I appreciate all of your reviews of the last chapter, and your concerns about the so-called friendly race between Derek and Rhys! And we're almost there, this is the last day before the event. I'm sorry this is kind of late in posting, and I'm not sure if this chapter is all that great, but I promise to move things along quicker with the next update.

Chapter Nine
Race Day Eve

It was the last day before the race, and two days before the ball. Derek woke early as always, and laced his hands behind his head, staring up at the decorative canopy above their bed. It was still too dark to get up, and he savoured the quiet for awhile yet. Meredith was still sleeping, curled against his side, her hair in disarray on the pillows, and he smiled gently, stroking her shoulder. He mulled over the upcoming race, and he sighed a little at the thought. Somehow it had taken on a life of its own, with importance spinning out of control, and he frowned. He certainly didn't envision just how much it would get out of control.

The King had been enthusiastic from the moment he heard about it, and even went so far as having a proper track quickly laid out and marked. There were several viewing stands already on hand, remnants of days when jousts were held and knights in armour were a common sight. These had been draped with the King's colors, and refurbished for added comfort. As soon as the rest of the assembled courtiers had been advised of the race, an added level of excitement pervaded the castle. Now not only the ball occupied their minds, but the race was on everyone's lips.

So far, there had been no incidents at the stables regarding the horses, but William was constantly alert. Derek had even gone so far as to speak with Rhys personally, without giving away any of his suspicions. Knowing the other man as well as he did, it was difficult to believe he would jeopardize his reputation by creating havoc over a simple race. Rhys might be a rake, but honor was still bred into him. Or at least Derek assumed so.

"You are concerned about the horses, Shepherd. The extra guards, the grooms keeping watch...you cannot seriously think someone would try to fix the outcome?" Rhys asked, raising one eyebrow at Derek as they stood at the rail, watching the grooms walk the horses.

"Hmmm...considering that Storm is also being watched, you should be fine with that."

"Oh, of course I am. Valuable horses should be protected by all means possible." Rhys glanced at Derek. "But what brought on the concern?"

"Just being careful. You can thank me later." Derek clapped Rhys on the shoulder.

"Indeed." Rhys smiled slightly. "I would be willing to have my own groom stand watch as well, if William and his men need extra help."

"Not necessary. William assures me they have everything taken care of. By the time race begins, our only concern left will be whether we win or lose."

"I see, well, you have thought of everything then. I will leave this in your capable hands. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a personal commitment." Rhys checked his pocket watch, before giving Derek a slight salute.

"An assignation, you mean? Who's the lucky woman?"

Rhys grinned wolfishly. "No one special, just a lovely lady to occupy my time. You know how it is!" He turned to go. "Give my regards to Lady Meredith."

Shifting slightly now, to slide his arm around Meredith, Derek held her against him, welcoming the warmth and scent of her skin. Her breathing hitched slightly, but her eyes remained closed. His thoughts drifted to the upcoming costumed ball, putting aside the race for the moment. Meredith had been mysterious about her costume so far, but had been quite happy to have seen Isobel at the dressmakers. And of course, she had been thrilled about her friend's pregnancy, which would fuel her own desire to have another child. He was going to have to speak with Marcus about that at the ball, he thought with a sigh.

As if she heard, Meredith stretched slightly, and opened her eyes to find him looking at her in the dim light. "G'morning..." she smiled sleepily. "Are you watching me sleep again?"

"I might have been," he replied softly, cupping her cheek. "You looked so sweet there, I didn't want to wake you."

"What were you thinking about, as you watched me?"

Derek propped himself up on one elbow, facing her. "Oh, several things, my love. The race, whether Rhys is really going to sabotage it...and that I need to speak with Marcus when I see him at the ball..."

"Marcus?"

"Yes, about his impending paternity again," Derek grinned, sliding his hand over her spine to bring her closer to him. "He is making things difficult for me."

"Ah, I see..." Meredith laughed softly. "You do realize that having a baby is completely natural, and I will be able to deal with the childbirth again. The pain recedes to a distant memory, and the baby is all that matters."

He leaned in to kiss her temple. "Still...forgive me if I cannot put your pain out of my thoughts so easily."

"I realize the birth of the twins was much more difficult, but Michael was not as bad, and neither was James's birth. You were with me for that, Derek, you know that's true..." she reminded him gently, stroking his cheek. "All I'm asking is that you think about it." Her fingers traced his bottom lip, and he caught her hand, and kissed her fingertips.

