Page 86 of A Single Obsession

Baxter bowed to her, a worried expression on his face. “Stanton said you wanted to talk to me, madam.”

“We have good reason to believe you have a stolen horse in your stables.”

The man looked aghast. “But I haven’t got—”

Eliza raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Stanton agreed to stay with the horses while she led Finch and the landlord through the yard and stable to where Romeo was being kept.

Finch took one look at the colt and shook his head in disbelief. “Well I never. It’s him.”

“This horse isn’t stolen,” Baxter said. “It belongs to a man staying in my inn.”

“I’m afraid you’re wrong. This colt is the property of my betrothed, the Viscount Beaumont.”

The man paled at the mention of his lordship’s name. He muttered a string of disclaimers about how it wasn’t his fault. “The men paid for their board fair and square. How was I to know the horse was stolen?”

“Provided you assist me to return the colt to his lordship, I will ensure you bear no blame.”

“Yes, of course. Right away.”

The landlord unhooked the horse’s bridle and thrust it at Finch as if it were a poisonous snake. As soon as it was fastened, Baxter passed him the saddle, clearly eager for them to be gone as fast as possible.

When Romeo was ready, Eliza led him back to the front of the inn where the other horses were waiting with Stanton.

Baxter licked his lips nervously. “What am I to say to the man when he discovers the colt is gone?”

Finch glanced at Eliza before reaching inside his jacket and pulling out his purse. The innkeeper’s eyes lit up as her groom dropped several guineas into his palm.

“Ah…yes…well. I’m certain I’ll think of something,” he said, pocketing the money before Finch could change his mind. “And now you’ve got his lordship’s horse back, there’s no need to call the…um…constable or…um…Runners, is there?”

Eliza wondered what other disreputable activity took place in the inn, that Baxter was so eager not to attract the law. It went against her principles to let the thieves walk away free. She wanted to bring them to justice, but if, as she feared, one of the men had been in Lord Harting’s employ, she believed her uncle would rather deal with the matter in private. Her aunt would not thank her for making their household the subject of the latest scandal.

“No,” said Eliza, “but I cannot vouch for such leniency in the future. I would be careful what you keep in your back stable. You wouldn’t want any more thieves taking advantage of your good nature.”

The landlord gave her a wary glance and muttered his thanks before disappearing into the inn.

Stanton held Romeo’s lead rein while Finch fastened it to his bridle. When they were both mounted, the old man passed it to the groom and gave the colt a fond pat.

“Thank you for your help, Stanton,” Eliza said, giving him a wide smile.

He beamed at her and touched his hat. “Glad to be of service, ma’am.”

She urged Whisper forward, and they set off along the road at a steady pace, all the way to Farnham, where they met up with the chaise as arranged.

Eliza feared her maid would object to their change in plans, but Sarah could not stop exclaiming about the miracle of discovering his lordship’s stolen racehorse and did not need to be convinced of the importance of taking it to him at Epsom without delay. If she did not fully understand why her mistress must take the horse in person, she was wise enough not to question it.

After sending word of their change of plans to Georgiana, they resumed their journey. Eliza was willing to ride again, so Finch was free to lead Romeo, but her groom had other ideas.

“If you’re going to follow through with your mad idea,” he said in an undertone, “then both you and Romeo need to rest as much as possible. I’ll hire someone to lead Whisper. You will travel in the carriage.”

Eliza knew he was right and conceded without an argument.

“We’d better stop overnight at Guildford and push on to Epsom tomorrow. By my reckoning, if we set off first thing, even at a walking pace, we should make it by early afternoon, and that still gives Romeo a day’s rest before the race on Friday.”

As the carriage trundled on its way, Eliza had plenty of time to reflect. Was her plan to act as Beau’s jockey foolish? What if she raced and lost? She was not sure of the terms of the bet, as she had been too cross to ask. Would she make things worse for Beau if she failed?

It was a weary and less confident Eliza that arrived at the Red Lion the next day. But of one thing she was certain. It was worth the risk. Even if she had to retire to the parsonage in disgrace if she was discovered.

Because if she succeeded, she could give Beau what he wanted above anything else.