They took off in a flurry of damp grass and flying hooves. As it happened she did get a start, because Lord Wrexley’s horse hesitated for the barest fraction of second before he registered the command, whereas Chaos leapt into motion almost before Iris’s fingers had a chance to tighten on her riding crop.
They shot forward, Iris low over her horse’s neck, her hands firm and steady on the reins. Lord Wrexley was right behind her, so close she could hear his harsh breath and feel the earth shake with each of his gray’s pounding hooves, but they hadn’t taken more than a dozen strides before she knew she and Chaos couldn’t be beaten.
Not by Lord Wrexley, and perhaps not by anyone.
They were so seamless, so completely in sync it was as if Iris had been born on Chaos’s back, or he’d grown into place beneath her. She could see his every stride forward in her head, anticipate the bunch and release of the muscles in his powerful haunches, and she made constant, minute adjustments in position with every ripple or jerk of his body beneath her.
Iris reached the tree line five or six seconds before Lord Wrexley, an unquestionable victory. Chaos twitched restlessly underneath her as she slowed. He wanted to keep running, but she brought him to an easy, gradual halt, and leaned over to murmur in his ear. “Next time, all right?”
Wrexley came up beside her in a whirl of pounding hooves. “Astonishing, Miss Somerset. Truly.”
Iris smiled at him and stroked her hand down Chaos’s sweaty neck. “Chaos deserves the credit, my lord. Did you see how smooth his gait is?”
“It’s the two of you together that are so remarkable. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more natural match between horse and rider. It seems incredible you’ve only ridden him this once.”
“I know. It’s feels like I’ve been riding him for years. He loves to run. He was born to race, I think.”
“Yes, I think so, too.” Wrexley gave her a strange, speculative look, and there was an odd light Iris couldn’t decipher in his pale blue eyes. “But the sun has risen, and our friends will be at breakfast soon.”
He wheeled his horse around and began an easy trot toward Hadley House. Iris rode beside him, but they were both quiet. She was absorbed with Chaos, and Lord Wrexley seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
When the stables came into sight, however, he cleared his throat and turned to her. “If you and Chaos ever raced, you’d stand a fair chance of winning.”
Iris’s brows drew together. It wasn’t unheard of for ladies to race, of course, but still unusual, especially for ladies of quality. Public races could attract large, unruly crowds, and they generally included a great deal of wagering. No respectable lady would attend, particularly not as a participant. “A fair chance of being injured, as well—both my person, and my reputation.”
“I would never risk either, I assure you.” He didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I refer to a private race. Just you and Chaos, and two gentlemen of my acquaintance from London.”
“I doubt Captain West would approve of such a thing.” Iris didn’t mention Lord Huntington, but it went without saying he’d have Lord Wrexley’s head for suggesting such a dangerous scheme, despite the fact that he didn’t have any claim on her.
None at all.
“Yes, well, if you did choose to race, it would be best to keep it between us. We could sneak away just as we did this morning, and I would attend you the entire time. No one else need know about it.”
“If we have to hide it, my lord, then it can’t be at all proper.”
That should have ended the discussion, of course, but a familiar flutter of excitement tickled behind Iris’s breastbone. She’d loved racing since she was a girl, and she and Typhon had won many races together in Surrey. How wonderful it would be to race again, especially with a horse like Chaos.
“Propriety is a matter of opinion, Miss Somerset. If you asked me, I would say it was proper enough, but if you asked Lord Huntington, I have no doubt he’d disapprove.” His tone implied it would be absurdly rigid of Lord Huntington to do so. “It would be good fun though, wouldn’t it, and such a great triumph if you won.”
Iris bit her lip. Lord Wrexley was the very devil to suggest such a thing, but like the devil he was most persuasive, and Iris was tempted in spite of her better judgment. “Well, I suppose I don’t see any real harm in it. It’s not as if it’s a public race.”
“No harm at all, since I’ll be with you the entire time. No one else can know of it, however, or they’ll forbid you to go.”
Iris shifted uneasily in the saddle. She didn’t like to lie, and if her friends would forbid her, it meant she shouldn’t be entertaining the idea at all, but it seemed like a lifetime since she’d raced, and really, it wasn’t soveryshocking, or so much different than the races she used to run in Surrey. Lord Wrexley would be there the entire time, after all.
“Very well, my lord. I’ll race, as long as I can ride Chaos.”
He’d been watching her with narrowed, glittering eyes, but now his face relaxed into a smile. “Of course. I’ll arrange everything just as you wish. What good fun you are, Miss Somerset! I confess I’m rather besotted with you.”
His forwardness, and the look of undisguised admiration he gave her, made a flush rise in Iris’s cheeks.
He let out a soft laugh. “What a charming blush. It flatters you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen bluer eyes than yours.”
They were approaching the stables, and Iris was saved from having to reply as they both looked to see if anyone was about.
“I think we’re safe. Quickly, before someone sees us.”
Lord Wrexley kicked his horse into a trot and headed for the stables, and Iris followed, letting out a sigh of relief when she darted inside and found them empty but for the stableboy, who came at once to attend Lord Wrexley’s horse.
