Page 15 of A Seaside Scandal (Change of Heart #2)

I maintained our slow pace, giving curt replies to Miss Lyons’s questions.

She seemed fixated on the subject of horses and competition, and every blink of her eye felt like some sort of trap.

After a few minutes, she drew out her handkerchief, dabbing softly at the corners of her forehead.

She held it loosely between her gloved fingers, letting it flutter in the breeze.

“Despite how my riding skills have improved, I could never hope to compare to Alice. She is a remarkable rider, is she not?”

The compliment was surprising, especially since I had sensed such a great deal of animosity between the two women.

“I suppose.” I couldn’t praise Miss Kellaway freely after she had compared me to an ungainly old horse.

I cast a look over my shoulder in her direction, relieved to see that she was suppressing a smile.

Had she heard every word of our conversation?

Suddenly, the white scrap of fabric slipped free from Miss Lyons’s fingers and danced into the air behind her. She gasped.

Miss Kellaway’s horse let out a sudden snort, and I turned in time to see the gelding jerk sideways violently.

She grabbed at the reins, fighting to steady him before he reared his head and bolted down the grass.

Miss Kellaway’s balance faltered, and she barely caught herself from tipping off the side saddle.

Her brother took off toward her. My heart raced, and I turned my horse in her direction, but Miss Lyons cut me off. “Good heavens!” She pressed a hand to her chest, scouring the grass below. Her handkerchief rested a few feet behind us. “Was it that little thing that spooked the creature?”

I craned my neck to catch sight of Miss Kellaway. Her brother had reached her, but she had already steadied the horse.

Miss Lyons’s brows turned downward, her eyes flooding with moisture. “I didn’t know horses could be so easily unsettled.” She blinked fast, wiping at the corner of her eye.

Edmund stood beside his sister, speaking in hushed tones to the anxious horse.

There was nothing I could do to help, so I dismounted and collected Miss Lyons’s handkerchief from the grass.

I wouldn’t dare assume that she had spooked the horse intentionally, but fortune-hunting women had been known to do even worse.

My jaw was tight as I handed the scrap of lace-edged fabric to Miss Lyons.

Her tears were real. They glistened on the edges of her lashes, one even escaping down the side of her cheek.

“My poor Alice. I hope she is all right. How careless of me! I am forever dropping things.” Her voice lowered to a soft mumble. “I hope I have not ruined her plan.”

I tore my gaze away from Miss Kellaway and her brother for long enough to glance at Miss Lyons again. “Her plan?”

Her eyes rounded. “Please forget you heard that.”

I scowled, resting one hand on the neck of my horse. “No, please tell me. What was this plan?”

“I cannot begin to explain it, especially not at the expense of my friend.” A light laugh escaped her as she brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “It was a very detailed stratagem, indeed. Today was only the beginning.”

My breath froze in my lungs. I cleared my throat as dread crept through my heart.

Miss Lyons was not a reputable source for any information, I reminded myself.

Yet the unsettled feeling refused to leave my stomach as Edmund mounted his horse and started in our direction, his sister riding shakily behind him.

A deep glare darkened Miss Kellaway’s features as she approached Miss Lyons. “You could have made me lose my seat.” Her face reddened. “You put me in danger, Charlotte! And you meant to do it, didn’t you?”

“Alice—” Edmund turned toward his sister with a subtle shake of his head. She clamped her mouth shut, but her eyes were still fiery.

“No! It was an accident!” Miss Lyons sniffed, wiping at her eye again.

Miss Kellaway scoffed, shaking her head. Her hands shook as she held onto the reins.

Miss Lyons’s pale brows drew together. “I know you wished to demonstrate your skill to Mr. Croft this morning. I’m sorry my handkerchief ruined your display. Even so, I think you have still somewhat succeeded.” She turned toward me with a questioning look. “Would you agree, Mr. Croft?”

My entire body tensed.

A blaze of anger burned across Miss Kellaway’s features. She was silent for several seconds. “Are you mad?”

Miss Lyons flushed. “What on earth do you mean?”

A surge of dread entered my stomach. This squabble—whatever was about to break out between the two women—was centered on me.

My instincts had not fooled me at the ball.

First the lies, the spilled punch, then the handkerchief.

Both women seemed to be on the verge of an outburst, and I wanted nothing to do with it.

Silence thrummed in the air, but I broke it with a few quick words. “Please excuse me.” Without another glance at my companions, I turned and rode in a straight line in the opposite direction. My heart pounded.

“Wait! Mr. Croft—” Miss Kellaway’s voice carried over the breeze behind me, and I heard the thudding of her horse’s hooves across the grass.

I stopped and turned, panic seizing my throat.

“Leave me alone. Please.” My voice was harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t stop.

“I’m afraid my sisters may have been misleading in their conversation over tea.

For that, I apologize. But I find it prudent to tell you now that I have no desire for marriage in the near future.

I hope I have not indicated any sign of an attachment to you, or to anyone else.

Such a thing does not exist. Nor will it ever. ”

I met her gaze for a fleeting moment, but it was long enough to see the hurt behind her eyes.

She stopped abruptly. My gaze lingered for too long on her face. I wanted to apologize for my frankness, but it was too late. My voice was buried under a heaping mountain of pride. My jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. “Good day.”

My skin felt hot as I turned. And then I rode straight toward the sea, away from the Steine, and away from Miss Kellaway. I could not want her if all she wanted was my fortune. I could not want her if she was going to play me for a fool.

I could not want her if I could never trust her intentions.

I repeated these phrases in my mind as the waves rolled ahead of me, untamed and unpredictable. Miss Kellaway was the same—just as beautiful and equally dangerous.

Whatever detailed stratagem she had in mind would end today. There was nothing she could do to catch my attention again. I stayed near the beach and watched the waves until I was certain Miss Kellaway and her companions had returned home.

For some reason, my chest ached as I turned my back on the sea.