Page 93 of A Single Obsession

After helping her dress and tidy her hair, the woman called a lad to help her on with the boots Finch had removed just moments before.

With her stylish shako pinned on her head, she was a lady again, and blinking back the tears that were not far away, she followed the landlady down the stairs.

“Ah, there you are Finch,” she said in a loud voice. “I’m feeling a little better and am eager to be on my way. Please be so good as to ready my horse and settle our account.”

“Yes, miss,” he responded, smiling apologetically at the maid, who seemed sad to have him go.

Eliza mounted Whisper, appreciating the side-saddle for the first time in her life, and trotted toward the Red Lion with as much haste as she dared. Her only thought was to get away from Epsom before Beau found her. She could not bear to see that look on his face again.

Once back in the safety of her sister’s house, she would write and break off their engagement.

Perhaps she would become a nun.

Eliza looked so unwell when she returned to the Red Lion that Sarah had no difficulty in believing she had been taken ill during her ride and had needed to rest until she felt better. She chided her for her thoughtlessness at sending no word to her, but when her charge burst into tears in response to her scolding, she became alarmed and hastened to exchange words of comfort for her reprimands.

“Never you mind,” she said, fussing to make her mistress comfortable in the carriage. “We’ll soon get you back to the care of Lady Castleford, and she’ll know what’s best for you.”

Eliza smiled despite herself.

Not even Georgie could help her out of this one.

Chapter 41

Beau walked away from the racecourse, not daring to look behind him at Eliza. His entire body shook with the effort.

When he reached the King’s Head, he paced up and down his room, wondering what to do next. He didn’t know where Eliza was staying. Romeo was stabled at the White Horse. Had she taken rooms there or somewhere else?

He wished he could go in search of her, but he didn’t know where she would transform back into a lady, or how long it would take.

It was some consolation that Finch was with her. He was a reliable man, even though aiding his mistress in such an escapade was not the wisest thing he’d ever done. A wry grin crept onto Beau’s lips. He had no doubt Eliza had persuaded him into it. He had seen her stubborn streak in action, and it was not easily cowed.

The stubbornness that had believed in his ability to succeed at Astley’s, even when everyone else disagreed. That had almost got her killed, riding so wildly when she lost her temper. That had refused to forgive him.

But if she had risked so much by racing Romeo for him, did that imply she had forgiven him now?

The door burst open without ceremony.

“What did you say to her?”

Beau stared at Anthony. He’d never heard his friend so angry before. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play the idiot with me, Beau. I was standing next to you in the paddock—or perhaps you didn’t notice as your eyes were so enamoured with your jockey.”

“You know?”

“Yes. I’ve known for a long time. I saw through her disguise when she dressed as Robson to ride with the hunt. As soon as I heard the name of your jockey, I knew she was playing the same game again—except that this wasn’t a game, and I was too late to stop her. I thank God he kept her safe. She could have been killed. But what’s done is done. What’s more important right now is what you said to her.”

“Nothing,” Beau said, a touch of annoyance in his voice.

“You said nothing to her?”

“No. I wanted to remove her from danger as fast as possible. As soon as I realised, I told Finch to get her out of there and left.”

“Do you know what a precious thing it is you have there? She loves you. I would have tried to win her if she’d given me the slightest encouragement…but no matter. It’s you she loves, not me. And you said nothing? No words of reassurance?”

Ant’s words conjured up a variety of feelings, but Beau didn’t stop to examine them, responding to his friend with growing irritation.

“I was afraid I’d give myself away. What did you expect me to do? Kiss her passionately while she was dressed as a man?”