Page 23 of The Duke of Distraction
“I’ll help usher people toward the starting area,” Dart said.“My grooms are tending to the vehicles and horses.”
In truth, it was a better situation than the park—they had staff, a larger platform for Felix and the spectators built by Dartford’s retainers, and, of course, a picnic.Felix climbed onto the platform, and a footman handed him the horn to amplify his voice.“Thank you,” Felix said before lifting the horn to his mouth.“Welcome to the exciting conclusion of our races!First up is the men’s heat, followed by the exciting women’s final race!”
Felix waited for the applause to diminish before continuing.“Drivers, report to your vehicles.We will begin shortly.I invite spectators to watch from the picnic area, or if you’d like to join me on the platform, please do so.”
Several guests, mostly gentlemen, joined him on the platform.He noted that Sarah remained in the picnic area along with Beck and Lavinia.And Mr.Fielding.He’d joined them and now sat beside Sarah.They seemed to be laughing about something.How interesting.
Felix’s mind reverted to thinking of kissing games.By God, he’d make sure Sarah received a kiss at this party—even if he had to do it himself.
He froze for a moment.Would he do that?Of course not.She was…Sarah.
Shaking his head, Felix focused on the impending race and made another announcement for the drivers to position themselves.
Because the Earl of St.Ives was still out of town, there would be two men’s races—one with three vehicles and the other with two.The top two finishers in the three-way, along with the winner of the two-way, would move on to the men’s semifinal tomorrow morning, with the top two finishers of that race moving on to the final in the afternoon.
The first race was between Mr.Wakeham and Lord Ponsford.Felix asked the footman for the bell, then called for the race to start before firing it into the air.Ponsford should have won easily, but it was close.In the end, Wakeham beat him by half a length.A gleeful cry from the picnic area drew Felix to turn his head.
Sarah was on her feet with her hands clasped together in front of her chest.Even from this distance, he could see the triumph on her face.She’d wagered on Wakeham, and she’d just made a tidy sum.Well done, her.
She turned toward Fielding, who edged closer and said something next to her ear that provoked her to laugh.Felix frowned.She’d said she wasn’t terribly interested in Fielding.Felix hoped he wasn’t being a nuisance.
He didn’t seem to be, if Sarah’s smile was any indication.Felix would keep an eye on the man.
“The next race is set, my lord,” the footman said from the ground in front of Felix.
Felix nodded and announced the race would start in a moment.
“So glad you put this together, Ware,” Oliver Sherington said.He was one of the bachelors Felix had invited.He didn’t frequent many balls or go to Almack’s.He was young and possessed a sporting nature.As well as a decent-sized fortune.What he lacked in title, he made up for with investments.Though from what Anthony had said, Felix wasn’t sure a title was necessary.It seemed the Coltons simply wanted their daughterwed.
“Hear, hear,” Sir Rupert Ashburnham said.Another bachelor, he was actually a widower and a few years older than Felix.He had two small children and was actively seeking a wife.Felix wasn’t sure if he and Sarah had met, but Sir Rupert was always exceedingly well-dressed, and Felix wondered if they might find a common interest in fashion.
Good God, hehadbecome a matchmaker.
Eager to empty his head of such thoughts, he brought the horn to his lips and told the racers—Dart, Baron Tyrrell, and Mr.Redmond—to prepare.A moment later, he called the start and rang the bell, which the footman had reloaded.
Dart took an early lead, which Tyrrell and Redmond couldn’t manage to overcome.But the finish between the two of them was incredibly close, with Tyrrell beating Redmond across the line by perhaps a foot.In fact, the two drivers were arguing at the finish line, with Dart trying to keep the peace.
Around Felix, spectators were voicing their opinions.To a one, they declared Tyrrell the winner.Felix lifted the horn and announced, “From the platform, it is clear Tyrrell crossed the line first.He and Dartford will advance to tomorrow morning’s semifinal.Redmond, there’s a glass of whisky waiting for you in the picnic area.”
The last was greeted with cheers, and one of the men around Felix clapped him on the back.Felix called for Lady Dartford and Lady Exeby to ready themselves for the final race of the day.
A palpable excitement settled over the crowd, and nearly everyone in the picnic area moved closer to view the race.
Anthony joined Felix on the platform, cutting through the other gentlemen to stand at his side.“Exciting day!Should be a rousing party later, even without kissing games.”He kept his voice low for the last bit.
“Perhaps you should stay upstairs?”Felix suggested.
“I’m just not sure you need them,” Anthony said.“Sarah seems quite cozy with Mr.Fielding.He’s a rather pleasant fellow.I haven’t seen her laugh like that with any gentleman.Save you, but you don’t count.”
No, he didn’t.Felix scanned for Sarah and found her standing near the platform next to Fielding.Perhaps Felix’s matchmaking would be over before it even began.
He turned back to the race and announced for the drivers to get ready.“This is the championship!”
“What do they win?”someone yelled.
“The right to brag and the eternal adoration of everyone here.Save perhaps the drivers they defeated on their road to victory.”Felix accepted the bell from the footman.
Laughter filled the air, and Felix waited for it to quiet before he shouted, “Ready, drivers.Go!”He sounded the bell, and the vehicles surged forward.
