“How many does that make since you have been here? Four? Five?”
“Only three.”
Stephan raised a brow. “Are you losing your touch?”
Brice wiggled his fingers. “I have not had any complaints about mytouch. Besides, we have only been here two weeks. Brighton isn’t London. I cannot vanish after one night.”
Stephan raised his other brow. “Does that not create problems? Having three women in the same hotel expecting your company?”
“It would if they all worked at my hotel,” Brice answered, “but I have been making the rounds.”
“Very astute to spread the wealth, as it were.”
“That, too.” Brice shrugged. “I am sure leaving a gold guinea on the dresser does encourage a second invitation.”
Not so long ago, Stephan would have considered slipping away to make the rounds himself, but oddly enough, ribaldry no longer interested him. Even his meanderings as the Midnight Marauder had lost their appeal since he’d shared that kiss with Caroline. More and more, he was looking forward to actually winning the challenge that had started out as a charade. He just needed to somehow let Caroline know his playing the part of suitor was no longer a game.
“Well, boring as it is, I am going to put an appearance in at the saloon. Maybe I can find out what caused Caroline to leave the table.”
Brice nodded. “I will see you in the morning then.”
“Bright and early,” Stephan replied.
George was not in the saloon when Stephan entered a few minutes later, so he couldn’t question him, and Kinshell was already dozing in a wing chair, so no information forthcoming out of him, either. Surprisingly, though, the prince was there. He usually went off to his private chambers. Stephan frowned as he saw Tisdale and Caroline’s father making their way toward Prinny.
He joined the group just in time to hear Tisdale say something about the damn buggy ride being cut short. Why was he still whining about that? Hell, he’d had Caroline’s company for almost two hours in the garden afterward. Twolonghours while Sir Reginald had kept Stephan hostage with talks of investments.
“Since today was such a disaster,” Tisdale said, “I have decided to invite Miss Nash to sail aboard my boat one afternoon where we will not be interrupted.”
Stephan stared at him, aware that the prince was watching both of them intently. So was Caroline’s father. “Then I would ask for equal time.”
Tisdale smirked. “I thought you said it was bad luck to have a woman on your boat.”
“Not totally true,” Stephan answered. “Barclay mentioned that many sailors hold that superstition—”
“Then why did you refuse to take Lady Ann sailing?” Tisdale asked.
Damn it. He had refused the girl’s request. Before he could think of a way to respond, Tisdale turned to the prince.
“I will consider it an insult to Lady Ann if Kendrick asks Miss Nash to go sailing after he refused my daughter’s request.”
“Point taken, Tisdale. We have no wish to insult your daughter.” Prinny seemed to consider. “In all fairness, since the gauntlet was thrown to make this an official challenge, Kendrick deserves an equal amount of time to woo Miss Nash.” He turned to Stephan. “Do you accept the conditions?”
“I do.” Stephan suppressed the urge to gloat when Tisdale looked outraged. “I would like some time to consider my options, if you do not mind.”
The prince smiled, obviously enjoying the direction this increased one-upmanship was going. “Take all the time you need.”
Stephan nodded. He would make this good. Very, very good.
Chapter Sixteen
“What do you mean, the winch is loose?” Stephan furrowed his brows as he looked at Brice kneeling on the starboard deck of theLadythe next morning.
“Loose,” Brice repeated. “I thought something didn’t feel right the other day when we had her out.”
Stephan knelt beside him and grabbed the top of the block of wood around which the sail’s sheets were wrapped. It was still bolted to the deck but definitely had some give when he pushed against it. “Is it just this one?”
Brice shook his head. “The port side is also loose, as are the two forward jib winches.”
