“It was my pleasure. I am glad we could sneak away.” He leaned his elbows on the rail and gave me a soft smile. I wanted to lean in and kiss him like I had in the library, only this time on the lips. My face flamed at the thought.
Oliver flanked my other side, his shoulder crowding mine. He placed a hand on my back, the heaviness a comfort. The way he’d lifted me to view the race better had heated my blood. Our kiss had been impulsive and, in hindsight, not wise. The grandstands were packed full of people, some I recognized. Guilt over attending such a frivolous affair rested below the surface of my enjoyment. I was officially out of mourning, as far as society was concerned. But my parents were not, and I knew I would get an earful of condemnation from my mother.
“I hate to put a damper on your fun, Amelia, but the hour is growing late,” Oliver said with a nod. The dirt kicked up by the horsed dulled his brown bowler hat and tweed coat.
I wanted to protest his suggestion, but I nodded instead. Noah had invited me on impulse, and I didn’t wish to risk getting him into trouble with my mother. She’d be out of the house for most of the day with the church’s quilting guild. “What time is it?” I asked Noah, laying my hand on his wrist.
He flipped open his pocket watch. The gold watch was a gift from Sally. I didn’t need to look inside to recall what she’d had engraved on the inside.To my beloved husband, Noah. If Mother had it her way, he’d be my husband as well. I had other ideas. While he appealed to me on many levels, Oliver did too. Both men had their strengths and their weaknesses, each different in their own right. “It is quarter past four,” he said, his smile faltering.
“So late.” Oliver sighed and turned his back to the track. He might be young, but he carried a heavy burden between his estates and the work he did on behalf of the country. “I suppose we’d best leave, although I am reluctant to do so. That race was one of the best I’ve seen in a while.”
Oliver was always the responsible one, forever watching out for others. I had to admit I relied on him more than I should have. And Noah as well. Women in my class were expected to depend on our fathers and then on our husbands for our very existence. Mentally, I balked at the notion, yet if I were honest with myself, I hadn’t fought very hard to buck the system. I was aware of my privilege. Some would say God ordained it; others would claim I was lucky. I’d like to think it was both.
“Indeed, he is the horse to watch.” Noah straightened and motioned for us to take the ramp down from the grandstands.
The heat of the day had settled in, and I wished I had brought my fan. We earned stares from everyone we passed. Oliver was a duke and, therefore, the center of attention. He had his head down, and I didn’t need to see his expression to know he was uncomfortable with the scrutiny.
The only other person at the race with his status was Hillsboro. The Duke and Duchess of Hillsboro were nowhere to be seen, however. I wanted to meet the duchess and drill her on her experience racing such a dynamic horse. Once I married Oliver, I would have more opportunities to do so. My mother didn’t approve of Lady Prudence and hercheekiness. Of course, any woman who dared step out of line was cheeky to my mother. Which made the comment about pursuing Noah even more puzzling. In nineteen years, I had yet to figure out why she disliked me so much, nor why she disliked Oliver. He was very amiable.
A brisk wind blew, and Noah reached up to secure his hat. The outdoors agreed with him, or perhaps the outing in general. He was relaxed in a way I rarely saw him. “I made a small fortune on Aether today,” Noah said.
Fear knotted my stomach. My maternal grandfather gambled on horses and nearly went to debtor’s prison because of it. It pained me to think of what would have happened had my mother not married my father. It was a sickness for some. Noah had an astute head for business, or so my father said. I hoped Noah didn’t make a habit of it. “Do you bet on the horses often?”
“Only on rare occasions.” Knowing eyes studied my face for a long moment before he shrugged, the grey coat straining at his broad shoulders. “Aether is almost always a guaranteed bet.”
“Almost always isn’t very heartening,” I said. What he did was none of my affair, except I cared for him and didn’t wish him to squander his life or his children’s future inheritance like my grandfather had done to his family. “But I suppose nothing is guaranteed.”
“Indeed, what is life without risk, eh, Oliver?” he asked, the beginning of a smile playing over his mouth.
Oliver’s complexion turned a dull red as he nodded. I wasn’t sure why he was embarrassed by the question. He looked atme with a hint of guilt before he lowered his lashes and turned an even brighter shade. Why was he feeling shameful? Since he returned from university, I sensed something wasn’t quite right with him. I thought he was hesitant to marry me because he was having second thoughts, but now I wasn’t so sure. Perhaps something else was bothering him? He kept his cards close to his vest.
Once we were alone, I would ask him outright. I’d let this drag on long enough. Dust coated my pelisse, and I brushed the fabric with my hand. I’d been so wrapped up in my trauma that I hadn’t even given any thought to anyone else but myself. It was selfish of me, and I prayed Oliver would forgive my neglect of him.
“This way to the carriage.” Noah took my elbow and steered me through the crowd. The next race was about to get underway, but like us, many were leaving.
Three suspicious men kept pace with us, eyeing me several times. I was never let out in public without a chaperone, and I felt safe with Noah and Oliver.
“Oliver, can you come over tonight to visit? It’s been ages since we’ve talked.” Mother would be attending Wednesday night services after the quilting guild, and it would afford me a chance to speak with him one on one. I might convince him to open up to me if we were truly alone.
Noah’s fingers flexed on my arm. The ground was uneven, and he guided me around a pile of horse dung. The rough-looking men continued to dog our steps. A deeper tension settled around us, and Noah pulled me tighter to his side. I didn’t object, pleased he was watching out for me. It was what any gentleman would do for a lady in his charge. I was his sister-in-law, after all. His protectiveness was purely a courtesy and held no greater meaning than familial obligation.
“Thank you for the offer, Amelia, but I have plans,” Oliver said, taking my other arm until he and Noah flanked me. My fiancé—soon to be fiancé—had extensive training in fisticuffs, much to his grandmother’s dismay. Shoulders back, he glared at the troublemakers until they disbursed into the crowd.
“Of course, you are busy with the ambassador,” I said, relieved that the men left without a fight.
“Among other duties to my title,” Oliver agreed, still staring after the men.
I would have to get used to his busy schedule. My own would be hectic after our marriage. Since I’d been in mourning, I hadn’t been around more than my immediate family and intimate friends. I missed being social, and once I was married, I would be expected to entertain influential people. I was marrying Oliver for many reasons that had nothing to do with his title. However, the title was appealing in itself. With the wealth and prestige of the Hayesford name behind me, I would use it to my advantage, not only on a social scale but on a charitable one as well. The second our engagement was announced in theTimes, my life would change forever. Some people abhorred change. I looked forward to it. If I had a single regret, it was Noah and my nephews. He wasn’t my husband, nor were the boys my children. They were Sally’s. As much as Mother wished it to be, I wasn’t my sister and couldn’t live her life. I had to live my own.
