“Oh, stop.”Richard scowls.“You have to at least admit that the Sligo baby I brought for you is a fun ride.He’s my second favorite after Cachacco, and I let you ride her last time.”
I laugh.“You have me there.What’s his name?”
“What A Honey,” Richard says.“But to be clear, I didn’t pick the name.”
“Related to Lislee Honey?”
“Half sibling,” he says.
I pat What A Honey’s neck.“That just makes me like you more.”I can’t help asking.“How’d he wind up red, then?Aren’t they both bays?”
“His mom’s a chestnut,” Richard says.“I didn’t figure you’d be biased against the red ones.”He’s teasing me.
“I’m not a redhead,” I say.
“Heaven help us if you were.”His lip’s twitching.“Fiery enough already.”Then he tosses his head, and he counts down.“Three.Two.”And he takes off.
“You’re such a cheater,” I shout after him.“But it won’t be enough.Honey and I are going to destroy you.”
I wind up being wrong.Cachacco might not have had the shorter distance, but she has more stay than What A Honey.In the last few furlongs, we fall back, and Cachacco’s still moving fluidly.She’s really spectacular.
As we reach the gate, I whistle.“You know, Ireallyhate losing, but I can’t be sore about losing to her.”I rub What A Honey’s sweaty neck.“You are a champ, sir.I appreciate you.But she’s a real beast, huh?”
Richard’s smile is broad.“Good timing.”He’s not smiling at me, though.He’s smiling at someone who’s walking through the gate.
Aodhán.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m taking your horse,” Aodhán says, like he’s a groom or something.He’s scowling, but he doesn’t actually look upset.His eyes are too bright.“I am here but to assist you,milady.”
“Shaddup,” I say.“You’re such a punk.”
Richard glances between Aodhán and me, like he’s not sure he understands us, but he can tell we get along.“I’ll see you in thirty minutes,” he says.“Is that enough time?”
I splutter.“Thirty minutes?Enough time for what?”I stiffen.“What’s happening here?”
“Nothing nefarious,” a woman with ink-black hair says.“I’ll be taking Cachacco.”She’s beaming.“You may follow Lord Burlington upstairs.”
“Lord Burlington?”I mouth.It sounds so weird.“Why would I follow him?”I’m staring at Aodhán, but it’s Richard who answers.
“I talked to Rían.He said he’d take care of feeding your horses himself tonight.”He glances at his phone.“Your horses are back home, Clara is fine, and he said to tell you to have fun.”
“Fun doingwhat?” I’m officially annoyed.I resist stomping, but it’s a near thing.“What is going on?”
“Come with me,” another woman, this time clearly a maid of some kind wearing a stiff grey uniform, says.“Lord Burlington has prepared a surprise for you.”
I dig my heels in, literally, dropping my hands on my hips.“What is the surprise?”I glower up at Richard.“Because if you think I’m stuck here, you’re wrong.I could have an uber here so fast your head would spin, Mister.”
The maid’s jaw drops, her eyes wide.
Aodhán snorts.“I told you.”He clears his throat.“My lord.”
“Dinner,” Richard says.“I’m auditioning three new chefs, and I thought you might be able to help me decide which one to choose.”
Aodhán’s eyebrows wiggle.“He didn’t even ask me for my opinion.”
Richard ignores him.“But if you’d prefer to go home, reneging on our deal to have a proper date, I’ll have my man drive you home right away.No uber necessary.”
