#beaumonts

Constantine squeezed Regina’s hand as he gloated triumphantly, the taste of victory fresh and crisp as his voice rose over the crowd, calling for order.

In the back corner of the ballroom, one man stood quietly by himself, seething with silent rage as blood dripped from the cuts inflicted by the champagne glass that had just shattered in his hand.

None of this had gone to plan.

Liam was supposed to have chosen Riley. It was the entire reason he had agreed to sponsor her.

Max was a lot of things, but he was rarely wrong when it came to matters of the heart and Bertrand had taken him at his word that Liam had been completely smitten with the American. And indeed, he had been. Bertrand had seen it with his own two eyes.

So what had gone wrong?

All his plans for the future were evaporating right in front of him. He had to do something!

He wrapped his bloody hand with a bar towel as he waited impatiently for the newly engaged couple to leave the stage. He watched Liam stalk angrily toward Bastien before turning his attention to the new queen in waiting, “May I have a word, please, Countess?”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” she replied primly, glancing around to ensure no one was close enough to overhear, “Bert, listen-“

“No, you listen!” He hissed, “You told me this wouldn’t happen! When you bent to your father’s will and joined the social season, you assured me, no you swore to me that the odds of Liam picking you were virtually nonexistent!”

“Yes, well, you were supposed to put forth a better candidate to ensure that even that small possibility was extinguished, weren’t you? This is what you get for sponsoring a fucking waitress from fucking New York! I told you she was the wrong choice!”

“She was the right choice! A blind man can see that he loves her!” Bertrand pulled at the knot of his tie, his hands shaking with barely contained fury and despair.

“I agree!” Madeleine spat, “But what good does that do when she was cheating on him? Even now, he’s still desperate to get to her and she’s probably already on a plane back to America!”

Bertrand stopped pulling at his tie to stare at her in shock, “They’re putting her on a plane?”

“That’s what I heard Constantine say,” there was a tremble in her voice, “Bert, I’m sorry-“

“No,” he shook his head, “Don’t be sorry, my darling. You’re not going to marry him!”

“Wait!” She cried as he stepped away from her, “Where are you going?”

He closed his eyes against the pain as he remembered the night of the coronation ball. He had made love to her, promised to marry her, he had been happy, she had been happy. Then that damned news story went viral and all hell broke loose. He’d been forced to choose Madeleine. He had gritted his teeth and done it, then he had bolted as quickly as possible, making a beeline straight for his father.

“Where is she?”

“Liam calm down!” Constantine ordered.

“Where is she father?”

“Liam! Get yourself under control! It’s time for your coronation! Get back up there!”

For the first time in his life, his fathers thundering voice and commanding tone did not intimidate him. Instead he whirled on him in fury, “And what will you do if I don’t? Crown someone else? I need ten fucking minutes and I’m taking them, you got your way, I chose the woman you picked for me, I’m emotionally destroyed but I will do my duty anyway, all I ask in return is ten minutes to deal with this. The goddamn crowd can wait or you can send them all home, I really don’t give a fuck!”

Constantine took a step back, shock painted on his face.

Liam didn’t wait for a response, he grabbed Bastien by the arm and shoved him toward the door, “Bastian, a word, now!”

Once out of the ballroom, Liam pulled Bastien into a small sitting room off the main hall and slammed the door shut.

“Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Don’t play stupid with me Bastien, where is she?!”

Startled by the fire in Liam’s eyes Bastien responded, “On her way to the airport, where she’s booked on a flight back to New York.”

“Get on the radio and instruct your men that she will not get on that plane!”

“You’re majesty, I don’t think-“

“Did I ask what you think?!” Liam had never spoken to anyone like that in his life. He felt a rage burning through his veins that he could barely contain.

“N-No your majesty, I-“

“NOW!”

Bastien pulled out his radio without another word and quickly relayed the instruction.

“Now,” Liam continued, “Find both the Beaumont brothers and have their car brought around to the front.”

“I…uh…that might be…”

“What? Spit it out!”

“They’ve been detained your high-“

“For what?!”

