Page 30 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

“I never realised you were so competitive,” said Anthony.

“Me? You started the race and clearly rode to win!”

“I am merely observing that your competitiveness is an interesting side to your character of which I was previously unaware.”

“That is because you and Henry would never let me join in your games,” Alice pointed out.

“Well, in our defence, you were very small and annoying at the time.” He grinned. “Then again, you are still small and annoying, and I am having a very good time with you now…” He galloped off again before Alice could formulate her reply.

Eventually, they fell into step once more, their horses trotting companionably alongside each other under a canopy of oak trees.

Alice studied Anthony carefully, wondering if somehow doing so might help her to understand him better.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“What makes you ask that?”

“You seem very thoughtful, and I just wondered.”

Alice paused before answering honestly, “I am reassessing you.”

“And what have you decided?”

“You remain irritating,” she said, smiling at the outraged look that crossed his face, “but I am reconsidering some other things.”

“Such as?”

“What do you do in your spare time if you are not drinking or gambling?”

Anthony laughed, “I do some of that, I admit, but I run my estate, I visit Charlie, I read, and I go to my club…”

“Do you have a mistress?” The words had escaped before she could stop them. Alice clamped her hand over her mouth, mortified. What on earth had possessed her to ask that?

Anthony cleared his throat, the only sign that her question had been wildly improper.

“No,” he said, after a moment, “I do not.” He muttered under his breath, “I would not have time for one even if I wanted to.”

They rode in silence, Alice’s cheeks crimson as she frantically tried to think of a way to change the subject until Anthony finally took pity on her. “Charlie was wondering when you might visit him again,” he said. “I think you made quite an impression.”

“I would love to see him whenever you would like me to accompany you,” Alice replied, grateful for the new topic.

“I am planning to take Charlie riding on Saturday, weather permitting. Sarah will come in my barouche so that he has somewhere to rest if his ankle troubles him. I thought you might like to join her.” He smiled. “I know carriages are not your preferred mode of transport, but imagine the looks on Charlotte and Margaret’s faces when you tell them you were driven down Rotten Row in a barouche wearing one of your fine new dresses.”

Alice laughed; her sisters would certainly be green with jealousy when she told them, but . . . something held her back.

Anthony must have noticed the look of uncertainty on Alice’s face because he added, “It would be nice for Sarah to have someone to talk to while Charlie and I ride. And I would like you to come as well.”

“In that case, how could I possibly resist?” Alice replied with a smile. As much as it hurt her to think about Sarah and Anthony marrying, Sarah’s situation was by no means her fault and she and Charlie were lovely and meant a lot to Anthony. It was so sweet that Charlie wanted to see her again. And it would be funny to see her sisters’ faces when they heard what she’d been up to!

“What about Sarah and Charlie being. . . seen with you?” Alice ventured to ask.

Anthony hung his head. “Sarah and I have discussed it. Charlie has longed to ride in Hyde Park ever since he first got in the saddle two years ago and I really want to take him. I will introduce them as family friends to anyone we speak to. We will not travel during the most fashionable hours,” he explained. “At Sarah’s request,” he added. “I am not ashamed of Charlie, though I am ashamed of what my father did, but she would rather not draw too much attention to him.”

“Rosalind would be a good mount for Charlie,” Alice suggested. “She is a little big but so gentle. And if he is riding her and his ankle is hurting, he can go in the barouche and I can be on Rosalind.”

“That is a good idea. I have a pony for him, but if he needs to change places with you, Rosalind is the sensible choice. If you are sure you do not mind him riding your horse,” said Anthony.

“I do not mind,” said Alice. “And she is not truly my horse.”