Page 16 of A Duchess Mistaken
Mr. Parsons scowled at her and she lifted her eyes to her brother as if she felt it, raising a single brow in challenge. Johnathan nearly smiled.
“Oh, but I do think horse racing is a rite of passage for any man,” Christopher continued.
Mr. Parsons seemed rather interested in that, eyes growing wide. “In what manner?”
“It assists with one’s discernment, of course. When you watch the horses lining up at the start line, you have to observe each and every one of them to determine which you believe will be the victor. And there are many factors that come into play.”
“I thought you did not place bets, sir,” Miss Agnes spoke up again, her tone idle.
Christopher just nodded. “I do not. Nor do I need to when the true enjoyment comes from the thrill of the race itself.”
“What sort of factors do you speak of?” Mr. Parsons asked. “The build of the horse?”
“Yes, that is one. But even the build of the riders themselves. One must also pay keen attention to the heat of the day, the terrain, the history of the horses…”
Johnathan stopped listening. In fact, it seemed everyone had stopped as well. Lord and Lady Sutton were murmuring to each other with small smiles. Lord and Lady Reeds were quiet, eating their meals while looking surreptitiously between Johnathan and Miss Caroline. Johnathan would have felt pressured to make small quiet conversation with Miss Caroline amidst Christopher and Mr. Parsons’ louder one, but he was paying keener attention to Miss Agnes.
She was looking between Christopher and her brother with a mixture of awe and horror. He watched as she sighed and shook her head. His lips twitched.
Her eyes fell on his, widening when she realized that he was already staring. Johnathan would have looked away by now, ashamed that he had been caught staring and then embarrassed that he looked away at all. But the whiskey made him bold. Bold enough for him to glance at his brother, back at her, and then roll his eyes.
Miss Agnes’ lips twitched. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears and tapped her ear with a stern look.
Johnathan frowned at her in mock horror and put his hand to his throat, implying he would much rather die than take part in the conversation.
She ran a finger down her cheek like a fake tear.
He couldn’t hold back his chuckle. Miss Agnes giggled behind her hand.
“Does something amuse you, Your Grace?” came Miss Caroline’s innocent voice.
Johnathan wiped the grin off his face and straightened, feeling like he’d gotten caught doing something he shouldn’t have been doing. “I was only thinking about something, Miss Caroline,” he lied. “Are you enjoying your meal?”
“It is quite tasty, Your Grace. I must thank you again for your kind hospitality.”
“It is my honor, miss. Please do not hesitate to indicate any manner in which I may be able to make your stay a better one.”
She gave him a small smile and returned her attention to her meal. Johnathan tried to do the same thing but his eyes wandered back to Miss Agnes unbidden.
“That is it, Father,” Mr. Parsons said suddenly. “I shall become a horse racer!”
“No, you will not,” Lord Sutton and Miss Agnes said in unison.
Lady Sutton laughed. “Oh heavens, between the two of them, I cannot tell who the parent is.”
“Father is,” Mr. Parsons said pointedly, scowling at his sister. “You have no say in the matter.”
Miss Agnes’ only response to that was to look expectantly at her father. Right on cue, Lord Sutton said, “You shall inherit the title and the family business.”
“What of his paintings, dear?” Lady Sutton asked. She always spoke with such humor, as if she found every situation funny. “He is quite skilled, you know.”
“Then should he make a living painting portraits for the rest of his life?”
“It is not a bad way to live.”
Johnathan had a sneaking suspicion Lady Sutton was taunting her husband.
“Mother, please,” Mr. Parsons whined. “Haven’t you been hearing what Lord Christopher has been saying?”
