by Leenie Brown
Addie did as she was told.
“Will it be enough?” she whispered.
Faith blew out a breath. “I pray it is.”
Robert moaned but his eyes remained closed. Still, Addie sighed with relief to hear him.
Faith looked up at the two grooms who had joined them. “He is ready to go home as soon as the cart is brought over here.” Then with a heavy sigh, she sat back on her heels looking drawn.
“He will be well,” Addie assured her. “He has to be.”
Faith replied with a tight smile and a nod of her head.
Addie moved to wrap an arm around Faith’s shoulders as the grooms lifted Robert from where he was and carried him a distance to meet the cart.
“Do be careful with him,” Aunt Edith barked at the grooms who were moving Robert. “Is there someone to go for the surgeon? And how shall we get you home?” She added looking at Addie and Faith.
“We will walk.”
Aunt Edith huffed. “Walk! I dare say it will be too taxing, though I don’t suppose there are too many other options. You there, with the cart!” She held her hand up to hale the driver. “Be quick in returning. We will meet you in the way.”
“I have my horse,” Faith said. “Addie could ride with me.”
“I do not think so,” Aunt Edith said as she circled Addie and Faith who had risen from the ground. Her eyes swept up and down them, and she stopped to fiddle with Faith’s sleeve and to pull at a wrinkle in Addie’s skirt. “You have just had a terrible shock, the both of you. I will not hear of your riding. Why what if you should swoon?” She shook her head and clucked her tongue. “It is bad enough to have one in need of the surgeon, we do not need another.” She dabbed at her eyes.
Her manner and words were brusque, but she was not without feeling, even if she did believe in keeping her emotions locked away. “Why, your father,” she said to Addie, “and your brother,” she said to Faith, “would not forgive me for allowing you to put yourself in harm’s way.” She blew out a breath and shook her head. “Indeed, Mr. Eldridge would see me tossed out twice if I allowed harm to come to either of you.” She presented her arms to them. “One on each side, please.”
“Thank you,” Addie whispered.
“It is nothing,” her aunt replied with a smile.
But it was not nothing. It was a great deal more than nothing to be cared for by Aunt Edith, even if it was done in a commanding fashion.
“James,” she said, leveling a hard stare at him as he sat on his horse with Pythias’s reins in one hand and his other tucked in his lap as if it needed protecting. “Allow us to be a distance away before you do what needs to be done.”
Addie pressed her lips together, tucking them between her teeth and biting down on them to keep them from trembling. Her tears would not stay confined, however.
“I will have the surgeon wait to take a look at you, James,” Aunt Edith added before leading Addie and Faith in the direction of the cart path.
As they entered the cart path with a row of trees between them and the racecourse, a gunshot rang out, and Addie whispered a goodbye to Damon in her heart.
Chapter 14
Oh, his head was throbbing, but it seemed as if the sun was shining. What had he done to wake with such a painful head? Robert lifted a hand to rub his temples and gasped at the pain such a movement caused.
“Take care, young man. We cannot have the surgeon out here every day to redo what he has done.”
Slowly, very slowly, Robert opened one eye and then the other.
“Good, you are awake.”
Mrs. Bellingham was standing next to his bed and peering down at him, and she was not scowling. He closed his eyes, pinching them closed tightly, and then, opened them again. No, she was still there, and she was still not scowling.
“You have given us quite the scare, Mr. Eldridge. A full day of being insensible is far too much, young man.”
She was scolding so perhaps this was reality and not some horrid dream. Chair legs scraped across the floor, causing Robert to wince.
“I have decided you are acceptable.” Mrs. Bellingham plopped herself down on the chair she had drawn close.
“You have?”
She nodded. “I have told neither Adela nor James about my decision, but it is made.”
Robert doubted any decision once made by Mrs. Bellingham was changeable. Although, she had at one time declared him unacceptable, so perhaps her decisions were subject to modification? Not that he wished her to alter her way of thinking about him at present.
“Adela could do worse.”
A resounding vote of confidence if ever he heard one. He would chuckle if he were not afraid it might offend his visitor.
“However, I am nearly positive she could do no better.”
“Thank you?” Robert was not certain if that was a compliment of his person or a disparagement of Addie.
“How is your head?”
“Sore.”
“That is as it should be.”
Indeed? Was there perhaps not a better nurse to be stationed at his side? Perhaps one who would show some pity for his aching head?
“You sustained quite a blow to your skull. The surgeon thought you had likely knocked your brain about a good bit and that it would take a while to clear.”
That explained the pain in his head.
“And my arm?” There was a bandage around his throbbing elbow.
“The bones are not broken, but it appears your elbow is sprained. It will need to be rested for a month or more.” She gave him a severe look. “There will be no riding until it is healed. I will not have my niece marrying a cripple because he is too stubborn to do what is best for him.”
“Yes, ma’am.” What else did one say to such a thing, especially when it was accompanied by that look. Mrs. Bellingham would make a terrifyingly good headmistress of a school – and not just a girls’ school. Robert was certain the woman could glare many young boys into doing as they were told.
