Page 25 of A Single Obsession

With a disapproving sniff, Finch resumed his work, muttering under his breath as he prepared the horses. Not until she and William were mounted did he address her again. “Be careful.”

Eliza nodded and rode out of the yard.

“Happy?” asked William, riding alongside her.

“Yes—though I’d rather be in the country. I long for a good gallop. Here, all I can do is trot around the park at a sedate pace—not what I call a proper ride. I couldn’t gallop on this horse if I tried. I doubt she’s capable of it. Which is probably why Georgie put this mount at my disposal—to make sure I didn’t forget myself.”

“Oh dear. What a trial. How unfortunate our sister knows you so well.”

“I appreciate she’s only trying to protect me from myself, but it makes me reluctant to ride at all. Particularly not with Beau when he’s always so magnificently mounted.”

“I suppose he’s driven you around the park with his bays.”

“Several times.”

“Has he let you take the reins?”

“I haven’t liked to ask. He has such beautiful horses, and I wouldn’t care to be responsible for—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You drive better than I do, and if Beau won’t trust you with his team, I don’t know why you’re wasting your time with him. Ask.”

“I’m not sure I dare. I’d be tempted to spring them—”

William chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right to wait until you’re away from London. You’d be sure to set tongues wagging if you tore around Hyde Park at high speed.”

When they arrived at Tattersall’s, some of Eliza’s confidence deserted her, but it was more than outweighed by the excitement of seeing the interior of the famous repository. Once inside the stables, they were lost in the crowd of fashionable gentlemen examining the horses on offer. Remembering her male character, she swaggered along beside William and started looking over the animals up for sale.

They passed by a few stalls until they came to the first pair. Eliza looked at the pedigree and shook her head. “Anything that’s come from Mr Burton’s stable is not worth considering. He can’t judge horseflesh to save his life.”

Her brother snorted. “How did you learn that?”

“I keep my ears open. I’ve heard Beau moaning about him.”

They moved to the next pair, and Eliza stepped forward to examine them. “Too long in the back.”

“What about these?” he asked, pointing to some bays.

She looked them over. “Hmm. A nice pair by the look of it, but no way of telling if they’ll pull well together. Do you recognise the name of the seller?”

William shook his head, and as he did so, he must have seen something. He twisted back round to face her, his eyes wide with alarm. “We need to go. Now.”

Eliza followed his gaze, and her breath hitched as she caught sight of Anthony and Beau, who had just walked through the door of the stables.

She gave a quick nod, realising her danger. Anthony would recognise her at once.

“They must have returned from Newmarket and come to settle their debts,” William said.

An acquaintance hollered Anthony, and he veered off in the opposite direction from where they stood, but Beau hovered just inside the entrance, making it impossible to escape.

William kept his back to the door, trying to block them from his line of vision, but it was too late. Beau had seen them and was heading straight for their position.

“Merry!” he cried. “And your friend—Robson, wasn’t it?”

Eliza knew she had to brave it out. To run away would attract too much notice. If she could just keep up the bravado, no one would suspect.

William did his best to draw Beau’s attention. “You’re the very man I wanted to see. I’m looking to set up my carriage and brought Robson along with me to inspect what was on offer. He’s got a pretty good eye for a horse. Better than me. I fancied the greys, but he said they were too long in the back.”

Beau glanced at the horses Eliza had criticised and nodded. “He’s right. But these”—turning to the pair of bays they had been considering—“might be just what you’re looking for.”