Millie burst into the bedroom. “Hurry up, Rose, you are tardy.”
“I’m ready now. Although we are quite different physically, today we actually look like twins.”
Arm in arm, they ran downstairs to where their parents were waiting for them. “Darling girls, you have both changed out of all recognition these past few months. I have two grown-up daughters now to go with my adult son.”
“Where is David? I thought it strange of him to stay away with his friends the night before our party.”
“As you did not wish anyone to stay here, and he has invited a few cronies down for the race, he had no choice but to stay elsewhere.” Her mama smiled fondly. “I’m sure he will be here in good time. After all they are only staying in the next village.”
Already the grounds were filling up with local people, the children squealing with excitement and running from booth to booth. Today the sugar treats, ribbons and fancies were not for sale—they were to be given free. Every child would be given three tickets to exchange for whatever they wished.
She could not be sad with so many smiling faces everywhere. The next hour sped by. The race was to be run at one o’clock. An air of eager anticipation rippled around the spectators. David had told Rose thousands of guineas had been bet on the outcome; she wished Orion was not the favourite. She did not approve of gambling as this led inevitably to disappointment and disaster. If she’d had her way there’d have been no bets placed.
“I must get ready for I can see the other riders are already milling about at the starting line. I’m so glad I did not have anything to eat.”
The house was cool and dark, the noise from outside muted. She ran lightly up the massive staircase and into her bedchamber. Mary had been given the afternoon off. Rose was quite capable of dressing herself when she had to.
Placing her gown on the bed she stripped off her petticoats and stepped into her navy blue, divided skirt. The white cotton shirt followed and a handsome cornflower blue waistcoat topped the outfit. The number she had been allotted was painted on a square of card and this she tied around her waist. Her boots nowadays were loose, but this made it easier to pull them on.
She uncoiled her plait from her head and tied a bright blue ribbon around the end. Picking up her gloves, she dashed down the servants’ staircase and out through the side door which led to the stables.
Orion whinnied and stamped her hooves. “Wait one more moment, sweetheart. I must check your girth is firm.”
The stable yard was empty of humans; all the staff had permission to attend the party. Leading her mare from the loose box to the mounting block Rose felt a moment’s doubt. What if she took a tumble in front of those who had risked their hard earned cash in the belief that she could win?
Thirty entries? David had told her some had even come from London. July was a slack time in the social calendar and wealthy gentleman were always looking for entertainment. Her horse butted her gently as if to remind her the time had come to depart.
Blue ribbons had been plaited into the animal’s mane; her dapple grey coat gleamed with health. In one fluid movement Rose settled into the saddle, pushed her boots into the stirrups, clicked her tongue—and they were trotting to join the others.
In the melee at the starting line she couldn’t see to see who was who. Several riders greeted her by name, others touched their hats. She felt decidedly underdressed compared to the splendour of some of the entrants. Too late to repine. David was calling them to order.
The entry numbers had been picked out of a hat and each rider allocated a position. She was in the second row, an ideal place. Orion ran better when coming from behind. She was hard-pressed to keep the mare still as she was dancing on the spot, straining against the bit, desperate to be off like the other horses.
The ribbon was up and they were away. Racing against one or two horses had not prepared her for this. She couldn’t see in front of her. The dust and dirt flying up all but choked her. Her heart pounded. She didn’t know which way to direct Orion—at any moment she could be buffeted from the saddle. Nobody cared she was the only female entrant—in a race like this every rider must take care of himself.
Then she saw a glimmer of grass to her right—a small space through which her agile mare could thunder. “Go on, Orion, this is our chance.” Crouching in the saddle she threw her hands forward and her mount took off like a grey arrow.
In front of her was open track—she was in the lead. The only way she could win this race was if she stayed in front. The larger horses would hedge her in if she allowed them to. Her plait streamed out behind her, wind whipped tears from her eyes. She was flying.
One more bend and she would be in the home straight. The noise from the other horses was fading. Only the sound of the spectators on either side accompanied her wild ride. Orion must be twenty yards or more ahead of her nearest rival. Nothing could beat her now.
Then the mare’s ears flattened, she stuck out her nose and renewed her effort. The screaming crowd was urging Rose on—she could see the finish post less than one hundred yards away.
Then a black nose edged past her boot. She couldn’t believe it. She glanced sideways to see a man she almost didn’t recognize riding Lucifer. Perry was in shirt sleeves, his hair blowing wildly. He was laughing with exhilaration and obviously thought he could beat her.
Standing in her stirrups, Rose threw her weight forward, screaming at her horse to make one last effort. Lucifer was inching closer, he was going to win. Then the finish post flashed past. She had no idea which of them had crossed it first. It took a further fifty yards to slow the horses to a walk. On either side of the track men were throwing their hats in the air, hugging each other and dancing wildly. Did this mean she was the victor?