She smiled. “Good. I am happy to hear you are a cooperative patient.” She smoothed her skirt. “As I understand it, you have a few other bruises and a scrape or two, but the head and the arm are your most pressing injuries. The horse, of course, did not fare so well.”
With her last statement, the accident came rushing into his memory — vivid and excruciating.
“Where is Addie?” He needed to see her, to know that she was well. He could not imagine the grief she was feeling at having lost Damon in such a fashion.
“She and your sister will be allowed to see you as soon as I am done.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now, about my decision to find you acceptable.”
Her disquieting glare was back.
“We had a call from a gentleman named Mr. Camden yesterday.”
Oh. Robert closed his eyes.
“Ah, I see you know of whom I speak.”
“I do.”
“He is a most despicable gentleman.”
“That he is.”
“I wish to thank you for putting yourself and your horse at risk for my nephew.” She smiled again.
Robert was not sure which was more unsettling, her glare or her smile. The glare seemed as if it belonged on her face. The smile was less at home there.
“I have had the full story, and that is why I have decided you are the best choice for Adela. Not every gentleman would throw himself into a scheme to see his new acquaintances were safe from the likes of that slippery eel of a fellow.” She tipped her head. “I am only still concerned about one thing.”
“And that would be?” Robert asked cautiously.
“You knew who Mr. Camden was. Therefore, I assume you are given to gambling.”
Ah. Yes. That would concern him too if he were her. “I was given to gambling. I am no longer.” He held up a finger on his uninjured arm. “Not that I am not opposed to a small wager now and then, but never to excess. My frivolousness nearly cost me the life of a good friend.”<
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“So your sister told me.” Mrs. Bellingham leaned toward him. “But she seems to think you have changed your ways, and I must say, I approve of her way of thinking on such things as seeing to one’s future. Perhaps not to the point of taking up a man’s work of investing — but retrenching and the like. She is very practical, she is.”
“That she is, along with being rather wise and excellent at scolding me.”
Mrs. Bellingham’s smile reached her eyes. “That is a very good quality for an elder sister to have.” Her head tipped. “Except perhaps once her younger brother had married and started his own family. Then, it never goes well to attempt to scold him into behaving or seeing that his daughter acts like a proper young lady should. Not that Adela is improper, but her love of horses…” She shook her head. “Ah, well, it seems my brother knew what he was about. He always told me that he would wager his whole estate on the notion that a head full of horses would serve her well in finding a good match. I thought he was mad for thinking so, but it seems he was not and has, thanks to you, won that wager.” She sighed. “It is just too bad he is not here to hear me say so.”
She stood. “That friend of yours who you almost killed, Mr. Bertram, has arrived just this morning. I will tell him you will see him after I have allowed my niece to see you.” She shook her head. “She is rather headstrong, Mr. Eldridge, but so is your sister, so I expect you are prepared for such a wife.” She smiled and winked at him. Winked!
“Thank you, Mrs. Bellingham. I am certain Addie and I will get on quite well.”
She nodded. “I do not doubt it, and if we are to be related, I suppose you should get used to calling me Aunt Edith.” Her brows flicked upward. “My niece has no parents left, and my brother did ask me to see to her. Therefore, I intend to visit at least once a year, though perhaps more frequently.”
Oh, well, that was something to look forward to, Robert thought wryly as Aunt Edith left the room. However, the beautiful face that appeared at his door on the heels of her aunt’s departure was worth a yearly disagreeable visitor. His sister, who was next to Addie, waved but closed the door without entering. Aunt Edith would be displeased, but Robert was not.
“Are you well?” he asked, pushing himself up to a sitting position.
“I am not the one who has been insensible for nearly a day,” she replied.
“No, but you are the one who lost a horse. A bumped head and bruised body are nothing to that.”
She shook her head. “A horse is not as important as you.” She propped on the edge of his bed and took his hand.
“Be careful with that arm. I have been instructed to rest it for a month, and if I fail to do what I should, your aunt will withdraw her consent for me to marry you.”
Addie’s eyes grew wide. “My aunt gave you her consent?”
Robert nodded. His head hurt a whole lot less conversing with Addie than it had during her aunt’s interview.
“It appears my taking part in rescuing your brother from Camden was enough to make me acceptable.”
“Oh!” Addie cried. “She was excessively displeased to discover the sort of trouble into which James had gotten himself, and she was not impressed one bit by Mr. Camden. She gave him quite the dressing down about his manners and the way he spoke to ladies!”
“And I missed it?”
Addie laughed. “You did. However, he intends to see you at the race, so you have not missed the pleasure of his presence entirely.”
He would be glad to have seen the last of Camden. “Did he take Pythias?”
“Only if he wins.”
“James will see that he does.”
Addie shook her head. “James wrenched his shoulder. I do not think he will be able to race. He has sent for Stuart.”
“What if he does not win?”
“Then James will owe Camden twice what he did, and, of course, Hugo will also become Mr. Camden’s.”
“One hundred and fifty pounds and Hugo?”
Addie nodded.
“He did not have seventy-five pounds.” It was just like Camden to deepen the hole into which a fellow had fallen rather than lifting him out. However, he was surprised that Camden had not just taken Hugo since Robert was no longer going to be racing.
