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“My Lord Mawbley, you have my undying gratitude for serving as my opponent today. Thank you.” She buried her face in the neck of the dog. “And again, I can’t thank you enough for the gift of little Dodi. I have longed for the companionship of a dog. I will see to it that she dines like a queen today. Thank you again for coming.”
Mawbley was clearly surprised to be dismissed. “Your Royal Highness. If at any time you need me to stand in—”
“Yes, thank you,” she said cheerfully, but William noticed the quick glance she gave Bardaline. Her master of the chamber stepped in between her and Mawbley as she walked across the terrace with the dog.
William didn’t hesitate to join her. She glanced at him as he reached her side. “You’re hereagain.” She sounded...pleased?
“I am.” He scratched the dog under the chin. The dog began to pant. “Mawbley again? And where is your matchmaker? I expected to see a queue of gentlemen on the drive.”
“I don’t know where she is. She’s been away for more than a day, which suits me perfectly, as I don’t want a queue of gentlemen at my door. My hope is that she has found a rowboat and is, as we speak, rowing Aggiani away from these shores.”
“Then we are united in our hopes.”
Justine laughed and stopped walking a moment. She used the end of her braid to tease the dog. Dodi tried to bite it. “She did mention that I would meet two potential matches next week.” She started up the steps. So did William. “One of them, she said, is a very wealthy prince who is highly regarded. A European, like me.”
“That must please you enormously. Did she give a name?”
“Oh, I’m certain she did, but I’ve forgotten.”
She tossed her braid over her shoulder. The tail end of it hit him in the shoulder. “And who is the other gentleman summoned forth to whisper sweet tidings into your ear?”
“I don’t recall. Probably another European prince, when you consider all the principalities. Whoever it is, he’ll be wealthy and important and worthy of my attention.” She smiled pertly. “You know the sort.”
“I do indeed.” Two gentlemen, wealthy and highly regarded, in one week. It seemed to William that Justine should meet no more than one potential suitor a week. Surely, she needed time to assess one before meeting another. He made a mental note to mention that to Lady Aleksander—she should slow down the progression of suitors. “You must not be terribly enthused if you canna remember their names.”
“I amveryenthused. I happen to like surprises.”
“Surprises have a way of rebounding in uncomfortable ways.”
They had reached the top terrace and she stopped. A sunny smile illuminated her face. “Nonsense, William. Surprises can be quite fun. Look atthisone. You’re a perfect surprise, aren’t you, Dodi?” She buried her face in the dog’s fur again, then held her up for William to take.
He couldn’t resist the little dog and took her from Justine, petting her, muttering that she looked to be a very fine dog before setting her on the ground. The dog trotted ahead to sniff around some large pots with trees planted in them.
“I only ask because if you knew who the suitors were, I could perhaps offer some insight.”
“Should I be amused or bemused that you still seem determined to offer advice when I’ve plainly said I don’t want it?”
“No’ advice. Insight. Assistance. For example, if you truly esteem one, I could give you suggestions on how to woo him to you.”
Justine’s eyes widened. And then she burst into gay laughter. “Do you think I need advice on how to woo a gentleman to my side? I’m going to be queen, William. What more wooing is necessary? Lord save me, but I amconstantlyastounded by your audacity.”
“Och,I think you like it,” he said. “You’re to be queen, aye, and you’re very alluring, and aye, you could woo the most difficult of men. However...” He paused, thinking how best to say what he was thinking.
“However...?”
“However, when your sister is present, you tend to—” he sought the right word and gestured lamely with his hand “—shrink.”
“I shrink?”
“Like a violet.”
Her brows dipped. “How is it that just when I think I might possibly call you friend, you say something so preposterous?”
“Am I wrong?” he challenged her.
She folded her arms and looked at the lower terrace. “No.”
He smiled.
