Page 36 of To Tempt Lady (Victorian Outcasts #10)

Jesse wiped his face quickly and smiled brightly. “My lord.”

Trevor shot her a glance that lasted a second. His expression changed when he turned towards Jesse. He showed a smile so wide that wrinkles appeared at the sides of his eyes. “How are we this morning?”

“Spectacular,” Jesse said in a flat tone.

Emma folded her arms over her chest. “What is it?”

She didn’t think Trevor would vent his annoyance at her on Jesse, but she wouldn’t tolerate any rebuke.

Trevor scrubbed the back of his neck. “I have a surprise for Jesse.”

Marcus tilted his head, a crease between his eyebrows. “What surprise?”

“For me?” Jesse sat upright, grimacing.

“You’ll see. But we need to go to the park.” Trevor’s smile worried her. “Take a break, fellas, and come with me.”

“Can you walk, Jesse?” Marcus asked.

“Ye-yes.” He gingerly climbed off the bed. “If the earl asks me to go with him, I’ll go.”

“You should stay here.” Emma narrowed her gaze at her brother.

Jesse stood up. “No. I want to go.”

“Then come. You’ll be surprised,” Trevor said.

Half an hour later, Emma, Marcus, Trevor, and a very suspicious Jesse entered Hyde Park.

Trevor was beaming and walking with confidence towards the field while Marcus frowned, and Emma was confused, especially after her brief encounter with her brother.

Jesse was the most nervous in the group, dragging his feet and fiddling with his hands.

“You’ll see,” Trevor said. “It’s a big surprise.”

“I’ll be good. I promise,” Jesse whispered. “I won’t leave the house again without telling anyone. I’ll do everything you ask me, my lord. Quiet as a mouse. You won’t realise I’m around.”

Trevor stopped in the middle of the path. “This isn’t a punishment. Trust me.” He stretched out his arm and withdrew it. Then he stretched it out again, and she wondered what he was doing. Finally, he gave Jesse his hand. “And I know you’re a very good boy.”

Emma gasped. What had happened to her brother?

Tentatively, Jesse slid his hand into Trevor’s large one as if Trevor were a wild bear he didn’t trust.

She exchanged a glance with Marcus. He looked as astonished as she felt.

They walked down the path towards Route de Roi where Emma and other Londoners were used to riding their horses in the morning.

“Surprise!” Trevor stopped in front of a brown pony already saddled and ready to go. One of their grooms stood next to the animal. “This is Button.”

“Nice beast,” the groom said.

“And Button is all for Jesse.” Trevor stroked Button’s muzzle.

Emma let out a delighted squeal. Marcus muttered something under his breath.

Jesse’s mouth hung open. “A pony. For me?”

“Yes, and George here will teach you how to ride him.” Trevor stroked Button’s ears. The pony half-closed his eyes and neighed in pleasure. “He’s a sweet-tempered boy, young and strong. The best pony for an inexperienced rider. I’m sure you two will become great friends.”

“I didn’t expect this,” Marcus whispered to Emma.

“Neither did I.”

Jesse burst out crying. He hid his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

Trevor patted his shoulder. “There. There. No need to cry.” His eyes were suspiciously shiny as well.

Jesse threw himself at Trevor, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, my lord.”

Trevor swallowed hard a couple of times. “It’s all right. Now start getting to know Button.”

“Can I ride him?” Jesse asked.

Trevor looked lost and shifted his gaze to Emma. “Can he? Isn’t he still recovering?”

“You said you were sore,” Emma said.

Jesse wiped his face. “Yes, but I want to try. Only a few minutes, please.”

Trevor held up a hand. “I’m not going to say anything, or it will be used against me. Marcus, you decide.”

Jesse tugged at Marcus’s jacket. “Please. If it hurts too much, I’ll stop.”

“I’ll be careful,” George said.

“Only a few minutes.” Marcus gave a nod to Trevor.

“Yes!” Jesse pumped a fist in the air.

“Also…” Trevor fished out a shiny red apple from his pocket and handed it to Jesse. “For you.”

He took the apple and pressed it against his chest as if Trevor had given him the most precious gift. “Thank you.”

For a moment, they stared at each other. Then Trevor cleared his voice. “Off you go, then. Button is eager to get to know you.”

“Put your foot here and grab the pommel of the saddle.” George explained to Jesse how to climb on the pony.

They sat on a bench as, a few yards away, Jesse slowly rode Button under the watchful eye of the groom. Jesse didn’t laugh, focused solely on following George’s instructions, but excitement radiated from him.

Trevor nodded his approval. “You’re doing very well, Jesse. Considering you don’t feel well.”

“Thank you for making him happy,” Marcus said.

“He went through a lot, and what Sir Horace did to him was despicable. I understand he believed Jesse to be an intruder, and well, he was, but beating a child like that…” Trevor heaved a sigh charged with annoyance. “My solicitor will visit us this afternoon. We’re moving onwards, aggressively so.”

“So we’re openly going against Sir Horace,” Emma said.

“Yes.” Trevor turned serious. “Before what happened to Jesse, I didn’t plan to attack Sir Horace openly, but after that, I will not hide.”

“You’re wonderful.” She squeezed his hand.

“Yes, and remember that the next time you start a conversation with me, saying ‘listen’.”

Marcus stretched out his hand towards him, and Trevor shook it.

“Marcus won’t be mentioned, will he?” Emma asked.

“Not if we can avoid it.”

“If you don’t hide, neither will I,” Marcus said.

“But Sir Horace will retaliate,” Emma said.

“I have nothing. He can’t threaten me. He’s already taken everything I have, and if the choice is between protecting myself or the people in the rookery, I choose the latter.”

Emma covered his hand with hers.

Trevor glanced at their hands but didn’t say anything. The harsh expression from that morning returned.