“He did not just take Hugo?”
“Aunt Edith would not hear of it.”
Perhaps Aunt Edith was not so very bad after all.
“Pythias will win,” Addie assured him.
Robert blew out a breath. “I hope you are correct.”
She leaned towards him and placed a hand on his cheek. “I will not have you losing Hugo. Pythias will win.”
He covered her hand with his good one and, turning his head, placed a kiss in her palm. “You cannot guarantee that.”
“Stuart is good. You know how well he rode when we were at Silverthorne. He was as good if not better than James.” She smiled at him. “He is not you, but he is nearly as good. And, he will not be riding against you, so his chances are much better.”
Robert was still not completely convinced, but he did like hearing her praise of him and the quick kiss which accompanied it.
“Will Camden think my rider is not riding as hard as he can if Hugo does not win?” He asked after drawing her back for another, longer kiss. “It is not advantageous to me to have Hugo win as the agreement stands.”
He blinked. “It never has been.” Why had he not seen that before?
“It has never been to Camden’s advantage for Damon to win. Unless…” His brow furrowed. “Unless, he was placing money on Damon to win – enough to make up for whatever he lost last year, plus whatever he hopes to make this year. It was always about throwing the race. Only, he knew I would never do that. Therefore, he needed me to ride the winner because another rider might be less aggressive. And a less aggressive rider on Hugo would almost guarantee that my riding a worthy racer – one that I had hand selected for him — would secure him his money. Or –” A horrifying thought came to mind.
“What was the first thing Camden said when he arrived?”
Addie looked puzzled. “He said he had heard that James owed him a horse.”
“And after that? Did he demand Hugo?”
“Not until after James offered him Pythias in Damon’s place.”
“Why did he not take Pythias?” If Camden were truly interested in a horse as payment, he would have taken Pythias. Surely, he would have. Why make it dependent upon a win?
“He did not wish for a horse who shied at rabbits.”
That was interesting. “Had James told him about the hare?”
She nodded.
Robert sank back on his pillows. It could still be true that Camden was behind the sudden arrival of that hare on the racecourse. Robert had ridden there many times, and yesterday was the first time he had seen a hare there. Pheasants he had seen, as well as a deer or two, but never a hare.
“What are you thinking?” Addie asked.
“It may never have been about me winning. It might have always been about my losing and him taking Hugo from me.” He shook his head. But why kill the horse who could guarantee him a payday?
He blew out a breath as a possible answer hit him. It was likely not his plan to kill Damon, but rather to just injure him so that he could not ride and would have to forfeit Hugo.
“I am not entirely certain what twisted game Camden is playing, but if we are to win, we need to keep a close eye on Pythias and Stuart.” And pray that no hares decided to attend the race.
Chapter 15
On race day, Addie took her place at the rail next to Robert. His injured arm was tucked safely inside a sling, but his other arm was wrapped snuggly in hers. This would be the first of many races they would attend together, though likely he would not be here beside her as he was now but rather he would be mounted on a horse preparing to win. Faith stood at her other side, and Tom next to her. James had the great privilege to be his aunt’s escort.
“Camden,” Robert called
. “Join us.”
The gentleman turned from wherever it was he was headed and made his way towards them.
“I have a thousand pounds for you.”
Camden looked at Robert warily. Addie’s mind was echoing the same sentiment. Why was Robert offering Camden a thousand pounds?
“It was Hugo or a thousand pounds if you remember.”
“That was if you were riding. A new arrangement has been reached.”
“Mr. Eldridge was not present to agree to that,” Aunt Edith said. “A proper gentleman would allow for the gentleman with whom he is wagering to agree or decline the wager.” She gave Mr. Camden a withering look. “Not that I count you as a proper gentleman.”
Mr. Camden’s eyes narrowed, just as Aunt Edith waved to someone.
“Who is that?” James asked.
“That is Mrs. Holdsworth and her husband. Miss Eldridge, Adela, and I met her yesterday when I was getting flowers for my hat. Is not her hat exquisite?”
“Mrs. Holdsworth, you say?” Mr. Camden shifted uneasily.
“Yes, do you know her? I am sure if you have been around these parts very much at all you likely do. Her husband is the magistrate.” Aunt Edith fluttered her lashes at Mr. Camden. “Much like my husband’s cousin on his mother’s side is. Is it not wonderful to find people so far from your home and yet with whom you have so much in common?”
“Yes, yes, I am certain it is,” Mr. Camden agreed quickly.
“About our arrangement,” Robert prodded.
“Very well, a thousand pound or your horse if Atwood’s replacement wins.”
“No, no. It was if he lost.”
“But it is not the same horse,” Camden hissed.
“No, but he is just as good if not better. Atwood has been training him along side me, so I know of what I speak. You do still trust my evaluation of a horse, do you not?”
“Oh, Mrs. Holdsworth,” Aunt Edith called with a glance over her shoulder at Mr. Camden. “I was just commenting on your hat. It goes very well with your pelisse. You were quite right to go with the yellow ribbon.”