The voice accused him of doing it on purpose, knowing that Miss Weatherby’s horse would be unable to keep up. “Don’t you trust Mr. Grey to be a gentleman?” Another pang squeezed his chest from his callous and accusatory remark.
Lady Miranda’s eyes flared. Surprise, offense, or something different?
“To be honest, it’s not Mi-Mr. Grey I’m concerned about.”
Of course. She would have her own reputation to consider. He could think of worse things than being forced into a marriage with Lady Miranda. As she had so unintentionally reminded him, he did need to remarry and do his best to produce an heir. Perhaps fate would take the reins and make the choice for him. But what aboutherchoice?
“Forgive me. You are correct. I apologize for putting you in this position. I wasn’t thinking. Perhaps we should go back.”
She smiled. Strange. “Have no doubt, Lord Manning. I trust you to be the perfect gentleman, as I do Mr. Grey. It’s Anne I’m concerned about. She can be rather reckless at times. The fall she took during Burwood’s fox hunt proved dangerous for more than herself.”
“So my sister told me. Are you concerned that she might do something foolish, causing Mr. Grey to rescue her and fall victim to her machinations?”
Lady Miranda laughed, the sound pleasant, but other than that, generating no other sensations in him. “Anne has learned her lesson with regard to leaping to conclusions about a gentleman’s affections. And if she were to set her sights on Mr. Grey, I doubt her brother would approve of her marrying a gaming hell owner born on the wrong side of the blanket.” A note of sadness colored her last words. “No, I am merely concerned she may injure herself attempting to force that poor horse to move a modicum faster.”
As they prepared to turn back, the sound of approaching hooves stopped them. “Ah, here they come now.” Colin was unsure whether the fact relieved or annoyed him.
Mr. Grey raced toward them.
Where was the Nymph of Nuisance? Had something happened? Colin sat straighter in the saddle, his nerves firing to attention.
Upon seeing them, Mr. Grey reined in the black beast of a horse, his gaze darting between Lady Miranda and Colin.
“Where is Anne?” Lady Miranda had the common sense to ask. “Is she unharmed?”
Mr. Grey nodded. “She’s coming. That mare of hers is stubborn and slow. I offered to ride ahead and bid you to wait while she catches up.”
“How far back is she?” Colin gripped his reins a little tighter with one hand, using the other to pat his horse’s neck. Major was already pawing the ground, eager to begin moving again.
“Only about a hundred yards or so. We lost sight of you at that curve on the path.”
“Should we go back and meet her?” Lady Miranda asked.
Damnation!Did everyone coddle that woman? “I don’t see why. It’s only a hundred yards. She should be here in moments.”
They waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Major whinnied and sidestepped. Gave a littletug with his head.
“Where the devil is she?” Colin all but yelled.
Lady Miranda’s dark brows lifted, and Mr. Grey’s mouth twitched.
Without waiting, he kicked Major into action. He would retrieve her himself!
CHAPTER 7
With each plodding step, Anne grew more frustrated. Dolly refused to go any faster, although fast was probably never a word associated with the sluggardly beast. She had almost made it to the curve in the path where she and Mr. Grey had lost sight of Miranda and Lord Grump when rustling and hoofbeats sounded ahead. Perhaps Mr. Grey had been unable to locate the other pair and returned to escort her back to the house.
Her stomach plummeted when the horse rounding the group of trees was not black but white.Lord Grump!What was he doing coming back? Anne craned her neck, watching for Mr. Grey and Miranda to follow.
But no. The grump scowled as he approached—alone.
“Miss Weatherby.” He shimmied his horse next to her. “Hand me the reins to your mount.”
