Page 58 of Betting on a Duke
“Samuel, I’m dizzy,” she laughed out.
He stopped spinning and gently set her down, keeping his arm around her until she was steady on her feet. Not that he felt steady himself. He was lightheaded, and his knees were weak. Not only had his dream of owning a thoroughbred racehorse come true, but Zeus had won a race. And not just any race—the 2000 Guineas Stakes. The opening race of the 1817 racing season.
The rest of the afternoon was spent being congratulated and envied at the celebration party at The Jockey Club. He enjoyed the praise, but what he really wanted was to go back to Ramsbury Ridge Farm and spend private time with Clarice. However, since the Winner’s Ball was being hosted by Viscount Thurston, their time alone would have to wait.
*
When Clarice hadarrived at the Newmarket Racecourse on race day, excitement had coursed through her body. The ladies were dressed in their finest day dresses with elaborate hats and parasols. She and Letitia were dressed equally so. Gentlemen were expected to wear black. Some wore formal wear, while others sported black riding clothes. It shouldn’t have surprised her that so many people were in attendance to watch the race. After all, Newmarket was the racing town. Many people lived here for the races.
When Samuel had finally joined her in Hunter’s open-air coach, and she convinced herself he was doing well after their delicate conversation from two nights ago, she had been able to breathe easier. And when she’d stood in the carriage and watched all the horses stampeding down the track, giddiness had set in. Then when they’d learned Zeus had won and Samuel picked her up, swinging her around, it was the happiest moment. She was so proud and thrilled for him. And the day after that was simply a blur of activity.
“What a day,” Clarice said hours later, once she and Samuel were in her hotel room. Dressed only in her night rail, she nibbled on some cold chicken, grapes, bread, and cheese that a chambermaid had brought to her room moments ago. With all the excitement of the day and the whirlwind of social events and the Winner’s Ball they’d attended, they had hardly eaten, and she was famished—the noises her stomach made proved it. “You should eat something.”
Samuel stood, looking out the window at the dark night sky. “I will.” He’d shed most of his clothes except for his lawn shirt and breeches.
“What’s troubling you?”
He turned and met her eyes. “Nothing. Everything. You know what they say about being on the top?”
“I believe I do.”
“There’s only one way to go, and that’s down. I’m not ready for that. I want to savor the exhilaration of being a winner for a little longer.”
“Nonsense. You and Zeus hold the title for a year until the next race, no matter what happens in the other upcoming races. Plus, it will be documented forever. At least, I think it will. Well, it should be, if it’s not.”
He chuckled and moved to her side, plucking a piece of cheese off the tray and nibbling on it. “You should be an advisor at The Jockey Club.”
Laughter burst from her. “Oh, please, as if they would ever let a woman into their sacred club.”
“You never know.” He ate a few grapes. “The 1000 Genius Stakes is coming up and Clover will be making her debut. Just when I think I can relax, I start worrying again.”
“She’s a beauty. I predict she will—”
“No, no, no,” he interrupted as he shook his head. “You can say you hope or wish she wins, but you can’t come right out and say she will do anything.”
She laughed again. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Superstitions and all that.”
“In that case, I hope Clover wins,” she said. “Is that acceptable?”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “It is.” His eyes shifted to the bed, and she understood what he was thinking. Her body responded accordingly. “Would you like to go to bed?” he asked.
“Yes.” Before she could move, he swept her up into his arms and gently placed her on the bed with his body coming down beside hers. Thankfully, Penny had drawn the covers down, and they slipped right in, pulling the counterpane over them.
Turning on his side, facing her back, Samuel nuzzled her neck. “Today was the best day of my life because I got to spend it with the woman I love.”
Her skin tingled from his warm breath. “I believe it was the best day of mine, as well.” She waited for him to say something else. Whenshe heard soft snoring, she smiled. Poor Samuel, he probably hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time. She closed her eyes and wished they could fall asleep like this for years and years to come.
