“Is there something you want to tell me, darling? Because I think you have shared much more than conversation with that man.”
Chapter Sixteen
Once Adam learned from Clara that her friend would join her, his plan fell into place. He let a small house in Epsom for the ladies to use. Only they would not both use it, in truth.
He shared his genius with Langford and Brentworth that night at a gaming hall while they played the wheel.
“You are daring the devil,” Brentworth said. “At least half the ton will be at the Derby Stakes. The roads of Surrey will be crowded with carriages. Her brother is sure to attend. You could find yourself married at the point of a sword.”
“Don’t you understand? Stratton isn’t going to be at the Derby,” Langford said. “If you had the woman you wanted alone in a place of privacy, would you interrupt the idyll by wasting a day at a horse race?”
“Perhaps he wants to see the race. Maybe she does.”
“I promised she would see the race,” Adam said.
“She will not require it if you are not clumsy. Do I have to give advice on that too?”
“Please do not,” Brentworth said. “I beg it of you, and Stratton here insists, I am sure.”
Langford placed some bets. “I will wager both of you that there will be no nonsense about that race. I am confident that my vast knowledge of women is correct on this. Name the amount.”
“One hundred pounds,” Adam said.
Langford paused in laying down his bets. “I withdraw the challenge, if you bet that much. Since you have control on the outcome, I must conclude you will ensure you win even if it is against your interests.”
“If seduction were my only goal, I would not have to leave London. She wants to see the race, and I am going to considerable trouble to arrange that. So much trouble that even if she insists we forgo it, I will demand we see the plan through.”
Langford laughed.“No, my dear, we cannot stay in bed all day. We must ride to Epsom soon. Stop those caresses. I will not be persuaded by feminine wiles to change the plan.”He imitated Adam’s voice.
“Ignore him,” Brentworth said. “Look for my stand at the race. We will watch together and toast the winner, which I fully expect to be my horse.”
He and Langford began talking odds and competition. Adam watched the wheel spin. Three days until Clara joined him in Surrey. He was sure he would go mad before that.
* * *
Clara made a display of entering the house in Epsom with Althea. She stood on the street for at least five minutes while Mr. Brady carried their valises into the house. She greeted several women passing by whom she knew.
“Well done,” Althea said once they were both inside and the carriage had rolled away. “I will see you tomorrow morning, early. Now, it is almost two o’clock, and time for your rendezvous. Off with you.”
Clara gazed around the sitting room of the house, vaguely noting it looked cozy and welcoming. Most of her concentration was on everything that could go wrong with this adventure. A bad case of nerves had been building the last five miles.
“If my brother learns I am staying here and calls—”
“I will make sure he is none the wiser regarding where you really are instead.” Althea took her hands. “Of course, if you prefer to remain here, I will not accuse you of cowardice.”
“You would be more generous than I would be with myself. Still, I cannot deny that this is different from the last time. This time I am making a very deliberate decision well ahead of time.”
“I think this is the better way. Don’t you?”
Did she? It might be more thoroughly her choice, but it was not easier. She would not be able to pretend she had succumbed to surprise or been swept away by kisses in the magical moonlight.
She picked up her valise and walked to the back of the house.
“You should probably bribe the coachman to ensure his discretion,” Althea said, walking alongside her.
“I raised Mr. Brady’s wages yesterday. I think he knows why.”
“If not, he will soon.”
