Page 35 of The Duke of Kisses
Chapter 6
The day of the race was pleasant but cloudy, and every so often, a stiff breeze picked up and shook the trees. It also made the ribbons on Fanny’s bonnet tickle her face.
Lavinia was playing chaperone for both Fanny and Sarah, which seemed a bit laughable since just a month or so before, they’d all needed chaperones. Lavinia’s marriage had made her suddenly responsible. Or something like that. Society’s rules were absurd.
They’d squeezed themselves into Lavinia’s curricle. Her groom and, more importantly, her husband were riding behind them.
“Have you been practicing for the race?” Sarah asked Lavinia.
“A bit. Beck has been teaching me how to turn at a higher speed than I normally would.” She glanced over at them, her brow creased. “It’s much more difficult than you’d think.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Fanny said. “I think it sounds terribly challenging. But then I’d expect to topple the thing over.”
They laughed, but Fanny hadn’t been joking. Sometimes her clumsiness, though typically harmless, was rather frustrating.
Lavinia cast her a sidelong glance. “Are you hoping to see St. Ives today?”
“Always,” Sarah answered with a laugh.
Fanny had gone walking in the park the past two mornings at varying hours in the hope of seeing him. At least she knew he’d be at the races today. Or so she believed. It seemed Fate wasn’t always interested in ensuring their paths crossed, and yet how else could one explain the way they’d met?
Fanny decided to ignore the topic of David altogether. She was looking forward to spending time with her friends and cheering Lavinia. She wouldn’t pin her hopes on seeing David. “Will there be wagering today?”
Lavinia drove them into the park. “Beck thinks so.”
“Well, they’d better allow women to wager too,” Sarah said with a sniff. “I brought money.” She picked up her reticule and shook it.
Lavinia narrowed her eyes. “If we’re driving, we’re wagering.” And if Lavinia put her mind to it, there would be no question. She possessed an indomitable force of will.
Several people were already congregated with their vehicles. It was just past noon, and Felix was directing the spreading of blankets and placement of hampers. “Did Felix arrange for food?” Fanny asked.
“Felix arranges for everything,” Sarah said. “He’s the consummate host. It’s a wonder he doesn’t host his own ball.”
“Doesn’t he need a wife for that?” Fanny asked.
Sarah waved her hand. “Not according to Felix. He doesn’t need a wife foranything.”
Lavinia coughed. “I would beg to differ…” They laughed as her meaning was clear—at least to Fanny.
And apparently to Sarah too, for she said, “I’m fairly certain he doesn’t even need a wife forthat. Rumor says he doesn’t want for female companionship.”
After parking the curricle, Lavinia’s groom helped Sarah and Fanny to descend, while Beck assisted his wife. Fanny noted the way his hands lingered on her waist as well as how close they stood together. She turned her head to scan the people gathered, searching for David. Sarah had been right. She was always looking for him.
And there he was, driving his sparkling new phaeton. He barely drew to a stop before he was swarmed with people fawning over his vehicle. Probably over him too. He was new to town and an earl, which made him infinitely interesting to a Society that feasted on information and gossip.
Though she was eager to go see him, Fanny stayed with her friends, which prompted Sarah to ask why she wasn’t going over to him.
“He looks rather busy,” Fanny said.
“And yet do you see how he’s looking around?” Sarah was right again. His gaze sifted through the crowd until it landed on Fanny. Even at this distance, she detected the faint smile teasing his lips, and her heart missed a beat.
The Earl of Dartford drove up next in his flashy high-perch phaeton, passing by them to park next to David. He carefully helped Lucy, his countess, down.
“I didn’t realize he’d emblazoned ‘Daring’ on the back,” Sarah said with a laugh. He was still called the Duke of Daring, which referred to his adventurous activities.
“I wonder if Ivy has seen it,” Fanny mused since Lucy was one of Ivy’s closest friends. “Let’s go take a look.” That would distract her from David.
She and Sarah linked arms and went to where the Dartfords stood next to the vehicle. Several others had come over to speak with them, but Lucy immediately broke away to greet Fanny and Sarah. “Have you come to watch?” she asked brightly.
