“Well, now, what have we here?” Derrick interrupted, jerking his head toward the one inn on the main street of Cheriton. “I don’t see Wrexley, but isn’t that Lord Claire coming out of the George and Dragon?”
“It is, indeed. Lord Claire, and Lord Edgemont with him. What do you suppose those two scoundrels are doing in Hampshire?” Finn watched as the two men left the inn and stumbled down the street.
“I know Claire well enough. The man never stirs a step out of London unless he thinks he can make a coin from it.” Captain West made a disgusted noise in his throat. “They’re in their cups already, not two hours after the sun’s risen. Bloody wastrels.”
“But convenient, for our purposes. Drunken men are more forthcoming. Shall we go and welcome them to Hampshire?” Finn didn’t wait for a response, but urged his horse down the street at a trot and stopped in front of the two men, blocking their progress.
Lord Claire squinted up at him. “That you, Huntington?” He shaded his eyes from the sun. “By God, it is. Look, Edgemont. Huntington’s here.”
Lord Edgemont raised his head and fixed his bleary gaze over Finn’s shoulder. “Derrick, too. Who’re you?” he asked, peering at Captain West.
“West.”
Captain West didn’t offer anything further, but a dim look of recognition crossed Lord Edgemont’s slack features. “What, that Waterloo bloke? For God’s sake, Claire. Half the bloodytonis here. Wrexley said it was just the three of us.”
“Just the three of you forwhat?” Derrick asked, not bothering to hide his revulsion.
Lord Edgemont belched, then, “Race, of course. Wrexley’s wagered high on some chit he’s got he says can best the two of us in a race. Damn fool, Wrexley, but it’s his coin, and I’m happy to take it from him.”
Both Claire and Edgemont guffawed, and Finn, Derrick, and Captain West exchanged looks.
“When’s the race?” Finn took care to keep his voice calm, but it took every bit of his control to keep from grabbing one of the scoundrels by the neck and shaking him until the truth fell out.
So this was why Wrexley had been so fascinated to learn of Iris’s skills in the saddle, and so determined to see her ride Chaos. He’d sneaked her out on the horse this morning so he could judge her speed, and lay his wagers accordingly. Lords Edgemont and Claire had deep pockets, and both would scoff at the idea that a woman could beat them in a race. The purse must be enormous for Wrexley to take such a risk.
“Now look here, Huntington,” Lord Edgemont said, his tone belligerent. “If you want in, then hand over your coin like the rest of us. Claire and I aren’t fools, you know.”
Finn raised a skeptical eyebrow at that, but there was little point in arguing with a fool. “I know the rules of wagering, Edgemont. But you didn’t say when the race was to take place.”
“Day after tomorrow, in the morning, a few miles from here. Wrexley’s coming to fetch us. I don’t know what we’re supposed to do in bloody Hampshire until then.” Lord Claire looked around the small village, scorn curling his lip. “No whores about. Nothing else for it but to get sotted.”
Lord Derrick rolled his eyes. “Yes, what a wonderful plan, and it looks like you’re well on your way. But where’s Wrexley, in case we decide to wager?”
Lord Edgemont looked confused for a moment, then he turned to Lord Claire. “Damn good question, Derrick. Where is Wrexley? He was supposed to meet us at the George and Dragon. We came out to look for him, but I don’t see him, and now I’m parched again from standing about in the sun.”
“Perhaps he came in while you were out here. You’d better go check, hadn’t you?” Finn glanced at Derrick and Captain West. “We’ll wait right here for him, and if we see him, we’ll tell him where you are.”
“Damn good idea, Huntington.” Lord Edgemont turned and staggered back toward the inn, and after a moment Lord Claire shrugged and followed after him.
“The other side of the road if you please, gentlemen,” Captain West said. “If Wrexley sees us waiting here, he’ll bolt.”
Finn and Derrick followed him across the street and the three of them took up positions in the shade of a tree, where they were partially obscured from anyone coming down the main road from Hadley House.
They didn’t have to wait long. Wrexley came sauntering along not ten minutes later. Now he was out of sight of Hadley House, he dawdled as if he had all the time in the world. He brought his horse to a halt in front of the George and Dragon, but before he could dismount, Finn, Derrick, and Captain West crossed the street and surrounded him.
“Good morning, Lord Wrexley.” Captain West gave him a pleasant smile. “Busy day for you already, and here it is about to get busier.”
“No, don’t bother to dismount,” Lord Derrick added. “You won’t be able to meet your friends, after all. I doubt they’ll notice. They’re both already halfway to unconscious.”
Lord Wrexley didn’t spare either of them a glance, but fixed his gaze on Finn. “So it’s to be this way, Huntington? You must be worried indeed about where the lady’s affections lie, if you’re willing to chase me out of Hampshire.”
“Whatever it takes to get rid of you, Wrexley.”
“It won’t be so easy to get rid of me in London, and I’ll be waiting for Miss Somerset when she returns.”
“I doubt she’ll agree to see you. I told her about Miss Hughes.”
Wrexley’s expression didn’t change, but his fingers went tight on the reins. “I’m surprised it took you this long, though I know you don’t like to talk about poor Miss Hughes and her unfortunate ruination. But you know, Huntington, Miss Somerset and I have been friends for some time now, and of course I’m her dear friend’s cousin, as well. I’m sure I can explain away any lingering doubts she has. So you see, this is hardly a victory for you. More like a temporary suspension in play.”
