“I confess I am not hungry,” I said as my horse lipped at some of the fallen leaves, patiently awaiting our decision.
Hugh brought his horse around to face the group. “Neither am I, but Mother will be furious if we are late for dinner, though that might make tonight’s meal a good deal more amusing, for she shall try to hide it.”
Lady Ellen frowned. “My mother would be upset as well. They have no sympathy for our enjoyment.”
“It is settled, then.” Lord Aberdeen looked relieved and quickly urged his horse toward the castle.
I gently tugged the reins to the left, urging my horse to follow. Watching Lord Aberdeen ride so slowly and with his back so stiff pained me. Even the horse seemed disappointed at the slow pace of his rider. And etiquette demanded I match his speed. I stifled a groan of frustration, hating that a pleasure I loved so dearly and was so often denied should be squandered.
A wild urge struck me. “Let’s race.” I looked back, anxious to convince Hugh and Lady Ellen of the necessity of my idea.
“Juliet,” Hugh warned.
“Oh, please, these hills are perfect.” I turned to Lady Ellen, whom I suspected might be more sympathetic to my cause. “The matrons may determine what time we appear for dinner, but certainly we shall not let them dictate the manner of our arrival.” Despite the recklessness of my words, I determined Aunt Agnes would not learn of this escapade.
Lady Ellen grinned. “No, we shall not. A race, then. Shall we put a wager on it?”
I nodded with enthusiasm. Lord Aberdeen looked bewildered, and Hugh just shook his head, laughing.
Lady Ellen pursed her lips together as she formulated a proposal. “What about this? The last one to the stables must sit by my brother in the drawing room this evening, should he grace us with his presence.”
A look of terror crossed Lord Aberdeen’s face, and I almost laughed aloud.
“I am game,” Hugh said, gathering the reins.
“As am I.” I smoothed Buttermilk’s tawny mane, hoping he wouldn’t let me down. So far he had responded to my every whim.
Before Lord Aberdeen could mount a protest, Lady Ellen shouted, “Go!”
I was off at once, for I’d been ready, anxious to give Buttermilk his head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lord Aberdeen falter for a moment, his horse stilted by his stiff posture, and Lady Ellen and Hugh rode past him. It appeared the race would be only among the three of us. I pushed my foot into my horse’s side, wanting to get as great a lead as possible. The hillside thundered with the pounding of hooves.
I leaned down over my horse as we gained speed, just paces ahead of the other two competitors. The wind tangled the loose tendrils of my hair and chilled my lungs, but I smiled, enjoying the exhilaration of the competition.
“I am gaining on you, Miss Graham!” Lady Ellen yelled; she was closer than I thought.
“And I am gaining on you, Lady Ellen!” Hugh called from a little farther back.
We were about halfway back to the stables when we began the incline that led up to the castle. Though my horse had proven adequate up until now, once we began the ascent, I could immediately tell that the other two horses were better bred, for Buttermilk’s pace slowed considerably. I grunted in frustration as Lady Ellen drew even with me and then pulled ahead. A moment later, Hugh did the same.
No matter how I tried to encourage Buttermilk, he kept a steady pace, refusing to heed my pleas for speed as we crested the hill. If Harry were here, I knew he’d find my situation—and my frustration—quite amusing. By the time I arrived at the stables, Hugh and Lady Ellen had already dismounted.
“Ah, Juliet. How nice of you to join us,” Hugh teased, his cheeks chapped and his eyes bright. Lady Ellen gave him an appreciative glance.
A groom approached, and I let him help me down and lead Buttermilk away. I gave the horse’s rump a gentle whack to show my disapproval. “I demand another horse the next time we race.”
Lady Ellen laughed.
“You knew!” I accused her. “You knew and didn’t say anything!”
“Hugh told me you were inexperienced, and Buttermilk is the steadiest horse we have.”
“Steadily slow,” I said under my breath, whirling to confront Hugh. “Inexperienced?”
He held up his hands in protest. “It was just a bit of fun. Be a sport.”
I shook my head, turning back to Lady Ellen. “And after what I confided in you this morning! You should never have believed him.”
“Ah, I see,” Hugh said. “The ladies have been talking behind my back.”
Lady Ellen’s mouth twitched, but she kept her gaze on me. “In my defense, I certainly did not know we would be racing.” Her blue eyes sparkled from the exercise.
I took a deep breath and smoothed my riding habit. “At least Buttermilk had the decency to help me beat Lord Aberdeen.”
Hugh lifted a hand and waved, still chuckling. “Here he comes now.”
“I admit I feel a little sorry,” Lady Ellen said as she straightened her hat. “I knew he would come in last, and it only made me enjoy the race all the more. It is hard to imagine which of the gentlemen will have a harder time of it this evening.”
I shook my head, laughing despite myself. “Perhaps you and Hugh deserve one another.”
Lord Aberdeen rode up, jostling horribly from side to side and looking quite winded for the slow pace he’d taken. I held back a laugh.
Hugh extended his arm to escort Lady Ellen inside, and she motioned for us to follow. “Come. Dinner—and our mothers—await.”
That evening I sat near Lady Ellen as the men filed into the drawing room. Hugh came in and took a seat beside us, and we all shared discreet looks as the duke took a seat
