Page 56 of My Secret Duke
Olivia choked as Justina burst out with, “How on earth will you manage that? Grandmama would march in and drag you home.”
“I’d just have to call myself by a different name. The Amazing Robbie! Or the Spectacular Berta!”
Justina and Olivia exchanged looks.
Their companion had been chatting with one of theseamstresses, but now she came to join them. Olivia was relieved to put an end to the conversation. Did Roberta really mean the things she said? It was a horrifying thought, and with the Ashton propensity for scandal, she could see trouble ahead. She imagined her sister riding bareback under a circus tent, and gave a shudder.
“Please don’t mention this to Grandmama,” she said.
Roberta shot her a look, and for a moment, Olivia feared she was going to blurt out her own secret. Her dare with Ivo was all very thrilling, but she didn’t want the whole world to know. Thankfully, Roberta thought better of it and gave a shrug.
“I am far from being a fool, Olivia. One day you will see just how clever I am.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The sun was yet to rise when Ivo set out. As expected, there was nobody of consequence about. A few traders preparing for the day ahead, their shops still in darkness, while servants hurried to the market to fetch breakfast for the household. One inebriated gentleman was zigzagging his way home after a long night out, his stumbling steps almost sending him sprawling onto the cobbles. Ivo’s gray horse, Star, moved restlessly as the gent staggered away, but Ivo controlled him with the ease of long practice. They were both impatient to be getting on with things.
The mist was knee-deep in the park, encircling the tree trunks and giving an eerie feeling to the place. A number of riders exercising their horses passed him, barely giving him a glance. They were grooms from a nearby stable, calling to each other and sharing tales of the night before.
Was she coming? Yesterday, pricked by his conscience, Ivo had sent a note to Olivia, asking if she would rather defer their “arrangement.” It would give her a chance to bow out without losing face. But instead of grabbing hold of his offer with both hands, Olivia had sent him a swift reply that brought a smile to his lips.
Definitely not!
He was glad she was going ahead with the race, even if he was certain to win. Thinking about their dare had made his days brighter, not just distracting him from hisworries about Mystere and Lieutenant Harrison, but giving him hope that feelings between himself and Olivia might deepen. Having her as his friend was a great deal better than not having her at all, but if he was honest, then “friendship” was not what he wanted.
He wanted to see her every day across the breakfast table, and kiss that sulky droop from her lips. He wanted to lie in bed with her and hold her, protect her—yes, sometimes from herself—and live each day with her by his side.
To imagine her marrying the prince or anyone else filled him with an urgent need to win her for himself before it was too late. His heart didn’t appear to be swayed by the obstacles before it. Olivia was perfect for him, and him for her, and if that made him an arrogant ass, then so be it.
Star tossed his head again, whinnying as he sensed another rider approaching. Alert, Ivo spotted movement from the street, although the mist was still thick enough to make it difficult to make anything out. Slowly, one rider appeared, and then another. He did not recognize them at first, but as they drew closer, his eyes widened, and he chuckled.
One of the riders was definitely Olivia dressed in mannish attire. He would know her anywhere, despite the voluminous coat covering her pocket Venus curves, and her hair bundled up under a cap. The other rider was also disguised as a man, but it was only when she lifted her head to meet his gaze that he realized it was Roberta.
Olivia was riding what Ivo called a “plodder.” An old mare who could barely manage a shuffle. Surely she wasn’t intending to race him onthat? He’d reach the finish line before she had barely started. His gaze turned toRoberta’s mount, and he eyed it admiringly. That was more the thing. Was Roberta going to race him instead of her sister? That would be disappointing, but he was willing to be accommodating, since Olivia had come to their rendezvous.
“Ladies!” he greeted them in a cheery voice as they stopped in front of him.
Olivia glanced up, her blue eyes wary. “Northam,” she replied, and self-consciously tucked a loose strand of hair back in place. She darted a nervous glance about her. Was she expecting to see some disapproving members of the ton lined up at the starting line? He wished he could teach her not to care so much about others’ opinions, because she really would be much happier if she did as she pleased and forgot about the so-called rule makers.
“Northam.” Roberta was grinning at him from beneath her own cap, as if they were about to embark on a wonderful adventure. She cast an admiring glance over Star. “Is he fast?” she asked.
“Very.”
“Never mind,” she said, with a quick glance at Olivia. “He can’t be as fast as Arrow.”
Ivo shifted his gaze to Olivia’s animal and raised his eyebrows.
Roberta scoffed. “That’s not Arrow! That’s Mable.”
Olivia glared at both of them and gave the old mare a loving pat. “Shh, she’ll hear you.”
Ivo bit his lip, refraining from asking if a creature that old could hear much at all.
Roberta dismounted with practiced ease, while Olivia dismounted with awkward effort. The two women moved close to confer, and Ivo waited patiently, amused at the sight. A woman rider on a black mare trotted by,and she gave them a curious glance.
“We need to get on,” he said. “We do not want an audience.”
The two sisters exchanged a glance, and then Olivia reluctantly moved away from patient old Mable and came to stand by Arrow. But Roberta had a firm hold of the reins and couldn’t help her sister to mount the much bigger animal. Seeing the problem, Ivo jumped down.