“Well, they were..um…impeding-“

“Release them immediately!”

“But your majesty, they-“

Liam stepped directly into Bastien’s personal space, his voice dropping dangerously low with the effort to contain his anger, “I’m sorry, perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. You may have noticed a little soiree going on tonight. It’s called a coronation. In five minutes, I’m going to walk back into that ballroom and be crowned king. Then the chain of command ends with me. No one, not even my father, will be able to save you from my wrath once that occurs. Do you understand?”

“Yes, your highness, I’ll start the release paperwork immediately!”

Liam made a strangled noise that was part laugh, part fury, “Paperwork? Paperwork? Are you fucking kidding me? There will be no paperwork! No record that they were ever arrested or detained for any reason! Both of the Beaumont brothers are allies, friends to the crown and to me personally, they have done nothing wrong! Do I make myself clear?!”

Bastien jumped, “Yes your majesty, they will be released immediately, of course!”

“Good.” Liam hissed through clenched teeth, “Make sure they have the gate number so they can get to her as quickly as possible. And Bastien?”

“Yes, your majesty?”

“If she is anywhere but with the Beaumont’s when I get done with this coronation, I’m holding you personally responsible.” With that he turned and stormed out of the sitting room.

That had been two weeks ago. He had neither seen nor spoken to her since. He had verified that the Beaumont’s had, indeed, picked her up from the airport and taken her home with them to Ramsford. That was as much as he dared risk. The memory of her being drug from the ballroom haunted him and the thought of what she must be feeling tormented him every night. It’s why he couldn’t fall asleep no matter how tired he was. He had to drink himself into oblivion for that.

He dealt with royal business because he had to, he avoided his father as much as possible. He avoided everyone really. He hadn’t even seen much of Drake, which was unusual, but he didn’t allow himself to dwell on it much. He was too busy being king, getting drunk, ignoring preparations for the engagement tour and avoiding his fiancé. Until tonight that is.

“Come in!” He yelled when he heard the knock on the door.

“Liam! I’m so glad you’re finally taking an interest in our wedding! Now, I have some flower arrangement ideas that I wanted to run by you.” Madeleine swept into the room smiling as she tried to hand him a stack of pictures.

He hated her. He hated the sound of her voice, he hated her smugness and her arrogance. He hated the way she treated the other ladies at court, she was cruel. What in the hell did his parents see in her? What made either of them think she would make a good queen? Were breeding and pedigrees all they really cared about?

“I don’t give a fuck about flower arrangements.”

“Liam! Really, you don’t have to be so crass. Fine. What part of the arrangements did you call me here to discuss?” She sighed impatiently, tapping her foot while she waited.

“The guest list.”

“What about it? It’s ready to be finalized, pending your approval of course.”

“There’s someone missing.”

“Who?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“The Beaumont’s.”

“Well, I suppose they should be invited, they are one of the great houses and personal friends of yours. I’ll make sure that both Lord Beaumont’s are added to the list. Now, if there’s nothing else-“

“Both the Beaumont brothers and Lady Riley.” He corrected her.

“Liam really-“ She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

“Lady Riley is part of House Beaumont now.”

“Barely. Do you really think it’s appropriate-“

“I think we had a deal!” He hissed at her, “I give you what you’ve always wanted, the crown, and I get Riley!”

“Sure, but it’s too soon-“

“Lady Riley will be on the engagement tour or there won’t be an engagement tour!”

Fire flashed through Madeleines eyes as she drew herself up and glared at him, “Don’t be ridiculous Liam, love, you know you have to be engaged to be crowned king.”

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion as a smug grin spread across Liams’ face.

“Yes, love,” He responded with so much sarcasm dripping from the word she would have had to be deaf not to hear it, “but I’ve already been crowned king.”

She stared at him for a moment, wide eyed, then blinked as comprehension dawned, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ve been going through some quaint Cordonian laws,” he gestured to the piles of books and papers spread haphazardly all over his desk, “and as it turns out, while being engaged is a requirement in order to be crowned king, there is no corresponding law that says a king can be unmade for breaking an engagement.”

