Though she spoke to Rose, someone else answered.
“Have you never been to a horse race, then, Lady Dorothea?” At the sound of Lord Leighhall behind her, she stepped forward.
“Lord Leighhall, I didn’t see you there.” Had the man heard any of her and Rose’s conversation? He seemed the sort to eavesdrop and not let on.
“I am here. Since I didn’t bring my favorite mount, I declined to join the race. But if I had, I assure you that Caesar would easily win.”
She bit back what she wished to say. “I would have enjoyed seeing that. I’m sure your horse would make these races even more exciting than they are.”
He didn’t say anything at first, as if he expected her to continue. Obviously, he didn’t understand that she’d prefer to speak to anyone else.
His forehead furrowed, making it look a bit like an angry owl. “You don’t go on and on anymore in conversation. Did you learn to curb your poor habit at that school you attend? If so, I may have misjudged its uselessness.”
She was not only insulted on her own behalf but on the school’s as well, and her words wedged in her throat like a log jam.
Rose must have sensed her upset and answered. “I’m so pleased you think the Belinda School for Curious Ladies is of high quality. I, myself, will begin attending next month. I’ve already learned so much from Lady Dorothea. I cannot wait to start my studies.”
The man’s brows rose. “You?”
Rose gave him an elegant nod. “Yes. My brother and father fully support me in my endeavor to cultivate my mind a bit more.”
“But you are perfectly refined. Why wouldyougo?”
His emphasis on the wordyoumade it clear that he thought Rose much better quality than those who attended the school.
Dory was done being insulted by the man. “Perhaps Rose wishes to attend the school for the same reason you attended Cambridge or Oxford.”
The man snapped his head around to look at her as if he’d forgotten she were there. “I attended Cambridge because myfather told me to attend. I assure you, I did as little as I could in classes and as much as possible in the physical activities.” His gaze roamed over her as if he found her lacking in feminine attributes.
Beyond caring after such an insulting look, she narrowed her gaze. “That is rather sad. The Duke of Northwick, who owns the school I attend, believes a man who does not cultivate his mind is doomed to failure.” Though it was the truth, by the intense look in Lord Leighhall’s eyes, he was highly affronted.
“I imagine he also expects his students to behave in a proper manner to those of higher intellect.”
“Oh, my, yes, and I do.” She smiled sweetly, making it clear she did not consider him more intelligent than herself.
The man opened his mouth, no doubt to set her down, but the gun went off and the horses galloped across the field once more. She took the opportunity to turn her back on the odious man and watch.
All four horses were well matched and they kept pace with each other. She wasn’t sure why her heart was beating so fast, but she dug her fingers into her palms as she watched. Eventually, Lord Manning’s horse began to pull ahead, but just by a nose. As they sped past Lord Sommerset at the halfway mark, Lord Harewood had joined him in the lead. The two men lengthened the gap between them and the others. As the two drew close to the finish line, Lord Harewood’s horse shot out ahead and won by half a length.
Rose turned toward her and hugged her. “I told you! That proud stallion of his refuses to lose.”
The four men in the race slowed and turned back toward the finish line. Lord Harewood was the first to dismount, preferring to walk his horse toward the cheering crowd.
Lord Leighhall grumbled. “That’s not very sporting of him. This is his party. He should have allowed someone else to win.”
Dory didn’t turn, pretending she hadn’t heard, as it was quite loud.
“My lord.” Rose looked behind her. “Do tell me you didn’t bet against my brother based on such an assumption.”
“Bet? Why would you think I bet? Men do more than that, my lady.” The man walked between them and out to meet those coming in from the race.
Dory couldn’t help a satisfied smile. “He bet and lost. I do believe he bet on Mr. Retfield.”
Rose chuckled and linked her arm with hers. “Let us go congratulate my brother. His horse may be an ass, but it was still well done.”
She laughed at that, even as her belly tingled at the idea of congratulating Lord Harewood. They were not the first to meet him halfway across the field, and he was surrounded by the other guests. She took the opportunity to observe him. His smile seemed genuine and he accepted congratulations with humility, consistently patting his horse and giving Nyx credit.
As people moved on to console the other riders, she and Rose finally had his attention, or rather Rose, who threw herself into his arms. “I knew you’d win.” She laughed before he set her back and she straightened her bonnet. “That damn horse of yours.”
