An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken

cried,
"Are you sure, Daddy?"
    "Oh, I'm sure!" Apparently Southerners could
yell quite loudly.
    Royce shrugged his shoulders in mock
surrender. "Well then, sir, I should like to make my offer. May I
have your daughter's hand in marriage? You see, well, I'm sure you
can see here, it's best we get married sooner rather than later.
Don't want any grandchildren out of wedlock, now do we?"
    Evelyn turned an attractive shade of red.
"Royce!"
    Mr. De Jarlias turned the same color.
    Royce grinned fiendishly.
    His mother scowled. All in all, it was a
normal day in the life of Royce McArthur.
    "You've, you've…" Mr. De Jarlias couldn't
seem to get the words out.
    "Consummated?" Royce offered.
    "Royce McArthur!" His mother, appalled and
embarrassed, raised a hand to slap him, which he knew he deserved,
but he ducked anyway.
    "All of you stop this at once! Royce, I have
no idea what has gotten into you. Oh well, fine. I know exactly
what's gotten into you. You're insane, but you've been insane since
I met you, so why should I be shocked?" Evelyn's voice was also
loud but pleasing to his ears. "Daddy, I'm marrying this man
because I love him. And no, we have not consummated." The scarlet
flush of her face deepened at the word. "Royce, wipe that
ridiculous grin off of your face before I take your pistol." His
smile froze. "And how dare you come in here and accuse us of going
behind your backs and being ill-behaved, when both of you…" She
pointed at both parents. Royce crossed his arms and took a seat. It
was a good show. "Yes! Both of you—our own parents—were going
behind our backs and courting!"
    "Courting?" Mrs. McArthur looked sheepishly
at Mr. De Jarlias. "We've only been spending time together."
    Evelyn laughed. "Drinking wine! Having
picnics? Shopping?"
    "Have you been spying on us?" Mr. De Jarlias
interjected.
    "I, uh…" Evelyn looked to Royce for help. He
shook his head with a no thanks and invited them to continue with a
wave of his hand. Naturally he would pay for his betrayal of Evelyn
later, but this was too good to pass up.
    However, when all of them began talking at
once, he felt the sudden need to settle the mood before the
masquerade was ruined. "Let's just be honest. I am in love with
your daughter, and it seems you two…" He pointed to both parents.
"Find joy in each other's company. Shall we just leave the details
to ourselves and enjoy the Valentine's Ball before we ruin the
night?"
    All eyes were on Royce, each with mouth
gaping in turn, as it slowly dawned on them that for once, Royce
was the reasonable one. They all nodded, apologized, and walked out
into the hall arm in arm.
    "I think you'll be a good husband after
all," Evelyn whispered.
    "I'm shocked and appalled all at once! You
had your doubts?"
    Her eyes twinkled as she stopped and took
his face in both hands. "No, Royce. I no longer have doubts about
you. I love you with every fiber of my being."
    Her kiss was deep, seductive—he wanted more.
"You know, we can always go back into that room and…"
    "Royce." Evelyn's voice edged with warning
as she gave him a stern look.
    "Or," he offered diplomatically, "we can go
see what kind of meats are at the buffet table."
    When her face lit up, he realized he
couldn't wait to spend his life with her by his side.

Chapter Fifteen
     
    The Worthington's Valentine's Ball had been
the perfect night for Royce. It was the first time in his life he
felt truly excited about the holiday. In his memory it would always
serve as a reminder that love really did exist.
    They were married quickly the next week, and
in typical male fashion he could not wait to be alone with his
wife.
    As they entered the large mansion, Royce did
not allow any time to be wasted. Instead, he gathered Evelyn into
his arms and carried her up the stairs. He stopped at his bedroom
and slammed the door behind him. Never once did his lips leave
hers. Tenderly he tugged at her hair, allowing it to flow freely
around her shoulders. Her soft moan