Two familiar arms reached up and lifted her from the saddle. “The race was a dead heat. We passed the line together. I can’t believe it. Lucifer has never been bested before.”
Rose’s shirt was sticking to her, she was mud streaked and dishevelled but he had never seen anything so beautiful. “My darling, I love you to distraction. I have been wretched without you. Can you forgive me for my neglect and let me back into your life?”
“I have been miserable also. I did not know that anything could hurt as much as losing you. I love you, Perry. I have done so for the past five years and will do so until the day I die.”
Without a second thought he dropped to one knee in front of her. “Rose, will you marry me? I cannot live without you.”
Her face was radiant, her remarkable eyes huge. “I will, of course I will.”
Oblivious to the gawping spectators he crushed her to his heart. She tilted her face and stretched up to receive his kiss.
She wanted the embrace to last forever. She pressed closer wishing to show how much she had missed him; how happy she was to see him. They were squashed between the bulk of their sweating mounts and the pressure was making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
“I think this must wait until later. We must go and receive the winner’s reward. The race is not over until we have done that.”
“We shall share the glory and the prize money. Don’t you think, my love, this is the perfect start to our betrothal?”
He tossed her into the saddle. “I do, darling girl, and there’s something else that you don’t know. Shall I tell you a secret?” He spoke from beside her, remounted on his stallion. “It would appear I am your name day gift. Richard is here for Millie.”
“So we have my father’s blessing this time?” They were trotting towards the wooden platform which had been constructed to hand out the prizes. “How long have you known?”
“Not until I arrived here last night. David invited me to race, but failed to mention where this event was taking place. Your father was waiting at the inn.” He stretched across and touched her cheek. His smile made her head swim.
“You’re the image of him, as your sister is of your mother. Although he’s reluctant to let you go, he wishe
s you to be happy and realizes you will never be so kept apart from me.”
A cheer greeted their arrival to collect the ribbons and the cup. Unexpectedly shy, Rose hung back. “You collect the prize for us. I shall remain here and wait. High time I practised being a subservient wife.”
“When you are that I shall sprout wings and fly.”
With his hair curling wildly on his collar he looked like a buccaneer from a storybook. Her heart was bursting with happiness—she loved him so much. She smiled at his appearance. His apparel was dishevelled and he had as much mud on his person as she had on hers. He was no longer an austere and unapproachable aristocrat but had become the man of her dreams.
After the presentation, the crowd returned to the jollifications and they were able to retire to the stables to steal a few precious moments together before joining her family in the house.
She slid to the ground and turned to lead her exhausted mare into the waiting loose box knowing Perry was close behind. A shaggy dog all but knocked her off her feet. “Mop! You’ve brought him with you. He looks so well; he’s the best present I’ve ever had.”
“I’m mortally offended, my darling. I thought nothing could match me when it came to name day gifts.”
Still laughing at the dog’s antics, she held out her hand and he pulled her to her feet. She swayed towards him. Pounding feet interrupted them as two grinning stable boys arrived. The larger of the two spoke up. “The master says we is to take care of the horses, miss, he’s awaiting for you up at the house.”
Perry’s arm enfolded her waist. “Come my darling, we have the rest of our lives to be together. Your family wants to celebrate our happiness with us.”
She tilted her face to stare at him. “I can hardly believe you are really here with me, I thought never to see you again.”
Ignoring the curious eyes of the lads he lifted her from her feet. “My darling, I give you my word that I shall never leave you alone again. If you would like me to I shall obtain a special licence and we can be married immediately. What do you think?”
In answer she pulled his dear head down and kissed him. When eventually she drew breath his shout of triumph sent the stable cat hissing and spitting up a tree. He spun her round in his arms until she was dizzy. “Enough, Perry—my love. The stable boys think you have run mad.”
His mouth covered hers again in a hard kiss. “I care not what anyone says. From now on we shall do as we like and if society doesn’t like it then so be it. Your love has liberated me; in future I intend to be as unconventional as you.”
“And I, my love, have decided to be sensible as befits my new status.”
He dropped her gently to the ground and, hand in hand, they ran towards the house like children recently released from school. The Duke of Essex was no longer proud and disdainful and Rose Bannerman was no longer prejudiced and wild. True love, as it always does, had changed them both.
About the Author
I am a full time writer of historical fiction and love every minute of it. I have a husband, two children and two grandchildren. I also have an ancient Border Collie called Zoe.
www.fenellajmiller.co.uk
Several of Fenella’s books are now available at Musa Publishing, including:
A Cornish Maid
Lady Eleanor’s Secret
Miss Bannerman and the Duke
Miss Peterson and The Colonel
Table of Contents
Cover
title page
Copyright Information
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author
Miss Bannerman and The Duke Page 15