Page 77 of A Single Obsession

She did not reply. He wondered if she’d even heard him.

He repeated his words, slightly louder, and she lifted her gaze from her plate, an emptiness in her eyes. Then, as if understanding dawned, she nodded.

“I’m sorry you missed our ride this morning. Would you care to take the horses out after breakfast instead?”

Her face was devoid of expression as she stared at him, assessing his words. The appraising look she gave him made him wriggle in his seat. Why was she looking at him like that? Was it so hard to believe he wanted to go riding with her?

“I don’t think—”

“A ride? What a capital idea!” Anthony said, interrupting Eliza.

Beau scowled, but his friend continued regardless.

“I spent far too many hours cooped up in a carriage yesterday and I’m desperate for fresh air and exercise.”

“I was suggesting a ride for two,” Beau said with an irritated grunt.

“But I’m sure Eliza would want to come with us,” Anthony said, turning to her, his eyes bright with mischief. “You’ll join us, won’t you? A ride in the sunshine will put the colour back in your cheeks.”

A reluctant smile tugged at the sides of Eliza’s mouth. Beau would have felt encouraged if she had directed it at him.

“Thank you,” she said, addressing Ant. “I’d like that. I’ll meet you in the stables when I’m ready.”

Eliza did not keep them waiting long. Beau’s eyes glistened with admiration when he saw her. She looked stunning in her red riding habit. As he hovered near her horse to help her mount, he remembered the last time she had worn that dress.

The day she fell into the stream. When they had laughed together in the conservatory. And he had almost kissed her…

Before he realised what was happening, Finch was helping Eliza into the saddle. Beau frowned, disappointed she had not let him assist her, as if signalling her desire to prevent any attempt at such intimacy today.

Stifling his frustration, Beau mounted his horse and rode out of the stables, breaking into a canter as he led them away from the house toward some fields, in a direction they hadn’t ridden before.

The others followed, drawing rein when they caught him up. Beau ground his teeth in frustration. He had so much to say to Eliza, but Anthony’s presence made it impossible for him to start. She wouldn’t even look at him.

“Have you had any news about Romeo at all?” Ant asked, attempting to break the awkward silence.

“Nothing, but I’m not surprised. The constable enquired along the post roads, but I never held out much hope of him finding any information. If the thieves were canny enough to know my racehorse was here, they would not risk discovery by taking him on the main roads where any tollgate keeper could report their route. My stepfather’s doing what he can. He’s put an advertisement in the newspaper, and he offered to send for a Bow Street Runner, though my mother’s not keen. But it’s too late for that. I expect Romeo was miles away within a few days. I doubt I’ll ever see him again.”

“What a terrible business. You understand him being so upset, don’t you?” Ant said, turning to Eliza, trying to draw her into the conversation.

“Of course, I’m upset,” Beau snapped. “Losing Romeo is like losing a child, but it’s not just that—”

“I know withdrawing from the race will take some living down, but you’ll recover. You must put it behind you.”

“If only it was that easy. I’ve let everyone down…”

“It’s not your fault. You mustn’t mind the money. Castleford will bail me out. He always does.”

Eliza jerked her head toward Anthony, awoken from her indifference. “Money? You’re going to lose money by Romeo not racing?”

He looked shamefaced. “I bet rather a large sum on Romeo winning. We all did. Beau said it was a sure thing, and he’s so often right that—”

“And you?” she asked, looking into Beau’s eyes for the first time that day. “Will you lose money?”

He felt the heat rushing up his neck under her accusing stare and tried to stammer out an explanation. “If I had won, it would have paid for my stables until I came of age. I would not have needed to get married, and I…”

Too late, he realised what he’d said. Eliza’s face turned ashen, but her eyes were blazing with anger. With a light touch of her whip, she sent her chestnut mare cantering across the open grass toward a hill in the distance, refusing to listen to anything more.

“Race you,” she called over her shoulder as her mare broke into a gallop.