“A landslide?” Theo repeated, thoughtfully. “I would be grateful to be included in the expedition, Your Grace. I have no commitments at the tournament today.”
The duke hesitated. “You’re very generous, Your Highness, but I wouldn’t wish to pull you from the safety of the castle.”
“I believe our roads are as safe as any on the Peninsula,” the king said mildly. “If Prince Theodore wishes to accompany you, I don’t object.”
The duke bowed, accepting the polite command without further argument. “We will prepare to leave after breakfast,” he told Theo.
“Leave for where?”
Elowen’s voice made them all turn, to see the queen and princess entering the room behind them.
“Prince Theodore is going to accompany the duke on an investigative trip northwest of the capital today,” King Ronan informed his daughter.
Elowen’s gaze was shrewd as it passed between her father and Theo. “I’d like to go as well.”
“Absolutely not,” the queen interjected quickly.
“Why not?” asked Elowen.
“The tournament, for one reason.” The queen’s brow was creased in a warning.
Elowen blinked. “But ten minutes ago, I asked if I needed to go to the commoners’ competition today, and you said that I don’t have to.”
Queen Lisbeth didn’t look impressed to have this information shared. “I said so in the belief that you needed rest after the three days of the tournament so far.”
“Oh, I don’t need rest,” Elowen said cheerfully. “A good gallop on Ochre will be more restful for my spirits than lying on a settee somewhere.”
“It’s an excellent idea, Elowen,” said the king. “A chance for you and Prince Theodore to come to better understanding of one another.”
There was something very specific in the look he gave his daughter, but Theo couldn’t read it. Judging by the hint of defiance that crossed Elowen’s immaculate features, she could.
“Surely it’s not wise,” the queen protested. “Have you forgotten what happened last time Elowen joined such a venture?”
“I have not,” the king assented. “But this is different, Lisbeth. The landslide has already happened, this is an investigation after the fact. Not to mention, on this occasion it’s not as far from the capital, and naturally she will take a full complement of guards.”
His words were so decisive, the queen had no choice but to be satisfied. Theo didn’t object to Elowen’s inclusion, but he did wonder what the king hoped would be achieved by his orchestrations. Was Elowen supposed to distract him from paying close attention to the investigation? That thought seemed unfair to King Ronan.
“If a party is being formed, perhaps my own children would wish to join,” the duke said.
“I believe, Your Grace, that Lord Bertrand is occupied for the day in training for tomorrow’s competition,” Elowen cut in smoothly. “But I would be delighted to ask Sophia if she’d like to join us.”
Theo noted that neither the duke nor the king seemed pleased with this answer, although neither said so. For his part, he wasn’t sure whether to be glad that Elowen seemed to be trying to exclude Lord Bertrand or concerned that she knew his training schedule. Picturing the sea of sweaty, mostly shirtless men to be found at the training yard each day, he hoped that Elowen hadn’t been watching on.
With the prospect of getting out of the city, each member of the group ate their breakfast quickly, and it wasn’t long before they were ready to depart. Elowen had found Lady Sophia as she’d promised, and the two of them rode side by side behind Theo and the duke.
Theo tried at first to find out more about the progress of the investigation, but in the absence of the king, the duke was even less inclined to give him information. Once they’d cleared the city, the duke increased his pace to speak to a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild who’d accompanied them, and Theo driftedback toward Elowen and Lady Sophia. The loose ring of guards shifted seamlessly to accommodate the change, Paulson falling in with their formation.
The group rode for a couple of hours before crossing a river by means of a wide, stone bridge. On the far side of the river, the road plunged immediately into a forest large enough that Theo hadn’t been able to see either end as they approached.
“No time for a wolpertinger hunt today,” Elowen said lightly, as their horses carried them beneath the arching branches that now formed a roof over the road.
“No,” Lady Sophia agreed. Theo had never seen much liveliness from her, but during the ride she’d been especially subdued. There hadn’t been much light chatter between the two young women.
“I’ve never been to this area before,” Elowen said. “Isn’t this the region Simeon’s family comes from?”
Theo’s eyes flicked over to them at the name, noting the quick, conscious look Lady Sophia shot in his direction.
“Yes, it is,” the noblewoman confirmed. “At least, his mother’s family. His father’s family have lived and worked on our estate for several generations.”
