Free Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan Page B

fleeting smile from her. “Surely you can understand why last night was mortifying for me.”
    “Because you don’t like being in a position of weakness.”
    “Well, yes. I imagine you would not either.”
    “True. If Deering had propositioned me as he did you, we would be meeting over pistols at dawn.”
    Maura could well believe it. Even though dueling was illegal, the Wildes were known to use pistols to settle their controversies, which had resulted in more than one blood feud to enliven their family history.
    “I don’t intend to shoot him,” she muttered, “much as I would like to.”
    “Yet you are obviously not thinking clearly, Miss Collyer,” Beaufort pressed. “If you allow me to join forces with you, it will strengthen your position.Deering will think twice if he knows he has to deal with me.”
    Her gaze fixed intently on him. “Will your involvement make him return my horse to me?”
    “Not alone, no. But I can help you develop a strategy to fight him, one that is not so haphazard as the vague plan you are pursuing to buy back your stallion.”
    When Maura remained mute, Beaufort prodded her further. “I gather you mean to approach Deering this morning.”
    “If I can find him.”
    “Is that wise so soon after the contretemps last night?”
    “Perhaps not,” she conceded.
    “Have you arranged to meet him?”
    “No.”
    “So you intend to attempt an ambush. You aren’t worried he will repeat his offer to make you his mistress?”
    “Hyde Park is a public enough place. I doubt he would proposition me again in front of witnesses. And I won’t allow myself to be caught alone with him again.”
    “But what do you hope to accomplish?”
    Realizing Beaufort would not give up his questioning until his curiosity was satisfied, Maura gave in. “As galling as it would be, I may have to apologize for unmanning him last night.”
    She saw Beaufort’s lips twitch. “I didn’t think you fancied eating crow for breakfast.”
    Her own lips twisted in an unwilling smile. “I don’t, but I am willing to swallow my pride for the sake ofmy horse. I mean to try one more time to persuade Deering to sell Emperor. Barring that, I will ask him to return Emperor to my farm, or at least to one of his own estates in the country. It is a reasonable request. Emperor is highly nervous in London traffic, and Deering is known as a ham-handed rider. He is treating a champion racehorse like a common hack, riding him in a busy park. Any idiot would know better.”
    “True, but you underestimate Deering if you think him a complete idiot. He is merely excessively vain. No doubt he hopes to increase his prestige by showing off his new prize possession before the ton.”
    Maura found herself grinding her teeth again, and her voice dropped to a low growl. “I suspect he also wants to broadcast his victory over me. He enjoys rubbing salt in my wounds,” she added with a touch of bitterness.
    Beaufort thought about that for a moment before asking another question. “Just how do you know what Deering’s riding customs are?”
    “I told you, my steward Gandy has connections.”
    “Ah, you have a spy in his stables.”
    Maura blushed to have her underhanded methods exposed, but she’d deemed it necessary to fight fire with fire. “Something like that. Emperor is stabled in the mews behind Deering’s home, and some of the grooms there are former colleagues of Gandy’s, and so are willing to keep him informed.”
    “I am surprised Gandy is not here to help you deal with the problem.”
    “He originally came with me to London, but he couldn’t remain long because it is prime foaling season.”
    “Then you have all the more reason to welcome my support.”
    Maura bit back a sigh. Beaufort’s forceful personality was much like his sister’s; opposing him would be like trying to resist a powerful storm.
    Her conclusion was proved right with his next words.
    “Regardless of your stubborn pride, Miss Collyer, I intend