Page 81 of My Queendom for a Horse

“I’m James.” Sean’s father stands when I arrive, Aleks on my heels. Lord McDermott is much shorter than I imagined he’d be—barely the same height as his stately wife—and quite stout. Sean must take all his looks from his mother’s side.

“Lord James McDermott,” Aleksandr says from behind me. “Earl of Coventry, Lord of the beautiful Argan Manor.”

Even though I’ve been around him consistently for weeks and weeks now, it feels like I know nothing about him.

“I apologize profusely for crashing your dinner tonight.” Aleks is still talking. Why’s he talking? And in such flawless English? “I needed to bring Kris some news about the horse we’re running in the King George, Obsidian Devil, and then your lovely wife invited me to stay.”

“You’re the unconventional Russian trainer,” Lord McDermott says. “The one who has been dealing with family drama?” When he smiles, he looks a lot more like Sean than I’d have thought possible.

“How did you learn English so quickly?” Sean asks. “Last I saw you, it was Russian or nothing.”

Aleks’ grin is a little sheepish. “I learned English as a child, but it was quite rusty, and I struggled quite a lot with the various accents. It was less that I learned it over the past six weeks, and more that I was able to brush it off and clean it up quickly by practicing with Kris every day.”

“Every day?” Sean frowns.

“Darling,” Lady McDermott says, “Why don’t we all sit down. If we don’t eat soon, the cook and I will both kill you.” Lady McDermott’s tone is light, and I’m sure she’s trying to defuse the situation like all British nobility are trained to do, but when she glances my way. . .I can’t argue with Aleks’ assessment. She may not be arguing with her son about bringing me here, but I’m not sure that means she’s really pleased he and I are dating.

I follow their lead, waiting for them to take their spots. Then I take the chair to the left of Sean. Aleks, unfortunately, takes the seat directly across from me.

No matter. I’m not going to let him ruin tonight. Regardless of what he says or does, he’s just the crazy Russian trainer we found to manage a difficult horse.

I focus instead on the food—the tiny ramekins in front of us have something that’s perfectly golden inside. The argument-inducing cheese soufflés, I’m guessing.

Lady McDermott lifts her fork and looks around the table, her way of encouraging us to follow her lead, and I don’t need much prompting. The soufflés are even better than I imagined they might be, but Sean’s mother keeps talking about the noticeable lack of Gruyere.

It must be hard to live life with such high standards.

“Now, then,” Lady McDermott finally says. “Aleksandr, did you say your name is? Why don’t you tell us about this family drama.”

“I’m not sure what Kris has told you.” He’s staring at Sean.

Sean’s eyes widen. “Nothing.”

I swallow.

Aleks frowns, a reaction that I know is fake, and glances my way. “You didn’t tell them why you’re helping me? That your friend begged you to lend a hand? Without your help, I’d never have gotten here.”

I wish he’d just say where here is. I should be happy he’s adapting so well, but really, I’m just more annoyed by the minute. “Right,” I say. “But I don’t like to brag.” I widen my eyes at him pointedly.

“A very commendable trait.” Aleks turns back toward Sean. I wish it was because he wanted to spin a good story, but I’m terribly afraid it’s because he likes to taunt him. “You see, I was a prince in Russia.”

“You and half of Europe.” Sean chuckles.

I take a sip of the very excellent wine Lady McDermott paired with the soufflés to stifle my unladylike snort.

“Sean McDermott,” his mother says. “That’s not how I taught you to behave.”

“It’s true, Mother, that there are quite a few displaced former-royals from Russia living in hovels across Europe, muttering about the good old days.”

“Admittedly, my people have had a difficult run,” Aleks says. “But back in 2007, many aristocrats were either regifted their estates by the government, crumbling and slovenly though they had become, or they bought them back. Such was the case with my relative, and he got lucky.”

Now we’re all listening.

I can’t help finishing off my glass of wine. Luckily, the serving people notice and refill it right away.

“My family’s property is rich with what you call crude oil reserves, among other things.”

Sean drops his fork.

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