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Eliza grabbed her copy of The Corsair and went through to the dining room where breakfast was still laid out, ready for any latecomers. Agitated, she poured herself some coffee and started to read, trying to calm her spirit. The house seemed strangely silent. No voices from the Wolfes, no high fluting giggle from Emma, no sound of industry from the kitchens; it was as if she had been left alone on a desert island. She closed her book; the richness of Byron’s poetry was drawing her into an imagined corsair’s world.

Zadoc Flynn came through the door as silently as a cat. ‘Oh, Mr Flynn!’ She jumped. ‘I didn’t hear you.’

‘I’m not feeling the best. Don’t talk too loud, my head is pounding.’ He slumped into a chair and Eliza looked closely at him. His skin was pale, with a yellowish tinge, and his eyes were bloodshot.

‘You look sick as a dog.’ She quickly poured him a cup of coffee and thrust a currant bun into his limp hand. ‘Eat something, Mr Flynn, it might help.’

‘I don’t think I could let anything else pass my lips without casting up my accounts.’ He looked rueful. ‘If you’ll forgive the vulgarity, Miss Gray.’

Eliza’s heart sank. He was not in the best condition for her to deliver her blow, but deliver it she must. ‘Mr Flynn, I have something important to tell you.’ He cast her a bleary look and she continued, ‘I’m sorry but I cannot ride Ohio in the race.’ She clasped her hands together to strengthen her resolve.

This news had an instantly sobering effect on Mr Flynn who sat up erect and said, ‘Why ever not? It’s all agreed. A gentleman’s agreement between us.’

‘I’m sorry, I should never have said I would in the first place. I did it out of pique with Lord Purfoy and I’m ashamed of my pettiness.’

‘Well, Miss Gray, this is no time for finer feelings. It’s too late to get out of it. The race is in two days’ time and I’ve already transferred ownership to you. Ohio is entered for the race and you are her owner and rider. You can’t back out now!’

‘I’m mortified at the trouble I’ve caused you, Mr Flynn, but I can’t beat Lord Purfoy. It’s his race to win.’

‘Ah, so he or Taz have got to you, have they?’

‘No, no! Lord Purfoy has no idea I’m riding in the race. That’s the main trouble.’

‘Well, there’s not much likelihood you’ll win. Horatio is a mighty brute of a stallion, strong and fleet of foot. Davenport’s flashy grey, Eros, is a likely challenger, not our little filly.’

‘But Horatio is being ridden by a big man; he’s probably half as heavy again as I am. And Ohio is so light and fast.’

‘Then hold her back. I just need her to have been placed in an English race before I take her back to Kentucky. Please, Miss Gray. You’re my only chance.’

Eliza’s head dropped. He was right. She had given her word and could not renege on their agreement so late. She would have to ride Ohio as if they were in a social race and make sure she did not win and that Lord Purfoy would never find out.

8

IS THE RACE EVER WON?

That evening’s dinner was full of the usual bonhomie when the friends were together. Ferdinand Shilton entertained the company with talk of his country estate at Nonsuch, where they would stay for the Epsom races. ‘My servants are all atwitter at having the old house inhabited again. It’s only half an hour from the Downs.’

Corinna passed him the bowl of roasted potatoes and said to the assembled company, ‘I’m staying here with Emma. I don’t want to tire her after she’s just recovered from the fever. Polly can chaperone Miss Gray.’ She smiled across to where Eliza sat quietly, embarrassed by the secret she and Mr Flynn by necessity kept from their friends.

Lord Purfoy also seemed abstracted, gazing into the fire. He stirred and met Mr Shilton’s blue eyes. ‘Ferdy, it’s very kind of you. If my memory serves me right, Nonsuch Place offers mighty fine quarters. We’ll be most comfortable, thank you.’

Alick Wolfe handed out slices of beef on the point of his carving knife. ‘Rav, I saw your under-groom setting off with Horatio this morning.’

Lord Purfoy accepted the beef and nodded in response. ‘Yes, he’ll take him down in easy stages and settle him. It’s only some fifteen miles away.’

Ferdy had also despatched his hunter. ‘I’m riding Avatar this year, my speedy bay. He’s young so it’s really just practice for him.’ Unlike the other owners who tended to be accoutred in sober colours for the race, he insisted on wearing a jacket of canary yellow, a flash of sunshine on the sombre field.

Alick waved some beef at Zadoc Flynn. ‘I suppose Ohio’s already down at Epsom?’ he asked and his cousin mumbled agreement, his mouth full of food.

The wine was flowing freely but Lord Purfoy demurred. ‘I have work to do later and need a clear head,’ he said as his friends turned their enquiring gazes his way.

Eliza only met Lord Purfoy’s eyes once and she quickly looked away, ashamed at her duplicity. She was relieved when he abruptly stood up, ready to leave. ‘I’m off to my club,’ he said with a certain grimness. He bowed at the men then took Corinna’s hand and kissed it. ‘Thank you for a delicious meal. I’m sorry we won’t have the pleasure of your company on the Downs. Since breeding, you’re not as much fun as you used to be.’ He smiled his rueful smile.

Corinna laughed. ‘Oh Rav, I know you have little time for the squallers, as you so sympathetically call them. And as for my dull character, I have long said that the irresponsible have always been easier to love, as you know full well!’ She gave him a knowing look.

Lord Purfoy still had her hand in his and said, ‘Well, my dear Mrs Wolfe, never easy nor dull, but always entirely lovable.’

Alick intervened with a snort of amusement. ‘Careful, Rav, that’s my line. Don’t forget she’s my wife. You missed your chance!’