Part 17 (2/2)
”I will engage to escort you there.”
Her smile was triumphant.
”Thank you. That would be very kind.”
Not kind--foolish. It was, Harry was already convinced, the most stupid move he'd ever made. An ostler came running in answer to his curt gesture.
”I'll have my curricle.
You can tell Grimms to take Lady Hallows's gig back; I'll see Mrs Babbacombe home. ” ” Yes sir. ”
Lucinda busied herself with the fit of her gloves, then meekly allowed herself to be lifted to the curricle's seat.
Settling her skirts, and her quivering senses, she smiled serenely as, with a deft flick of the reins, Harry took the greys onto the street.
The race-track lay west of the town On the flat, gra.s.sy, largely tree-less heath. Harry drove directly to the stables in which his string of racers were housed, a little way from the track proper, beyond the public precincts.
Lucinda, drinking in the sights, could not miss the glances thrown their way.
Stableboy and gentleman alike seemed disposed to stare; she was unexpectedly grateful when the stable walls protected her from view.
The horses were a wonder. Lifted down from the curricle, Lucinda could not resist wandering down the row of loose boxes, patting the velvet noses that came out to greet her, admiring the sleek lines and rippling muscles of what, even to her untutored eyes, had to be some of the finest horses in England.
Engaged in a brisk discussion with Hamish, Harry followed her progress, insensibly buoyed by the awed appreciation he saw in her gaze. On reaching the end of the row, she turned and saw him watching her', her nose rose an inch but she came back, strolling towards him through the suns.h.i.+ne.
”So all's right with entering the mare, then?? Reluctantly, Harry s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Hamish's face.
His head-stableman was also watching Lucinda Babbacombe, not with the appreciation she deserved but with horrified fascination. As she drew nearer, Harry extended his arm; she placed her fingertips upon it without apparent thought.
”Just as long as Thistledown's fetlock's fully healed.”
”Aye.” Hamish bobbed respectfully at Lucinda. ”Seems to be. I told the boy to just let her run--no point marshalling her resources if it's still weak.
A good run's the only way to tell.”
Harry nodded.
”I'll stop by and speak to him myself.” Hamish nodded and effaced himself with the alacrity of a man nervous around females, at least those not equine in nature.
Suppressing a grin, Harry lifted a brow at his companion.
”I thought you agreed not to be distracted by horses?”
The look she bent on him was confidently a.s.sured. ”You shouldn't have brought me to see yours, then.
They are truly the most distractingly beautiful specimens I've ever seen. ”
Harry couldn't suppress his smile.
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