And where was Marian? The aristo bitches from Doun had looked at her with barely concealed sneers, but the merchants and other family men who were showing up looked relieved when she greeted them and offered some refreshment. He made them nervous. She was someone they felt easy being around. Which is why he’d let her run herself ragged looking after them while they waited for an audience with him.

As soon as she got back, he was going to lock the door and they were going to sit down for a quick meal and an hour’s peace. Until then . . .

When he opened the door, the Queen of Riada’s Consort—and husband—walked in. A Summer-sky Prince, he’d been with his Lady for ten years now and was the father of her two children.

“Is the Queen upset about my decision?” Lucivar asked as he closed the door.

“No,” the Prince replied. Then he smiled. “Although she’s had her share of visitors today. No, I’m not here on my Queen’s behalf.”

Lucivar studied the man. He didn’t know him well since he preferred a place like The Tavern to a dining house that catered to aristos, and the only time he’d attended dinner parties was when Jaenelle had been invited as well and needed him to be her escort.

“When Roxie leaves Ebon Rih, she’ll no longer be your problem—or ours, for which I thank you. But a woman who would make false accusations about an Ebon-gray Warlord Prince is either stupid or trouble or both.”

“We agree on that. I’m sorry to make her someone else’s problem, but I couldn’t justify doing more than getting her out of Ebon Rih.”

“I understand that. There are ways to handle such problems.” The Prince looked uncomfortable. “Sometimes a person takes a wrong turn and needs a new place where a smear on his, or her, reputation isn’t reflected back from every person he meets.”

Bitterness filled the Prince’s eyes for a moment before a different memory warmed them again, making Lucivar wonder what kind of smear had brought the man to Ebon Rih for a fresh start.

“Sometimes that’s all a person needs to find everything he was looking for,” the Prince continued softly. Then he stiffened, as if suddenly realizing he’d said too much. “And sometimes a person won’t change. A Lady can sleep with a different man every day of the year, and no one will say a thing because that is a Lady’s privilege. At least, no one will say anything publicly. But a woman who is a user gets a reputation among the men, and when she leaves one hunting ground for another, word is quietly sent to warn the men there that her . . . affection . . . may not be sincere.”