His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) (13 page)

Her rosewater scent filled his senses, washing him with a peace he’d never known. His hands grasped her shoulders to bring her even closer, when sanity struck him. He gently pushed her back, holding her until she regained her balance. Watching her face, he waited for her reaction.

Jane pressed her fingertips over her mouth, and as her hands fell, her shoulders went back and she stood like a proud lady of quality. “You still haven’t asked me.”

This time he let the laughter break free, but only briefly. He sobered quickly, his gaze locking onto hers. “My dearest Jane. For so long I have thought of you thus. My Jane. It was your face that faded from my mind when I woke each morning on the Continent, your laughter that rocked me to sleep at night. I fought each battle for you, for our children. And for our grandchildren, that they might all know peace.”

He pressed a kiss into the palm of her hand. “I do not proclaim to be a man worthy of your love. I am merely a man who will strive each day to earn it. I believe I have always loved you. It is my dearest wish, the wish of my heart, to have you as my wife. Please say you are mine.”

Jane swallowed, but stared silently at him. Nausea struck his gut and he feared he’d hurt her so badly upon his return to Cheshire that she would not have him. Hours passed, a lifetime, in the few moments it took for her to draw a breath.

Then she smiled and sunlight broke through the gloom he’d imagined.

“My dearest Stephen, for you always were and always will be my Stephen, each morning while you were away I woke and said a prayer that you’d return safely to me. I promised God to be the best possible wife, if only he’d protect you. I vowed to place your happiness above my own—”

Jane’s voice cracked, and Stephen forgot to breathe. Was she going to turn him down?

“But I found I couldn’t do that. For in these last months as I watched you mourn your parents and recover from your wounds, I have learned something of myself. I cannot place yours above mine, for your happiness is my happiness. Your heart is my heart. And I hope your home will be mine, too. Yes, Stephen. Yes, I will have you. I will be proud to be your wife.”

His vision blurred. He hugged Jane so tightly and pressed another kiss on her lips, finding he couldn’t get enough of her taste, the feel of her in his arms.

A cough from behind them brought his awareness back and he stepped back, unable to stop grinning. He squeezed Jane’s hands in his.

Lady Marwick’s voice came from the doorway. “You see, my dear, you had nothing to concern yourself about.”

Sir Perry stood beside his wife just beyond the parlor door, still wearing his greatcoat and gloves. The heat of embarrassment washed over Stephen and he dropped Jane’s hands. He immediately tried to run his fingers through his hair, only to tangle in the ribbon of the eye patch. “Sir Perry. If I might have a word with you…”

Sir Perry entered and made a beeline for the liquor cabinet. “I believe that’s closing the stable door after the stallion has run free, my boy. The lady in question has had her say. Now we must drink.”

Stephen coughed. “I’d rather not, sir. I’ve developed an aversion for the stuff. I’m certain you understand.”

Lifting the single glass of whisky, Sir Perry chuckled. “Wise choice, son. Wise choice. Then I shall toast you alone. Welcome to the family.”

Excerpt

Enjoy the first chapter of the next book in The Bridgethorpe Brides Series,
The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley
!

April, 1810

Newmarket, Sussex, England

The air held a hint of excitement and promise of a fresh beginning. For David Lumley, the new year began in spring. Not with the first foal in the family stable, but with the Craven Race Meeting in Newmarket, the first official meeting of the year. This was going to be a grand year for Triton, he could feel it. Fernleigh Stud would be the name on everyone’s lips again.

The crowd at the racecourse was as large as David expected. He surveyed the grounds from his position near the judging station. The social Season in London had yet to begin, so the wives of the horse owners were all in attendance at the Craven. From the way they all leaned close to each other and whispered in the coffee house, they were eager to discover the latest
on dits
. David was always astounded when he overheard how much went on in the homes of the
ton
during the winter months. His life seemed thankfully dull in comparison.

He had no desire to listen to gossip, but soon he’d be unable to escape it. He’d promised to escort his sister, Hannah, in her first London Season. In preparation over the winter, Mother had dragged him to afternoon teas and the morning calls she and Hannah made to their neighbors in the village near Bridgethorpe Manor. Dull, precisely timed events where the conversations were by rote up to the moment someone let slip she’d heard
news
. No matter on whom the juicy tidbit focused. All other voices in the room silenced so the speaker’s slightest inflection could be heard.

It was all too much for a man to bear.

David wound through the milling people on his way to the stables. He found his groom, Peter, in the stall with Triton, just completing his work. As the boy gathered his tools, David patted the bay’s shoulder. “How is he this morning?”

“Right as always,” said Peter. “He’s got a bit of the devil in ’im. He’ll be after showing them other horses who’s king.”

“Just as long as he wins. I’m counting on him.”

Peter put the tools into a bag and opened another, removing the carefully folded shirt made in the colors of Fernleigh Stud, the orange body with yellow sleeves. He donned the garment and the black hat that completed the uniform.

David stepped back as the youth saddled the horse and then freed the reins from the iron ring on the side of the stall. Together they led Triton out of the stables and to the examination area. Other grooms and horses milled about in preparation for the race. David glanced at the schedule. “We’re entered in the third race. You’ll have him warmed up?”

“Of course, sir. He’ll be ready to race ’is best, never worry.”

Peter’s cocky grin said his boss always worried, but David didn’t reprimand the lad. Peter was the best groom and rider he’d come across, with a natural knack for understanding what a horse was thinking. He could bring more out of an animal than any of the trainers they’d paid good money to, and the animals seemed calmer around him.

“You see that he does race his best,” David called out with a growl. A useless effort. There was no sense trying to sound more authoritative when Peter knew who paid his wages, and showed due respect when the situation called for it.

