Bennington laughed, urging his mount forward. “You’ll have to do better than that!”
Austin touched his heels to the beast’s sides, and the chestnut surged, pulling ahead by half a length, then a full one. The wind roared in his ears, drowning everything but the thunder of hooves and the wild beat of his heart.
Austin made the mistake by glancing towards the rail again. Deena had not moved. She stood exactly where she had been, watching him.
The first hedge loomed, and he lifted the horse with seat and knee; the chestnut soared, landing clean and sure on the far side. Cheers erupted behind him, but Austin barely heard them because Lord Bennington landed a heartbeat later, cursing good-naturedly.
“You’re showing off!” Lord Bennington yelled.
“Only a little,” Austin called back.
The next hedge rose, and this time he timed it perfectly, the gelding clearing with room to spare. Excitement burned through him, hot, bright, and addictive. Every nerve was alight; every sense of his was sharpened to a razor’s edge.
“This is it, Chestnut!” he yelled and let out a maniacal laugh.
The scent of crushed grass, the tang of sweat, and the thunderous movement of the horse beneath him was everything he’d once chased in midnight races across moonlit fields when he was a boy.
Why did I stop?
The final stretch opened. It was straight and flat. Austin saw the target waiting at the end like a dare. He rose in the stirrups, urging the chestnut into a full gallop. The horse responded instantly, stretching low and long, muscles straining, ears flat against his neck.
Austin’s pulse matched the rhythm. He could feel the eyes of the crowd, the weight of expectation, but none of it mattered. Only the target. Only the bow in his hand.
Only Deena watching.
The finish line flashed past. Austin grabbed an arrow from his satchel in one fluid motion. He placed the arrow, drew it tightly, and felt the string bite into his fingers. Beside him Lord Bennington arrived and drew his arrow too.
“May the best man win,” Austin called to him and winked.
“I wish you luck, Your Grace!” Bennington said with a laugh.
Austin exhaled. His eyes darted to Deena and back to the target and he released the arrow just as Lord Bennington did the same.They flew straight and true. But Lord Bennington’s arrow landed off-center.
Before Austin could look at his target the crowd erupted with cheers, whistles, and applause. Austin looked up and saw his arrow dead center, buried deep into the bullseye.
“Damn you, Velvet Duke,” Bennington laughed breathlessly. “Always have to steal the show.”
Austin grinned, still breathing hard. “You put up quite a challenge, Lord Bennington.”
“But congratulations are due to you,” Lord Bennington said with a slight bow.
“Thank you, and I’m sure you’ll beat me at the next one, Lord Bennington.”
The men shook hands before Austin picked up his bow, chest heaving, energy still roaring through him, and let out a winner’s roar. Sweat stung his eyes as his heart hammered like war drums. He turned instinctively towards the rail where Deena stood. Austin noticed how flushed her skin was, and he hoped it was him who caused that.
Well, there’s only one way to find out.
Ignoring the calls of the ladies around him, he made his way to Deena.
Deena stood beside Dominic at the edge of the track. The crowd pressed close on all sides, and the women pranced around Austin like restless birds. The sun was high; however, the warmth she felt was not from it. Her eyes were fixed on Austin, and her body reacted in ways she was still beginning to understand. But the latest information she received about him left her rattled. Her body and mind were in a constant tug of war.
Is he even who says he is?
She studied him from afar. Austin walked confidently. The chestnut gelding was restless beside him, but he controlled the animal well. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and Deena could see his corded forearms as he pulled the reins until a stable boy assisted him. The way he moved with the horse, so easily controlled and powerful, made her stomach tighten.
Dominic shifted beside her, drawing her attention back to him. She approached her brother because she needed to find out the truth. But when Austin won the race, she got distracted.
“I never joined in any of Grandmother’s silly games,” Dominic said flatly. “Not once.”