He watched in satisfaction as fear flickered through her eyes. “You can’t be serious, think of the optics-“

He lunged across the desk and she jumped back, startled as he snarled at her, “I don’t give a fucking rats ass about the optics, or anything else!”

Madeleine regained her composure and primly chastised him, “Careful. You’re starting to sound like Leo.”

“Yeah?” Liam snorted a humorless laugh, “Maybe Leo had the right idea. Maybe I’ll abdicate too. You can’t be queen without a king, can you?”

“You wouldn’t!!”

“Are you sure about that?”

“You’re honorable Liam, I know you are, Cordonia needs you, you can’t just-“

“I can do whatever I damn well please. Haven’t you heard? I’m the king now!” He laughed bitterly, “How would you like to go down in history as the countess that ran not one, but two crown princes out of their own county?”

“You’re drunk!”

Liam snorted in derision, “Not yet I’m not. That’s what you all really thought though, isn’t it? Poor, pitiful Liam, locked in his study, drinking his sorrows away….Well jokes on you. I’ve been using this time wisely. I now understand that being engaged is only required to ascend the throne, not retain it. So you become queen, or not, at my sole discretion.”

The look on her face was priceless. Liam couldn’t help the gloating smile that made its way to his lips.

Her face white, voice trembling she drew in a deep breath, “Fine. You win. What do you want?”

“I want both the Beaumont brothers and Lady Riley extended a formal invitation to the engagement tour, tomorrow. I want you to treat them all with the respect they are due. And I want as little to do with you as possible. I will be there, by your side, playing the dutiful fiancée for state affairs and photo ops, other than that, stay the hell out of my way.”

Madeleine sniffed, “Of course she would prefer Liam, who wouldn’t? It’s not like you’re good enough for even the likes of her.”

Drake stiffened, but kept the smile plastered on his face. That one hit home because he already believed it. Pushing his annoyance aside, he gave a nonchalant shrug and drawled, “You know who is good enough for her? Liam.”

Madeleine looked ready to tear him apart with her bare hands, “Liam is far too good for her, she’s just a common little street tramp you picked up-“

“You’re just jealous because everyone likes her, and no one likes you. She’s a genuinely good person, she doesn’t go around hurting people for enjoyment, she actually gives a shit. An essential quality in a queen if you ask me, but what do I know?”

“Very little about anything important.”

“Says you. Here’s something I do know…. I know that both Riley and Olivia were sent threatening letters the night of the coronation ball, it’s funny how two of the three front runners were blackmailed and sabotaged.”

Her eyes narrowed, “What are you implying?”

“Just that it certainly benefited you. I wonder why you didn’t receive a blackmail letter?”

“Maybe because I’m above reproach.”

“Or maybe because you’re behind it.”

“You can’t honestly believe that.”

“Sure I can. You’ve more than proven your ruthlessness.”

She smiled at that, “Well, at least you don’t underestimate me, I am ruthless, and it would behoove you to remember that before getting on my bad side.”

“I’m sorry Madeleine, I wasn’t aware that you had any other side.”

“Whatever, I’m done with this conversation. Believe what you want, I really don’t care.” She spun on her heel and continued down the hallway.

Drake shook his head to clear it, raked his fingers through his hair while he collected his thoughts, then drew a deep breath and knocked on Liam’s door.

“Come in!”

Liam was leaning back in his chair, feet propped up on his desk, thoughtfully regarding the glass of bourbon clutched in his hand.

“Uh…what’s up Li?”

Liam smiled at Drake and it was a real smile, the first real smile he’d seen since the night of the coronation ball.

“Not much, just taking back control of my life, that’s all.” He moved his feet to the floor and sat up straight, plunking the glass down on his desk and pushing it away. “What’s up with you? Haven’t seen you around much lately. Everything ok?”

“Jesus Liam, how do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Show concern for everyone else even when your own life is in shambles.”

Liam took a few seconds to seriously consider the question, then replied, “One part how I was raised, one part diplomatic training from the time I was like, 12, and one part genuine concern for those I care about.”

