Page 18 of A Lady's Wager
Corah tied the ribbons of her bonnet under her chin. The gorge could be chilly with breezes off the river, but she hoped the wool lining of her hat would protect her ears from the worst of it. “You seem excited for Gordon to bring the carriage around,” she said. “You sent for it, did you not?”
“Yes, of course I did.” Melinda did not move from her perch.
“I think we will need a bigger sack, Corah,” James said, frowning at the little linen bag she’d given him. “We are going to find cartloads of diamonds.”
She smiled. “I think we’ll manage.” Bristol diamonds weren’t quite that plentiful. The crystals would sit on any flat surface in James’s room for the next seven years until he saw fit to discard them, so she hoped they didn’t find too many. Still, she’d promised to go search with him, and this warm late February day would be the best opportunity. Especially since she might be leaving for London within the month.
Her brother’s hat had fallen to the floor, so she plucked it up and settled it onto his head again. Grandfather hadn’t saidanything about London since Lieutenant Owens started coming around more frequently. He didn’t know the truth that the lieutenant would not be in Bristol much longer. Was it wrong of her to let him hope?
“Ah, there’s the carriage.” Melinda hopped up, beaming, and rushed for the door.
“You are entirely too anxious to get us out of the house,” Corah said as James scampered after their cousin with equal energy. What could Melinda be playing at? Did she have a gentleman coming? What a silly idea. She wouldn’t have been able to keep such a secret from anyone.
“Where’s the carriage?” James asked as he bounded down the steps. “I don’t see it.”
Corah squinted as she followed. “Melinda, have you lost your…”
A phaeton pulled by a fine grey horse rolled toward them, not from the direction of the carriage house but the main road. The lone occupant wore a smart felt hat with black cockade.
Melinda giggled and hopped from one foot to the other. “You haven’t fulfilled your wager yet, and Miss Whiting keeps asking me every time I see her.”
Lieutenant Owens pulled back on the reins, slowing the phaeton. Corah tried to scowl at her cousin but failed miserably. “This is complete and utter cheating.”
“It’s just a stupid wager anyway. That’s what you always say.”
A day at Avon Gorge with the lieutenant all to herself. Well, the lieutenant and James. Had Grandfather agreed to such a young chaperone?
As though guessing her thoughts, Melinda leaned in and whispered, “Grandfather sent him the note, so it was half his idea.”
“He hates phaetons. How did you manage to get him to agree to this?” Ever since a well-known poet died being thrown from aphaeton in Bath a few years previous, Grandfather had strongly disliked the vehicles. Not to mention Melinda was terrified of him. How had she found the courage to present this plan?
“I convinced him this was just the thing to secure the lieutenant’s affections.”
Corah frowned. “You are saying he cares for my marriage more than for my safety now?” Hewasdesperate for her to find someone she liked.
Lieutenant Owens sprang from the phaeton before Melinda could respond. “Miss Bradford, I’m delighted to see you this morning.” He couldn’t be more delighted than she. With a nod to Melinda, he took Corah’s hand and placed a quick kiss on her knuckles that sent all confusion at her grandfather’s acceptance tumbling out of her head. “Are you ready?”
More than he knew. “I am always ready to find rocks with little boys.” And gentlemen who teased like little boys.
“Little boys. Ha!” Lieutenant Owens put his hands on his hips, giving James a look of displeasure. “Did you hear what she called us?”
She hunched her shoulders. “Of course I didn’t mean—”
“I think we shall have to prove our merit as men and diamond hunters this morning.” He caught James under the arms and swung the slender seven-year-old toward the carriage. She blushed. The lieutenant hardly needed to prove his merit as a man. Richard had sung his praises in every letter—his bravery in battle, his kindness to the midshipmen, his joking to lift the morale of all the officers when times were bleak.
“Corah doesn’t think we’ll find many diamonds,” James said as the lieutenant helped him onto the seat on the back of the phaeton.
Lieutenant Owens planted his elbow on the seat and rested his chin on his hand, locking gazes with her brother. “Corah should not underestimate our capabilities, should she?”
A thrill coursed through her at the sound of her name on his lips. Melinda covered her mouth, eyes wide, and Corah willed her to control her emotions before he turned back around. He’d never used her given name, but then they’d always been in large company since the afternoon in the library.
He ruffled James’s cap and turned. “Shall we?” He extended his hand toward her. She took it, and he handed her into the phaeton. “Good day to you, Miss Lee.” When he’d settled in beside Corah and taken the reins, she had to keep her gloved hands clasped in her lap to prevent herself from looping her arm through his. She had to take care with James about.
Lieutenant Owens turned the phaeton around and set the horse off at a brisk pace toward the main road. Cool air kissed her cheeks as they quickly passed the bare trees lining the lane. James hummed a merry tune, legs swinging.
“So it is Corah now, is it?” She cocked her head.
A slow smile spread over his lips. “I am terribly sorry. I suppose I was so used to young Bradford calling you by your given name that when James did it, I slipped.”
