Page 517 of From Rakes to Riches

Uncertainty…

But possibly ayestoo.

And he knew.

He wouldn’t.

Not now…

Possibly not ever.

So, he took the most difficult step of his life—and stepped backward.

She blinked, as if released from a spell.

And now he was only more curious about this lad turned lass.

As Julian had said, there was a story there.

And Rake understood—if he revealed that he knew her for a woman and demanded her story, he would never get an answer.

She would flee—and he would never see her again.

So, he spoke the only sensible words he possibly could in this impossible moment. “You may go.”

A befuddled second ticked past before she pivoted on her heel and fled without another word. Rake watched her and her fetching bottom disappear around a corner.

He snorted, though there was nothing funny about it.

Thewhyquestion marched into the void she’d left behind.

Why was she masquerading as a lad?

What was her story?

What if the answer were as simple as she was playing the lad so she could be employed at a stable? That could be all there was to it. She simply loved horses and wanted to work with them, and women weren’t allowed such an occupation. So, she’d disguised herself as a lad to get what she wanted.

He could admire the gumption, if not the deception.

Rake readied himself for his ride to London and found himself wanting to believe this scenario.But…

The world of horseracing was a competitive one, and other scenarios wasted no time in presenting themselves as possibilities—one a strong contender.

She could be a tout for the Ring.

In other words, a spy.

And he despised spies.

With these possibilities in play, he knew he’d done right in keeping his newfound knowledge to himself.

Until he discovered her game.

That was the logical approach.

Yet a feeling that had naught to do with logic presented a potential difficulty.

Desire.

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