Page 34 of The Scoundrel of Drury Lane
“Well done,” Vincent said. “How did you know that mare would calm him?”
“We had a lot of wild horses in Australia we had to tame. They sometimes needed a companion to show them that everything was all right rather than break the horse of its spirit.”
The grooms watching from the rails of the enclosure stared at Kit in wonder.
“Who owns that horse? The stallion?” Kit asked the oldest groom.
The wizened Scotsman whistled through his teeth as he admired the now settled stallion. The man removed his cap respectfully.
“Lord Burleigh. He’s over there. He brought the stallion in to sell, along with some mares and geldings.” He pointed to a huddled pack of older aristocratic gentlemen about forty feet around the other side of the enclosure.
“Would you mind telling him that I’m interested in that stallion, and the mare if she belongs to him as well.”
“Who shall I say is interested?”
“Tell him the Earl of Kentwell.”
The groom’s eyes widened at Kit’s title, and he hurried off to speak to Lord Burleigh. He spoke to the group of men, and soon all of their heads turned to look his way. One of the men broke away from the group and waved a hand at Kit to meet him.
“I suppose that is Lord Burleigh?” he asked Vincent. He didn’t know most of the lords ruling England. He’d only gone to see his father in the House of Lords a few times before he’d been arrested. Before that, he’d spent most of his time with young men his own age.
Vincent shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
They met Lord Burleigh halfway across the yard. He was a tall man with strong features, but his face lacked the harshness that Kit would have expected when meeting a man of his appearance.
“Are you Lord Kentwell?” Burleigh asked.
Kit held out a hand. “Yes.”
Burleigh shook his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My groom said you wish to buy the stallion?”
“And that dappled mare, if she’s yours,” Kit added. “She’d be most helpful to keep him calm.”
Burleigh studied him critically. “You’re that boy who was shipped off to the penal colonies, though no longer a boy. I knew your father. Decent chap. He took my side in the House of Lords on difficult matters.”
Burleigh was quiet a moment, and Kit glanced toward the horses, feeling strangely lonely as he watched the fretful stallion trotting smoothly now with the mare at his side.
“I don’t recall what you were sent away for, but a man who understands horses is a man I’m willing to trust. You seem to know how to tame Galileo. Offer me a fair price and I’ll let you have the mare as well.”
“Nine hundred guineas for each. The mare has as much value, if not more, for her ability to calm the stallion.” Kit didn’t believe in paying below value for such a fine horse. She was like a kindred spirit to Suzannah. Both were brave and didn’t cower in the face of a male’s temper. He realized now as he watched the stallion and the mare moving in perfect rhythm that he was looking at himself and Suzannah, or at least the possibility of what they might be. He smiled, his chest filled with a warmth and light he hadn’t felt in years.
“Well, I certainly won’t turn down that price. You have a deal, Kentwell.” Burleigh offered his hand again and they shook. “I’ll have them sent to you in a few hours.”
“Excellent.” Kit had a sudden idea and turned to Vincent. “I think I need to purchase a sidesaddle for that mare.”
“Oh? What for? You have a devil’s grin on your face, and that means we’ll either have fun or end up in a spot of trouble.” Vincent wasn’t complaining—he was grinning back at Kit as though either scenario would entertain him greatly.
“I’m thinking we take the horses for a ride in Hyde Park this afternoon, and if I’m lucky, I shall persuade a certain young lady to take a ride with me.”
“No doubt a certain painter? Well, it sounds quite scandalous. I’m all for it, of course,” Vincent chuckled.
Kit laughed. The knot of anger lodged in his chest shifted around his heart, and he could feel a fracture in it, one that might yet break apart.
The thought was not unwelcome, but it did trouble him. He’d grown accustomed to that darkness inside him, fed upon the strength it gave him, but he couldn’t hold on to his anger and Suzannah at the same time. What if he lost her before he could have his vengeance upon his enemies?
* * *
Suzannah staredat her little reticule of coins with pride. She’d had quite a few visitors come by her small stand in the park today. It had proved to be a welcome distraction from thoughts of Kit’s unexpected visit last night—and the kiss that had changed her life.
