“Too fast?” That was a new one on Dev.
“She will have caught the attention of the blacklegs, and you’re not in league with them as far as I know.”
“I’m not.”
“Unless they’re backing her, she’s at risk. In truth, you’ve been reckless with her already by racing her on back-to-back days. Do you have a man to keep watch over her?”
“As his occupation?”
“Horse racing is a dirty sport, and you don’t want to learn that lesson at the cost of Little Wicked.”
Dev knew the voice of experience when he heard it. “I’ll see to it.”
“She’s an intrepid filly,” said Lady Beatrix. “Hold her back until the Race of the Century in September.”
Dev usually had to take time to consider advice, but he found he trusted Lady Beatrix.
One beat of silence expanded into another, longer one.
They seemed to have run out of things to say.
Except they hadn’t.
Dev knew what needed to be said—or rather, acknowledged.
“Do we need to talk about the other night?”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lady Beatrix’s gaze skittered away and a light blush pinked her cheeks. “What’s there to talk about?” she asked, all frustrating innocence. “The night was a success.”
“The kiss,” said Dev, blunt.
Her gaze swung to meet his. “Is the money still doubled?”
“Yes.”
“Then, no.”
More silence expanded into the air between them—the only patch of quiet in all Hampstead, considering how dense and raucous the crowd had become.
Still, he had yet one more thing to say to this woman. “Your new clothes…”
Her gaze narrowed.
“You’re not wearing them.”
“This isn’t really the sort of crowd who can appreciate a lady dressed in the first stare of fashion.” The dry note in her voice said she didn’t care too much about it herself.
Still… “But your ring.”
Her expression went from mildly mocking to wholly incredulous. “I couldn’t wear that here.”
“Why not?”
“Are you trying to get me robbed or murdered for my flash clothes and jewels?”
“You’re the daughter of a marquess,” he said, slowly, as if it needed explaining to her. “You’re entitled to wear every jewel beneath the sun whenever and wherever you like. You could bring a manservant to protect you.”
