He paused, took a deep breath, and smiled. “I am not accustomed to tromping through the woods in heat like this. Not accustomed to tromping through the woods in any weather, to be fair.” He laughed at himself. “But no matter. I’ve found you now.”
I lowered my knife but did not sheathe it.
“Ah, you will be wondering who I am.” He took a small yet overly ostentatious bow. “I am Merlon Fairfax.”
My gasp made him chuckle again. I’d read his name in the papers, seen his caricature, but never had I expected to meet the man known for his unruly court antics and his unpopular opinions on dragon riding.
“Mr. Fairfax,” I stammered, inclining my head only a little. “W-what can I do for you?”
He grinned and hooked his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets. “Accompany me to today’s dragon race.”
My brows pinched. “But, sir…”
“Now, now,” he said, lifting one hand in a consoling way, “the race is merely the next place I am headed, and as it turns out, I have a proposition for you that I believe will be best communicated over iced drinks in my personal rooms at the arena. I dislike this heat, Miss…?”
“Mireaux,” I finished.
“Miss Mireaux. And I dearly hope you are inclined to watch the race today.”
I’d dreamed of watching the King’s Race every day of my life. But that was only for women in their sun hats and fresh cotton dresses, perched on the arms of wealthy men. Not for me.
I glanced down at my work shift, a plain brown thing I wore to muck out dragon stalls. My boots had dried mud, and likely something fouler, along the sides and a red smear of blood on the left toe.
Fairfax clicked his tongue. “If it would make you more comfortable, I will provide you with more suitable attire for the race.”
I balked at him, knife lifting slightly once more.
“Oh, good heavens, nothing like that. I am entirely too old for that sort of thing. Besides, I’m madly in love.” He waved a dismissive hand. “I assure you, my proposition is entirely to do with dragons.”
“A proposition, sir?” I swallowed hard, unsure what this man could possibly want to offer me.
“You look as frightened as a cow on a train track.” He clapped his hands when I frowned, as if delighted he’d ruffled me. “I mean you no harm, my dear. I was immensely impressed with your skills back there with that dragon.”
“You saw that?”
Fairfax nodded. “I saw you save that boy’s life. And the dragon’s. It’s why I followed you. And as it so happens, I have been looking for someone with—how shall I say it?—guts to partner with me in an endeavor I have been wanting to attempt for some time now.” He tipped his head forward in a jovial, conspiratorial way. “You have guts.”
It was an odd compliment, and yet I felt my frown weakening.
He extended an elbow. “What say you? Attend the race, hear my proposition?” At my hesitation, he added, “You are in no way obligated to accept. I wish only for you to consider it.”
For the first time, I truly studied him. He wore no wedding ring, but the ring of an heir on his pinky finger. He was graying but still able to hike up a hillside in the heat of summer, his skin touched with the color that only came from hours spent out of doors. The most confusing thing was the easy smile he wore, like it was his most natural expression. Everything about him was different from the noblemen I’d seen in town. Most especially the fact that he’dwalkedto catch up with me.
I nodded slowly, finally sheathing my knife. “I’ll hear your proposition, sir.”
“Very good!” he bellowed, louder than I’d anticipated. “Now, let’s go to the arena, or we’ll miss all the fun.”
Out of the forest once more, we made our way down a few tight streets and up to a wide bridge where a sleek black automobile was waiting at the curb, a sigil painted on the driver’s door.
“After you,” said Lord Fairfax.
I swallowed and stared as the driver exited and opened the door for me. For the first time in my life, I bundled into an automobile. When the engine rumbled to life, I tensed, wondering if I’d made a mistake getting in here.
“To the arena,” barked Fairfax to the driver a moment later.
All my fears evaporated as a broad smile broke across my face.
CHAPTER 3