"I will, love. Once we are done with the race, and the ball, it will have my full attention," he told her. He lowered his head and caught her mouth softly, then with increasing ardour. She moved against him, and he took her face in his hands, kissing her deeply – their tongues searching and finding. His hands pushed the straps of her delicate night gown down her shoulders slowly, in his desire to touch more of her skin.

"Ah, love..." he muttered. His voice was low and hoarse from his immediate desire as she reached for him. The wispy indigo silk gown slithered down her torso as he pulled her upwards, exposing her breast, her nipple already taut and hard. Suddenly, she felt Derek's mouth there, his tongue circling the sensitive nub. An instant shot of ecstasy went through her from the nipple through to her clit, making her body go tight in desire. He reached up to her hair, driving his fingers in the thick waves that cascaded down around her shoulders. In the dim light of morning, her hair in disarray, she was just as much a temptress as ever. Her body undulated over him, the movement of silk and skin over his erection was erotic and more arousing than ever.

"I adore having you ride me like this," he told her. The air was warm and languid in the bed, behind the brocade swags of curtains, scented with fresh linens and the pure sexual heat that simmered between them.

"I can tell," she purred, a saucy little smile on her lips. She eased the gown higher on her hips, enjoying the look in his eyes. "Oh, and you like this too, don't you, my lord?"

"Oh, yes vixen, very much so..." His cock prodded between her legs, demanding and hot. "What else are you going to do for me?"

Without saying anything, she bent over him, and her breasts scraped against his chest, tantalizing him with the sensation. He could feel the dampness of her arousal on him, and he was unable to wait for her next move. "Let me love you now," he muttered, driving into her forcefully, taking her breath away. He filled her as deeply as he could go, every thrust shattering her into tiny pieces. And she loved it, every single moment of this, and she rocked her hips, wanting him just like this, wild and uncontrolled.

"Yes…now …" she whimpered, taking Derek as deep as he could go. "Now…Derek, more...now…" The sheer delight of the two of them like this was all she desired, all she could think of.

Derek felt her tense, her body clenching around him, and she felt so impossibly good, so wet, clutching at him. "So hot, so tight…damnit love…" he growled, as she began to climax, taking him with her. Wave after wave of pure, blinding ecstasy took them both. His cock raged upward and she took it, loving it, coming again around it. She fell against him, and his body bucked beyond his control. His seed shot into her, and he tensed, caught up in the fierce pleasure.

"Derek...we forgot..." she panted, thinking of preventing conception, as he held her against him as they recovered.

Still throbbing, still connected, he acknowledged this with a wicked little smile. "We did, indeed, my love...all my fault for wanting you so badly. If I didn't know better, I would say you planned it that way..."

Meredith rested her cheek against his chest, smiling to herself. "Would I do that, my love?"

Derek chuckled, the laughter rumbling against her, as he hugged her tightly. "Oh, never, vixen..."

At the stables later, Derek conferred with William and some of the younger grooms outside Midnight's stall. "No troubles overnight?" he observed.

"Not exactly, Your Grace," William started, "however early today..."

"What?"

"Well, one of the lads here found something strange out on the trail where you like to ride Midnight most mornings," William said gravely.

Derek gripped the bridle in his hands tightly, looking at the men around him. "What is it?"

William held up a leather strap, with laces at each end. "This was tied between two trees that flanked either side of the trail. It was low to the ground so that it wasn't easily spotted if you were riding quickly, and it would be enough to trip the horse and possibly cause serious injury to both mount and rider. The only reason Gyles here spotted it was that his horse pulled up lame with a pebble and he had to dismount. As he was crouched down, he spotted this."

Derek took it, frowning at the idea that something like this had been done. Even with all of the precautions they had taken, part of his mind had always hoped it wasn't true. Yet it was clear that someone with the knowledge of Derek's routine had tried to injure him, or worse, Midnight. Not to mention, it could have been someone else entirely, taking that trail with him as well. In fact, just the other day, Meredith had mentioned it would be lovely to go out riding with him in the morning, if the Queen was amenable to that. His blood went cold, at the thought of her falling from a horse in that manner.

"Leave it with me," he said, his voice icy. "And speak of this with no one, is that clear?"

"Yes, my lord," William agreed. "Not a word."

They left him alone then, and Derek spent several moments brushing Midnight, letting the routine calm his body and his mind before heading out to find Rhys. The man had some explaining to do.

