A peculiar uptilt crossed Mr. Grey’s lips as he addressed Miranda, but Anne had little time to ponder what it meant when Mr. Grey turned his attention back to her.
“Have you known Lady Miranda long, Miss Weatherby?”
Had Miranda captured the notice of every single man in attendance? Still, Anne pasted on a smile as she answered, “Ages, sir. Lady Miranda was out several years when I made my debut.” As the only two unmarried women left in theLeague—unless she counted Mrs. Merrick and the Countess Gryffin, who were both widows—Anne took a little self-serving pride knowing she was two years youngerthan Miranda.
“And Lord Manning? Is he considering remarrying?”
“As I’ve only met him yesterday, I couldn’t say. But if his comment to Lady Miranda about Lord Montgomery’s son is any indication, one would presume he must remarry at some point. Whether he is actively seeking a bride is anyone’s guess.”
A muscle in Mr. Grey’s jaw twitched. “In your opinion, is he a good man?”
What was Mr. Grey’s fascination with Lord Grump? “As I stated, I’ve only just met him. However, personally, I find him most disagreeable.”
As if to prove her point, Lord Grump maneuvered his horse ahead of them, urging the mount forward at a brisk trot with Miranda beside him. Distance between the two pairs of riders grew.
“Perhaps use your crop, Miss Weatherby,” Mr. Grey said. “We’re falling behind.”
Anne hated using the crop, but Mr. Grey was right. And the kick she gave Dolly with the heel of her riding boot did nothing to spur the mare faster. Giving a little tap to Dolly’s hindquarters, she added a bit of bribery as incentive. “Please, Dolly. I’ll see that you get a nice apple, or even some sugar cubes.”
Impervious to coercion, Dolly continued to plod along. Even snails passed by in a blur.
Mr. Grey pulled back on the reins of his monstrous black horse. “Whoa, Hero. We can’t leave Miss Weatherby and Dolly behind.” Tension filled his voice, and Anne wasn’t sure if it was due to frustration with their glacial speed or something else.
Soon, Miranda and Lord High-and-Mighty rounded a group of trees and disappeared from sight. “We’re terrible chaperones,” she said.
Mr. Grey gave her a gentle smile. “We could say the same about them. I wonder when they will realize they’ve lost us. I’m sorry to have placed you in such a position.”
For a gaming hell owner, Mr. Grey’s manners and consideration were impeccable, and his concern for her reputation admirable. It’s more than she could say for Lord Manning, who had left them behind without a thought.
“If you wish to ride ahead and alert them that my horse is being uncooperative, please do, sir.”
Lips pressed in a tight line and attention turned in the direction of their companions, Mr. Grey obviously considered it. “No. I can’t in good conscience leave you alone. What if something happens with your horse?”
Anne wanted to scream. She wasn’t still in leading strings, or even Eleanor and Indira’s age. “I vow on my life that I will not attempt anything foolish. However, if you don’t trust me, I shall remain here and wait patiently for your return.” It was ridiculous, of course. If Mr. Grey rode ahead and she followed, albeit plodding sluggishly along, they would all be reunited much sooner. “Or you and I could return to the house without them.” She really had no desire to be out riding anyway, especially around Lord Manning. Who had left them in his dust!
Poor Mr. Grey seemed torn, his head swiveling back and forth from her to where Lord Grump and Miranda had disappeared. “Your brother will have my head if I leave you alone.”
Anne laughed at the very idea. “Mr. Grey. If you haven’t noticed, you intimidate everyone. I doubt my brother will say more than two words of reprimand, and those would be directed at me, not you. Besides”—a wicked grin formed—“what Andrew doesn’t know won’t hurt him—or us.”
“Odd as it may seem, although I own a gaming hell, I’m not much of a gambling man. However, I’d wager one night’s profits fromThe Knavethat you were a handful growing up, Miss Weatherby.”
“A wise wager, sir. Now, it appears to me that you wish to rejoin the rest of our party rather than return to the house. Why don’t you ride ahead and alert Lord Manning and Lady Miranda of my horse’s recalcitrance, and I shall do my utmost to catch up.”
“You are certain you will not attempt anything . . . ill advised?”
She laughed, growing to like Mr. Grey more each moment. “Foolish, you mean? I promise on Dolly’s frustratingly slow gait.”
Dolly gave a soft neigh of either agreementor offense.
“Very well. I will suggest we all double back and meet you.” He kicked Hero into action, hooves pounding against the ground.
Anne sighed with envy as she watched him ride away. She tapped Dolly’s hindquarters again. “Come on, Dolly. Let’s at least try to move ten feet before they return.”
Ugly shame woundlike tendrils around Colin’s lungs, compressing his chest until he could barely breathe.
Lady Miranda gazed over her shoulder. “I don’t see Anne or Mr. Grey. Perhaps we should slow our pace.”
Her statement did nothing to alleviate the nagging voice saying,“That was not very gentlemanly of you to leave Miss Weatherby unchaperoned.”Odd that the voice didn’t mention the fact that he had also placed Lady Miranda in a delicate position.
