by Wendy Vella
“Are you all right, Mr. Dillinger?”
And that was all he needed for this entire episode to get worse. Turning toward the voice, Ace looked up into the gray eyes of Lady Althea Ryder as she drew near, pulling her horse to a stop expertly. One of her hands was holding the reins of the beast that had hurled him to ground, while she kept her horse in check with the other.
“Good morning, Lady Althea,” he said, standing and brushing at his clothing while he tried to control his humiliation and anger. Why was she here in this bloody park at this hour?
“Ace!” The twins arrived then, full of apologies which he stopped with one look. “Dear Lord, I swear something spooked your horse. A stone or something seemed to hit its rump.”
Ignoring the twins, he kept moving. “I will walk back to my residence. Good day to you all.” He did not look at her, instead striking out toward the gate that would end this farce.
“So you are just going to give up?”
“Go home please, my lady.” Ace didn’t stop, just kept walking. “I am happy with my feet firmly planted on the ground, I assure you, and as I have no wish to insult you or say something to sully my reputation in your eyes further, it would be best for us both if you left now.” He concentrated on breathing in and out slowly. This was how he had focused before a fight. Doing this, he could block everything else from his mind.
“After the things you have mastered in your life, you are going to let this beat you?”
Ace didn’t speak, nor did he look at her; he just kept walking and breathing.
“Come now, Mr. Dillinger. Get back on the horse, please.”
“Lady Althea, I’m sure you have had occasion to experience your brothers in many different moods. Let me assure you that mine is at best termed dark, at the moment, and as I have no wish to insult you or be rude, it is not a good time to approach.”
Her laugh was a soft chuckle.
“Mr. Dillinger, if I took note of every time the men of my acquaintance were in dark moods, then I would converse with only women…which is not a bad thing. However, often I have to approach a man to get what I want.”
He swallowed his smile.
“Take up the reins now, Mr. Dillinger, and mount your horse.”
“Why is it important to you that I do?” He looked up at her then. Her riding habit was deep blue wool and fitted over the lush swells of her breasts, with black braid trimming both sides of the front. On her head sat a high-crowned black hat with a black bow at the back, and unlike every time he’d seen her, her hair was plaited in one long, satin length down her back and secured with a bow that matched the hat. The blue wool skirts of her dress rested on top of her shiny, black boots.
“You look beautiful.” He’d said the words because they were true. She was beautiful, and appeared elegant and controlled and made his heart beat faster.
“Thank you. That is a very nice thing to say when your insides no doubt resemble a butter churn.”
She’d made him laugh again when seconds before he’s wanted to pummel something, namely a twin.
“And in answer to your question, I have a bet with the twins that if I can get you back on your horse they will let me drive their new curricle when they come to Twoaks for Christmas.”
She really was an amazing woman, Ace thought, reaching for the reins before he even realized what he was doing. He’d never known another like her.
“Just so we are clear, my lady, I am doing this so you win.” He pulled himself onto the horse’s back. “And the twins do not.”
“Yes, I can imagine they are not high on your list of favorite people at the moment.”
“The only reason that I have not blackened both their eyes, Lady Althea, is because you are here,” Ace said, sending the twins a glare.
“Relax as best you can, Mr. Dillinger, and sink into the saddle,” she then instructed him.
He listened as she talked, her voice gentle as if she was schooling a young child.
“You realize, of course, this is a humiliating experience for me, my lady, and doubly so as you are here to witness my downfall,” he said, preparing to dismount once more, although this time he’d take the more conventional route.
“We all have things to learn, Mr. Dillinger. It is just that sometimes those teaching us are idiots. But for the moment, I would ask that you stay on your horse.”
“Never a truer word spoken, Lady Althea, and I would rather not.”
“I love the twins but I fear they can be trying when they set their minds to it,” she said.
“My respect for their brother has increased ten-fold,” Ace added.
“Yes, he is a brave man, especially considering he raised them,” she said. “Now, Mr. Dillinger, try to keep your heels down and we shall start at a slow walk.”
“I would rather not,” Ace said.
“But you will,” she persisted.
“Have you ever thought of enlisting, Lady Althea? It’s my belief England are not utilizing their finest weapon.”
“You’re trying to flatter me again, Mr. Dillinger.”
“You could reason them to death,” Ace added, “and if that doesn’t work you could simply annoy them until they drop at your feet, begging you to cease talking.”
“Very amusing,” she said, walking her horse forward, and if he wanted to talk with her he had to follow on his. Ace managed to control the horse and looked forward as she instructed, between the long twitching ears.
“You need to learn to understand the movement of the horse beneath you, Mr. Dillinger. Men tend to forget the finer nuances of learning to ride, as often, like the twins, they have been on horseback since they were small children.”
Ace focused onto her voice and felt the tension in his body start to ease.
“Now you need to stay calm. Inhale and then exhale slowly. Perfect, now loosen the grip you have on the reins and the horse shall not get annoyed at having its mouth constantly tugged at.”
Ace found himself doing as she directed and felt the horse relax beneath him.
