Page 3 of The Duke of Distraction
After the ladies departed, Lavinia blinked at Felix.“Did anyone other than me complain?”
“Actually, someone else did,” Felix admitted.“Though in his case, I’m not sure his passenger had anything to do with his loss.”
“Well, Beck was entirely the reason for mine.”Lavinia slid her husband a heated glance.“Very distracting,” she murmured.
Beck inclined his head in apology that seemed to somehow be lacking in remorse.
Anthony looked to Sarah.“I see you were placing wagers again.Do Mother and Father know you’re doing that?”
Sarah gave him a dark stare.“What do you think?You’d better not tell them either.”
Anthony chuckled.“I wouldn’t dare.But I must ask what you’re going to do with all your winnings.Seems as though you’ve been rather lucky the last two weeks.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” she said primly.
“Your sister’s got an eye for winners,” Felix said, his green eyes sparkling in the warm sunlight.He winked at Sarah, and she nodded in appreciation.
“It’s a shame St.Ives forfeited,” Sarah said.
Felix nodded.“He told me last night at the club, and I did try to convince him to stay.”
“Is he going to Yorkshire?”Lavinia asked.
“He didn’t say,” Felix said with a touch of apology to his tone.“Nor did I ask.”
Lavinia shook her head.“You men are terrible at gathering information.”
“We aren’t gossips,” Anthony said with a laugh.
“It isn’t gossip.We’re all friends.We share information.”Lavinia briefly pursed her lips.“Or at least, we should.”
Sarah blinked at Lavinia, who hadn’t always shared all the information regarding her and Beck.Lavinia seemed to comprehend Sarah’s silent communication as her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink and she muttered, “Never mind.It’s none of our business.”
It wasn’t, but like Lavinia, Sarah cared about their friend Fanny and hoped that she and St.Ives would find their way to a happily ever after.
Then that would just leave Sarah alone.
“Time to get started,” Felix said.He lifted the horn to his mouth and announced the first women’s race, featuring their friend Lucy and Mrs.Jermyn.
The track was shaped like a three-sided box with sharp corners that required expert turning.The course had been lengthened after the first week, which had more resembled a U.It took skill and nerve—two things Sarah lacked when it came to racing a vehicle.She could ride a horse as if she was escaping a fire, but driving was something she preferred at a sedate and orderly pace.
Lucy and Mrs.Jermyn positioned themselves at the starting line, which was to the right.Felix’s platform was in the center of the open side of the three-sided box course.He could view the entire track and call out a commentary as it progressed.
Anthony handed him a bell, which Felix rang loudly to signify the start of the race.
Sarah held her breath as the two phaetons lurched forward.Mrs.Jermyn took the lead as they headed toward the first turn.Lucy was devastatingly efficient on the turns, and this time was no different.Though she was on the outside, she took it at a faster pace and was able to drive abreast of Mrs.Jermyn on the straight track as they raced to the second turn.
“The Duchess of Daring is poised to take the lead.Mrs.Jermyn will need to make up some time on this next turn,” Felix yelled through the horn.
The spectators were gathered in the center of the three-sided box, with most of them standing near the finish.Lucy’s husband, the Earl of Dartford and the owner of the nickname, the Duke of Daring, couldn’t seem to stand still as he watched his wife take the second turn.As with the first, she was faster and this time leapt out ahead as they sped toward the finish.
In the end, it wasn’t terribly close as Lucy crossed the line first.
“And we have our first participant in the women’s championship,” Felix called.“The Countess of Dartford!”
The cheers were loud and boisterous, and Sarah joined in.She mentally calculated her winnings.If she could win the Wakeham race, she’d have what she needed.
Sarah and Lavinia went to congratulate Lucy, whom they knew—she was a close friend of their friend Fanny’s sister.The countess was overjoyed, and the pride shining on her husband’s face was nearly as bright as the sun.