“I take it that doesn’t include your fiancée?”

“Why do you say that?”

“I just ran into her in the hallway, and she looked fit to be tied. She was pissed Liam, what’d you do to her?”

This time Liam threw his head back and laughed. It was rich and deep and real, “I reminded her which side her bread was buttered on, so to speak.”

“How the hell did you do that? I can’t image the countess of cruelty having any weaknesses.”

“She has one.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“She really wants to be queen.”

Liam explained what he learned about Cordonian laws and customs surrounding ascension to the throne. When he was done Drake laughed, “Damn Liam, well done! How’d the duchess of darkness take it?”

“Not well. But in the end she realized that I hold all the cards, if she wants to be queen, she has to play by my rules.”

Drakes brow furrowed in confusion.

“What?” Liam asked.

“I mean, if you don’t have to be engaged anymore, why not just break it off right now? Bring Campbell back to court, propose to her? I know that’s what you want. Isn’t it? Has something changed?”

Drake could feel his heart trying to beat out of his chest, he felt a myriad of conflicting emotions cascading through him. Hope that maybe he had misinterpreted Liam’s feelings for Riley after all; anger that Liam could cast her aside casually, happiness at the thought that she might be free to pursue a relationship with him, shame that part of him wanted Liam to have moved on, and confusion because he knew he wasn’t wrong about Liam’s feelings.

Liam sighed, reaching for the bourbon again and starting into the glass as if the answers were in there somehow. He swirled the liquid around while he collected his thoughts.

“I could break the engagement with Madeleine but the royal council, the media, the Cordonian people will never accept Riley while this scandal is hanging over her head. They can get past the fact that she’s a commoner and an America as long they see a fairy tale love story. But if she is perceived to be disloyal? Then it’s no longer a Cinderella story. You know how fickle the court and the media are. She has always been one misstep away from being thrown back into the role of foreigner, interloper, outsider. Breaking my engagement with Madeleine now might make it worse, if people assume I’m doing it for her. I risk having her viewed as a homewrecker. Plus, don’t forget, we still don’t know who set her up. It’s crucial to let our enemies think they’ve won, for her protection. I cannot risk her safety Drake, no matter how much I want to be with her.”  

The smile was gone now and Liam looked so despondent that Drake almost wished he hadn’t asked the question. He nodded his understanding then drew a deep breath, he had come here for a reason.

“Speaking of Campbell-“

Liam’s head snapped up, “What is it? Is she ok? Has something happened?”

“No! No, no. Sorry, I just have some news, everything’s ok though.”

Relief swept over Liam’s features and he smiled weakly, “Lead with that next time, will you?”

“Heh. Yeah, ok.” Drake nodded.

“Well, what is it?”

“Ok don’t be mad…”

“Drake, what did you do?”

“I…uh…I made contact with her.”

“You What??” Liam sat bolt upright, “Drake, you can’t! You could jeopardize-“

Drake held his hand up against the onslaught, “If you’ll listen! Geeze, give me some credit. Do you really think I’d do anything to put her in danger? Trust me, what I did is untraceable. I’m not the head of your covert security detail for nothing, Li.”

Liam calmed himself with visible effort. Drake could see internal struggle Liam was having as emotions chased each other across his face. Anger, fear, hope, curiosity. Finally, Liam looked up and said, “Ok, I trust you. What did she say? How is she?”

“She’s….fine, all things considered. I mean, she’s not in the best place emotionally but that’s to be expected.”

“Does she understand what happened? Did you tell her why I had to do what I did?” Liam’s voice cracked with pain and desperation.

Drake shook his head as he felt the guilt slide through him, it was becoming a familiar feeling, “I’m sorry Li, she…she won’t talk about it. I tried to tell her that you were protecting her, but she isn’t in a place to hear it yet. She made it a requirement, she said the only way she would speak to me at all is if I didn’t bring up you, the coronation or anything about court at all.”

Liam looked like he had been dealt a physical blow as he slumped back in his chair. “Of course, I expected her to be upset, but I had hoped….” He trailed off, staring numbly down at his desk, not actually seeing any of papers that were still strewn across it.

