“Do you often race?” Lord St. Albans asked.
“Yes, indeed. But only early in the morning when no one else is here.” She urged Galyna faster. “You may come with us.”
“Yes, of course,” Lord St. Albans said. “The restrictions.”
If he said anything else, Alice did not hear him. She was galloping next to Madeline.
When they reached the tree, Lord St. Albans trotted up next to them. “Excellent. I must do this more often.”
Alice laughed. He sounded as if he had never raced before, and that she did not believe. She glanced at Madeline. “To the Serpentine?”
Madeline nodded.
Alice might as well ask Lord St. Albans if he would like to come as well. “Are you up for another one, my lord?”
“I am.” His eyes were warm as he smiled at her.
When they reached the Serpentine, Alice and Madeline dismounted and took out the bread they had brought for the ducks. St. Albans swung himself down from his horse in one fluid motion. It was not until he was standing that she noticed how tall both man and horse were. Being on the ground made his shoulders appear broader. His face seemed to have been chiseled. It was all lean planes; his nose was straight with a sight bump in it. He was exceedingly handsome. Madeline strolled off a little way, leaving Alice with his lordship.
“I do not think I have ever seen a horse quite like yours.”
“He is a Lusitano. They were brought here originally as part of Queen Catherine’s dowry.”
She stroked the horse’s nose. “What is his name?”
“Hector.” He stroked the horse’s neck. “And your mare?”
“Galyna.” The mare sidled over demanding attention as well.
“And is she calm?”
Alice almost dropped her jaw. How had he known that? “Your Latin must be excellent.”
Before he could answer, a group of ducks waddled up to them, and Alice quickly threw some of the breadcrumbs. One duck had been pushed out and decided St. Alban’s boots looked like a good meal. She threw some crumbs directly at the duck, and he went after the bread.
“That was close.” He stared down at his boots. “At least I wasn’t wearing tassels.”
Unable to help herself, Alice went into whoops as Lord St. Albans stared at her in confusion. “I am sorry.” She started laughing again. “Our friend’s husband used to wear tassels and a puppy got them.”
Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Not something I would wear around a puppy or a duck.”
“Alice, we should go. Eleanor did not follow us,” Madeline said.
“Yes. Of course.” The groom helped Madeline, and Lord St. Albans cupped his hand to help her mount.
It took very little time to reach Eleanor and Lord Montagu. She waved. “Has the Serpentine changed at all?”
“Nary a bit,” Lord St. Albans said. “However, I am indebted to the ladies for bringing bread for the ducks. They are an avaricious group.”
“We saved his boots.” Alice felt slightly smug about it.
Eleanor looked at her watch. “We must be going.”
The gentlemen fell in with them. Lord St. Albans rode next to Alice. “Now that the Season is begun, what do you have on your calendar?”
“I do not yet know. Grace, our eldest sister, makes all those decisions. I suppose we will find out soon.” She wondered if he would be at some of the same events. Georgie was right. He was amusing. “And you?”
Lord St. Albans sighed. “As with you, I am not quite sure. My mother is in charge of my social schedule this Season.”
