Allowing himself to be distracted by anything, including Eliza’s numerous charms, was unacceptable if he wanted to honor his father and brother.
With his intentions firm once again and his mind clear, he left the park, already missing the quiet solitude that had felt like such a gift. The fresh air was quickly nothing more than a memory as soot clung to the fog, making it a thicker, denser mass.
Wrinkling his nose at the smell, Philip almost missed the lady approaching on horseback from the opposite direction on the quiet street.
“Lady Eliza?” The lightness that rushed into him at the surprising sight of her should’ve been of concern, but he was too busy drinking in her presence.
“Your Grace.” Eliza dipped her head, her smile making him smile in return. They both drew to a halt as did the groom who accompanied her. “How nice to see you.”
“You’re out early this morning.” Most ladies he knew tended to sleep much of the morning after a ball.
“A ride seemed like the perfect way to start the day.”
Philip couldn’t help but think of the Graham sisters and that neither of them liked to ride.
But Eliza did. It was as if fate were taunting him.
She held the reins of her dappled grey mare with a light but experienced hand and sat her horse well. Her blue riding habit molded her body as if it had been sewn on her, the cut of it emphasizing her curves.
“Going to Hyde Park?” If only she’d decided to ride earlier, he would’ve accompanied her.
Philip halted his thoughts. What he should be thinking was thank goodness she hadn’t since he’d told himself she wasn’t for him.
“Yes. I prefer to ride before it gets too busy.”
As did he. Another thing they had in common. Why couldn’t one of the Graham ladies be more like Eliza?
His horse tossed its head, clearly ready to move on. Unfortunately, Philip wasn’t.
“You couldn’t convince Winston to ride with you?”
Eliza laughed. “Surely, you know my brother better than that.”
Philip smiled. “True. His tendency to keep late nights makes early morning rides impossible.”
“Exactly.” She tilted her head to the side, her expression turning hopeful. “I don’t suppose you’d care to ride a little longer?”
He hesitated, telling himself to say no. Yet what harm could it cause? They were on horses, not in some hidden alcove. He didn’t like to think of her riding with only a groom.
“I suppose I could spare another half hour.” He turned his horse and rode alongside her.
“Excellent.”
He braced himself for conversation only to realize that Eliza was focused on riding rather than talking. The companionable silence was as easy as his earlier solitude had been.
They entered the park, and she glanced at him. “Do you have a preference as to what direction we ride?”
He dipped his head toward the western side where the open meadows beckoned.
In response, she kneed her horse, and they were soon galloping across the meadow. Eliza seemed to understand her mare’s need to burn away some energy and clearly enjoyed the run as much as the horse did.
Philip held back slightly, remaining on her horse’s flank so Eliza could set the pace and distance of the ride. The disadvantage of the position was that it allowed him to study her when he’d intended to put her from his thoughts.
Why did merely looking at Eliza put him in good spirits when the Graham ladies did the opposite? Was it because they represented duty? Perhaps, but that wasn’t all there was to it.
He supposed the feeling was due in part to the fact that Eliza allowed him to set aside his title for a few minutes and simply be a man.
How could there be any danger in that?
