“Oh yes.” He kissed her again more roughly and released her. “Goodbye, my dear.”
He turned to the door only to find that it was already open, and Allegra was standing there staring at both of them.
Carenza froze, but Julian wished Allegra a good day as he walked past her and went off down the stairs.
“Well,” Allegra said as she stared at Carenza. “I take a stroll around the park and miss all the excitement. What on earth has been going on?”
CHAPTER6
“Jolly good seat, eh?” Aragon spoke so loudly that half of Hyde Park, including Carenza, must have heard him clearly. “Told you she’d look capital on one of my horses.”
“You were quite correct, brother,” Julian murmured as Carenza’s ears went red.
“Nice seat, good wide hips.” Aragon nodded approvingly. “Ripe for breeding.”
Carenza was wearing a dark blue riding habit cut in the military style and a tall black hat with an ostrich plume that made her look rather like a hussar. She was an excellent rider, with or without Aragon’s horse under her. Julian was a competent horseman, but riding was not something he chose to excel at. He left that to the more sporting gentlemen. He was quite happy parading up and down Hyde Park, but he rarely hunted.
They had already progressed to the end of Rotten Row and were due to ride back. Julian glanced over at Carenza as she capably shortened her reins and made the turn.
“Are you enjoying yourself, my lady?” he asked as she drew up beside him.
“Surprisingly, yes.” Her smile confirmed her words. “I miss a good gallop.”
“Good Lord.” Julian shuddered slightly. “I don’t.”
“Well, we can’t all enjoy the same things,” Carenza said. “That would make life very dull, indeed.”
He was glad to see that she’d regained her composure after the confrontation with Hector’s cousins the day before. He’d heard nothing further about the matter. He had begun to hope that the new countess had heeded the wisdom of his words and kept her indignation to herself.
Aragon came up along Carenza’s other side. “Care for a race, my lady?”
“Of course!”
“Count us down, brother,” Aragon requested.
Julian obliged and then watched in some satisfaction as Carenza beat Aragon by half a length. He took his time riding toward them and was amused to see that his brother looked rather put out.
He smiled at them both. “Shall we stroll for a while? The grooms can hold the horses.”
“That would be very pleasant,” Carenza said.
After dismounting, Julian walked over and lifted her off the horse, holding her scandalously close to his chest as he let her down. She raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. “I did say I’d take every opportunity offered to get close to you, my dear.”
“But not in front of your brother.” Carenza stepped away and gathered her long riding skirt, sliding the end loop around her wrist.
“Aragon wouldn’t notice if I stripped you bare and ravished you right in front of him.”
“I hardly think that’s fair.”
“Trust me.” Julian patted her hand. “He’s too busy wondering how you beat him in a race and whether you really are the right woman for him after all.”
“Hardly, brother.” Aragon came toward them and offered Carenza his arm. “With respect, I was doing the gentlemanly thing and letting the lady win.”
Julian felt Carenza stiffen and hastened to conceal a smile.
“Please don’t hold back on my account, sir,” Carenza said tartly. “I’m quite happy to beat you on your terms.”
