Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

“Are you always a termagant at this hour of the morning?” he asked, surveying her.

His simple question brought her up short. Whatever Beaufort’s faults, he did not deserve to be treated rudely.

Maura sighed. “Not always. I did not sleep well last night.”

“That is understandable. Let me guess. You spent much of the night fretting and plotting a new course of action to save your stallion.”

She had plotted, yes, although she had not come up with any concrete ideas to rescue Emperor from the viscount’s clutches.

“Fortunately, I am here to discuss a plan,” Beaufort announced amiably.

“You needn’t go to such trouble.”

“I expected that exact response from you. According to Kate, you are too proud to ask for help.”

Maura shot him an exasperated look. “And here I thought she was supposed to be my friend.”

“Oh, she is. She is merely concerned for you, and rightly so.”

“Perhaps, but you have no reason to concern yourself with me.”

He gave her a long, considering look. “Why are you so resistant to my involvement? Other than your pride, that is.”

Maura managed a shrug. “It is embarrassing, having a man who is practically a stranger privy to my private affairs.”

“Why, because you care for my good opinion?”

His unexpected query surprised a fleeting smile from her. “Surely you can understand why last night was mortifying for me.”

“Because you don’t like being in a position of weakness.”

“Well, yes. I imagine you would not either.”

“True. If Deering had propositioned me as he did you, we would be meeting over pistols at dawn.”

Maura could well believe it. Even though dueling was illegal, the Wildes were known to use pistols to settle their controversies, which had resulted in more than one blood feud to enliven their family history.

“I don’t intend to shoot him,” she muttered, “much as I would like to.”

“Yet you are obviously not thinking clearly, Miss Collyer,” Beaufort pressed. “If you allow me to join forces with you, it will strengthen your position. Deering will think twice if he knows he has to deal with me.”

Her gaze fixed intently on him. “Will your involvement make him return my horse to me?”

“Not alone, no. But I can help you develop a strategy to fight him, one that is not so haphazard as the vague plan you are pursuing to buy back your stallion.”

When Maura remained mute, Beaufort prodded her further. “I gather you mean to approach Deering this morning.”

“If I can find him.”

“Is that wise so soon after the contretemps last night?”

“Perhaps not,” she conceded.

“Have you arranged to meet him?”

“No.”

“So you intend to attempt an ambush. You aren’t worried he will repeat his offer to make you his mistress?”