“I’m sorry Li.” Drake said softly.

“No, it’s ok. I’d rather know.” Liam closed his eyes and drew in a deep, shuddering breath, then he looked back up, “Other than hating me, she’s ok? Physically? She’s safe at the Beaumont’s?”

“She doesn’t hate you Li. She loves you, that’s why she’s so upset. And yes, she’s safe and physically well.”

“That’s the best I can hope for right now I suppose.”

 “I’ve never been, but Maxwell said-”

 He looked up at the sound of voices, but too late. He collided with Penelope and Kiara. He stumbled as he tried to catch himself but it was too late. He clipped Kiara and sent Penelope crashing to the floor.

 “Mon Dieu!” Kiara exclaimed, “Watch where you’re going!”

 “I’m so sorry!” He sputtered as he reached out to steady her.

 “Oh, Drake!” She inhaled.

 At the sudden heat in her eyes, Drake let go of her and quickly stepped back, bending over to help Penelope up off the floor.

 “Penelope, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going!”

 “Obviously,” she smiled at him, “But I’m ok. I’m use to being knocked over, sometimes when my poodles are really excited, they jump up on me and they can sometimes be stronger than they look! You wouldn’t believe, this one time at the dog park-”

 “Penelope! Drake doesn’t want to hear about your poodles!”

 “I-It’s ok,” He said, even though Kiara was right, “I know you love your poodles. Is that what you were talking about before I clumsily ran into you? Your poodles? You were saying something about Maxwell….” He trailed off hoping she would take the bait and give him some kind of information, any kind, without him having to ask.

 “No silly!” She giggled, “Maxwell Beaumont, I was just saying that we should try out the hot yoga place he told us about, right Ki?”

 Kiara rolled her eyes, “Right.”

 “Hot yoga? That does sound like fun! You should try it, both of you!”

 “I know! I was just saying that!”

 “Really” Kiara looked skeptical, “That doesn’t seem like the kind of thing you would be excited about.”

 “No…but….I’m trying to expand my horizons. In fact….hey! Why don’t I go with you? And of course, you have to invite Maxwell!”

 “Really?” Penelope squealed.

 “Yes, really! You should call him, right now, and set it up!”

 “I don’t know…what do you think Kiara? You didn’t sound excited about it.”

 Kiara was staring at Drake. “Uh…yeah, no, I think it sounds like fun, Drake is right, I should also expand my horizons.”

 “Yes, then it’s settled! Call Maxwell right now while we’re all three here so we can get a date locked down.”

 Penelope dialed her phone.

 “Hello.”

 “Maxwell, it’s Penelope! Remember that hot yoga place you were telling me about? Kiara, Drake and I would like to try it and we want you to come with us.…What? Yes, I did say Drake….. No, I’m not pulling your leg….What? Yes, he’s right here, hold on.” she held the phone out to Drake.

 “Drake! Penelope says you want to go to hot yoga with us.”

 “Oh yeah, sure, sounds like fun.”

 “Really?”

 “Really, yeah.”

 “I didn’t think you wanted to go.”

 “Oh yeah, I - uh…I’ve been dying to try it.”

 “That’s not what not what you said when I told you about it-”

 “Well, I mean, you convinced me, can’t ignore a recommendation from my best friend, right?”

 “I’m your best friend?”

 “Well, next to Liam of course-”

 “I knew it! I knew we’ve been getting closer, I suspected that deep down you liked me more than you let on, you really are just a big marsh mellow at heart, just like Riley says!”

 His heart physically hurt at the mention of her name and he had to bite his tongue to keep himself from asking about her.

 “Here, just give Penelope the details. I’m free tomorrow and well, the rest of the week really.” He handed the phone back with only a small twinge of guilt for manipulating them all. But if anyone was tracking who was calling Maxwell, Penelope wouldn’t raise suspicion and if the call was tapped, no one would care about hot yoga, he had been careful not to ask about Riley. He would do that in person, where he was sure no one was listening.