Her firstdouble-entendre, and no one the wiser.
Lady Anna didn’t gainsay her suggestion, and to Delia’s delight she heard Lord Perish when they approached the stable yard.
“Still after that horse, eh?” He was speaking to Lord Crenshaw. “I am up for a race. As good a thing to wager on as anything. Here come two more ladies to hear your terms.”
Delia could tell Rupert was in good spirits, and she couldn’t help attributing his jovial appearance to their night of passion.
Lady Lillian and Lady Miriam were also in the midst. Greetings ensued, during which Delia openly grinned at the man who had taken her innocenceandher heart. He returned the broad smile, regardless of who was watching.
And Lady Lillian was doing precisely that.
“A race it is, then,” Lord Crenshaw said. “On two of Lady Osbourne’s spirited rum prancers with no knowledge of their ability except for what we can see in the stable yard or determine in the paddock. And no questions to the grooms. Agreed?”
Rupert turned his attention back to Lord Crenshaw.
“Agreed. We’ll have an ending marked at eight furlongs from the start.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Lord Crenshaw glanced at Lady Lillian who nodded. “And now the stakes.”
“If my forfeit is the horse that I beat you out of at Tattersall’s, what are you putting up?” Rupert asked.
“Any two from my stable,” Crenshaw offered.
“Anytwo?” Rupert was undoubtedly interested. Delia thought Lord Crenshaw must be very sure of himself, though, to put up double what Rupert was wagering.
“But this must be more exciting than you and I simply racing one another,” Lord Crenshaw mused. “We are too evenly matched, and then it is only a matter of whose horse performs better. Little skill involved, merely the luck of the horse one has chosen. I like a wager that relies on more than luck. What say we each select a rider?”
Rupert looked puzzled. “Firstly, I don’t concede that we are evenly matched as riders. However, I don’t mind changing the game. Do you mean I am to choose a jockey?”
“From among the guests. Of the same sex, too,” Lord Crenshaw added. “Are you agreeable?”
“The same sex?” Rupert repeated. “Yes, but—”
“Backing out from this instant onward will mean a forfeit of the wager. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Rupert looked at Delia and shrugged, perhaps finding Lord Crenshaw tedious.
“Then I choose Lady Lillian.”
Rupert’s attention swiveled back to his opponent, as did Delia’s.
“My arse on a bandbox!” Rupert exclaimed.
“Why not?” Lord Crenshaw asked. “Lady Lillian is amenable to the challenge. Are you not, my lady?”
“I am.” She smirked with confidence.
In that instant, Delia knew it was all planned in advance.
“Then I, too, must choose a female rider,” Rupert said.
“That is what you agreed to.”
Rupert considered. “Lady Osbourne is a good horsewoman despite her age.”
“Sorry, old sport,” Lord Crenshaw said. “You must choose from amongst the guests.”
When Rupert’s eyes landed upon her, Delia stepped backward. It was inconceivable she would be responsible for him keeping his prized horse.
