by day while writing erotic romance at night—the steamier the better. She likes to push the envelope when it comes to writing about passion and is delighted other women agree that guy-on-guy sex is the hottest ever.
She lives a typical suburban life with her husband, three kids and four dogs. Her children don’t understand why they can’t read what she writes, but her husband is always willing to lend her a hand—and anything else—when she needs to choreograph a scene.
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