Harry laughed despite himself. Smith was a wry creature.
“So,” Smith went on, “that would be the unburdening. What was the burdening?”
“I made an attempt to address Lady Isabel’s fears regarding the stability of my prospects, but I am certain I only managed to increase her concerns. She has thought deeply on the subject and she asked me what would happen to my wife if I died before producing an heir.”
“Oh dear. You did not tell her about Martin?”
“No, but she is clever and certainly divined that the estate is entailed. She’s likely also made the guess that the fellow waiting in the wings cannot be looked upon with any confidence.”
“I fear you will get nowhere with a lady whose priorities lay in that direction. Is there nobody else? No lady just arrived that you have not encountered before who might be made of sterner stuff?”
“Lady Isabel is made ofstern stuff, as you call it. She has not told me all of her circumstances, but as she can guess at mine, I can guess well enough about her own. At home, she has a pianoforte that has never been tuned. A household that cannot absorb a small fee like that is precarious indeed. I suspect there were days when there was not enough food on the table, never mind other necessities.”
“Ah, and so the lady is determined she will not find her future in a similar situation.”
“Exactly. Though, I do think she likes me. I do not think I’m being vain about that. I really do sense it in her.”
“What shall you do next?”
“I am not certain. Though, I have arranged with Ryland to have Lady Isabel seated at my table at his mystery supper. His tables seat four and I dare not attempt to take her supper as the duchess is no admirer of mine at the moment. However, I can at least be in close proximity. What I will do with the proximity, I do not know.”
“You will likely not think of anything while lollygagging in your bed. Get up and get on your horse. A ride through the park will clear your head. You’re sure to think of something.”
Harry nodded. Really, he could roll over and go back to sleep if it were not for thinking of Lady Isabel. He’d only got to sleep after the ball by drinking a very large glass of brandy.
His head did need clearing. He could hardly think straight, which would not be helpful in coming up with an idea.
*
The duchess andIsabel left Hanover Square with two grooms on horseback behind them. Isabel was rather taken aback by the lady’s prowess on a horse. The duchess was in firm control of her massive horse and weaved round carriages and graciously nodded to acquaintances as they made their way through Mayfair. Both horses were spirited and did more than a few sidesteps to show their enthusiasm.
“We will make our way to Rotten Row,” the duchess said. “As soon as Cleopatra sees greenery, she will wish to be at a gallop. You do gallop, Lady Isabel?”
“Oh, yes, indeed,” she said. She could not claim vast experience with her own stable of horses, but that had perhaps proved an advantage. Various families with daughters from her neighborhood had always been happy to lend her a horse so that she might ride out.
She’d become experienced with handling a variety of strengths, speeds, and temperaments. Including Violetta, the Bensons’ rather notorious mare who seemed to find humor in flinging ladies to the ground. Violetta had needed stern handling and Isabel had handled her.
“Excellent,” the duchess said. “We will tire out Cleo and Guinevere and they will settle. Ah, here is the gate.”
They made their way to the Row and the horses, knowing full well where they were going, sidestepped and pranced and urged their riders to allow them to go faster.
“Let us be off!” the duchess cried, giving her horse its head. Isabel quickly followed suit.
Isabel tugged on her hat to assure herself that it was secure—the duchess had insisted on having made a particular style that was well-lined with cork that would cushion a fall. She urged her horse forward, though that creature required very little urging.
The speed of it was rather marvelous, far faster than could be done in her own neighborhood of gentle hills and trees to be wound around.
They passed two gentlemen who had stopped to talk, and Isabel did not know who they were, but they seemed very surprised to see the duchess in the midst of a mad dash. Isabel supposed they tipped their hats, but she did not dare look behind her to find out. Guinevere required all of her attention.
There were more gentlemen ahead, some having moved their horses onto the grass as they engaged in conversation, and some riding. Though, none of them were riding as fast as she and the duchess. They would easily overtake them.
Isabel lightly touched Guinevere with her crop. As she had thought, this particular horse did not require any firm prodding. The mare stretched her neck and surged forward.
They weaved around the gentlemen and the duchess shouted, “Good day to you, Lord Lymington.”
The lord at first appeared surprised, then he urged his mount forward, racing along with them. Though Lord Lymington was a rather lumbering individual, he did not seem so on a horse. He rode a sixteen-hand chestnut who must surely be the oft mentioned MacBeth, and it seemed as if atop a horse was the lord’s natural habitat. No wonder he liked to talk about his horses so much.
The horses began to get winded and the duchess brought Cleopatra to a canter, then a trot, then down to a walk. Isabel followed suit, as did Lord Lymington.