Assured his horse was in good hands, David crossed the grounds, nodding and calling greetings to those he recognized. His brother Adam, Viscount Knightwick, should have arrived by now. As he scanned the gathering crowd, his gaze landed on the last face he wanted to see at the Spring Meeting, or any other race event.

Northcotte.

Blast it.
David’s gut knotted at the sight of the man. Ducking behind a pair of gentlemen walking in the earl’s direction, David darted around the corner of a building where he could eavesdrop without being noticed. He peered out into the lane. Robert Hurst, Lord Northcotte, stood with a particularly handsome young lady, and their sharp exchange reached David’s ears.

The young lady folded her arms across her chest, and the tiny, pale blonde ringlets framing her face trembled with tension. “I am going to ride him. No one will know. I’ve trousers in the stable, and I can wear Bruce’s shirt and cap. With my hair tucked up, no one will recognize me.”

Northcotte jerked her arm. “You will not consider it. Do you want to risk everything I’ve left? I’ll find a jockey and Patriot will be entered as planned. You may tell Bruce his services are no longer needed.”

“I’ll do no such thing! That boy needs the wages for his family, and it’s not his fault he is ill. You cannot hire some stranger to ride Patriot. You know he’ll never allow a strange man on his back. I must be the one to ride him or we may as well scratch him from the race.”

“I’ll hear no more of this, Joanna. Go find Mother and let me handle this.”

Northcotte released her arm and strode off toward the stables. The young lady must be his sister, Lady Joanna. She stood for a moment and watched him go, then spun on her heel and stomped off in the opposite direction.

David smiled at her forceful steps in the dirt. She seemed much like Hannah. Stubborn, impulsive, and too daring by half. He chuckled and shook his head. Those qualities could make Hannah’s search for a husband drag on for years. Even her beauty would not compensate for her strong character in the minds of many men. He’d have to make certain Mother didn’t expect his services as chaperone to run beyond one Season.

Northcotte’s sister had to be dicked in the knob to suggest she wear trousers and ride in the race. Northcotte had the right of it—he’d be disqualified, and laughed out of the Jockey Club books, if not actually banned from competing. If Hannah ever dared such a thing, David would have her sent back to Bridgethorpe Manor for the remainder of the racing season.

Shaking his head, he followed the pretty blonde in the direction of the paddock, where he found Knightwick leaning on the upper rail of the fence. Peter and Triton loped around the space, getting warmed up before the races began. The three-year-old horse’s gait was long and even, covering the ground with no effort.

As he reached the fence, David slapped Knightwick on the shoulder. “I believe we have the winning horse this year.”

“You’ve said as much these three years past,” Knightwick replied with a teasing grin.

“But this year I’m right. Triton has the heart of a winner. He loves to be out front. Start him behind the other colts and he’ll run that much faster to best them.”

Knightwick shook his head. “His chest is narrow, he’s willful and as likely to turn in the opposite direction as run the course. We never should have bred his dam. I’m rather surprised she let the Black Knight close enough to cover her.”

“You’re nit-picking. Triton is the horse we’ve been waiting for.”

Neither brother completed the thought aloud…Triton was the horse they were counting on to save their stables after the death of Zephyr, their father’s prize-winning stud, six years ago.

David absently tapped his fingers on the fence rail while observing the other animals circling before them. “Did the trip to London with Mother and Hannah pass uneventfully?”

“Yes. Hannah chattered the entire trip.” Knightwick offered his brother a wry glance. “Rather convenient of you to leave a week early so you couldn’t accompany them.”

David grunted. “I promised Mother I’d arrive in Town in time for Hannah’s first ball, and would attend as many assemblies as I can. But first she must be outfitted, presented in court and all that sort of feminine thing. I’m not going to miss a race meeting this spring, not when I’m so confident in Triton.”

“I’ll wager Mother said you are too much like Father in that.”

Laughing, he agreed. “I ask you, what purpose do I have in London? Mother is there to chaperone. I’ve no wish to see which ladies are on the hunt. Nor do I care to be packed into the crowded assemblies filled with the stench of too many bodies and liberally applied perfumes. I’d much rather be in a stall filled with the more natural scent of
eau de cheval
.”

Knightwick glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “Maybe you’ll find one of those bodies belongs to a lady you wish to know better.”

“Not bloody likely. You have yet to take a bride, and you’re the one with the responsibilities. My only concern is this.” He waved an arm at Triton. “He and Lumley’s Lass will be my primary focus until the final race meeting this year.”

Knightwick made a strangled noise and straightened, staring across the paddock. “What is he doing here?”

Without looking, David knew whom his brother had spotted. “I wondered the same thing. From what I overheard, it appears Northcotte has a horse entered in one of the courses today.”

“Why did the Jockey Club allow him to enter?”

“What reason do they have to block him? No one charged him with anything. He can race any horse he owns, just like the rest of us.”

Rubbing the back of his hand across his mouth, as if wiping away a bad taste, Knightwick said, “I don’t trust him. Tell Peter to stay with Triton at all times, even sleep in the stalls. I’ll go find Nick and make sure he stays with Lass.”

“You can’t think he’d be foolish enough to try anything after the inquiry last year.”

“Someone stole Zephyr six years ago and then killed him, and two of our horses turned up sick last year. I don’t know who is behind it, but we can’t take any chances. We must be on our guard whether Northcotte is at a race meeting or not.”

Lady Joanna Hurst stood at the empty stall where she’d left her three-year-old colt, Patriot, a short while earlier. The groom’s uniform was missing along with her horse. “Robert,” she spat out as if it were a curse. She tossed aside the trousers she’d stolen from her brother’s room at the inn. Robert had followed through on his words and found someone to ride Patriot.