To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(28)

Eli took her hand in his. “You’re very observant.”

Color touched her cheeks as she stared down at their joined fingers.

“My cousin has never cared for the work of politics or overseeing his own lands. He dropped his responsibilities on a steward and spends his days indulging with women, drinking too much, and gambling away his allowance.”

A frown pinched her forehead. “That doesn’t sound like a Tamarian.”

“I told you we’re not all Knights.”

“What would he gain if you died? Your lands? A larger allowance?”

“That’s the interesting thing,” Eli said. “He gets nothing. I have no children, so if I die, my wealth and lands would revert to my father.”

“Rolland says your cousin wanted you home quickly. I think he’s telling the truth.”

“So do I.” Eli squeezed her hand as his thoughts roamed to his engagement, but he couldn’t bring himself to mention Lady Daniella. It was the first time he’d thought of the duchess in weeks, or his engagement to her.

Eli doubted she figured into Fredrick’s machinations. There was no reason why Fredrick would care if Eli married Lady Daniella, unless his cousin had been intimate with the duchess and wanted Eli to fulfill the rules of succession on his behalf.

The prince snorted at the thought. Lady Daniella wouldn’t tolerate a man like Fredrick. It was one of the things that would make her a good queen. Perhaps Fredrick had heard the prophecy and wanted Eli on the throne, but the prince had no idea why his cousin would want that.

“You’ve thought of a reason,” Auburn said.

Eli shook his head. “None that are convincing.”

“What do you know about your cousin beyond his vices?”

“Little. My cousin and I have never been close. He’s a dozen years older than I am, and he went to live at the country estate not long after...” Eli caught himself. “When I was a boy.”

“Any idea why he’d want you home so quickly?”

Eli shook his head. “No, and that disturbs me.”

“Think Rolland was telling the truth?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I don’t know why Fredrick wants me home, but I don’t doubt he bribed Rolland.”

“Wealth is a huge motivator in Qumaref. Would your cousin need money?”

“Wealth is a huge motivator everywhere.” Eli squeezed her fingers. “Fredrick has a generous allowance from my uncle, and he lives lavishly. What are you thinking?”

“I don’t want to speak ill of your cousin.”

A smile tugged on Eli’s lips. “Do it anyway.”

“These negotiations were meant to open the door to trade. While many will benefit, anyone smuggling goods from Qumaref into Tamryn will be hurt.”

Eli thought of the rare spices gracing the tables of Tamryn’s wealthiest nobles. Spices that hadn’t been there when he was a child. “You think my cousin could be behind a smuggling ring?”

“He’d want you home quickly to prevent you from striking a deal, and when that didn’t work, his Qumarefi contacts might take the initiative.”

“And if Premal was that Qumarefi contact, it would explain why he was so angry with the sultan for gifting you to me. Premal knew you’d help me when Rolland didn’t.”

Auburn stared down at their joined hands. “Smuggling into Tamryn would be difficult, but there’s a lot of coastline.”

“Cunning pirates could find a way. And a royal contact in Tamryn could make selling the smuggled goods easier and more profitable.” Eli let out his breath. “We have no proof, but it’s better than anything else we’ve thought of.”

Her hand tightened around his. “Even if we figure out who’s behind it, we still have to stop them before they try again.”

“Think they’ll catch whoever was behind the first attempt? With the right persuasion, they might provide us information.”

Auburn shook her head. “By now, whoever planned the assassination has paid the appropriate bribes, and the men who tried to kill you are either dead themselves or have fled Qumaref.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I regret not having the Knights of Valor here.”

She smiled. “They may be a thorn in your side, but they’re a useful and just thorn.”

Her smile infected him, and his own lips curved. “Don’t ever tell them I admitted that.”

She tightened her hand around his. “It might be best if we left for Tamryn. I know these trade agreements are important to you and to Qumaref, but they’re not worth your life.”

“What about the people that’ll go hungry?”

“Perhaps the rains will come again, or the sultan will think of something else.”

Eli stroked a thumb over her knuckles. “I’ve made arrangements that you’ll belong to Sligo under Qumarefi law if I die. He’ll see you safely to Tamryn.”

“Thank you,” Auburn said as her cornflower-blue eyes fixed on him. “But I would prefer to see Tamryn with you.”

Eli glanced down at her, and he sensed no dishonesty. No flattery. It made his chest constrict as an avalanche of emotion pressed down on him.





Chapter 20