Page 42 of The Duke of Kisses
“If you fall out, the blame will be entirely mine.”
“As much as I’d like to blame you for something, I will hope that I remain firmly in this seat.”
He stared into her upturned face. “Trust me, Fanny,” he said softly. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
Her eyes lost every bit of their spark. “You are not in a position to say such things.”
The bell sounded.
She elbowed him in the arm. “Go!”
Christ, he’d been so wrapped up in her that he’d paid no attention, and now he was starting late.
Hell and the devil.
Bracing his feet, he picked up the whip and plied the reins, hoping the horses would perform as well as they had yesterday during his practice. With new horseflesh, it was hard to know what to expect.
His opponent was also in a high-perch phaeton, but if the start was any indication, his horses didn’t look as fast as David’s. They approached the first turn. David concentrated on making his arc without losing much speed. “Hold on.”
He didn’t spare the slightest glance for Fanny as he completed the turn just behind the other racer. David’s focus was entirely on driving the horses toward the second and final turn. He wouldn’t have time to overtake the other phaeton before the turn, but if he came through it tight and fast, he could make the pass.
They rounded the bend marked by a small tree, and he felt the phaeton lift just slightly. It was nothing to him, but he heard Fanny swear under her breath.
Grinning, he still didn’t chance a look in her direction. The spring air rushed over him as excitement pulsed in his blood. He worked the reins hard, pushing the horses to overtake the other phaeton. They were so close, but so was the finish. He applied the whip, and the team soared past the other racer and hit the line first.
Exhilaration washed over him as he lifted his whip hand in victory. Laughing, he turned to look at Fanny. She looked a bit…green.
His joy faded. “Fanny, are you all right?”
“I think I may be sick.”
David dropped the whip and jumped down as quickly as he could. He hadn’t even bothered with the step but now pulled it down and helped her to descend. Her foot caught, and she fell forward.
Scrambling to clasp her to him, David lost his balance and went sprawling backward. She landed on top of him, knocking the air from his chest. She pushed at him, but he didn’t want to let her go before making sure she was all right.
However, she was insistent, renewing her efforts to push away from him. “David, if you don’t let me go, I’m going to cast up my accounts all over you.”
“Ware, a hand, please!” He called out to the nearest person he knew.
Ware dashed over and helped Fanny up just as she heaved. A few people gasped as everyone nearby turned to gape at her bent form.
Miss Colton rushed to her side and spoke softly to her.
Fanny held up her hand and a moment later straightened, then smiled widely as if she were the one who’d just won the race. And she may very well have been given the cheers she received.
She laughed and pressed her hands to her cheeks. “That was a little faster than I’d anticipated!”
David went to her and bowed. “My apologies. I do hope you don’t suffer any ill effects.”
“From the race? No, I don’t think I shall.” Her meaning was clear—any ill effects she suffered would be because ofhim.
He hated this. He wanted to reassure her. But of what? “I hope to see you tonight at Almack’s so you can obliterate my feet into the floor.”
She delivered him a saucy stare. “I do not have a voucher to Almack’s, but perhaps Miss Stoke does. Good-bye, my lord.”
“Not good-bye,” he said softly but with great urgency.
She said nothing before she turned and walked away with Miss Colton.