Meredith swept into the solarium, finding the young ladies gathered there after the morning tea with the Queen. She was pleased to see that even Rowena was there, seated in the midst of the others. They all looked up, and their conversation ceased at her appearance. For a split second, Meredith thought Rowena's expression looked almost smug, but it was replaced immediately by a serene smile.

"Ladies, are you ready for the ball? Costumes are ready?" She settled into one of the chairs, and spread her skirts carefully.

"Yes, my lady, we are all prepared," Cordelia spoke up. With her fair hair and her peaches and cream complexion, she was a picture of sweetness. In contrast to Rowena , with her lush curves and sultry eyes, they were like opposite ends of the spectrum. The other girls were all pretty in their own way, as well, but didn't draw attention in the same way.

"Excellent. And I trust you will all be models of decorum and lady-like behaviour..."

"Of course, Lady Meredith," Rowena smiled. "But we are more excited about the race tomorrow, before the ball. Rhys speaks of it constantly. He feels very confident."

"Mmmhmm...I am quite sure he does. As does my husband," Meredith smiled in return. "But no one can predict the outcome, Rowena. The men and the horses are evenly matched, from what I see."

"Do you ride then as well, Lady Meredith?"

"I do, I have a lovely little filly waiting at home. Lord Shepherd and I take many long rides through the country, so I am sure she is getting quite bored without me."

"Then I am surprised you do not ride while you are here," Rowena commented, glancing up from beneath her lashes. "After all, His Grace is quite the horseman, you must enjoy riding with him as well..." There was a touch of innuendo in her tone, but her expression was still merely curious.

For a moment, Meredith's thoughts flashed to the late night ride she and Derek had taken, and she bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Oh, perhaps one of these days I will, but the horses here are all very spirited and rather large for me."

"Ah, then you must miss the opportunity," Rowena smiled.

"I do, but once we return home, I will be able to ride again. Sometimes you have to give up the things you enjoy in order to serve the royals. I realize that now."

"I know it is a privilege, Lady Meredith..." Rowena said, "But I feel frustrated sometimes with it. As you must realize..."

Meredith nodded, feeling a slight connection with the younger lady. "Of course, we all do, I am sure." The others around them nodded. "But it is still a great honor, and I hope you feel it is worth the time away from your families."

"Of course, my lady."

"And as far as the race tomorrow, may the best man win," Meredith smiled.

"Yes, and we will all be watching breathlessly!" Cordelia said happily, clapping her hands.

"With bated breath..." Rowena added sweetly. Meredith glanced at her, but the girl's expression was all smiles.

Derek found Rhys in the main dining area, with a cup of coffee and remnants of a late breakfast in front of him. He looked up in surprise as Derek stalked into the room, and dropped the leather brace onto the table. "Care to explain this?" Derek asked, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting for Rhys to answer.

Lifting one eyebrow, Rhys glanced from Derek to the object on the table. "What the devil do you mean?"

"It was found tied across the trail this morning, obviously laid out for an unsuspecting horse and rider to trip over. A trail that it's known I frequent."

"And you truly believe that I had something to do with this?" Rhys asked, his voice laced with disbelief. He pushed the leather away from him, before taking a sip of his coffee. "Trust me, Shepherd, if I wanted to take you out of the race, you would never know what happened until it was too late. This sort of thing is a childish prank."

"A prank that could cause a lot of damage – not to mention the fact that someone else could have been injured, not only myself. What if Meredith had been riding with me?" Derek demanded.

Rhys pushed his chair back and stood up quickly, meeting Derek's icy blue glare steadily. "I swear, I did not do this. There is no way I would harm you or your wife. I can assure you, I want to win this race, but man to man, not by default."

"So you say," Derek commented quietly, "however, someone set this, in an effort to sabotage the race. If not you, who else has reason to do so?"

"That is a good question, Shepherd," Rhys muttered. "I say we keep this between us for now, and wait to see what transpires. The real culprit will likely tip his hand."

"Fine." Derek wasn't sure if he should believe Rhys, but the man seemed completely sincere. They shook hands briefly. "William knows, of course, but I know he will keep quiet. However, until the race is over and done with, I will be keeping a close eye on the stables personally." He raked his hand through his hair in annoyance. "I do not know about you, but I am beginning to wish we hadn't decided to have this race."

Rhys chuckled. "But what fun would that be?"