Page 24 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

Alexander quickly took the lead, his form perfect, his confidence unshakeable. He had always been an excellent equestrian. Where George had spent his childhood before a canvas, Alex had spent his in the stables and on the fields.

George wasn’t too far behind him as he galloped on to catch up. He glanced back and was shocked when he saw Emma a few feet behind him, catching up at an alarmingly fast pace too. She was good. He’d had no idea. Most impressive indeed, he thought.

“You look in shock, Your Grace,” she called out to him, her voice clear and teasing despite the wind.

“You’re probably seeing things, Miss Lovell. A distortion of the wind,” George called back, his tone light yet competitive.

“It wouldn’t hurt to admit that you’re impressed, Your Grace. I’ll keep your secret,” she teased. The wind carried over Olivia’s laughter from behind Emma.

“It seems like I’m getting that wish after all,” Emma caught up to him, her eyes sparkling with determination.

“Firman is leading. Not you,” George pointed out. “And not for long too,” he added, spurring his mount and racing after his friend. But not before he’d caught a look of apprehension on her face. Was she supporting Alexander too? George was not impressed.

The race was most enjoyable despite the outcome of it. It was as he’d expected, however. He’d never been able to beat Alexander at a race after all.

He doesn’t care that he lost. He never has, but something is niggling him. Emma let out a delighted squeal as they finally reined in their horses, her laughter infectious and bright.

“Well done, My Lord!” she praised, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Thank you, Miss Lovell,” Alexander replied, bowing his head slightly. “It was a fine race indeed.”

George dismounted, his eyes still on Emma. “You rode splendidly,” he said, his voice sincere despite the underlying tension he felt.

Emma smiled, her earlier apprehension seemingly gone. “Thank you, Your Grace. It was quite exhilarating.”

George frowned when she turned and smiled at Alexander. In fact, he thought that he’d never seen her quite so excited before. He pushed down something bitter that rose to his throat at the sight of her praising Alexander and congratulating him.

To his surprise, however, his irritation dissolved the moment she met his gaze with a bright grin on her flushed face. He quite liked seeing her smile, he realized.

“That was a worthy match,” he said, feeling a smile take over his own features.

“I never saw a man so pleased by his failure,” she quirked a teasing brow, her eyes dancing with amusement.

“Oh, I failed not, Miss Lovell,” he said, his tone light and playful. “In fact, I gained something,” he added.I gained your smile, he thought to himself.

“Pray tell, what did you gain?” Her curiosity was palpable, and she leaned in slightly, her interest piqued.

“Ah, but if you’d won, I would have answered your question,” he winked. She gave a petulant pout in protest, her lower lip jutting out charmingly. He burst out laughing, unable to contain his amusement.

Alexander and Olivia joined in the laughter.

Although she was the subject of their teasing, Emma laughed with them, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight. George couldn’t be more pleased.

At that moment, he felt a sense of triumph that had nothing to do with the race and everything to do with the joy radiating from Emma.

George found himself inexplicably elated throughout the remainder of the day. He hadn’t been able to stop smiling since their race earlier. Memories of Emma’s smile and the sound of her laughter filled his mind as he went about preparing for dinner.

He was down early and positioned himself in clear view of the drawing room door in anticipation of her arrival to await the announcement for dinner along with the gathered guests. His gaze refused to waver from the door as a number of ladies walked in and out. The clock ticked, and just when he began to despair of her arrival, George heard himself take in a sharp breath. He forgot how to exhale as he watched her walk into the room.

She was dressed in a pale green satin evening dress, and her hair was adorned with a quaint gold and jade tiara. She was a gift of nature, graceful and regal in every movement.

George started toward her, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and admiration. But before he could get to her, Alexander did. George watched with an unpleasant taste in his mouth as his friend kissed her gloved knuckles and asked to escort her to dinner. She blushed and accepted.

George felt his jaw clench.

CHAPTER 11

The sight of Emma blushing under Alexander’s gaze stirred George in all the wrong ways. What was worse was how he couldn’t understand this feeling. Only that it was anything but pleasant. He wished he could remove Emma from Alexander’s arm right now, and any other man who would dare approach her.

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