Page 67 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
When Valeraine and Alyce landed at Pemberley estate — at midday, hours before the race — they were greeted with a rules sheet.
Valeraine was starting to realize this was exactly the kind of thing Mr. Pemberley would do.
For appearances sake, she should hand this off to Kesley. He wasn’t difficult to spot, having arrived a little earlier with the coach; he was chatting with some dragoneers on the edge of the field, along with Selaide. Everyone was bundled in coats, merrily close to each other to block the wind.
Alyce left to find Mr. Nethenabbi, stomping through the layer of snow on the ground.
Merna approached Valeraine, consulting from a worn notebook. “You’ll be pleased to know the odds don’t place Lelantos last.”
“That’s good, I suppose. Who determined that?”
“Me. But it seems the laymen don’t trust my numbers, because you are the least wagered-upon pair.”
“How would you even know that?” Valeraine reminded herself that it didn’t matter anymore what the dragoneers thought of Lelantos. She could get her egg through the Royal derby, and didn’t need any deals.
“Promise you won’t tell anyone?” Merna said.
Valeraine flapped her hand in aof course, continuegesture.
“Miss Hartfield is quite the experienced bookmaker, and I’ve been recruited into her empire.”
Kesley walked over to Valeraine, and Merna flitted away. No doubt to take notes on the dragons or join a second criminal enterprise.
Valeraine handed Kesley the rules sheet, and she read it over his shoulder.
No riders who have previously caused a death will be allowed to race.
No riders who have a history of repeated maiming will be allowed to race.
Before or after the race, the dragoneers are not allowed to rile or sabotage their fellow riders (or allow their dragons to do the same).
During the race, no rough riding will be permitted. A dragoneer who is found to have purposefully injured a fellow racer or dragon will be disqualified.
Dragoneers must maintain sportsmanlike behavior at all times.
Kesley scoffed. “Rough riding is part of the sport, and it’s unsportsmanlike behavior to penalize it. Who’s to say what’s too rough? This is an excuse to disqualify whomever Pemberley wishes.”
Valeraine had an urge to defend Pemberley. Ludicrous. Kesley did have a point that the rules were easily abused. She recalled Pemberley insulting her house, and discarded any respect she might have for his rules. He didn’t deserve defending. “He will not, at least, throw us out. I don’t think I’ve provoked his principles quite that far.”
