Page 15 of Denying a Rakish Duke
“Good, then you can ride Apollo.”
“Apollo!” John squeaked from the stall in shock, interjecting himself into the conversation.
“Is there something … wrong with this Apollo?” Joseph asked.
“Not at all, Your Grace, unless you are perhaps embellishing just how much you enjoy a challenge?” Vanessa said, hoping to force Joseph to admit that he was not as strong of a rider as he claimed to be. His jaw tensed, and his hands opened and closed anxiously for a moment, but his pride would not allow him to admit defeat.
“Bring me, Apollo,” he said simply. John’s shoulders slumped as he slogged off to the furthest stall toward the back. Vanessa pulled on her gloves and set about positioning herself until she was the picture of elegance. “I am not easily intimidated, Lady Vanessa— you shall learn that quickly about me.”
“I should like to learn nothing about you,” she answered dismissively.
“What a pity because it would only be fair. I am already learning so much about you.”
“I sincerely doubt that you have learned anything aside from all of the ways to annoy me as you do not even seem to understand the most direct comments I make.”
John led a jet-black horse toward the pair; his well-groomed coat was sleek and fine, such a deep shade of black that in spots it almost looked blue. He was frightening in his size, his muscle, and the unbridled wild energy reflected in his coal eyes as the horse seemed to size Joseph up.
“I am deeply sorry, Your Grace, but Apollo is quite young and still very green,” John muttered apologetically. He was not willing to meet the eyes of the Duke, and he did not seem overly eager to meet Vanessa’s eyes either.
“I should expect nothing less,” Joseph said with a final glance over his shoulder to the Lady who was halfway out of the stable already.
Vanessa giggled quietly to herself and petted her hand down Apple’s nose. It was already going to be uncomfortable enough to ride sidesaddle in her dress rather than astride in her father’s saddle and borrowed pants as she preferred … Vanessa did not like to limit herself in that way as she felt that it meant she could not ride as quickly as she otherwise would. However, given the present company that she was being forced to endure, she had to present herself as a Lady in his company.
Joseph trailed a hand along Apollo’s side, thankful that he was already saddled, and swung his leg up and over the beast. Apollo hunched his back, but after a brief power struggle, Joseph managed to get enough control to push Apollo into a trot out of the stable.
“You will have to work a lot harder than that to dissuade me, you know,” Joseph said to Vanessa as he slowed Apollo back to an excited walk next to Apple.
“Yes, I imagine that coaxing a horse towalkis a very difficult task for you. You cannot simply smile at it and flirt your way into his good graces, can you?”
“Is that what you imagine me to do? Flirt and con my way into the affections of those around me? Do you really think so little of me?”
“I should prefer not to think of you at all, but you are making that rather impossible.”
“Then perhaps you can imagine me flirting withyouuntil I am in your good graces as you are so inclined to think of me anyway.”
“What would that accomplish when you seem to be so foolishly set on my sister?” As she spoke them, the words she said so boldly wounded her own pride. Certainly, the Duke was a terrible match for her kind, warm sister … but that should not be enough of a reason for her own feelings to be hurt.
“Should my attentions be set elsewhere?”
“I am certain that you have no shortage of women who are most eager to share your company, Your Grace, and if it is simply the challenge of acquiring something that you are being told that you cannot have, then I shall also encourage you to grow up.” Vanessa sighed. The sound of hoofbeats against the cobbled stone was always something that soothed her, and she took comfort from it now. She used the familiar sound and movement of Apple’s gait to steady her nerves.
“Furthermore, I suppose that I must also say that given our encounter the other evening … it just proves to be that you are a disloyal rake and the worst possible suitor. I know that I cannot stop you from strolling with my family—” she trailed off as the park started to come into view in the distance. An idea started to form in her mind, a last resort so desperate that it just might work. “Perhaps you would be willing to make a wager?”
Joseph wanted to comment on so many parts of what she said but refrained. “What sort of wager?”
“I challenge you to a race, Your Grace. If I should win, then you will give me your word to leave my sister alone. Now and forever. If you win, then I shall … well, I shall not stay out of the way. That would be lunacy.”
“So, if you win, I lose…and if I win…then I still lose?”
Vanessa smiled slowly. “I suppose that depends on your definition of losing; I suppose that if you win, I shall still chaperone you closely … but I will refrain from slipping foul things into your food.”
“Well then, how could I refuse a deal like that?”
Vanessa’s grin spread, and her eyes glinted mischievously. “You cannot, clearly,” she laughed. “I am even giving you an advantage as I have to race sidesaddle in a dress, and you do not. Though, I am willing to bet that I am a stronger rider even with this limitation.”
Joseph smiled, enjoying her challenge. “Ready?”
Vanessa tightened the reins in her hands, hoping that this would distract Joseph long enough for her family to make it around the bend in the path so that they could have some more time.
