by Laura Mills
Phillip didn’t ease up at all. “What’s in it for him?”
Instead of being offended by her father’s remark, she carried on as if they were having a casual conversation. “I would ride one of his top stallions and make him money.”
“Now there’s gambling involved. Oh lord, lass, what have you gotten yourself into?” he responded in a sarcastic but serious tone. He couldn’t believe their conversation and the avenues it kept taking.
Melissa stepped in her father’s direction. “Father you’ve gambled yourself.”
“That doesn’t matter, lass. You’re my daughter. You sneak into a racetrack not thinking about the consequences if your caught, and you attracted the attention of a lord who thankfully was nice enough not to turn you in. He probably waived that part so he could get paid in another fashion.” His drink swished in violence as he took another swig. As the scotch coated his throat he realized there was no more denying that his little girl was growing up and making crucial decisions of her own, but they were insane, ludicrous decisions.
Stunned by her father’s conclusion, she explained again, “Father, please. It’s not like that. His interest lies in his horses and making money. Mine lies in racing. You know it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
She was making sense and perhaps he was jumping to conclusions, but she was at a ripe age. He didn’t doubt that Lord Blackburn, like any other red-blooded male, would like to pluck at his precious fruit. He set his drink on the table. “Before any of this takes place I want to see him. I want to talk to him again, in private, no interference from you. Then we’ll all talk, you got that?”
Relief coursed through Melissa. “Of course, father. Thank you for being cooperative.”
His features turned tender. “Only because I love you so much. And if he is true to his word then I agree it would be a fine opportunity for you, but you have me worried about you. You’re so headstrong, like your mother, worse I’m afraid.”
She stepped next to her father, leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek. “I know father and I can’t help it, but it’s the only way to get what you want out of life.”
“I know you’re right love, but you’ve got to give your father a chance to catch up with you. Don’t make any more plans without me, settled?”
She smiled when agreeing, “Yes father,” and watched him return to his book, his brows creased with leftover frustration.
Melissa turned to retrieve her own book. Grand, just grand. Now she would have to let Lord Blackburn know that she’d talked to her father and that he requested another visit with him. She understood her father’s concern but he didn’t seem to understand the awkwardness that flooded her every time she had to approach Lord Blackburn because of her father. It wasn’t as if she were courting the lord.
Melissa grabbed her book and strolled off to bed. She still planned on meeting Lord Blackburn in the morning, where she’d be fighting another battle. She had brought this on herself again. Why, all of sudden, when her life seemed like it was changing for the better, did it seem so tangled up? Tomorrow’s another day, she reassured herself.
Chapter Five
The next morning John and Melissa stood inside John’s private viewing box at Catterick Racetrack. John became furious when she revealed the discussion she’d had with her father. She had ignored their agreement. After obtaining a level of composure, he responded. “Damn it all Melissa! We had an understanding about this, did we not? What happened to your part of it?” His voice remained low but severe. His arms crossed over his broad chest, his lips thinned, and his eyes narrowed in consideration.
She didn’t like the tension in his jaw. It was tight, like his teeth were grinding together. Perhaps they were. She couldn’t blame him for being angry with her. At the time when she indulged her father she was beyond exhilaration and at the same time her admission served to prepare him, however she had not anticipated her father requesting another private conversation with Lord Blackburn. If she had known that was going to happen she would have waited, but now it seems she had overcompensated, going from telling lies, which was out of character, to telling more truth than be known. She hadn’t meant to break their agreement. “Forgive me I never expected him to react that way. In the end he seemed agreeable.”
John glared some more before tipping his head back to peer into a ceiling of blue sky and white clouds. After a moment of silence his head shifted forward. “Melissa, we have got to trust each other. If I cannot trust you, I cannot teach you.” He saw a forgiving reaction in her, which he appreciated.
She stood with hands clasped in front of her, her eyes worried, the edge of her teeth biting into her bottom lip. “I promise it will not happen again. I’ve made a terrible mistake and I feel awful about it,” she told him and fell silent, waiting for his response, but when he did not speak she became desperate. “I promise you can trust me,” she pleaded.
His arms unfolded and his hands went to her shoulders in a light grasp. “No more chances after this. Are you sure you understand?” he questioned as his features softened while clarifying his point.
She couldn’t blame him. He’d done nothing so far to cause her to question him, yet time after time she’d done just the opposite to him. She gave him a generous smile, “I understand, and I don’t blame you for being upset with me.”
He squeezed her shoulders tighter, smiling in response. “I’m not upset anymore, what’s done is done. I will meet your father again, and without your intrusion this time?”
“You have another promise on that. I assure you,” she told him with confidence.
“Good. Now let me show you around the track and we’ll discuss a time to meet with your father.”
As they toured the track John explained his start involving horses, how he had traveled to Catterick Village to observe the horses and study the trainers, deciding that one day he would train his own horses and have champion racers. As John told his childhood story the words seemed to flow out of him. It was rare that he talked about himself and now, with Melissa, he was feeling free to do so. He went on explaining his increasing involvement as he became older.