“You are the driver, so to speak, Mr. Dillinger, and in control. You must make the horse understand that from the start. If he knows you are in control then he will do as you bid.”
“He is a beast,” Ace muttered.
“He is confused,” Lady Althea amended gently. “But we shall endeavor to set you both to rights.”
“That’s it, Ace!” Alex called from a few feet away. Ace didn’t answer.
“If you will allow me to assist you, Mr. Dillinger, I shall send the twins away. However, I shall need to take with me an assurance that you will not kill them both.”
“You ask a great deal from me, my lady.”
“It’s true I do, but in all honesty they are good men, if a little misguided at times. However, I suppose when you are constantly in the company of a man who is not only your best friend but your other half, then there are times when mischief arises.
“Wise as well as beautiful,” Ace said.
“You must be back to yourself if you can flirt and flatter, Mr. Dillinger.”
That surprised him, because Ace had never been known for either of those things. But before he could speak she had ridden away, leaving him all alone with the beast.
“I would prefer it if you could stay at this pace,” Ace said to the horse, “and if you do, I shall endeavor not to pull on your mouth and forgive you for unseating me.” The horse’s ears twitched and then she was back again, and the gray day suddenly seemed brighter once more.
“Ted is behind us should we require him, but now there is just me to contend with, Mr. Dillinger, and I am going to give you another riding lesson,” Lady Althea said brightly.
“Grateful though I am for the offer, I don’t think I want another lesson, my lady,” Ace said, looking at her again because he could, and if he was honest he wanted to, very much.
“Oh, come now, Mr. Dillinger. Surely you are not afraid—you, the man with the fierce reputation?” She made a sma
ll scoffing sound.
“If you hope to provoke me into continuing with this farce, Lady Althea, then that is not the way to do it,” Ace said. “I have been provoked by the best, and when I choose not to do something, no one can dissuade me.”
“Then you are indeed different from the men of my acquaintance, because I need only a few well-placed words to get them doing something they have no wish to do.”
They were walking their horses along a well-worn path as the morning mists slowly cleared, and there was not another rider in sight.
“That I can believe,” Ace added.
“I don’t believe that was a compliment, Mr. Dillinger.”
“Actually that one was, Lady Althea.”
She laughed a soft huff of breath and Ace thought the sound so sweet on the quiet morning air.
“Should you be seen out here with me at such an hour, my lady?” He would not be responsible for causing her trouble.
“I believe we have covered this before, Mr. Dillinger. My reputation is mine to guard, not yours. Besides, who is here to see?” She swept an arm out before her.
She was looking forward, but her horse was so close that every now and then, their legs touched. He should not be doing this, but God help him he liked this woman, and the prospect of sharing some time alone with her was too tempting, even if he was on horseback.
“I am uncertain if riding is for me, my lady. I think I’m destined to travel by carriage or foot. Having not had the head start like you and the twins, I believe it may be too late.”
“Nonsense. That is simply your pride talking. Now put it aside and listen to me, and if after our lesson you wish to go back to walking and letting someone else drive you hither and yon, I shall let you do so.”
“You are too kind,” Ace drawled.
“I always feel one resorts to sarcasm when they have nothing else to offer.”
“I am not renowned for my conversational abilities, Lady Althea. Therefore, if you are done tweaking my pride, shall we begin?”
Over the next thirty minutes, they walked, trotted and even cantered, and to his surprise, Ace enjoyed the time spent on his horse. Of course, that was very possibly because of his tutor, who was determined, humorous and sharp-witted, all of which she used with skill to get Ace doing exactly as she asked. He was not a man used to being led. He was the leader, he controlled the situations he put himself in, yet right here on this cool winter’s morning, he would have let this woman lead him anywhere.
It was a disturbing thought, and one that should have had him digging his heels in his mount’s sides if he could control said mount, yet he did not. He stayed, because he knew that for this small moment in time he had this woman to himself, and he was not foolish enough to believe it would happen again.
“I think we have covered enough for now, Mr. Dillinger. We shall meet again tomorrow morning.”
“No, that cannot happen, but I thank you for the offer, Lady Althea.”
She pulled her horse to a halt, grabbing his reins and stopping his horse, too.
“I believe that is my mount you are controlling,” Ace said carefully as he noted the fire in her gray eyes. Color rode high on her cheeks and he had to clench his fist to stop them reaching for her. This woman was far too tempting, and was challenging his control.
“Do you wish to learn to ride, Mr. Dillinger?” She had one gloved hand on her hip now.
“Surprisingly, after your tutelage, I find I do.” Lifting a hand as she opened those rose pink lips, he continued. “However, you will not be the one to continue my education, Lady Althea.”
She blew out a frustrated breath, making her look like a frustrated child.
“Then Ted shall teach you and I shall go riding whilst he is doing so.”
“Forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty, but perhaps you should ask Ted how he feels about that before volunteering his services.”
Rolling her eyes, she then turned and placed a hand on her horse’s rump.
“Ted, do you mind teaching this insufferable man how to ride in the mornings when we come to the park?
“It would be an honor, my lady, Mr. Dillinger.”
