The Pirate and the Amber Cat 37

Chapter 37

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Juriz entered the sunny sitting room where Suili was taking a leisure breakfast the next morning. At first she was oblivious to his presence, her eyes fastened on the tepid blue waters of the pool off the patio.

She watched the bright sunlight shine like faceted aquamarine on the rippled water, a light breeze pushing soft swells to the alabaster edges. Her gaze dropped when she sensed Juriz's nearness and then rose to his face.

"Good morning, dear," he greeted, settling into a chair at the wicker table. He leaned closer, turning her chin with his fingers. "You're eyes are puffy. Didn't you sleep well?"

She let a small, tired smile curve her lips. "I believe I slept too much," she told him. "I got soap powder in my eyes this morning. I thought I was going blind, it stung so."

"I'm sorry." His hand closed over hers on the table. "Feeling better?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid I have some bad news."

She quelled the assorted fears his words stirred. She forced a short laugh. "Don't tell me Ros Domici used up all his war stories last night. What will we talk about at dinner this evening?"

He smiled at her humor. "No. His supply is inexhaustible. I'm talking about your horse, dear."

"My horse?" She sat straighter and frowned.

"Yes. I spoke with the head stableman earlier, and he said your gray is nearly lame. He found him limping and sweaty at daybreak. Just as he was opening the barns," he relayed.

"There's not a hole or gulley on the grounds," she said, studying his face closely.

"No. He was ridden to exhaustion and left out in the pasture," he explained, his jaw set. "This has happened before. Two years ago. Twice the stableman caught a couple of the grooms racing the horses at night. They were dismissed without question, of course, but it looks like someone else thinks it a good sport to ruin fine horses."

She appraised him with hidden distaste. Juriz had no problem ordering the murder of a helpless child, but gave much thought to a lame horse.

But her mood was not entirely brooding.

Knowing that she had beaten Juriz—even without his knowledge—and that Joshan was free and safe gave a particular lift to her spirits, despite her own fatigue.

"You won't have him killed," she asked more than stated.