Kethaias could tease, too, it seemed. Ryland was more than pleased. He ached for more touch, for something beyond the hot, broad expanse of palms on his thighs, the sweep of thumbs into the creases of his hips. Kethaias went no further than that, though, and in doing so, if he wanted assurance of Ryland's continued attention, he had it.<br/><br/>The ride was almost too short for it.<br/><br/>Kethaias eased him from his lap and back into the seat. Ryland, for once, said nothing, but his eyes were bright, delighted, and he was smiling in a dazed way that most wore when besotted.<br/><br/>Outside, the footman rocked the coach somewhat as he dismounted from his step.<br/><br/><i>Thank you for an eventful and entertaining evening. It was a pleasure.</i><br/><br/>"Please," Ryland said. "The pleasure was all mine."<br/><br/>He couldn't allow Kethaias to escort him back to his room. No one would find it surprising, given Ryland's nature, but it would send tongues wagging, and once Kethaias had put in his formal offer for Ryland, it would be harder for Ryland to decline it.<br/><br/>He helped Kethaias step from the carriage and then was prepared to bid him farewell in the entrance hall. To both their surprises, a single man stood in the low, gleaming light of the hall. Ryland recognized him.<br/><br/>"Hello, Duke Teleyard," he said genially. There was a hint of question underneath. "Have we interrupted a tryst of yours?"<br/><br/>The duke was a tall, handsome, cold man with a strong jaw and the air of superiority. He had reason. Many of his holdings provided the craftsman and resources that helped to make Banque so wealthy. Ryland didn't like that he was there. He kept his arm looped into Kethaias'.<br/><br/>"No, Your Highness," Teleyard said with a dip of his head. Yet when he rose, he had turned his dark gaze to Kethaias. "But it seems I may have interrupted one myself." He broke from his stare to look at Ryland's slightly rumpled state and straightened his spine.<br/><br/>"Not at all," Ryland said. He was still smiling. "I was only offering His Imperial Majesty a tour of Banque's night entertainments."<br/><br/>Teleyard seized on this. "And has His Imperial Majesty behaved himself?"<br/><br/>"Quite well." He tightened his arm on Kethaias', lest the insult drive his temper and Ryland turned into a liar.<br/><br/>Teleyard's gazed dropped for a moment, but then he summoned his tongue with a sharp glance. "It would be remiss of me to not inform you... There are rumors, Your Highness, about this man's designs on your honor."<br/><br/>Ryland's smile widened. "My honor, sir? I thought I had shared it all out, by now."<br/><br/>Teleyard flushed. "With good, Banquish men, Your Highness. Not with--with--"<br/><br/>"You will stop there," Ryland said, "before you say something ill-advised against our good neighbor and<i>a royal guest.</i>"<br/><br/>"The people of Banque will not surrender you to a heathen's harem, Your Highness."<br/><br/>All traces of humor were gone from Ryland's face. Instead, there was his own flash of temper. "You tread a knife's edge, sir. I have half a mind to hand you over to this gentlemen for slander."<br/><br/>Despite this, Teleyard refused to back down. "Slander would have to be untrue."<br/><br/>"Well it is untrue," Ryland said. "There is no design on my honor. There has only been the supposition of an offer of my hand, the formal presentation of which has only been delayed by my own consideration, which Emperor Kethaias was kind enough to ask for before simply dragging me off to his empire. He has behaved not only impeccably, but with more care for my happiness than you seem willing to attribute to me this very night."<br/><br/>The flush on Teleyard's face deepened. "You would be happy with this--this bloodthirsty man?"<br/><br/>"I don't believe that is your privilege to know, sir. It is a matter of State."<br/><br/>"I am part of your father's council. A part of that State. This man is a barbarian!"<br/><br/>"He is my suitor and a gentlemen, and he will put you to shame at the soiree I am throwing in his honor, where you will present yourself with a formal apology in front of the entire court. Have I made myself clear? Now remove yourself from our presence before I make him a present of your tongue."<br/><br/>Teleyard simply bowed his head, and kept it down, unmoving. Ryland made a noise of distaste at this tantrum, and pulled Kethaias along down the hall. When he glanced back, Teleyard was sweeping his hat back on and striding off, no doubt to tell all he'd heard to Ryland's father.<br/><br/>Teleyard had powerful friends in the nobility, and this was only compounded by the influence his rich lands afforded him. He was not a man that the Banquish royalty could sweep aside. Nor kill. His opposition to Kethaias was a planned thing and the comment about Ryland's honor so obvious an excuse that it was almost degrading. But inciting Kethaias' anger to draw against Teleyard would have been disastrous for both sides.<br/><br/>"I do apologize for that," Ryland said. The brightness he injected in his voice was brittle. "And for--that announcement. Thank you for allowing me to handle him."<br/><br/>How was he going to get out of this one? He supposed it would just have to be an easy let-down. Some excuse about how they simply didn't suit. There was a chance of more outrage that Ryland had been snubbed, but if they acted gracefully, the fallout wouldn't be terrible.<br/><br/>"If you allow me to escort you through the soiree, I'm sure I can direct you in being quite charming. But," he said, and this time the old teasing was back, "you will have to smile for me to accomplish it."<br/><br/>His smile widened, halway between smug and hugely amused. They came to the split in the wings, and Ryland recognized that it would be improper for them to both walk down it at the same time, at the very least, given all he'd just revealed to anyone listening in the entrance hall. Which were quite a few ears. Mostly guards, who gossiped worse than even nobles.<br/><br/>He took Kethaias' hand from his arm and pressed it between his own, warmly. "May I see you tomorrow for something a little more sedate? Lunch, perhaps?"