Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Oh, I…that’s terribly nice of you, but you don’t need to go to so much trouble,” Hugo stammered.
“It’s no trouble at all. We’re more than happy to help the man who saved our prince’s life and rescued him from those villains,” Colby stated with a wide grin. His weathered face cracked with dozens of lines streaking from the corners of his eyes and around his mouth as he smiled.
Heat rushed to Hugo’s cheeks to hear Colby say such things, but it was the little squeak that came from Augustine behind him that made his stomach sink.
“That. Yes. Um…I didn’t do all that much. His Highness is being far too generous.”
Colby snatched his hat off his head and held it. “It’s not only His Highness. I spoke with several of the guards after the prince returned. They spoke of how you expertly handled Demon in your escape while the prince was shooting those fiends with your rifle. They said it was spectacular.”
“Demon?” Hugo repeated, his voice squeezed tight.
“Aye,” Colby said, his accent thickening in his excitement. “Demon is His Highness’s horse. Broke him personally. That horse is fiercely loyal to the prince and stubborn. Won’t let anyone ride him, let alone control.”
“Oh dear,” Hugo mumbled, but Colby didn’t seem to hear him.
“It’d be a real honor if you’d let me shake your hand.”
“Of course! Yes!” Hugo stuck out his hand, and Colby grasped it with both of his, pumping it several times in his excitement. His palm and fingers were rough from years of hard work and exposure to the elements, but Hugo could only smile at the man’s enthusiasm.
“We’re all protective of Prince Everand. He’s a good man. Doesn’t put on airs like so many of those nobles. He understands how much work goes into organizing a good hunt. He makes sure to thank my men and me individually after each one. Sneaks down to give treats and head pats to all the hounds as well.”
Hugo’s heart fluttered at the image of Everand sneaking to the Huntsman’s quarters to visit all the dogs. He could easily believe all that. “Yes, he’s a very good man.”
Colby released his hand, plopped his hat on his mass of curly red and white hair, and took a step back. “Well, we’ll get right on your fox problem. Don’t you worry.”
As the huntsman and his team left, Hugo waved at them, relieved they were taking their pack of exciting, barking dogs with them.
The moment he closed the door, his mother called from the top of the stairs. “Hugo, what the devil is all that racket? Who was at the door?”
Next to him, Augustine sucked in a breath and opened his mouth. Hugo was on him in a flash, slapping one hand over his lips while wrapping the opposite arm around Augustine’s bulky form to keep him from escaping. Under his tight grasp, he could feel his brother laughing with his entire body.
“It’s nothing, Mother. A local huntsman and some of his friends have offered to take care of our fox problem. He wanted to warn me they’re going to be hunting in the woods near our house. Return to bed. It’s too early to be up,” Hugo admonished.
His mother huffed and muttered. “Uncivilized, that’s what it is. It’s uncivilized to be up so early.”
Hugo continued to hold his brother until he heard his mother’s bedroom door shut. He released a heavy sigh and allowed Augustine to slip away. His sweet, loving brother let out the most evil laugh Hugo had ever heard.
“Don’t,” Hugo snapped.
“What? I haven’t done anything,” Augustine said, false innocence causing his words to lilt higher than normal.
“Yet.”
“Yet,” Augustine agreed, his smile shifting to match his laugh. “Exactly what was left out of your tale last night?”
Hugo groaned, his shoulders slumping. “Merely that I ran into Prince Everand while hunting the fox, and bandits attacked us. We escaped together. I did not save him. He was the one who was doing all the saving.”
Augustine’s eyes narrowed, and his grin shifted into a skeptical frown. “I don’t know. You have always been the best rider of all of us. I wouldn’t be surprised if you managed to tame a horse named Demon.”
“That is doubtful. I didn’t even know that was the horse’s name.” Hugo shook his head, trying to clear it of nonsense. “Please don’t mention this to Mother. You know how she gets. She’ll embellish this worse than Prince Everand already has and attempt to force this into a marriage. We all know how utterly impossible that is.”
But Augustine didn’t immediately agree with him. His brother shifted his weight from his left foot to his right while scratching his messy blond hair. “I don’t know. This Prince Everand doesn’t sound like the stuffy type. He might be a good—”
“Do not finish that sentence,” Hugo cut him off. He pointed a finger at his brother, nearly touching the tip of his nose. “Prince Everand is royalty, and we are…” His voice faded as he failed to find a gentle enough description.