The flesh on the back of her neck prickled as Constantine’s warm breath fanned over the space, distracting her for a moment. Then his arm came around her waist, and a second later, she felt his chin rest on her shoulder. This time, she could not help the shiver that passed through her, warming her from the insideout. Despite her annoyance with him, the touch sent pleasure sparking through every vein in her body.
“Here,” Constantine stated, bringing his other arm around her so he could point at something on the top paper.
Elara’s eyes fluttered closed as he spoke, his warm breath once more fanning over her flesh and threatening to make her squirm in delight.
She forced her eyes open, knowing she would be a fool to think anything Constantine did meant anything real, and looked down at the page. It seemed to be a list of wagers from an establishment called The Epsom Derby.
“Why is this important?” she asked, turning her head to face him. She nearly faltered when she realized how close his face was to hers, and quickly looked back down at the page.
“The Epsom Derby Sweep is going to start in two days,” Constantine explained.
“And what is that?” Elara asked.
“The Epsom Derby has two to three races every month, but in July, they have the Sweep. One to three races every day for a week. It is a betting man’s greatest achievement or greatest downfall. By this list of accounts, it seems Augustus has been there every year for the past decade to place his bets. Includinglastyear, when he was supposed to be out of London.”
Excitement laced through Elara’s veins. Constantine had made good on his promise and actually found another clue!
“So you suspect he will be there again this year?” she asked, turning to face him again. This time, Constantine stayed still to face her, and Elara’s breath caught in her throat as their eyesmet, and Constantine smirked in that annoying way that made butterflies erupt in her stomach.
“According to these statements, my brother has done quite well with his bets over the last few years. Last year, he won over ten thousand pounds. A small fortune for anyone, but essential for someone who needs to stay on the run. I highly doubt he will miss an opportunity to earn such funds again,” Constantine explained. “It is only an hour’s drive away, but I will rent a place closer to the track so I can keep a better eye out. With luck, I will see my brother.”
Elara shook her head and turned around so she could fully face him.
“With luck,wewill see your brother,” she replied, folding up the papers again. “I am coming with you.”
Constantine frowned as Elara pulled back his jacket and neatly tucked the papers back into the pocket from whence they came.
“You certainly are not,” he retorted. “You are going to stay here with William, as you promised.”
Feeling encouraged by her progress, Elara smiled and pushed past him.
“Oh, I will,” she promised, going to the door. “He is coming with us. We could all use some fresh, country air. I would wager the boy has not yet left this house in his young life.”
Constantine’s brows furrowed deeper.
“Well… no,” he confessed.
“Then it is settled,” Elara said cheerily as she opened the door. “We will take his wet nurse and nanny, of course, and we will allgo together. I shall go get William ready, and inform Mrs. York while you make the arrangements.”
“Elara—”
“Truly great work, husband,” Elara praised as she closed the door between them. In the hallway, she grinned, not sure if she was more delighted by the clue they had found or the look on Constantine’s face. He had flustered her on more than one occasion, and she could not help but get a thrill from thinking that, for the first time, she had actually flustered him.
Chapter 14
“Worry not, Betsy, he is quite contented now,” Elara whispered assuredly to the nanny, shutting the door to the nursery quietly.
Elara took in the older woman’s look of angst and offered a compassionate smile. The nanny was probably in her fifties, with graying hair kept under a white bonnet and soft, pale blue eyes. Her round, rosy cheeks dimpled as she returned Elara’s smile.
“Should I go in, Your Grace?” she asked anxiously, fiddling with her fingers before her plump, short frame. Like all of the other female servants that were a part of Constantine’s household, she wore a modest dove gray dress and white apron. Only hers was paired with a white shawl tied around her shoulders. “Just in case he wakes up. It was his first journey today, and should he wake up, he might find it comforting to see a familiar face.”
It was indeed William’s first journey, and although he had enjoyed the hour-long carriage ride sitting comfortably on Elara’s lap, he became quite fussy once they reached the cottage Constantine had rented for the week. This greatly worried Elara, and she was torn between going to the tracks as planned orstaying with William to soothe him. Ultimately, she decided she had no choice but to let Constantine go to the tracks alone. It took quite a while, but Elara finally managed to calm the baby down.
“If you like,” Elara whispered back. “Just please be quiet in there. I am hoping he has exhausted himself enough to sleep through the entire night.”
Betsy nodded readily, and after a quick curtsy, she silently opened William’s door and hurried inside the darkened room. Alone in the hall of the cottage, Elara let out an exhausted sigh. The nanny and wet nurse were both quite experienced in their professions. Constantine would not settle for anything less. Even so, Elara was finding herself taking over as many of their duties as she could. She could not help it. She had loved William instantly.
Which is a terrible idea, considering the temporary nature of this marriage.
