Page 9 of A Rake's Redemption
Alex opened his mouth, then closed it. He muttered something under his breath, but she didn’t wait to hear if it was a command to stop. Her uncle had chided her often on her willfulness, but Inis was not the type to be docile. Nudging the filly forward, she moved out of the barn.
…
Alex vaulted onto the bay’s back and followed her out. Why in hell had he not told Jameson to saddle Xenos, the stallion he usually rode? That would have put an end to this discussion, since a stud horse was no companion to a filly. Not that there had been a discussion. Inis had simply taken matters into her own hands.
He was tempted to stay behind her so he could watch her pretty rump rise and fall with the horse’s gait, which made him think of how she would look ridinghim, but he knew the filly would do better with him beside her. “Wait a minute.”
She reined in and turned to him. “Thank ye for letting me come.”
Comewas a word she shouldn’t have used, considering he still harbored the image of her riding him. He reminded himself that Inis was a servant and an orphan. What he should do was send her back to the stable, since he was having trouble pushing his lust aside, but then a light gust caught her hair, lifting it like a red flag unfurling in the wind. He thought of how shocked all the proper ladies riding in carriages at Hyde Park would be at the sight of Inis, wearing breeches and riding astride—and how the gossip would get back to George that his decadent brother was at it again. Alex grinned. “I will enjoy the pleasure of your company.”
“Thank ye. I wanted a chance to talk to ye about my staying on as a groom.”
Inis certainly didn’t mince words. Most women would have responded with a smile, maybe a blush, and perhaps said something a bit coy. But she hadn’t been raised with aristocracy, so there was no reason she would respond like one of them. He found that refreshing. “Why do we not just enjoy the ride? We can discuss your employment later.”
From the way her jaw set, Alex thought she would argue, but she finally nodded. “It is a beautiful day to be out on a fine horse.”
She didn’t appear affected by the sights and sounds of London as they made their way from the West End estate to the park. Given she was an orphan of poor immigrants, he was surprised the fashionable houses and fancy carriages didn’t seem to impress her. Her disinterest was rather intriguing. The daughters of thetonthought Dansworth House almost as imposing as the Duke of Devonshire’s mansion. Inis was spirited, but practical—two traits he admired. The ride should be most pleasurable.
The first people they encountered upon entering through Queen’s Gate were the countess and Lady Compton riding sidesaddle in lavish velvet habits and accompanied by several groomsmen who stayed a respectful distance behind them.
Lady Compton’s eyes turned owlish under her elaborate hat as she stared at Inis. Alex managed to suppress a grin. There was no one better they could have run into. As soon as she got home, she’d be calling on her friends to tell them Lord Ashley had been seen riding in the park with a scandalously dressed female who had wild, unbound hair. He figured it would take only an hour or so for the gossip to reach his dear brother’s ears. Lady Compton would probably even mention Inis’s fiery-colored hair, since red was usually seen only on actresses and singers. The idea that Alex would associate so openly with a suspected lady of the stage would further enrage George.
Although he’d wanted to be seen, he didn’t especially want to hold a conversation. There was no need to subject Inis to the snobbery of theton. He nodded to the ladies who were still several paces to their right and started down the left-hand path. But Miranda kicked her horse’s flanks, causing the startled animal to lurch forward and nearly barrel into Goldie. For a heart-stopping moment, Alex thought the filly would bolt, but Inis somehow managed to control the reins, turn the horse’s head away, and urge her away from the women.
“I am so sorry,” Miranda said. “I had no idea my mount would act like that.”
Alex glanced at her. She didn’t look or sound the least contrite. “You are an excellent horsewoman. You should have known better.”
“I said I was sorry,” Miranda answered, slanting a sideways glance at him and smiling seductively. “How can I make it up to you?”
Alex lifted an eyebrow. “It is Inis you should be apologizing to.”
Miranda stopped smiling. “Who is she anyway?”
“Someone I know,” Alex replied. Lady Compton’s mouth dropped open and Miranda looked annoyed, as though she thought he was toying with her. But he didn’t wait for an answer as he turned the gelding toward Inis and urged the horse to a canter.
…
Miranda narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she watched Alex chase after Inis. How dare he go after the woman when she’d offered him an invitation? An invitation she knew he understood. So who was the little bitch and where had she come from?
“She must be a houseguest of Lord Ashley’s,” Lady Compton said, seeming to read Miranda’s thoughts.
The idea of that red-haired hoyden staying at Alex’s home was almost too much to contemplate. Miranda swallowed the bile rising in her throat. “Was she at the Linfords’ rout?” She hadn’t been able to attend since her blasted husband had been under the weather that evening and forbidden her to go on her own because he was still suspicious about her locked door the night Alex had been in her bed.
“I did not see her.”
“One would think if she was Lord Ashley’s guest, he would have asked to bring her.”
Lady Compton laughed. “I doubt that Melanie Linford would have appreciated that.”
Miranda kept her voice casual. “Why do you say that?”
Her companion gave her a sharp look. “Melanie spent a great deal of time trying to lure Lord Ashley onto the veranda. I never did find out if she did.”
Miranda managed to keep her face impassive. The dinner at the Comptons’ had been bad enough. Melanie was going to have to be dealt with. But Miranda didn’t want to provide fodder for Jeannette Compton to spread about by allowing her emotions to show. Better to change the subject.
Lady Compton shook her head. “With that color of hair, I would wager she is on the stage.”