By age nineteen he had helped finance a new racecourse to be built for Catterick and within the next few years he acquired his first stallion, Monarch. After Monarch became a champion John purchased a couple of high dollar mares for breeding. The breeding of Monarch and his favorite mare, Clara, resulted in his present upcoming champion, his stallion Chief. Chief was born with the chestnut coloring of his father but the balanced temperament of his mother. He was John’s masterpiece and he had molded him from birth until the present.
Melissa seemed intrigued. She would ask question after endless question about every process he’d endured. Her solid interest in his livelihood struck him with an unusual sense of comfort and ease. Never before had a woman listened to him with such depth. Never had his attention been so set on a woman and her reactions, for with Melissa he was learning to expect the unexpected.
Side by side John and Melissa rode toward John’s home. They continued their chat about John’s race course experience until reaching his manor. While John checked his messages from his service man Charles, Melissa took in the magnificent surroundings of his thoroughbred heaven. Before Melissa had a chance to explore the many glorious beasts John resumed his task of escorting her home.
After arriving at her home a short time later, they stood leaning against the wooden posts of the corral sharing horse stories while waiting for Mr. Howard to arrive home. The sound of horse hooves got their attention.
Phillip came to a stop and slid off his mare. Leading her toward the barn, he nodded toward them. “Lord Blackburn, Melissa.”
Melissa walked quickly to reach her father and offered to take care of his mare, knowing he was tired from work and that he and Lord Blackburn had important matters to discuss. “Father let me tend to your horse,” she said as she took the reins from him.
Phillip sighed. “Thank you, lass.” He g
ave her a weary smile, then turned his attention to John. “Lord Blackburn would you like to go inside and have a drink?”
John pushed away from the wooden post to fall in step with Mr. Howard as they made their way to the front door. “Yes sir, sounds fine to me.”
This time their situation appeared more at ease because before John realized it he had a glass of brandy in his hand. Mr. Howard hadn’t wasted any time supplying refreshments. They sat across from each as they had before, both taking generous sips before venturing into stressed territory.
John began. “Mr. Howard, let me start by saying that I believe your daughter has tremendous talent in racing.” He took another quick sip.
Mr. Howard could tell this was just as awkward for the lord as it had been for him. It might have been easier to handle had John wanted to court Melissa, but in this case the circumstances were different. “Lord Blackburn, I appreciate your professional judgment regarding Melissa and I agree with you.” He used the back of his hand to wipe a generous bead of sweat off his forehead. “And to ease your mind, I feel you’re genuine about teaching my daughter to race professionally, but what I have trouble understanding is how you can possibly think to manage it? I mean, and I would never say this in front of my daughter, but you’ve got to know the risk you’re taking here, with her being a woman, you know?”
“You’re right about that sir, but I must say that your daughter can be very convincing, and with her talent to back her, it was hard to resist. I’m sure it’s apparent that I’ve seen her ride or I would never have been so eager to agree.” He leaned forward to set his drink on the side table. “And before beginning any training at all I’ve made it clear to your daughter that I wanted to get your approval and have you be aware of every aspect of the situation.” Phillip looked impressed, his features taking on an expression of consideration.
Phillip lifted a small wooden box off of the table next to him. Opening it, he scooped a generous amount of tobacco, placing it in a wooden pipe and packing it down. He positioned the pipe in his mouth and before lighting it he offered John some. “Care for a pipe, Lord Blackburn?”
“No thank you, sir I don’t smoke.”
Phillip set fire to the packed tobacco and began puffing at it, causing smoke to seep out between his lips. “I’m pleased by your respect for my position Lord Blackburn, but I have another question I’d like to ask.” John nodded in response. “What do you truly have to gain by having my daughter ride for you?”
It was a fair question, John agreed. “Well sir, top champion racers, which in turn will make me money. But the thought of having champion thoroughbreds that cannot be beat, that is my ultimate goal, and your daughter will help me achieve that goal. Without her, I’m not sure if I could get as far.”
More puffs of smoke blew out of Phillip’s mouth. “That’s quite a compliment regarding my daughter. Is this fondness for my daughter exclusive for racing purposes?”
He watched Phillip take another swig of scotch, placing the pipe back into his mouth. “Yes sir. That was my initial intention for your daughter and it remains the same.”
“No thoughts of romance, Lord Blackburn?” Phillip asked with an arch of a gray brow.
“Mr. Howard, I won’t deny that your daughter is very attractive but the endeavors we will take together have to be strictly business or it will not work. I will remain professional.”
Phillip smiled at John’s tension. “Thank you for your honesty, Lord Blackburn. I do have a request, though.” He puffed a couple of times on the pipe. Being a man, Phillip knew how men thought, and even with the best of intentions, spending a lot time around a woman, especially an attractive one, could drain your willpower in no time. He’d had a similar experience himself with Melissa’s mother which had ended in marriage.
John waited with extreme patience. All kinds of ideas were tossing in his head. “Yes sir?”
Phillip admired John’s calm and confident attitude. “I would like your training sessions to take place here. Miss Beckett will act as chaperone of a sort, at least by being here at the cabin. Also, if your personal status changes with my daughter, I would like to be made aware of it.”
