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believe I have everything I came for,” Roger Mortimer said decisively. “I thank you, gentlemen.”
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    On the ride back to Warwick from Kenilworth, Wolf Mortimer maneuvered his mount so that he was riding beside Lincoln Robert de Warenne. “I have been admiring your horse.”
    â€œIt isn’t mine. It’s a Warwick horse I borrowed to ride out with my cousin Brianna early this morning.”
    â€œI saw you racing. You were gallant to let her win.”
    â€œI didn’t. She won fair and square. Brianna rides like the wind. She has a wealth of knowledge about horses. Her father crossbreeds them at Flamstead, an easy riding distance from Windsor when she and her mother were at the Queen’s Court. I miss her company.”
    â€œYour castle of Hedingham is in Essex, some distance from Windsor, is it not?” Wolf asked.
    â€œYes, but Hedingham is only a few miles from Flamstead. We have spent a good deal of time there together.”
    It was obvious to Wolf that Lincoln de Warenne was infatuated with Brianna. He spoke of her in a proprietary way. I sense that there is an understanding between them. His dark brows drew together momentarily in deep concentration, and then they cleared. Poor de Warenne—you will be doomed to disappointment when I steal the prize away!
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    â€œI thought I’d have at least a week’s peace and quiet when you departed,” Jory teased her husband. “Why are you back so soon?”
    â€œLancaster was at Kenilworth. Mortimer got his pledge.”
    â€œThomas was no doubt making the rounds of the wealthy castles he recently inherited from his wife’s late father.”
    â€œI envy him Derby. Some men have all the luck,” he taunted.
    â€œAh, but do you envy him Alice de Lacy?”
    Warwick grimaced. “Not often. I suppose I’ll have to content myself with beauty.” He dipped his head and kissed her.
    â€œI sincerely hope you were served a hot meal at Kenilworth. All you will get here tonight is cold fare.”
    â€œI’ll make you hot for me,” he murmured.
    She slapped his hand as it reached for her bottom.
    After the meal, Guy Thomas challenged his de Warenne cousins to a game of dice and the Mortimer brothers elbowed their way in. When Wolf began to win, young de Beauchamp was most impressed with his skill and watched his every move. The dice matched whatever call he made, no matter how carelessly he spun them across the table. “How do you do that? What’s your secret?”
    â€œHis secret is luck,” Edmund Mortimer said. “My brother has the devil’s own luck.”
    Wolf Mortimer had inherited the gift of second sight and other intuitive powers from his Celtic ancestors. He was grateful that Edmund had not revealed his real secret.
    Wolf looked at the earnest young face of Guy Thomas. “I feel compelled to tell you the truth.” He smiled gently. “It’s not luck, it’s practice.”
    Guy Thomas glanced up and saw his sister. “Brianna, come and watch—Wolf Mortimer has an amazing skill at dice.”
    She had wanted to draw closer to the group of young males who were having great fun and hadn’t seemed to even notice her. She moved toward the table and stood beside Lincoln.
    â€œWould you care to hazard a throw, Mistress de Beauchamp?” Wolf Mortimer held out the dice, his gray eyes challenging her.
    Lincoln voiced his disapproval. “Brianna has no interest in playing dice—she knows nothing of games of chance.”
    â€œCourse she does,” her brother declared. “Who do you think taught me?”
    Wolf knew she would not be able to resist, especially when told she should not indulge.
    Brianna looked at her cousin and said lightly, “I shouldn’t…but I shall! Thank you for making my decision for me, Lincoln.” She took the dice that were held out so temptingly on Wolf Mortimer’s palm.