Page 54 of My Secret Duke
Roberta looked smug. “And if anyone can teach you, it is me,” she agreed. “Now, let’s have a look at your seat again. Astride this time.”
Once Roberta had removed the offending saddle, Olivia climbed back onto Mable with a groan. She swung her leg over the mare’s wide flank, feeling uncomfortable and looking disheveled, and tried to pretend she knew what she was doing. Her sister didn’t appear to be impressed.
“Where is this race taking place?” Roberta asked as she arranged Olivia’s foot more securely in the stirrup.
“Hyde Park. We are racing along Rotten Row.”
Roberta stared up at her, shocked into silence. But it didn’t last for long. A laugh bubbled out of her, and sheclamped a hand over her mouth. Her words were muffled. “But… that’s more than a mile! Won’t people see you?”
“I’m hardly going as Lady Godiva. It will be at five o’clock in the morning, before anyone is about, and I will be in disguise.”
“Oh… well…” Roberta chewed on her lip. “I’m not sure that makes it all right, Olivia. Do you really think that is correct behavior?”
Roberta was definitely being sarcastic, repeating her sister’s words back to her. She was no doubt remembering those many times recently when Olivia had told her off for behaving improperly.
“Of course it is not correct behavior,” she hissed. “But the important thing is, no one will know. Unless you decide to tell them, that is. Will you?”
Instead of replying to the question, Roberta gave a huge sigh of relief. “I thought you were set on being a model of respectability! It was so boring. No one could ever live up to those exacting standards, Olivia. I’m so glad you’re back to your normal self again.”
Olivia narrowed her eyes. This wasn’t the first time she’d been told she’d turned into a stickler for the rules. Had she really been such a pain? She had certainly been wretched while she was trying to be Miss Perfect in order to secure Prince Nikolai’s hand. It had been exhausting. Although she still felt the need to help her sisters, to make their lives better, she kept reminding herself that they had Gabriel and Vivienne now. She really didn’t have to play the martyr.
Another thought occurred to her, and she madeher voice stern. “Don’t think for a moment you can do something like this… this race. You will be sent back to Grantham forever.”
Roberta tossed her head. “I’m not a fool. I know I must behave myself until I’m properly out. I have plans too, Olivia. You’re not the only one.”
Olivia wanted to ask questions, but she was afraid of Roberta’s answers. Sometimes her sister was a mystery to her, and perhaps it was better that way.
They carried on with the lesson. Olivia urged Mable to walk around the stable, making use of the reins and the muscles in her thighs to turn the tranquil old mare. After a time, she got the hang of it, and even Roberta stopped finding fault. This wasn’t nearly as difficult as she had feared, and by the time they finished, she was feeling quite cocksure.
Roberta removed the saddle, saying over her shoulder, “Next we need to practice cantering, and after that, galloping.”
Olivia’s confidence drained away. “How will we do that?” she said. “Surely there isn’t enough room in here. And people will see us in the street.”
“Don’t be silly,” Roberta said in a scornful voice. “We’ll have to get up early and ride in the park. You can practice. You’ll need to wear your disguise, but I find the regular riders don’t take any notice. There are a lot of grooms exercising horses, as well as their owners.”
It was Olivia’s turn to stare. “You find…?Robbie, doyougo out riding alone?”
Her sister flushed and gave a toss of her head. Perhaps she really was half horse. “So what if I do? I don’t think you can reprimand me in the circumstances.”
Olivia opened her mouth, then remembered sheneeded Roberta’s help, and bit back her reproof. “And I can ride Mable?” she asked instead.
“Yes. For now.”
“But when I race Ivo,” Olivia insisted. “I can ride Mable?” She thought she already knew the answer, even before Roberta snorted a mocking laugh.
“You can ride Mable if you want to lose. Or stop halfway down. Mable might want to take a rest and chew some daisies.” She shook her head. “No, Olivia, of course you won’t be riding Mable. You will be riding Arrow.”
Shocked speechless, Olivia turned her head. Arrow’s stall was just behind her, and as if he had understood Roberta’s words, he was staring at her over the door. He was a chestnut gelding with a white mark on his forehead that resembled an arrow. But that wasn’t why he was called Arrow. The name was due to his speed. He was Roberta’s favorite, and as far as Olivia was aware, no one else ever rode him.
Now, as she continued to stare, he stamped his hooves restlessly, and tossed his head in a similar fashion to Roberta. It was as if he was daring Olivia to try to ride him, and she was filled with dread. Perhaps she should just send Ivo a note, crying off, make up some excuse…? She had caught a cold. She was too busy. She had to leave the country. She was on her deathbed!
She jumped when a warm hand closed around hers. Roberta was watching her with something close to sympathy, apart from the amused gleam in her blue eyes. “It will be all right,” she assured her. “You just have to hold on tight while Arrow does the work. He understands all about racing. Practice not falling off. Unless…” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you changed your mind? Do you still want to go ahead with it? You know that Northam willthink you a craven coward if you cry off now.”
Olivia attempted to order her shaky thoughts. Roberta was right, Ivo would think that. He would pretend to commiserate with her, but wouldn’t she fall in his estimation? No, they were friends, and he wouldn’t deride her, although he might tease her. She was still the girl he admired—she felt his admiration like a warm cloak, protection against the chill she often felt from the ton. Besides, she wasn’t going to let the Miss Fenwicks of the world show her up. That glimmer of excitement began to grow inside her. Yes, she would race him and probably lose, but she would do it! Because the alternative was accepting the tedium that lay before her.
Olivia took a deep breath, ignoring the smell of horse, and spoke with resolution. “I am going to ride Arrow. I am going to race Northam. And I am going to win.”
Roberta’s answering smile was full of pity. “Of course you are.”
