Page 5 of Courting Scandal With The Duke

T he morning after their visit to Almack’s, Barbara popped her head into her aunt’s chamber.

Originally, the room had been Barbara’s, but Aunt Lenore had discovered the noise from the street at the front of the house had disturbed her sleep, so Barbara had been agreeable to exchange it for her quieter room at the back of the house.

Good morning, Aunt Lenore,’ she said cheerily. ‘I shall return in about two hours.’

Aunt Lenore peered at her from amid her pile of pillows, her cap slightly askew and a cup of chocolate steaming on the night table beside her bed. ‘Where on earth are you going at this ungodly hour?’

‘It is nine in the morning,’ Barbara said. ‘Hardly ungodly. I am going riding. I understand that if one wants a good gallop it is the only time of day when it is possible.’

‘Ladies don’t gallop in Hyde Park,’ Lenore said.

Barbara raised an eyebrow. ‘This one does.’ Or perhaps since she had no wish to be thought of as a lady, she should have given a different reply. Still, she didn’t want to completely ruin Aunt Lenore’s morning.

‘What do you think of my riding dress?’ She’d had it made in Paris.

Aunt Lenore gazed at the fitted riding dress that had been tailored like a man’s but fit Barbara’s shape to perfection. ‘It’s…unusual. A little severe, perhaps. But unlike the gown you wore last night, at least it is perfectly respectable, I suppose.’

Barbara slapped her top hat against her hip, causing it to open up, and popped it on her head. ‘I will see you later.’

‘Barbara!’ She could hear her aunt’s voice as she continued on her way downstairs. ‘That hat…’

Yes. It was a man’s top hat. And one of the tallest to be had. The milliner had added a bit of netting to it as a nod to a veil. Not at all the sort of thing a fashionable young lady would wear to go riding in London. She had worn it in Paris to great acclaim.

‘Good morning, Countess.’ Outside the front door, the stable master held a gelding ready at the mounting block.

‘Good morning, Soames. How are you this morning?’

‘Well, my lady. Thank you. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for this hack.’ He shook his head.

She looked the horse over. A rather rangy, big-boned animal. ‘It was the best to be had?’

‘Yes, Countess. Might I recommend postponing your ride until I can find something more suitable for a lady? It’s as bad-tempered a horse as I have ever come across.’

It certainly wasn’t anything like the dainty little mare she had borrowed in Paris. And in that regard the horse was just right for her purposes. ‘Nonsense, Soames. He looks fine.’

‘Very well, Countess,’ Soames said, looking resigned. ‘But if you’ll take my advice, you’ll steer clear of his hind quarters. He bit Jack when he got too close this morning.’

Jack, the groom who would accompany her this morning, was already mounted and waiting on the only the only riding horse in her aunt’s stables.

A rather elderly mare who looked as if she should have been put out to grass some time ago.

Fortunately, it wasn’t used to carrying a ladies’ saddle. A lucky escape for Barbara.

She had thought to dispense with a groom’s services, but had changed her mind when the stable master had talked of riff raff and criminals and streets she should definitely avoid.

It would be better to get to know London before she started riding out on her own.

She might be contemptuous of Society’s rules, but she wasn’t stupid.

‘I will remember your advice.’ She walked around the front of the horse to the mounting block and Soames helped her up. The horse remained still. ‘He seems calm enough.’

She moved off at a walk, and the horse responded as he should. Perhaps he wasn’t quite as perfect as she had thought. Oh, well. She would make the best of what she had. As usual.

Hyde Park was only a mile from her residence, and the streets were busy with tradespeople going about their business.

Not unlike Paris. Or any of the great cities she had visited since she was fifteen.

Traipsing along behind Father had been an education.

She was a woman who had seen a great deal of Europe.

But oddly, this was her first visit to London.

And now she was apparently supposed to snare some unsuspecting Englishman.

Not if she had anything to do with it. Two marriages were enough for anyone.

Her first had been a marriage of convenience.

To help her father with his debts. Mr Twickenham had been rich and a confirmed bachelor, until he realised he needed a nurse in his old age.

When she had discovered the financial arrangements her father had made with the autocratic old gentleman, she had been furious.

She was unable to touch a penny of the money from her first husband until she was twenty-five. Still a year hence.

Then, she had let her heart rule her head, and married Helmut, Count of Lipsweiger and Upsal. He’d broken her heart with his philandering ways. But at least she’d been left with a fortune in jewels for her pains.

