“Do not fear. The duke spoke truly. Though I am no stranger to the saddle, I am still learning the ways of the hunt. Lady Hannah is much too quick for me.” He spoke with great admiration, eyes fixed on the path ahead.
Guilt washed over May. It certainly seemed like Lord Spencer’s motives were beyond reproach. If only his tone of voice counted as solid proof.
“You have not had much chance to hunt before, then?”
“There was little occasion for it for a colonel in His Majesty’s Army. My addition to the ranks of nobility is quite an unexpected recent development. I was titled upon my father’s death,” said Lord Spencer.
All May knew was that the duke considered Lord Spencer’s sudden rise to nobility suspicious. It made more sense now; with him being a colonel, capturing the attention of the most eligible woman in London was no small feat. However, it did give May an opening to remind Lord Spencer of the one thing that could test his loyalties: her supposed inheritance.
“We’re the same, then. My fortunes changed so suddenly, I hardly know what to do with it all.”
Before Lord Spencer could answer, the dogs trailing next to them spotted something along the path and took off with a bark.
“A hare!” Lord Spencer sent his horse into a canter as he veered off after them.
May’s breath caught. The dogs’ sudden leap did something to her horse, something she had no control over. She tried desperately to hold on as the horse lurched forward, but it was a hopeless task. May tumbled out of the saddle and straight into the mud.
She came about slowly. Her ankle pulsated, jolted too violently out of the stirrup.
May felt like such a fool. Any chance she had to draw Lord Spencer’s attention was gone. Her horse bolted, and the sounds of her cries were muffled by the cacophony of agitated hunting dogs. If Lord Spencer had heard her cries for help, he did not react.
With great difficulty, May stood up and shuffled onto a surer path. She was not very far from the estate, but the prospect of returning alone was more daunting than her fall. She would not admit defeat. Not yet. The minutes dragged on as she made little progress, the swelling in her ankle more painful with each jolting hop. When Lord Spencer reappeared between the trees, a hare flung across his saddle, it was all she could do to keep herself from sinking back into the mud.
He was at her side in an instant, his shock at her appearance all too plain.
Thank heaven. Hope was not entirely lost; she could still complete her mission.
“You spooked my horse.” May shut her eyes for a brief moment as a wave of pain shot up her leg. In truth, if she were even a slightly better rider, she could have kept her seat. But what else could she say?
“Please forgive me, Lady May.” Lord Spencer’s concern widened his eyes. “I let the heat of the chase get the better of me and did not watch over you like I ought to have. I deeply apologize.”
If May were herself, she would have accepted the apology without question. The Lady May, however, was used to better treatment. “Make it up to me, then.”
The boldness of her tone surprised even herself. Her deal with the duke had made her brazen.
It’s nothing but a role to play.
“Of course, My Lady.” Lord Spencer bowed his head. “Are you hurt?”
“I have difficulty walking. Might you—” Sharing the steed would be a good opportunity to see whether he was as single-minded as he acted. But Lord Spencer defied her expectations once more. With one easy movement, his hands fast around her waist, he raised May up to the saddle. It was over in a blink, and despite what anyone would consider a highly intimate gesture, May rather felt like a screaming child who had been handed off to the nanny. His hands did not stray even an inch from her waist, and as soon as he saw her settled, he took his place up ahead on foot, guiding his horse forward, while May was left to ride with the unfortunate hare he shot down.
“Worry not, Lady May. I will get you to the estate at once.”
Left to her own devices as he led the horse all the way back, May could not withhold a sigh. She rode astride, her skirts bunching up with every jolt and step, yet Lord Spencer did noteven turn around to take a peek at something so scandalous. She had given everything she had, but she had no doubt in her mind: the duke would not be impressed with this result. Although he did not openly state it, she doubted he would hold his end of the agreement if she did not produce proof of Lord Spencer’s fickleness. But was there truly anything to investigate here or was she just incredibly bad at it?
Elias jumped from his saddle, drawing to a fast stop in the garden.
“Lady May? Are you—”Are you hurt, was what Elias had wanted to say, but the words stuck pathetically in his throat. She was sitting on the garden chair with an unsettlingly glassy look. He’d heard nothing from the accursed Lord Spencer apart from the fact that she’d fallen off the horse and was recuperating.
Had a physician been summoned? Had she suffered a concussion? He’d left them alone for a moment, and his precious aide was already down? Elias vowed no harm would come to her, only to carelessly throw her into battle with no protection. He took in Lady May’s crestfallen face, and sudden fury surged through his veins. What was the value of his promise?
“I was not able to obtain proof yet.”
What?
She would not look him in the eye.
“Is that what I asked?” He could not help the frustration that seeped into his voice, but he could very well hear it. Elias forced himself to pause for a breath. “Tell me: are you hurt? Were you attended by a physician?”