“There. You see he is quite happy to assist you.” Her smile was smug. “And in exchange for both my footman’s and my teaching you to sit a horse so you don’t look like a fool, you shall let me watch you fight one day.”
Ace didn’t speak, just gave her a slow, steady look, moving his eyes all over her face until a soft blush filled it.
“I believe I warned you I was not one of your soft-bellied, besotted noblemen you can lead around just by crooking one of your fingers, my lady.”
“I’m very aware of that, Mr. Dillinger, and will add that I have no wish to lead any man anywhere. However, I would like to watch you fight Ben Hetherington.”
“No,” he said. “And I shall now bid you good day, Lady Althea, and once again thank you for your lesson.”
Ace didn’t want to leave her, which was a sign he needed to. It was as he rode out of the park a few minutes later, alone, that he wondered how the hell he was going to navigate the streets of London to his house, where he could reach a servant who would know what to do with this horse.
Bloody woman. She made him forget all reason, Ace thought with a wide smile.
Chapter Six
“Ted and I are going to visit with the Brown family now, Bella. We shall not be over long.”
“Do you wish for my company?” her friend said, looking up from the letter she was reading that her sister Livvy had sent. Nestled in a seat in front of the fire, she looked comfortable.
“No.” She waved her hand about. “There is little point in both of us getting cold. I shall return shortly, after I have delivered the packages Maggie gave me.”
“Are you taking your maid?”
“I have Ted and as I am only going there briefly before returning, I do not think it necessary,” Thea added.
“I shall have tea waiting.” Bella gave her a smile before losing herself once again in the missive.
She’d been in London three days, and had not yet delivered the package that Miss. Brown, the housekeeper at Rossetter House, had commissioned her to deliver. She was a wonderful woman who they all relied upon, and when she had fallen ill with a chest inflammation, Thea had promised to deliver the gifts she had made for her family as she could not now leave Rossetter to spend Christmas with them.
She had ridden this morning, and both she and Ted had given Mr. Dillinger his lesson, much to his displeasure, as he wanted Thea nowhere near him as he was sure her reputation would be harmed were they seen together. Little did he know that those rides were something she eagerly awaited. She’d gone to bed the past few evenings eager to awake and go to the park, just to see him.
She was a fool, and these feelings inside her were improper and wrong, but Thea couldn’t help it. Oliver Dillinger was the most handsome, intriguing man she had ever known, and she loved being in his company. She wanted him, wanted to have him in her life, but was as yet unsure how to convince him that he wanted her also.
His wit was dry, and his intellect sharp, but what Thea loved was when she could coax a smile from his lips. Those moments were like precious little gems uncovered, rare but so very rewarding.
The first morning she’d seen him on horseback, striving to keep his seat whilst the horse bolted, she’d felt ill inside at the prospect of him harming himself. When she’d caught up with him and he’d been looking like a thunder cloud, his body tense and his scowl fierce, she should have been intimidated but instead she was excited.
“Althea Ryder, you are indeed a sorry specimen,” she sighed.
He was right that she should have no further contact with him, but not because of her reputation. No, she should not see him again because every time she did she felt herself getting closer to him and wanting that so much it was almost painful. Her chest felt tight when she rode to meet him, expectation nearly choking her at the thought of seeing him agai
n.
She never felt like that when she saw Lord Howarth. In fact, she’d never felt like that before. Thea knew it was wrong but did not seem to be able to stop herself.
The Brown family lived in a terraced house with a dark brown stone façade and white windows. It was not the best part of London but very pleasant, with a park across the street that, even on such a cold day, had children running hither and yon.
“I shall not need you for this, Ted. Therefore, go with the carriage to keep the horses warm and return in a while, as I have much to relate to the Browns on behalf of their daughter.”
“I will just wait until you are inside then, my lady, as you do not have your maid with you.”
“You will not,” Thea said, looking at her footman. “Keep the horses moving or they shall grow stiff and cold.”
“Are you certain, my lady?”
“Absolutely.”
Thea walked up the steps as the carriage rolled away and knocked on the door. It was answered minutes later by a maid.
“Good afternoon. I am Lady Althea, from Rossetter House in Two Oaks. I wish to speak with the Brown family, please.”
“Oh, but they are out I’m afraid, my lady, and not due to return for some time as they are visiting friends,” the maid said, and Thea wished she had sent a note as Bella had suggested she do. However, as always she’d just come, such was her impetuous nature.
“Never mind. If you could just take these gifts and the message from Miss Helen Brown to say she has a slight chill, and will visit with them as soon as she is able,” Thea said, handing the basket to the maid.
“Of course I shall, my lady.”
When the door was closed, she wondered what she was to do now, as Ted and the carriage had gone. Seeing the children in the small park, she walked down the steps and made her way across to there. She could sit there for a while, if the weather was not too cold, or take a walk? Perhaps there was a tea shop nearby? Should she just knock on the door once more and ask to sit inside the Brown residence until Ted and the carriage returned? Looking toward the park, she made for there first. Her brothers were extremely protective, so it was quite liberating to be walking about on her own.
