Branford smiled to himself, happy that the young man was too green to realize it was an absurd price for such a quality hunter..
“I never dreamed to own such a horse,” continued Justin with boyish enthusiasm. “He is beyond all I could have ever hoped for!” A grin. “Though of course, he is nothing compared to your magnificent black stallion, Hades. I have seen you riding him in the park. He’s as fleet as the north wind …” Justin stopped abruptly, looking embarrassed for speaking so familiarly to the earl.
“Hades has both speed and stamina,” agreed Branford pleasantly, not wishing to squelch the young man’s elation.
At the earl’s friendly tone, Justin recovered his tongue and ventured another question. “Is it true that he ran at Newcastle in the Haverill Cup?”
“Yes. He came in second by a stride, but strained a hock that made him unfit for racing,” answered Branford. “However, he suits me.”
Justin gave a low whistle. “He must have cost a veritable fortune in any case.”
“No more than I could afford,” said the earl, hoping to send yet another helpful message to the young man. “Speaking of which, you should have enough left over for your sister topurchase a new gown.” He paused for a fraction. “Just make sure it is dark green rather than mauve.” he added under his breath.
Justin blinked in confusion. “Green?”
“A very deep green,” counseled the earl. “I am accorded to have an excellent eye for matters of fashion as well as horseflesh.”
“It is my aunt who likes mauve,” mused Justin, “Alex never bothers to overrule her.”
“The color may suit your aunt. It does not suit your sister.”
Branford thought for a moment. “If you wish to make a special present to your sister, you should take her to Lady Marie’s on Bond Street—and trust the lady’s choice of style. She is the best modiste in Town. Mention my name and she will see you get a favorable price.” He made a mental note to send his man around with a full purse to the dressmaker as well as the horse dealer.
Justin nodded. “Again, my thanks for the advice, sir.”
“You might also look into new tack—and check it carefully before you ride. It would disturb your family greatly were you to suffer another accident.”
The young man’s jaw tightened. “Hell’s bells! I’m sorry that Alex felt the need to share her concerns with you. It was simply an accident, but I’m afraid that she became rather overwrought about the mishap, as ladies are wont to do.”
“Your sister does not strike me as the hysterical type, Chilton,” replied Branford dryly. “Have you any enemies?”
Justin shook his head, a look of bafflement on his face. “I can think of no reason anyone would have a quarrel with me, much less wish me harm. I’m afraid my life has been rather tame, to say the least.” His eyes flicked up shyly to meet the earl’s. “Not nearly as interesting as yours.”
“You should wish it to stay that way,” said Branford. “Therefore, I suggest you have a care when you are out and about, so that your sister has no reason for further worries.”
“I will, sir,” promised Justin.
The young man then excused himself to join a pair of friends he had spotted in the crowd—no doubt to share with them his remarkable good fortune.
The earl lapsed into thought as he watched Justin hurry away. He was not a great believer in coincidence. But if the accidents befalling Alex’s brother werenotcoincidences, then there seemed to be no logical explanation for them.
And alas, in his experience, that meant it was time to be very worried.
Eight
The gentleman stopped his pacing just long enough to pour a large glass of brandy. He fiddled with the knot of his cravat, as if to loosen its folds, before he resumed walking back and forth in front of the fire.
“Sit down, Arthur. You are acting like a cat on a hot griddle,” advised Hammerton, who was seated in a large, overstuffed armchair, his booted feet propped nonchalantly on the hassock in front of him. “You’re becoming skittish over nothing.”
“Bloody hell, I wish we could have done with it, that’s all,” muttered Standish. “Things are getting riskier—someone might have seen me near Chilton’s horse. It was bad enough taking risks in the country. At least their damnable, moldering farm was secluded.”
He took another gulp of brandy. “And I don’t know why you had to drag Branford, of all people, into this.”
Hammerton regarded his cousin through half-closed eyes. “Don’t worry. It would have made things easier had the earl risen to our bait and ruined the girl, as then the family would have been forced to return to Sussex. But believe me, it’s not a problem. I have things under control.
“But I’ve noticed that Branford has been dancing with the chit lately—and even conversing with her!”
“Oh, come now.” Hammerton smiled. “Do you think the Icy Earl is developing a tendre for a plain bluestocking with no family save for her brother and an absent-minded aunt?” He gave a harsh laugh. “A bluestocking who is poor as a churchmouse in the bargain.”
