Page 43 of A Single Obsession

Anthony exclaimed in disgust and walked off without a word.

Beau felt the loss of his support, but this was something he had to do. It was a risk, but he would never forgive himself if he did not make a push to break free.

He might never get another opportunity.

Later that evening, over dinner, Beau tried to explain his actions to Ant.

“You must understand what a chance this is.”

“A chance for you to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

“Romeo is fast. He’ll win for me, you’ll see.”

“You said he wasn’t ready. How can you have changed your mind so quickly?”

Beau thumped his fist on the table. “Because it’s the only way to escape marriage. If I’m not engaged by the end of this house party that my mother’s organised, I’ll be banished to Langcroft Park with nothing to live on.”

“Ouch!”

“Exactly.”

“Who does she want you to wed?” Ant asked, not meeting his eyes.

“Eliza. She’s invited that dreadful Whitlow girl too, but I suspect that’s more to ensure I come up to scratch.”

“I don’t understand. You like Eliza. Why don’t you wish to marry her?”

Beau’s eyes narrowed. “What is it to you?”

Anthony held his hand up, a tight expression around his mouth. “Woah! I know I’ve always said I’m not in the market for a wife, but Eliza tempted me to reconsider—until I realised she viewed me as an honorary brother. It’s just as well. However perfect I find her now, I’m sure she’d bore me within six months, and I’d hate to break her heart. But we were talking of you, not me. Why don’t you want to marry her?”

A wave of relief passed over Beau. The thought of Ant pursuing Eliza did not sit well with him. He told himself it was because he was concerned for her, but he had the niggling suspicion it was more than that.

Ant repeated his question, and Beau ran his fingers through his hair, as he tried to word an answer. “It’s hard to explain. I’m fond of Eliza, but I detest being told what to do. You don’t know what it’s like. My mother is slowly suffocating me, taking away even the most important choices of my life.”

Ant laid a hand on his shoulder. “Then we’ll have to hope Romeo comes up trumps and wins your freedom.”

“Thanks. I’ve instructed Jem to bring him to Alton in gentle stages. I wish he could go straight to my place at Beddington, which is much nearer Epsom, but I don’t take possession of Langcroft Park until Midsummer’s Day, which is too late. Jem’s father will find room for Romeo in the stables for me. I expect he’d throw all Harting’s horses out to house one of mine. You can’t buy loyalty like that.

“When Romeo arrives, I’ll try him out, and if he’s not ready, I won’t race him. Though it would be humiliating to have to withdraw, I’ll do it if need be. But I’d much prefer not to pull out unless I must, and I doubt it will come to that. Trust me. I won’t have to part with Romeo. Instead, I’ll gain a magnificent racehorse and a tidy sum besides.”

“Have you considered what you’ll do if by some mischance you lose?”

Beau let out a long puff of air. “I’ll marry Eliza.”

“Don’t make it sound as if she’s a consolation prize. She’s an absolute treasure.”

“That’s a warm compliment for your honorary sister,” Beau said, fighting off a scowl.

“Anyone would think you were jealous.”

Was he? Maybe. He was certainly a tad suspicious of Ant’s true intentions, despite his previous assurances.

Beau didn’t care to hear him speak of Eliza in that way, even if his friend’s words were nothing less than the truth. She was an absolute treasure. A real sweetheart of a girl.

His breathing hitched for a moment as he considered the warmth of his own feelings for Eliza—the girl he was trying not to marry.

He would only wed her if this failed, and his mother forced him to—wouldn’t he?