Page 35 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘I’m afraid so.’

‘Still, I don’t intend to let the Loxleys of this world—or my never-too-sufficiently regretted sister-in-law—control my actions for long. Only until you feel comfortable with us publicly acknowledging our association. Which I devoutly hope will not take long.’

‘I know you would defend me against her. I’d just…prefer to avoid any chance that you might have to.’

After muttering under his breath an epithet about his sister-in-law not fit for a lady’s ears, he said, ‘As a gentleman, I must honour your wishes.’

He was nodding at the groom to bring over the horses when Miss Wellingford stopped short. ‘Oh, no,’ she muttered, her brow creasing again. ‘Once “loose-lipped Loxley” spreads it about that he saw us here together, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to continue to ride in the park without others turning up to observe.’

She paused while he helped her remount, Charles distracted from replying while he savoured the feel of his hand on hers, his other at her waist as he assisted her into the saddle. She froze, too, encouraging his touch before reluctantly breaking contact to swing back up onto her mare.

‘Does the ton truly get up early enough to do that?’ he asked as they set the horses off at a walk, the groom once again falling a discreet distance behind. ‘I wouldn’t think anyone would bother.’

‘It would more likely be clubmen like those, making a circuit to see what on-dits they can discover before heading home after a night of revelling.’

Charles shook his head. ‘I heard stories in the army from younger sons about the dissolute life some of their elder brothers led. Drinking, gambling all night, making stupid wagers… It makes me even more disinclined to take up a place in Society.’

‘Not all noblemen act like that. Your friends don’t, nor do Englemere and his friends. I suppose there are wastrels in every walk of life. But that still leaves us a problem. If we can no longer meet here to ride unobserved, where can we meet to exchange information? Servants talk to other servants, so it would certainly become known if you called on me at Stanhope House, in addition to which, paying a formal call would only further fuel speculation about your marital intentions.’ She paused, brow furrowed, obviously considering other options. ‘I suppose we could communicate by note,’ she said after a moment, ‘but I’d much prefer to see you in person.’

Heartened, as he felt same way, he said, ‘And hope for that leafy grove.’

She chuckled. ‘That, too. Although no safe alternative to Hyde Park comes to mind. I’d rather not be set upon by highwaymen on Hounslow Heath.’ Then her eyes widened. ‘There may be a way after all! If we can’t ride in the park, there is Astley’s.’

‘Astleys?’ he repeated, confused.

‘Astley’s Amphitheatre. Have you never been there?’

‘Where they stage equestrian spectacles? I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never attended a performance.’

‘In addition to shows in the afternoons and evenings, they offer riding lessons in the mornings. No member of Society would likely be taking lessons there—they would have their own grooms to instruct their children or hire an instructor to come to them. For a small fee, we could pay off the instructor and ride there together, unobserved by anyone in the ton. If there are not too many pupils being instructed, we might even get in a gallop.’

‘I’d happily pay a fee to preserve our ability to meet and ride together.’

She nodded, her expression enthusiastic. ‘Shall we meet there, then, in three days’ time? In the interim, you can attend all the entertainments whose invitations you’ve already accepted, and I shall persuade Sarah to let me cry off from any balls or routs. When we meet, we can compare invitations and decide at which events we will each appear.’

Charles shook his head. ‘I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this charade.’

‘Only for a while,’ she coaxed.

‘I suppose I should feel fortunate there is an alternative that allows me to continue seeing you. In the meantime, I’ll write to my friends and find out when they will be coming to London. We can truly be ourselves in their company. Which,’ he added with a grimace, ‘after the gauntlet it appears I’m going to be running every time I exit my front door, will be a significant relief.’

‘Shall we end our ride on a pleasanter note? I don’t want to overtire Sunlight with another gallop, but we can canter to the gates.’

‘After you.’

Charles let her proceed ahead of him, letting his enjoyment of observing her fine form in the saddle assuage his disgruntlement at having to unwillingly conceal their friendship. But not for long, he vowed again.

A vague vision formed at he watched her, from sometime in his by-then-settled future… Emma riding beside him across the fields and farms of the properties that made up the Stratton estates. Trotting with her along his favourite trails by the river at Harding Glen. A sense of peace and tranquillity stole over him, while a bittersweet longing swelled in his chest.

Alas, that vision was entirely premature, he reminded himself, bringing the pleasant imaginings to an end. He might yearn for a tranquil future in which he felt he’d finally found his true place, at ease with himself and his place in life. He might long for someone with whom to share it. But he was nowhere close achieving either goal yet, a gauntlet of tasks stretching before him still to be mastered.

Still, it was reassuring to have even that glimpse of a calm future. Would Emma Wellingford truly play a part in it, as the bittersweet yearning in his heart seemed to long for?

As he watched her cantering masterfully, she turned her head back and tossed him a grin of pure enjoyment, making him chuckle. Yes, he was strongly drawn to her, his admiration and liking mixed with a healthy dose of lust. He wished they might freeze their relationship at the point it was right now, a gossamer friendship poised to become more, until he was ready to move forward.

He couldn’t, of course. He could only muddle on in the present. Which meant braving Society with only the dubious help of the notoriously fickle Lady Jersey until he could meet Emma again in three days.

At Astley’s Amphitheatre. Considering that venue again, he had to laugh.