The jewellery from Helmut was going to be her salvation. She hoped. From what she had gathered, Father intended to use it as the dowry for her next marriage. She had other plans. But to sell it too soon would give her away.

And she needed to find the right buyer.

Which was why she had worn part of the set to Almack’s. To generate interest. Helmut. So handsome, debonair and charming, he had swept her off her feet and into marriage. Only after they’d wed had she discovered he’d had a string of mistresses.

Everyone else had known. Including Father. But as usual he had seen Helmut as a valuable conduit to his ambition to become Ambassador and hadn’t said a word.

How they must all have been laughing behind her back.

Men. It was all about what they wanted.

From now on she would please herself and Society could go hang.

Which meant she really had to put herself beyond the pale as quickly as possible. Hopefully before Father turned up.

As she passed through Hyde Park’s gate, she took a deep breath of sooty air and glanced around.

As she had been informed, the park at this time of day was quiet, with only a few gentlemen out for their morning exercise. She glanced at Jack. ‘Let us put him through his paces, shall we?’

Jack looked about to argue, but she urged the animal into a canter and then a full-fledged gallop.

Oh, my lord. The horse had seemed placid enough up to now. But given its head, it took off like a racehorse. Never in her life had she ridden a horse with such an awkward gait. It bounced her all over the place and she was hard put to keep her seat.

From out of nowhere, another rider appeared at her side and grabbed the reins, as well as put an arm around her waist to steady her.

Immediately she knew exactly who had his hands on her from the way her body tightened.

‘Your Grace,’ she said. She thought she spoke, but the feel of that iron hard arm around her waist made her feel weak. Hot.

He brought both of their horses to a standstill.

Breathless and flustered, because of her struggle with the horse, she told herself, she glared at him. ‘What the devil do you think you are doing?’

Derbridge gave her a considering look. ‘Stopping you from making a complete cake of yourself.’

‘I had no need of your assistance.’

At that moment Jack arrived looking hot and anxious. Realising the situation was under control, he drew back to a respectful distance.

‘Your groom didn’t seem to think so,’ the Duke said mildly. His gaze narrowed. ‘Whatever possessed you to ride such an abomination?’

Barbara glanced around. Several gentlemen were watching them with interest. They were making a scene. Not quite the one she had planned for, but equally as good. And he still had his hands on her reins.

‘Remove your hand.’

He drew back as if stung. Then something changed in his expression. He looked…annoyed. ‘You did that on purpose.’

She tried to look affronted. ‘What are you talking about?’

His gaze narrowed. ‘You set that horse galloping on purpose. Once more you would be the talk of the town.’

She lifted her chin. Oh, dear. Could it possibly be that the Duke saw too much? Surely not. ‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’

‘Do you not?’ His face was grim.

‘Certainly not. I merely came to Hyde Park to get some exercise, which I am informed is the only place one may find to ride out in London.’

‘It is not the only place. Allow me to escort you home.’

‘My groom will—’

‘Your groom is useless. Or rather, his horse is useless. Come along.’

As he moved off, to her surprise, her horse followed.

And since there was no more to be gained from arguing, she allowed it. After all, she had, as he had pointed out, successfully made a cake of herself.

There were more carriages on the road now and progress was slow.

‘What did you mean when you said there are other places to exercise a horse?’ she asked. ‘And if there are, why do you not avail yourself?’

‘It is a matter of available time. I have to be in the House today. ’

For a moment she was not sure what he meant. ‘Parliament?’

‘Of course.’

Did he have to sound so supercilious? ‘What is so important that it needs your presence?’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘As to that, I will have to check with my secretary.’

‘Your secretary? Don’t you know for yourself?’

‘There are a great many demands on my time. I rely on him to keep my schedule.’

Odious beast.

‘I beg your pardon?’

Oh. Had she said that aloud?

She must have.

His frown deepened.

And they had arrived at her aunt’s house, there was little more to be said. ‘Thank you for your escort.’

‘Come riding with me later in the week,’ he said, in a manner that was more a command than request.

She stared at him in astonishment.

‘I will provide the horse.’

‘Oh, but—’

‘I will send round an invitation to you and your aunt shortly.’

‘You will?’ she snapped. ‘Or your secretary will? Assuming you don’t have some other pressing engagement you have forgotten?’