Page 7 of Pregnant In The King's Palace

For a moment, Valentine thought the man might well take his hand to her, but did she back down? No.

She stepped up into the man’s space, all five feet five of her to his substantially taller frame. ‘Do it,’ she murmured. ‘See what happens when you strike me.’

A challenge that was more than enough incentive for Valentine to step up and put Angelique behind him. ‘Problems?’ he asked with a quiet menace of his own.

The man backed down, still livid but no longer within striking distance of either Angelique or the horse.

‘I’ve heard of her and her family,’ the man said with an ugly smirk. ‘Her father’s the one in charge of the horses, not her. She’s just the whore. And he will hear of this.’

Valentine could have told him not to waste his breath. Cross one Cordova and you crossed them all. The man didn’t know it yet, but he’d just been blacklisted by the family that provided horses to half of Europe’s elite. ‘I’m sure he will, but here’s what you need to remember. There were seven other players out on that field and let’s not forget the spectators. And while bad sportsmanship is tolerated on occasion, bad horsemanship is unforgivable. It’s exactly as the lady says. That was your first and last ride on a Cordova horse. Nor will you find any other horses available for your use here today.’

‘Says who?’

‘Ah. Of course. Allow me to introduce myself. King Valentine of Thallasia, sent by your host King Theodosius of Liesendaach, with the message that he has the sudden urge to play the next chukka in the number four position for the blue team. Kings and their whims, what can you do?’

‘I know what you could both do,’ muttered Angelique, waving a dismissive hand in Valentine’s direction. ‘You could go back to being swooned over by your adoring sycophants. He could take up golf instead of polo. No horses involved. Just egos and little balls to smack around.’

Valentine watched as the man took his exit without another word. When he turned back to the horse, the bridle was gone and so too was the saddle, both of them unceremoniously dumped in a pile on the floor. The horse stood there, unbound and quivering as Angelique soothed it with her touch and crooned soft reassurances in Spanish. She had a way with wild things.

They probably recognised a kindred spirit.

‘C’mon, let’s cool her down.’ Cool you down too, but at least he had the sense not to say as much aloud. ‘Let’s walk.’

She walked towards a vacant stall and the horse walked with her. She took the halter hanging from a peg next to the stall and put it on the horse and then they walked some more. No lead rein, she didn’t need one. The horse followed, trusting her judgement, her presence, the hand she kept on its neck.

‘What do you want, Your Majesty?’ she finally asked without looking at him. ‘Why are you still here?’

‘You called me by my name earlier.’

‘I forgot my place. Please accept my humble apologies.’

‘Humble? Hardly.’ Angelique Cordova was many things. Humble was not one of them. ‘You made an enemy just now.’

She shrugged. ‘I said what I had to say.’

‘Oh, I think you said a little more than that.’ Scorn was a powerful blade and she’d used it without mercy. ‘He’s a powerful man.’

‘They usually are.’ She led the pony to the wash area and turned on the hose. ‘Are you just going to stand there, or do you plan to be of use?’

He didn’t move to hold the horse or take the hose. There were halter clips hanging there if she wished to secure the animal and he knew better than to try and take charge of a horse in Angelique’s care. ‘I was of use. My presence prevented him from striking you.’

‘Maybe.’ She seemed wholly unconcerned by the notion. ‘I’ll mention your belated chivalry to my father. He still has a tendency to curse your existence.’

‘You do that.’ He should leave now. ‘Maybe I’ll be forgiven.’

‘Don’t count on it.’

And there was the rub. Yes, he’d screwed up. He’d been so young at the time and he’d followed his heart, lost it, and been punished accordingly. Could no one cut him any slack? ‘You were of age, Angelique. And more than willing.’

‘I was. And had our obsession with each other been allowed to fade on its own as these things inevitably do, I would have remembered you fondly. As it was, your father stepped in with his baseless accusations and instant dismissal and you didn’t fight for me or my honour, not one little bit. You took my gift and then broke my heart and the world moved on. I’d thank you for defending my honour here today only you’re a dozen years too late.’

She didn’t look at him as she allowed the pony to drink from the hose.

‘What makes you think I didn’t speak up for you?’

She didn’t answer.

‘Angelique, what exactly did you think was going to happen? Did you expect us to marry?’

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