Page 41 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
He was glad. He’d been able to approximate the size of her head after cupping it the other night. Bloody hell, why was he thinking of that right now? He glanced at her, wondering if she’d thought of their…interludeat all.
He’d actually spent far more time contemplating it than he ought, which should have been not at all, largely due to his efforts to banish the other episode from that night from his mind. So far, reliving Miss Parnell’s delicious kisses had proved an excellent diversion from the ghosts of his past.
She stopped and looked around. “Where is Harcourt?”
“He and the other racer, Lord Edgecombe, have already gone to the start. This is where they’ll finish.”
She looked at him, her hazel eyes widening. “Edgecombe?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
“I do,” she said softly.
A sliver of jealousy needled into Andrew’s chest. “How well?”
She shrugged. “Not terribly. We danced at Lady Colne’s ball. Thanks to your attention, I was besieged with more dance partners than I knew what to do with. It was most taxing.”
He laughed as the jealousy he’d felt slipped away. “I won’t burden you again.”
“What youshoulddo, actually, is dance with my friend Miss Aquilla Knox. She could use the attention. She wants to marry, and she’ll make an excellent wife.”
“I have no plans to attend another ball anytime soon, but if I do, I shall make a point of it.”
She looked at him with open appreciation. “Thank you.”
“Last call for wagers!” Nevins’s shout pulled Andrew from the intoxicating depths of Miss Parnell’s eyes.
“Come.” Andrew introduced her to Nevins and a few other gentlemen. She’d become quite good at adopting more masculine mannerisms—she held her shoulders a bit higher and walked with a longer stride. It had to be exhausting.
They went to stand just off the track as they waited for the race to start.
Beaumont leaned toward Miss Parnell. “Once, a gentleman lost control of his horses, and we had to scatter like rats in daylight.” He laughed. “Damn near knocked us all down.”
She shot Andrew a concerned glance. He subtly shook his head in response. They’d be fine. He’d keep a close eye on things. He always did, but he was especially alert today with her here.
The race began. They could see Edgecombe and Harcourt across the park. Edgecombe started off much better than he usually did, and for a brief moment, Andrew worried that he’d given her bad advice. But Harcourt quickly overtook him, and in the end, it wasn’t much of a contest.
Harcourt crossed the finish line amidst cheers, and Edgecombe received a similar welcome a few moments later. They steered their vehicles off to the side. The next racers were already queued at the starting line.
Edgecombe climbed down from his perch and shook his head. “I thought I had it for a moment there.” He was always a good-natured sport. He gestured toward Andrew’s phaeton. “You’re not racing today?” All the racers typically left their vehicles near the starting area.
“Not today.”
“That’s too bad. Always easy money when you race.” He chuckled, and his gaze fell on Miss Parnell. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Andrew moved closer to her. “Allow me to present Davis Smith. Smitty, this is Edgecombe.”
She offered her hand, and Andrew could see the strength with which she gripped the other man. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Indeed.” Edgecombe’s eyes squinted slightly, and Andrew didn’t like his scrutiny.
Andrew nudged Miss Parnell. “Time to make our next wager.” He nodded at Edgecombe as they passed by him. “I didn’t care for the way he was studying you,” he whispered.
“I don’t think he recognized me.”
“Still, I think it’s wise if you steered clear of him.”
“Probably.”
