Page 19 of A Single Obsession

But it was the fear of being forced into dancing with Miss Whitlow again that had sent him running to find more congenial company. Undemanding male company and sporting talk. In his hurry to escape, he had forgotten he had as good as promised to partner Eliza for the last dance.

He rested his head in his hands and chided himself for being as useless as his mother thought he was. Eliza was not to blame that her ladyship approved of her. It was childish of him to act contrary to his own inclination just to thwart his parent’s plans. And if the alternative were Miss Whitlow, he would only spite himself.

He was sorry to have let Eliza down and was determined to make it up to her. Perhaps she would care to go for a drive. That was much more to his liking than a ball or the dreaded Almack’s assemblies. Maybe Georgie could put in a good word for him and persuade her sister to forgive him.

When he arrived at Warren House, he was fortunate to find the ladies at home and without visitors.

As Beau entered the drawing room, Eliza’s face lit up, giving him high hopes he would be forgiven.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I wasn’t able to claim another dance with you last night, Eliza. I was unavoidably detained.”

“You mean you forgot.”

Her words threw him off balance. He had expected her to accept his pathetic apology at face value as any other young lady of his acquaintance would have done, not to challenge him as to the real reason for his failure to claim the dance.

All was not lost, however, because there was no rancour or upset in her voice.

He looked at her sheepishly from under his lowered brows. “Yes, I forgot. Please, forgive me.”

And he really hoped she would.

“I already have.”

A tentative smile spread across his face. He had not expected to get over that ground so lightly. “Would you like to come for a drive around the park this afternoon?”

“Will you be driving your bays?”

“Of course.”

“All four of them?”

Beau’s eyes opened wide, a curious expression on his face. “How do you know I have two pairs of bays?”

“I don’t know exactly. It is more an assumption that you must have bought a second pair when you were elected to the Four Horse Club.”

“I’m impressed. I’ve a good mind to drive both pairs for you, though it will cause some stares. It will be tempting not to rattle around the park at high speed, but I think I can handle it.”

If he wanted any reward for his decision, it was the glow of happiness on Eliza’s face and another glimpse of the charming dimple in her chin.

Eliza was in a state of rapture. Beau had called for her as promised that afternoon, and now she sat beside him on the seat of his high-perch phaeton behind four of the most beautiful horses she had ever seen. To judge by the smoothness of their movement, Beau had done an excellent job of matching the second pair.

She itched to get her hands on the reins, but dared not ask. Perhaps it was as well. Four horses would be a lot to handle, and she would rather try it in a less crowded environment than Hyde Park on a sunny afternoon in the season.

Half-way around the circuit, Eliza caught sight of two ladies strolling along the path together. Her heart sank as she recognised them—Lady Frances Whitlow and her sister-in-law Harriet.

She glanced at Beau’s face. He looked about as pleased as she was to see his sister and her companion, and Eliza hoped he would drive past without stopping.

It was too much to hope for. Frances hailed him and, with a resigned look on his face, he drew his horses to a standstill.

“Elizabeth,” her cousin said, smiling up at her. “What a delight to see you. I don’t believe we have had the chance to talk since I was married.”

Eliza murmured some words of congratulations, but almost before she finished, Frances spoke again.

“Harriet, this is my cousin, Miss Merry. You may have seen her at Lady Castleford’s ball. Elizabeth, this is my new sister, Miss Whitlow.

The two ladies bowed their heads in acknowledgement.

It warmed Eliza to note that Beau greeted his half-sister and her companion in the briefest way and focused his eyes back on his reins immediately. When she glanced at the two ladies, she realised why.