Page 16 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“She’s stunning,” Banks said. He and Cedric leaned over the edge of the paddock to get a better look at the mares. “How much are you asking for her?”
Cedric whistled, and the groom leading the mare around brought her to them. Martin reached out and brushed a hand over the mare’s nose. She blinked at him, her dark brown eyes assessing him, but she wasn’t unfriendly.
“I’m thinking a thousand guineas.”
“What’s her breeding history?”
Cedric smiled and patted her neck. “She was sired by a thoroughbred and born from one of my pure Arabian mares. I can provide a pedigree.”
“How old is she?”
“Three years,” Cedric replied.
Martin studied her teeth and legs, watching the groom with her hooves. She was a patient beast and took sugar cubes from Cedric eagerly. There was a delightful ladylike quality to her that reminded him of Livvy.
“A thousand guineas?”
“Yes. You have her in mind for someone?” Cedric grinned. “I thought you and your mistress separated. Went to France, I hear?”
“She did. I have a new companion. This mare would be perfect for her. A thousand guineas is a bit steep, but she looks to be worth it.” He held out his hand, and Cedric shook on the offer. They made arrangements to have the mare brought to the house tomorrow morning.
Livvy was going to love this horse. And maybe then she would love him.
The thought came out of nowhere, and he quickly shoved it aside. He didn’t want her love. He was quite fine without that. Besides, he could never love the daughter of the man who destroyed his life all those years ago. He couldn’t deny he felt a certain pleasure knowing he was nice and gentlemanly to her while her father and mother were likely panicking.
He was still lost in thoughts of the past as he left the auctioneering yard and returned to his coach.
“Home, sir?” the driver asked.
“Yes—wait, not yet. Take me to Oxford Street. I need to visit a jewelers.”
“Yes, sir.” Martin climbed into the coach and gazed out the window as the coach jerked forward.
The London winter was beautiful when snow coated the tops of the houses and merry light illuminated the windows of the houses in the fashionable parts of town. He knew how harsh it could be too. After Hartwell had evicted his family, they had been forced to rent a tiny two-bedroom living space. They’d lived in near squalor for months. They had buried his mother, and for an entire year, he, his father, and Helen had been in mourning.
Martin closed his eyes, still feeling the biting chill of the air as he remembered standing at his mother’s grave, watching the freshly dug dirt covered with falling snow. The pain in his chest had nearly choked him. Despair dwelled in the crumbling ruins of his soul. He felt like the sun would never shine again, and yet…
Something had changed. The moment Livvy had burst into the drawing room, he’d felt it. The soft stirrings of sunlight upon his battered soul. He didn’t want to admit that she’d raised such feelings in him, but she did.
It would be unfair to ignore how much she makes me feel, wouldn’t it?
He did not want to think about how it would be when she left.
When the coach stopped at his favorite jewelers, he went inside, examining the glass cases of various necklaces, brooches, and earrings.
An elderly man with a kind smile greeted him. “Mr. Banks.”
“How are you, Harold?” He shook the man’s hand. He had known Harold Garland for several years now.
“I’m well, thanks to you. The bonds you recommended have been doing well.”
“Glad to hear it.” Martin always loved to hear when his advice was heeded by a friend and that it had paid off.
“What are you looking for today?”
Martin studied the jewelry laid out in front of him, frowning a little.
“Pearls, I think.” He could picture pearls around Livvy’s neck and how they would accent her lovely skin.
