Page 73 of The Twisted Throne

Ahnna’s face was smooth, no doubt searching for the slight in his words, but then she said, “Merely seeing off my people.”

“Ah. Well, the baby’s loss is my gain.” Will gave her a smile that James knew had charmed his way up more than a few sets of skirts, though Ahnna mostly appeared suspicious. And no wonder, for this was an exact reversal of how Will had behaved in their last meeting.

“Why are you here, Will?” James asked, handing off his reins. “You should be halfway to Whitewood. Does Father know you’re here?”

Because his father had been very clear that there was nothing to be gained from having Will in Ahnna’s presence.

“I’ve decided not to go,” Will answered. Taking Ahnna’s hand, he said, “I’ve come to regret the way I treated you, my lady. You had no more choice in this union than I did, yet you’ve handled yourself with grace despite my ungentlemanly behavior. It is my hope that as we spend more time together, we might find common ground. Friendship, even.”

Ahnna stared at her hand in William’s, and it was all James could do not to wrench her free, because his brother was spoutingutter bullshit. What was motivating this, James didn’t know, but he and Will would be having words later, for there was no doubt in his mind that this would end badly for Ahnna.

“I’d like that,” she finally responded. “Thank you.”

“You honor me.” Will lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “As a peace offering, I’ve a gift for you.”

At Will’s beckoning gesture, one of the grooms approached, leading a tall bay gelding that James instantly recognized as Will’s racehorse, specifically the one he’d backed in this week’s races. The high-strung creature pranced and snorted, eyeing first its shadow and then a fluttering sparrow, viewing both as significant threats. What was Will thinking?

“This good boy,” Will said, taking the animal’s lead shank, “has served me well, but he’s aged out of the races. He’s cut, so I can’t put him to stud, but he’s too good to waste out in pasture. I thought you might like him.”

Beyond, Georgie was in conversation with Will’s cronies, and his friend mouthedlost.James’s jaw tightened on confirmation that this was no gift of the heart, but before he could speak, Ahnna said, “Oh, he’s beautiful.”

She reached out a hand to the horse. The foolish creature snorted and jerked away, but Ahnna only smiled. “What’s his name?”

“Midday Eclipse,” Will said. “Everyone calls him Dippy.”

Rather than recognizing that Will was giving her something he wished rid of, Ahnna seemed entranced by the gelding. Taking the lead from his brother, she again held out her hand, showing no fear as the horse let out a loud snort.

Digging into his pocket, Will set a cube of sugar on her palm, then rested his hand against the small of Ahnna’s back as he instructed her to keep her hand flat.

Dippy—a more apt name, James had never heard—reached out and tentatively plucked up the sugar, crunching happily until the cathedral bells chimed the hour, which set the gelding off. He reared, and Will jerked Ahnna backward to keep her from taking a hoof to the face. She only laughed. “May I ride him?”

“Do you even know how to ride a horse?” James demanded.

“No, I’ve never had the opportunity.”

“Well, if you’re going to be the queen of Harendell, you must become an accomplished rider,” Will said.

“Will you teach me?” she asked.

His brother went still, betraying what a farce this really was, though Ahnna was so captivated with the horse that James doubted she noticed. Will recovered quickly. “My father once told me that only a fool tries to teach his wife anything. With our friendship being such a delicate thing, I will defer to his guidance and decline that honor.” Will’s eyes went sly. “My brother is quite an accomplished rider, so perhaps he will stand in for me, as he has in so many other things.”

Will’s tone was disappointed, but James didn’t miss the hint of venom beneath.

“I don’t want to impose.” Ahnna stroked the gelding’s neck and then fed him an apple that one of the grooms gave to her. “One of the grooms could—”

“Nonsense,” William interrupted. “You deserve to be taught by the best. No time like the present, and it’s a beautiful day.”

It was hot, and thunderstorms were brewing in the east, but James bit his tongue as the groom led the horse away.

“I’ve correspondence to attend to, though I would like to dine with you tonight, if that’s agreeable, Lady Ahnna?” Will asked.

But Ahnna was already hurrying after the groom into the stables, missing his words.

Will smiled, then started toward the gate to the spiral. James caught his arm. “What’s all this about?”

For a moment, it looked like Will would give him some flippant excuse, but then he said, “This is my lot, Jamie. Father has made it abundantly clear that he intends for me to marry her whether I like it or not, so I will make the best of it. After all, it’s what he did with my mother, so how terrible could it be? Surely I won’t end up bitter and gray, drinking by noon and deep into my cups by the seventh hour so as to drown out the voice of the woman who has been foisted upon me in the name of good politics.”

“So your solution is to give your future wife a half-broke racehorse that is likely to get her killed?”

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