Silk and Shadows(36)

"Perhaps not, but I am trying to remedy that lack. An interesting man, Sir Charles." The gray stallion shied as a duck fluttered too close, and the prince ran a calming hand down the animal's neck. "Though I've nothing very scandalous to say, I do have a favor to ask of you, Lady Sara."

When she gave him an inquiring look, he explained, "I want to buy a country house, and my lawyer has found a possible property called Sulgrave. It is down in Surrey, and I am going to view it tomorrow. I hope to persuade you to come with me."

Sara hesitated, knowing that it was not a wise idea to be alone with the Kafir for an extended period of time because of the odd effect he had on her. After the kiss at the ball, she should have been embarrassed to see him today, but she wasn't. Instead she was pleased. Too pleased.

Peregrine turned the full force of his potent charm on her. "Please? I have no idea what an English country house needs to be suitable for entertaining."

Charles would disapprove of her jaunting off for a day with "a foreigner of dubious morals." But Charles had not been reasonable on the subject of Prince Peregrine, and she had no intention of catering to the prejudices of her betrothed. "I'll be happy to give my opinion if you want it."

"Splendid," he said warmly. "Is ten o'clock a convenient time for me to call for you?"

"That's fine." After a moment's thought, she added, "If you're agreeable, I'd like to ride rather than go by carriage. I've just had a horse sent up from the country and tomorrow will be my first chance to take her out.''

His brows drew together. "It will be a long ride for someone who has not ridden for a decade."

"True," she admitted, "but on my head be it."

He grinned. "It won't be your head aching at the end of the day, but if riding is your preference, your wish is my command."

A squeal of distress from Eliza saved Sara from having to think of a clever retort. They looked up to see that the girl had lured a swan ashore, then tried to touch it. Swans are notoriously evil-tempered, and this one had spread its wings and begun chasing Eliza, neck extended and hissing malevolently.

"Oh, dear," Sara said, half laughing, half concerned. "An angry swan is alarming even for an adult, and can be terrifying to a child. Will you rescue Eliza?"

"Of course." Peregrine handed the stallion's reins to Sara and went to the girl's aid, ducks flying in every direction as he cut through the flock. The swan swiveled its long neck and started for the intruder, then reconsidered when he clapped his hands together and barked out a sentence in a foreign language. After one last hiss, the bird hopped into the water and settled down, flicking its tail feathers angrily.

Peregrine turned to Eliza and bowed. "Having slain the dragon, have I won the princess?"

Her face was flushed, but after he spoke, she regained her lost dignity. "You have won my heart forever, brave knight." As they walked to where Lady Sara waited with the horse, Eliza asked, "What did you say to the swan?"

"That if it did not cease and desist, it would end up as the centerpiece of a banquet," he said promptly.

From the way the girl's blue eyes were shining, perhaps he had won a little of her heart. He looked away, thinking about what Lady Sara had said. If Weldon really was devoted to the child, Peregrine would have to find some way to use that against him. Lady Sara was quite right; when he wanted something, he would use whatever—or whoever—came to hand. He could think of no reason to be more merciful to Eliza Weldon than her father had been to a thousand innocents like Jenny Miller.

* * *

The next morning Sara breakfasted with her father. "I'm going riding to the country today," she said, pouring another cup of coffee, "but I should be home by late afternoon."

"Riding?" her father asked, so surprised that his newspaper drifted down into a dish of coddled eggs.

Sara stirred milk into her coffee. "Yes, I've decided that it's time I took up riding again. I've missed it."

His stern features relaxed into a half smile. "Like your mother, you have a talent for saying important things in an offhand way." His smile faded. "Are you sure this is wise?"

"Probably not," she admitted, "but I'm going to do it anyway. I've had Pansy brought to town. She's a nice, placid lady, perfect for someone who hasn't been on a horse for years."

"Are you going with Sir Charles?"

"No, Ross's friend, Prince Peregrine. He's asked me to advise him on a country house he is considering buying."

The duke frowned. "I'm not sure that I like the idea of you going riding alone with this foreigner."