Rohr looked more than annoyed. He appeared enraged. Where had he finished in the race?
He handed his pony off to a lad and gave Darlei a scathing look.
“Pray, mistress, lower your skirts.”
Ignoring him, skirts still kilted up, she turned to the chief.
“An astounding ride, princess,” he had the grace to tell her. “I maun say I have never seen the like.”
“Lower your skirts, daughter,” Father said softly in their own tongue.
She did, moving without haste. Did she embarrass him? But the men here had to learn she was not like their women.
Or any other woman.
Chief MacMurtray said, “’Tis safe to assume, princess, ye will no’ wish to compete in the next contest—a combat wi’ knives.”
She could if she chose. But after a glance at her father, she lifted her chin.
“Certainly not.”
*
Deathan led hispony away toward the sheds, barely able to feel the ground beneath his feet. He still floated on the remnants of the chase. Himself, chasing Princess Darlei.
Had there ever been such a woman?
Rohr came up beside him, scowling deeply. “Ye blocked my way,” he said.
“Eh?” Deathan glanced across at him. Rohr had already sent his mount off with one of the lads and jogged after Deathan, apparently just to complain.
“Ye blocked me there at the start,” he accused. “I could no’ get clear awa’.”
Deathan stopped walking. He often took a place behind his brother, aye, since Rohr had been born to be at the front. He would not stand unjustly accused.
“Impossible. We started at opposite ends o’ the line.”
“Aye, but”—Rohr’s face went red—“when we cleared the pack, ye got out in front o’ me and prevented me getting by.”
Deathan narrowed his eyes. Rohr might have ridden around him.Only he could not.
“At the very least,” Rohr carped, “ye might ha’ beat her.”
“I did try. She rides like the wind.”
“A shameful performance! Everyone there saw her legs. I think she and that guide o’ theirs—Urfet—cooked it up between them. ’Twas his pony, and I saw them whispering together.”
“No doubt.” Deathan suggested mildly, “Their pride required a win—as did ours.”
“The two o’ them are likely lovers. I wonder if he has had her.” Rohr tossed his head. “She is likely no’ even unbreeched.”
Deathan stared, too appalled for words. It took some gall for Rohr to make such an accusation with his own lover and unborn child at his back.
He started moving again. “A word o’ advice, brother.”
“From ye?”
“Do no’ destroy your marriage before it has begun.” She was extraordinary, was Darlei. Any man should be grateful to wed with her.
