HOW TO MARRY A PRINCESS by Christine Rimmer

stallion?”
    “Yes—but then, I know you, Allie. You’re going to do exactly what you want to do.”
    “I certainly am.”
    “Just don’t let him charm you. Keep your guard up, or you’ll get hurt.”
    * * *
    Keep your guard up, or you’ll get hurt....
    Dami had only warned her of what she already knew. And she would heed his warning. For once, she wouldn’t be contrary for contrary’s sake. She would take her brother’s advice and steer clear of Noah Cordell. Should she happen to meet up with him again, she would treat him with courtesy.
    Courtesy and nothing more.
    Her resolve got its first test at the stables that afternoon. Noah appeared as she was consulting with the equine dentist who checked the teeth of all her horses twice yearly. She glanced up and there he was out in the courtyard, the September sun gilding his hair, looking way too tall and fit and yummy for her peace of mind. Just the sight of him caused a curl of heat down low in her abdomen.
    But no problem. She could handle this.
    Alice asked the dentist to excuse her for a moment.
    When Noah entered the stable, she was waiting for him, her smile cool and composed. “Noah. I hardly recognized you.”
    Gone were the old jeans and battered Western boots. Today he was beautifully turned out in the English style: black breeches, black polo shirt and a fine pair of black field boots. He regarded her distantly. “I was hoping to ride.” A flick of a glance at the rows of stalls. “How about Gadim?” The six-year-old black gelding had energy to spare and could be fractious.
    But she knew Noah could handle him. “Excellent choice. Shall I call a groom to tack him up?”
    “I can manage, thanks.” His tone gave her nothing. Because she’d come on so distant and cool? Or because he’d already lost interest in her?
    She couldn’t tell.
    And she wished that she didn’t care.
    “Good, then,” she said too brightly. “Have a pleasant ride.”
    She returned to her consultation with the dentist, who had a list of the horses needing teeth pulled or filed.
    Noah was off on Gadim when she finished with the dentist. She considered lingering until he came back. She wanted to ask him how he’d enjoyed his ride, to let him know that she might be convinced to sell him Orion.
    But that would only be courting trouble.
    She liked him too much. She could let down her guard with him so very easily. Not that he even cared at this point. He’d seemed so bored and uninterested earlier.
    Which shouldn’t matter in the least to her.
    But it did.
    No. Not a good idea to hang around in the hope of seeing him again.
    She left the stables for a far paddock, where she spent the remainder of the afternoon working on leading and tying with a couple of recently weaned foals.
    * * *
    “Don’t listen to Dami,” Rhia said that evening as they shared dessert on the terrace of her villa overlooking the harbor.
    Alice had told her sister everything by then. “But what if Dami’s right?”
    “That the man’s a player? Oh, please. As though Dami has any room to talk.”
    “Well, but I just don’t need to get myself into any more trouble. I really don’t.”
    Rhia enjoyed a slow bite of her chocolate soufflé. “How are you going to get into trouble? You said he’s filthy rich.”
    “Whether or not I get myself in trouble has nothing to do with how much money a man has.”
    “I mean you can rest assured that he’s no fortune hunter. You’re both single. You both love horses. You enjoy being with him. And you happen to be extremely attracted to him. You should give him a chance.” She savored yet another bite. “Mmm.” She licked chocolate from her upper lip. “Lately, if it’s chocolate, I can’t get enough.”
    “The baby must love chocolate,” Alice suggested with a smile.
    “That must be it—and what was it you once advised me? ‘Rhia, be bold,’ you said.”
    “Oh, please. That was about Marcus.”
    “So?”
    “Marcus loves you. He’s always