“You don’t.” Gib turned and tipped his hat to the duchess once again and said, “Nice meeting you, Your Grace. If you’re still in Town, you are invited to the boxing match, too.”
With those parting words, Gibby turned and walked off, with several men crowding around him.
“He is a very strong man,” the duchess said.
“Gibby doesn’t like for anyone to challenge his honor.”
“A true gentleman.”
“No, a crowd pleaser,” Race corrected. “He loves attention, and he knows that either I or one of my cousins will somehow get him out of this.”
Race picked up the food basket, and they started walking back the way they had come but at a much faster pace than before.
“I’m sorry, but we are going to have to postpone our refreshments for another time. I need to find my cousins.”
She gave him an understanding smile. “No need to apologize. I’m in complete agreement that you need to see to this matter quickly.”
“I know you came with me only because of the curried apples,” he teased, wanting to lighten the heavy mood that had settled over him.
Susannah looked at him with sparkling eyes. “I did say that, didn’t I?”
He nodded. “I’ll leave the basket with you.”
“May I make a different suggestion?”
He gave her a quizzical look. “Of course.”
“When we get to the entrance of the park, why don’t you hail a cab to take me home? That way, you can get about your duties and do what you must for Sir Randolph.”
He was incredulous. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t think of doing such a thing.”
“I suggest it only because I know you are deeply troubled about your friend and you are in a hurry to help him. I saw your frustration because neither man would listen to reason.”
Damn frustrating.
“Duchess,” Race said, “I would never take a lady to a park and not see her home. You live only a street over from mine. It will take no extra time to see you to your house.”
“All right, but you said you needed to find your cousins. Do they live near you?”
“Close by, but let me show you how I will do that,” he said as they made it back to his curricle.
He took the reins from the groom as he tossed the basket onto the floor of the carriage. He asked the groom, “Are you free to run an errand for me, lad?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. I need you to find the Duke of Blakewell and the Earl of Morgandale. Try their homes first and then the clubs. White’s first, then Harbor Lights, and then the Rusty Nail. When you find them, tell them to come to Raceworth’s immediately. Can you remember that?”
“Yes, my lord,” the young man said again.
Race reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins and gave them to the youngster. “Take these. There will be more waiting for you at my back door if the earl and duke get there within the hour.”
“Yes, sir!” the young man said happily and ran away, his feet kicking up dust from the ground as he flew.
Race quickly helped the duchess into the carriage and jumped in beside her. “I’m going to push the horses. Will that bother you?”
The duchess snapped her parasol shut and placed it between them. She grabbed hold of the armrest on the side of the cushion. “Not at all. I’m ready whenever you are.”
Race clicked the ribbons on the horses’ rumps, and they took off with a jolt and a shimmy of rattling harness. Race let the horses run as they flew past pedestrians, carriages, and horses that were plodding along, enraging them all with his reckless driving. People yelled at them, and several dogs barked and chased the carriage as they left the park and pulled out into the busy street.
