‘The match is in aid of charity. We’ll forget our differences and concentrate on that.’
‘That’s very generous of you,’ Xander commented. ‘I’m not sure I could be quite so understanding.’
They shared a look. Both men were warriors; neither was understanding.
Cesar shrugged. ‘Sofia’s your sister and you are my close friend. I won’t sully our friendship by carrying on a public feud with your sister.’
Xander raised an amused black brow. ‘And this distance you talk of will be enough for you?’
‘There’s the entire length of a table between us tonight. And when we play our matches, the length of a polo mallet will suffice.’
‘Just don’t hurt her—emotionally hurt her, I mean. Sofia acts tough but she’s always ready to be hurt, and that makes her vulnerable.’
‘What do you take me for? I’ve no interest in her in that respect.’
‘Don’t you?’
Beyond the fact that Sofia would play an important part in the matches, no, of course he didn’t. Who was he trying to kid? Cesar asked himself grimly as Sofia, together with his mother and his sister, threw back their heads and laughed.
How had she won them over so easily? He recalled his mother saying that royal life could be much improved if only people had the courage to express an honest opinion. He imagined Sofia had no trouble doing that. It had become obvious to him tonight that she was a natural communicator. But was she also a natural snoop, using this occasion to fuel another article?
The way to his mother’s heart had always been unconventional. Sofia personified quirky with her abundant black hair cascading down her back in a shimmering waterfall of natural waves. Some attempt to tame it had been made. She’d tied a band of brightly coloured flowers around her forehead. Who did that at a royal banquet? He had to admit that the coronet of fresh blooms teamed perfectly with the summery, ankle-length gown Sofia had chosen to wear. With its intricate embroidery, jingling trinkets and happy, summer colours of yellow and pink, the dress perfectly mirrored the smile on her face.
A mix of anger and lust flashed through him. Sofia had the brass neck not only to outshine every other woman present but to sit amongst his guests as calm as you like. She’d clearly charmed the two people in the world who mattered most to him. Of course, his mother was notoriously tender-hearted, a thought that led him to study Sofia again. Was she as amusing and straightforward as she appeared tonight, or was Sofia Acosta a wolf in a rather attractive sheep’s clothing?
Decision made, he excused himself from the table. Sofia exclaimed with surprise when he reached her chair. Bowing to his mother, the Queen, he dipped his head to murmur in Sofia’s ear, ‘I need you to come with me right now.’
Her eyes turned wide and curious. ‘Are you throwing me out?’ A smile was hovering around her mouth.
‘Just come with me, please.’
They had attracted the attention of his mother. He smiled quickly for her sake.
‘Is it time for pudding?’ Sofia addressed herself to the Queen. ‘Do we have to change places?’
His mother was laughed warmly. ‘No, we do not change places between courses here.’ She spared a sharp look at him. ‘I believe my son would like to speak to you alone. Am I right, Cesar?’
‘Correct,’ he rapped, though his mother had managed to make it sound like a romantic assignation when nothing could be further from the truth. He was determined to address the issues between him and Sofia before the business of the meeting began.
He caught a whiff of some delicate wildflower scent as Sofia left the table. With a pretty curtsey for his mother, she thanked the Queen for a wonderful evening.
‘Come back to us,’ his mother said, with a warning look to him.
‘Don’t we have a meeting after dinner with Sofia and her brothers?’ his sister Olivia drawled with a knowing smile in his direction. Olivia was taunting him with the fact that, as she very well knew, more lay behind his desire to take Sofia from the table than business.
‘Don’t let us keep you, Sofia,’ she added silkily. ‘My brother appears to have something pressing on his mind.’
As well as on the placket of his evening trousers, he grimly recorded.
‘A stroll in the garden?’ he gritted out as soon as he and Sofia were out of earshot.
‘You make it sound so appealing,’ she murmured.
‘Fresh air, and a chance to relive old times,’ he proposed.
After what she’d done, he expected Sofia to at least have the good grace to pale at his challenge, but instead she firmed her jaw, inviting, ‘Lead the way.’
‘Life is more exciting when you say yes,’ he remarked with irony.
