Page 46 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Nice pair you have.”
“Thank you. The bays are high-stepping and will promenade. These aren’t the best for racing.”
“Surely a better use for them here in the park, much more promenading certainly, than racing.”
“Yes, and if I really want to race, I can borrow Lord Fellon’s racing horses.”
Andrew nodded.
Right when he resigned himself to having to make mindless conversation with this man for the entirety of the ride, Lord Wessex surprised him by beginning a conversation with Miss Penny.
“So, your first time in London?”
Her responding giggle also surprised Andrew as he’d never heard her giggle, ever, not in all his years of knowing her as a girl.
His gaze caught Charity’s, and for a moment their circumstances were forgotten and the look of disbelief at the growing flirtation between Lord Wessex and Miss Penny gifted them with solidarity.
Then when Lord Wessex adjusted his arm so that it would more easily fit along the back of their bench, around Miss Penny, Andrew snorted and leaned forward.
Charity did the same.
For a moment, their shared glance spoke many things that neither could voice. “Are you well?” he at last asked.
She almost nodded but then shook her head. The pain that rushed into her expression was too much for him and obviously for her because she looked away.
Their moment lost, he shifted his wedged self again, attempting some form of comfort. And then Miss Penny laughed out loud with an accompanying hiccup. “You are so funny. Lord Wessex, I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in ages.”
And Andrew had had enough. More for Charity’s sake than his own, he tapped the man on the knee, reaching for the reins. “Might I have a go?”
“Oh, certainly.” He handed over the reins, and Andrew winked at Charity before a sharp snap with them on the horses’ backs gave him great satisfaction. They leapt forward, causing a sharp scream from Miss Penny and a “Whoa, man what are you thinking?” from Lord Wessex.
“Come now, man. A little diversion is needed, don’t you think?” The dare in his face silenced Lord Wessex, and the man’s attention was diverted from Miss Penny to more acutely watching the paths to their front.
The horses’ pace quickened again, and Andrew led them to rarely used paths. They flew along hedgerows, and then out across an expansive green, until he circled back toward the more populated parts of the park and slowed the horses again.
“Exhilarating.” He grinned. “Thank you for the ride, Lord Wessex. This is where Miss Penny and I must descend. Unfortunately.”
“Oh yes, certainly.” Lord Wessex stopped the horses altogether and then Andrew leapt down, helping Miss Penny after.
Charity did not meet his gaze from her now-roomy spot on the phaeton, but her lips battled a smile and for that, the outing was worth his time.
After watching them move forward and away for a brief moment, he offered his arm to Miss Penny. “That was something.”
“Yes, it was.” She said little, and when he began to suspect she might keep her lips tightly locked for the remainder of their walk, he cleared his throat. “You were friendly with Lord Wessex.”
“Oh? He’s a friendly type of person, isn’t he?” Her cheeks colored a bit.
“And Auggie?”
Then she paled and looked away, her breath catching. “Must you persist in bringing him up?”
“Mustn’t I?”
“I don’t see how he signifies at all in any of our conversations.”
“Except that he’s your love…or is he?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
