A wicked grin appeared on his face just as he said, “Three.”
Galyna was ready for him and dashed forward, catching up with his gelding in a few short seconds. They reached the tree at the same time.
“Excellent race,” he said, eyes bright with excitement.
Alice narrowed her eyes at him. “You cheated.”
“Me? I wouldn’t dare. I merely counted one and two to myself.” He glanced at her mare. “Aside from that, I could see she was ready to go.”
They trotted to the Serpentine. “Why did you name your horse Horace?”
“I am addicted to the poems of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, a Roman poet who lived in sixty-five B.C. He had a famous quote: ‘Seize the day and put the least possible trust in tomorrow. Begin, be bold and venture to be wise. Remember when life’s path is steep to keep your mind even.’ Horace is derived from his name. How did you pick Galyna?”
Eleanor and I decided to use Latin names. Galyna means a girl who remains calm.” Alice glanced at her mare. “She usually is.”
St. Albans chuckled. “We all have our moments.”
“Very true.” They meandered around alternatively trotting, walking, cantering, and talking.
“I’m sorry to see the hyacinths have gone,” he said.
“I am not.”
He gave her a shocked look. “They are so pretty.”
“They are, but they make me sneeze.”
A look of horror passed over his countenance. “I sent them to you.”
“The servants enjoyed them.”
“I’m terribly sorry. Our housekeeper had suggested lavender, but they were not quite in bloom, and I thought hyacinths would do just as well.”
He appeared so distraught. “I think your housekeeper might have recommended lavender for the plant’s healing properties.”
“I made a mull of that.” He shook his head in disgust. “The next time I will send fruit.” His brows drew together in concern. “You are not allergic to any of them, are you?”
“Not that I am aware.” Why could he not have been like this before? She should ask about his lady, but Alice would rather not know. “Hopefully, I will not be ill again for a long while. I caught my cold from one of my nieces or nephews. They all had it.”
“Small children tend to be generous with their germs. The nursery at my maternal grandparents’ house came down with a stomach disorder, and soon the whole keep had it.”
What had he said? “Keep?”
“Yes, you know. The castle and its grounds.”
“Your grandfather’s estate in Scotland?”
His eyes were sparkling, and his lips twitched. “The very one. Mine is not nearly as large, although, it is quite old.”
Everyone seemed to live in an interesting house but her. “Do you have priest holes?”
St. Albans barked a laugh. “I can do better than that. I have secret tunnels and corridors. Cleveland Castle does as well.”
She would have loved playing in those as a child. “I wonder why none of our homes have them.”
His eyes sparkled with laughter. “Most likely because your houses were not built before the fifteenth century and are further south?”
He was right. “Ours are quite modern comparatively.” How depressing. Although, there were benefits of living in a newer house. “Are they cold and uncomfortable?”
