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“Very well, keep me talking.”
Olivia frowned in thought. “What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?”
“Hm. I suppose I enjoy fencing. I like physical activities that let my mind rest. Failing that, I love games of chance.”
“What is so enticing about games of chance?” Olivia raised a brow. He could see she was truly curious.
“Well, the fun of playing a game of chance is that it is actually not based upon chance at all. Most men are drunk and betting on their luck, but I count the opportunities to win.”
“You cheat,” she said evenly.
“Did Lady Caroline tell you to criticize?”
“No.” Olivia grimaced. “She told me to be impressed.”
“Well?”
“Oh! You cheat!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Shush, oh my Lord!” Now it was Jarvis’s turn to start laughing. “You are hopeless, my lady.”
Olivia turned away with a groan. “That is what I thought.”
The next day, nervous out of her wits, Olivia dressed in her most beautiful riding habit and joined the group of ladies and gentlemen by the stables. Bradshaw immediately approached her, and Olivia couldn’t quite hide her surprise. Her eyes widened, and her insides felt like they were tied in knots.
“Allow me to help you up on your mount, my lady,” Bradshaw said and bowed with a flourish.
“Thank you.” Olivia smiled, but the nerves made her feel as though her smile was more of a grimace: tight and wobbly at the same time.
Bradshaw hoisted her up, and she settled in her seat. At least Olivia was an average rider. She wouldn’t disgrace herself with this activity.
Soon everyone was seated on their horses, and the host led the way through the estate and toward the ruins. Bradshaw rode beside her in silence.
A few moments later, he turned toward her.
“You are a very graceful rider,” he said thoughtfully. He’d probably imagined she’d be uncoordinated even in that.
“Yes, thank you,” Olivia answered and instantly berated herself. Who says ‘yes’ to a compliment? “You too,” she added and grimaced.
“Why, thank you.” Bradshaw grinned at her. “Is it true that you prefer riding astride?”
“Oh, no,” Olivia exclaimed with a laugh. “I am afraid Lady Caroline mistook my enthusiasm for an accomplishment. The truth is, I was terrible at riding as a child, and my parents wouldn’t allow me out of my pony until I was a lot older than appropriate. But I loved adventure, and I forced Jarvis to teach me using his horse. I sneaked out of the house and made him teach me every day until I was comfortable. He knew nothing about riding side-saddle, so this was the first thing I learned, riding astride. However, my parents soon relented and taught me the proper way of riding. I haven’t ridden astride ever since.”
Olivia clamped her lips shut and frowned. That wasn’t a monosyllabic answer now, was it?
“Jarvis…” Bradshaw frowned. “Do you mean Viscount St. John?”
“Yes,” Olivia answered slowly and quietly. Now, that wasn’t that hard, was it?
“You two seem… quite friendly.”
Is he jealous?Olivia looked at him beneath her lashes. He studied her thoughtfully in return. “He and I have been friends from the crib. We lived on neighboring estates, and our families were as close as—well, family.”
“Hm… You seem quite comfortable around him.”
“I am. I’ve known him my entire life.”
“So he cares for you?”
