Page 100 of Lessons for Marquesses
Her aunt’s eyes glassed over. Georgiana kissed her cheek because it was expected and marched toward the tent.
Oliver dropped a piece of roast at his feet upon seeing her gown. “Good God!”
“What a lovely color,” Caroline enthused. “It suits you well.”
Julian wound about her with his quizzing glass. “I never knew a rose bush could toss up their accounts.”
Anthony offered Georgiana a glass. “Lady Tufton, you’ve done well. Mr. Wolf’s the bee and Ana’s the blossom.”
Fitzwilliam raised his spirits in a toast. “To pollination.”
“Huzzah!”
“Cheers!”
“To nature!”
Caroline fumed.
Mr. Wolf took Georgiana’s arm and led her to the starting line. “Many women would not have the courage, and yet on you, it only serves you better.”
“Well. When one is not attractive, one can only go up.”
A huff blew from his lips.
Stepping away, she extended her hand. He shook it vigorously and kept holding it. “George?—”
“May the best man win.” She yanked her hand free and departed for Minion who immediately side-stepped her with a horrified stare at her skirts.
“It’s me, Minny.”
Her mare was not so sure. While Palliard allowed Mr. Wolf to mount him, Minion displayed her lack of discipline. Actually, Georgiana’s inability to train her properly.
Georgiana brought Minion’s head back to gaze into her eyes. “Please, Minny. My pride requires this.”
Minion swung her hind end away as Georgiana checked the saddle girth.
She peered over her shoulder where Mr. Wolf waited. “Charlie, please hold her for me.”
With Charlie at the bridle, Georgiana slipped a boot in the stirrup. As she pressed up, Minion sprang to the side. Hampered by her skirts, Georgiana was forced to grab her mane and heave across the saddle to stay on. Pure delight for the spectators.
“Georgie, you have to straddle the horse,” Julian called out. “The other way.”
Caroline’s feminine laughter floated between the others’ guffaws.
Pride hanging on for dear life, she managed to bring her leg around and settle in the saddle. There was a collective murmur when she threw her skirts behind her and aimed her mare for the starting post.
Suddenly, her mare was focused on the race and Julian standing with a handkerchief held high. Minion twitched, ready to spring from the line. Georgiana held her fast. While she did, Mr. Wolf came from behind, his bare knees hugging Palliard’s flank.
“Remember, George. This is about learning.” He studied the clouds starting to spit rain.
Yes, they were heading into a downpour.
He drew closer to Minion’s right. Minion pulled at the bit. To add to Minion’s discomfort, Mr. Wolf allowed Palliard to sniff her.
Her mare spun right. Georgiana drew her back before she could take a chunk out of Palliard’s neck. Her mare switched left, the end of the reins catching her short. She reared. The handkerchief was thrown down. Palliard jumped ahead.
Minion was a disaster. If Georgiana released her, her mare would aim for the stallion’s rump and make a meal out of it, so she urged Minion around in a tight circle, head down, as Mr. Wolf had shown her. The tactic was not meant to be used at the start of a race, but what else could she do?