It only took a second to understand what he’d meant and in that second he swallowed hard. “Of course sir.” John recognized the meaningful look in Mr. Howard’s eyes. Man to man, all it took was that brief look.
Phillip liked him, he liked him a lot. He had a good feeling about the lad and a gut notion told him that this young man would forever be involved in their lives in some way. In what way he couldn’t be sure, but there was an everlasting presence about him. “Thank you.” He moved back to the subject at hand with a smile. “Have you ever taught a young lady before?”
John returned his smile. “No sir, I have not. It will prove to be quite a challenge.”
Phillip’s smile widened. “Lord Blackburn, I have to inform you that my daughter in herself is quite a challenge, much less the situation you two will be in. Please indulge me I want to know how you two plan to conquer this quest of yours?”
John obliged, telling him of the kind of training Melissa would need to be at peak performance. Then they’d move onto the more difficult task of getting her on the track in public.
Phillip had ideas of his own and so they collaborated their ideas, drank their preference of liquor, and laughed together at quirky thoughts about this or that. Unthinking, they forgot to invite Melissa in to help with any opinions she had to share.
At least that’s what she thought when she heard the bellowing of laughter coming from the sitting room behind the closed door, but at least they weren’t arguing, she reasoned. She leaned closer to the doorway, trying to pick up any words they spoke. Before they could say anything of importance Melissa had been caught.
“Melissa Louise.” Miss Beckett whispered in disbelief.
Startled, Melissa scrambled from the doorway. “Auntie, you gave me a start,” she gasped, her hand clutching at her chest.
Miss Beckett gave her a look of knowing better than that. “I’m not surprised you were startled, being sneaky like you were.”
The blush on Melissa’s cheeks gave away the innocent face she tried demonstrating. “Sneaky? I was curious, that’s all.”
“Curious? You were eavesdropping on a personal conversation and you know it, lass. Now get your bum in the kitchen and help your auntie with supper.” Miss Beckett made a sweeping motion with her hands toward the kitchen.
Melissa delayed. “Auntie, they were talking about me. Haven’t I the right to defend myself?”
When her auntie’s eyes began to narrow and her lips thinned Melissa knew it was time to quit and she stomped off toward the kitchen.
Chapter Six
Miss Beckett was grateful to get out into fresh air. She hadn’t relaxed like this in years. When Lord Blackburn had suggested a picnic by the stream today she had figured it would be more hassle than it was worth having to prepare food and then transport it, but when he sweetened the offer by having lunch already made and a carriage for travel, she couldn’t turn him down. Acting as chaperone could have some benefits, she thought, sitting next to Melissa upon a blanket provided by Lord Blackburn.
The women admired the stream flowing by while John placed a basket of food and drinks near them. He sat down as well, inviting Jess over as he was lifting contents of chicken, ham, small red potatoes, cold slaw, and plum pudding out of the basket. Sampling the contents of food, they all commented on how good everything tasted. They laughed and joked, enjoying the afternoon on this sunny April day. Soon after the meal, John got up to collect his journal from the carriage while Miss Beckett stood, stretched and then walked adjacent to the stream’s edge. Catching sight of Jess further down the stream immersed in a book, Miss Beckett stepped toward him and inquired of what he was reading.
John strode back to Melissa, who still sat upon the blanket, only now her legs were extended out in front of her beneath a sheer summer dress while her upper body r
ested its weight on the palm of her hands. He sat down beside her with his journal in hand unnoticed, he realized, when observing the tilting of her face toward the sun. With her eyes closed and honeyed features taking in the sun’s rays, John’s concentration veered. His gaze turned steady upon her, becoming entranced by the tender curving of her slender neck and the modest outward thrust of a full bosom exposing its luscious curves.
Laughter came from Jess and Miss Beckett from down the stream, swaying John’s attention. He took a deep breath, bracing himself to concentrate on business again, when he returned his focus back to Melissa. Now the short sleeves of her dress were clinging to her elbows, allowing the front of the dress to expose even more creamy, round, and firm flesh.
He forced himself to cough to get her attention and when he did, his next reaction was impulsive. “Would you like to go for a swim?”
Melissa looked him over as if he were mad. “I hadn’t planned on swimming. I thought we were to talk about a schedule?”
He tried keeping his face as serious as possible even while comprehending how ridiculous he must have sounded. Cold water at this point didn’t seem so far fetched to him as he needed to calm himself somehow before Miss Beckett returned. Holding his journal sealed along his lap he carried on, continuing to tease her and throw off suspicion. “We are here to talk of a schedule. Spontaneity doesn’t intrigue you?”
“I wasn’t expecting it, I suppose. Besides, I didn’t bring suitable clothing.” She wasn’t ready to swim with her mentor, that involved too much personal contact. Their relationship was supposed to be teacher and student. What was he thinking? “Perhaps another time, when I’m prepared,” she responded as she returned his smile.
John couldn’t help teasing her some more. “By the way, wearing suitable clothing is just a preference, not a requirement,” he told her as the corners of his mouth curved upward and he almost laughed when he noticed her cheeks blushing.