and was indulging himself in a few creative descriptions of his opponent.
“Did you see what that whoreson did?” He asked Rohan furiously. “Flicked Akkal with his whip, right in the middle of the third where no one would see him! I’ve never even put a spur to Akkal, and he had the nerve—!” He stroked the stallion’s sleek neck protectively.
“I didn’t see it,” Rohan confessed. “But I had a look at the gray just now. You’ll be able to take him in the last race, Chay. No trouble.”
“Take him?” Chay’s eyes flashed. “He’ll choke on our dust!” A groom came up and Chay handed him Akkal’s reins, giving precise instructions for the horse’s care that obviously insulted the boy. As they walked along the row of paddocks, the trumpet sounded for the second race and Chay smiled lightly at the sight of one of his favorite mares prancing eagerly to the track. “Reze has a mare entered in this one, too,” he said. “I hope he can get used to losing. But isn’t that Ostvel over there with Eliziel?”
“I’m letting him ride the fourth. He wanted to impress Camigwen.” Rohan winked. “It’s not uncommon for a man in love.”
“Next thing, you’ll be riding.”
“You know, that’s not a bad idea.”
“Don’t be an idiot! Princes don’t ride in these races!”
“No?” He called out to one of his grooms. “How’s Pashta feeling today?”
“Ready, my lord. What race do you fancy?” The man grinned.
“Brochwell Bay for emeralds,” he replied casually, and waited for Chay to explode. He was not disappointed.
“You’re crazy!”
“I’ll see to it at once, my lord,” the groom said. “And may I say I’m glad you’ve decided to enter?”
“You may not,” Chay snapped, then rounded on his brother-by-marriage. “Impress the girl if you must, but not at the risk of your neck! There’s not a woman alive who’d thank you for bringing a pair of broken legs or worse to your wedding night!”
“What I bring to my wedding night will be in perfect working condition,” Rohan answered.
“Oh, wonderful,” Chay said in a voice that dripped sarcasm. “I’ll be sure to tell that to everyone while you’re galloping out to Brochwell Bay and back, with whole measures between where nobody will have an eye out for you—Rohan, didn’t you hear a word we said last night?”
“I’m riding, and that’s an end to it,” he stated, turned, and came face to face with Princess Ianthe. Cool and lovely in lavender with silver jewelry, she had not come to the paddocks to admire the horseflesh, and they both knew it.
“It was an exciting race, Lord Chaynal,” she said gracefully. “Your wife will look magnificent in her rubies.”
“I hear you’re responsible for the idea,” Rohan said.
“Excuse me,” Chay interrupted. “I see one of my grooms signaling to me.”
Rohan looked, saw nothing of the kind, and shot a murderous look at Chay. The older man grinned and left him alone with the princess.
“Are you enjoying yourself, cousin?” she asked him.
“More so than last time, before I became an eligible prince,” he answered forthrightly, and they started back to the stands.
She blushed, with fascinating results. “It must be tiresome for you.”
“I’m sure you go through the same thing, being an unmarried princess.”
“Mostly I see ambassadors,” she said, looking down at her hands. “But I won’t consider any man who can’t be bothered to meet me himself.” She was shorter than Sioned, and when she glanced up at him her heavy dark lashes were thick veils over her eyes. “It’s a little like being offered at the Fair.”
“A little,” he agreed. “May I escort you up to your sisters? I have an entry in the next race that I’d like to watch.”
Thus it was that Sioned’s first view of him all day came as he guided Ianthe to a seat, her fingertips resting elegantly on his wrist. Rohan saw at once that he had done something both smart and stupid. There was advantage in being seen publicly with Roelstra’s daughters, dividing his attentions among them. But he had made a personal error by placing himself in a position where he could compare them directly with Sioned. She was less beautiful, less regal, less elegant—and she was also the only woman he wanted.
“Here you are at last!” Tobin said brightly as he sat down. “Is Chay all in one piece? I suppose he’ll spend all day with Akkal instead of with me. It’s easy to see which of us he values more! But I’m having a wonderful time with our