Page 84 of A Rake's Revenge
As the sail filled, theLadysurged ahead like a thoroughbred out of a racing gate. Stephan always loved this moment when the boat practically skimmed across the surface of the water.
“What in bloody hell…” Brice’s voice trailed off as he stared with a horrified expression past the stern.
“What?” Stephan chanced a glance over his shoulder and felt his own eyes widen.
Two boats were approaching the marked buoy, vying for position to round it.Sea Mastercame up on their windward side, cutting the air from their sails and crowding both boats toward the mark. The nearest one slapped up against it, and there was a sickening cracking sound as the second boat hit the first one’s hull. Men cursed and sails flapped nosily in the wind as Tisdale sailed past, free and clear of the mess. Then came the sounds of splintering wood as the boats behind, having no time to maneuver away, crashed into the ones tangled at the buoy.
“By Odin and Freya!” Eric shouted the oath. “Some of them are taking on water!”
Stephan took one lingering glance at Tisdale sailing away and shook his head. “Drop the sails!” he ordered. “We are turning back.”
…
Caroline waited anxiously near the shoreline later that afternoon, hoping to see theLady’stanbark-colored sail pop over the horizon. Most of Prinny’s other guests were there, too, the gentlemen holding umbrellas to offer shade to the ladies. Caroline was too impatient to stand still.
“Do you see anything yet?” Lady Ann asked unnecessarily.
She shook her head. Ann shouldn’t be faulted for the question. The girl was probably just as nervous as Caroline was. Ann knew her father still planned to press the subject of marriage if he won the race and that Caroline was opposed to it.
“You are completely packed?” Caroline asked. Ann also knew the ramifications of her father’s wrath. Last night they had decided that it would be best for Ann to leave this afternoon. If her father didn’t win, he would be furious. If he did and Caroline refused to marry him—she definitely intended to refuse—the earl would be furious. Either way, no one wanted Ann to bear the brunt of his rage. Surprisingly, His Grace had offered his carriage to be at her disposal to take her back to London.
“Yes. My trunks are already in the carriage. I probably should have already left, but I did want to see the outcome…” Her eyes widened as she looked at the horizon. “Look! A sail!”
Caroline shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun, not able to see the color of the hull yet. Was the sail darkish? She squinted as the dot became larger. The sail was white. That meant Stephan was not in the lead. Dread settled in her stomach like a piece of lead. Did the sail belong to the earl?
Beside her, Ann said softly, “It is not Lord Kendrick, is it?”
“No.” Caroline scanned the horizon for more sails to appear. She wasn’t that familiar with sailboat racing, but horses often came from behind in the homestretch to win. Perhaps Stephan was using that strategy.
The crowd that had gathered along the waterfront surged forward once the sail was spotted. Most of them now lined the quay and Caroline could already hear wagers being placed on who was in the lead. She cared nothing for the betting. Her only concern was seeing Stephan’s black-hulledLadyappear.
The lead boat loomed larger now, and the offers of raising the odds dropped as it became apparent that the boat was theSea Master. The lead in Caroline’s stomach dropped to her toes. Tisdale was not only winning, but he was far, far ahead of the rest of the fleet. She felt her body turning to stone as she stood immobilized. For all of her seeming confidence—that she’d simply refuse to marry the earl in spite of her father and the prince—she had truly not expected Stephan to lose. Could the Regent actually force her into a marriage she didn’t want? Her mind went numb with the possibility. Dear God. He probably could. Where was Stephan?
For a moment, Caroline wondered if she’d spoken the question aloud for the crowd suddenly went quiet. Even the men gathering their winnings stilled. Apparently, everyone had realized that the earl’s boat was the only one coming in.
“Oh, my God!” Caroline said and started running toward the dock where theSea Masterwas maneuvering into its slip. “What has happened?”
Neither Captain Flannery nor the crew member answered her. Once they were on the pier and had secured the lines, they stalked off with grim expressions on their faces. “What has happened?” Caroline called after them.
“I won. That is what happened!” the earl said as he climbed off the boat with a triumphant grin. “I won the race and I won you.”
Caroline didn’t bother to answer him. “Where is the rest of the fleet?”
He waved a dismissive hand. “I left them all behind.”
One of the prince’s soldiers came forward from the crowd and gave a short bow. “I am here to escort you back to the Pavilion, my lord.”
“Of course, of course,” Tisdale said jovially. “I am quite ready to collect the purse.”
The soldier gestured. “This way then.”
The earl looked at Caroline. “Come with me.”
“No. I am going to wait for the rest of the boats to come in.”
He looked displeased at her refusal, but the soldier was waiting. “Lady Ann, accompany me.”
His daughter shook her head. “I would like to wait also.”
