A Lady's Guide to Rakes (12 page)

Meredith sat alone for some moments inside Lansing’s carriage, then looked through the open door to Mr. Herbert, who, she assumed, was his valet. “And his lordship expects me to wear this?” Her nose started to tingle, and her lips itched in want of a good guffaw.

“Indeed, miss. Sent me along in the event ye needed assistance tying yer neckcloth. All you need do is rap on the cabin wall, me brother will rein in the team and I shall descend from the perch to assist ye.”

Meredith narrowed her eyes and looked down her nose. “So he actually wishes for me to dress in a moving carriage?”

“Aye, miss. Wouldn’t do, he said, fer the Featherton ladies to witness their niece in men’s garb—were ye to dress in yer own chambers.”

“I see.”

The valet, all starched up and perfectly pressed, was so serious—in this, the most ludicrous situation imaginable.

“Very well, Mr. Herbert. I shall—”

“One.”

“I beg your pardon? One… what?”

“Ye may address me, as his lordship does, by
One.
“

Was it just her, or was everything this day slightly askew? “Very well… One. I shall dress on the way to Tattersalls.” She looked down at the bundle of clothing. “I am sure I can manage.”

There didn’t seem to be nearly so many layers as women’s wear, after all. How difficult could it be?

———

The journey to Tattersalls from Hanover Square took no more than a quarter of an hour—at least twice the time the distance required.

Meredith was thankful for the carriage’s snail’s progress—no doubt a request from One—since it took her every one of those minutes to rid herself of her petticoats and walking gown and to don the gentleman’s ensemble.

When at last the cabin door opened, Meredith stepped out—in her guise as “Lord Stilton,” a young gentleman from Cheddar. She’d decided that having made his fortune in cheese, he had ventured to Town to purchase a fine horse.

Upon seeing her, Alexander brought a fist to his mouth, though she could still see the edges of his lips lifting on either side.

“One, did you not offer to tie the neckcloth?”

“I did, me lord.”

“And did you tie it?” A snicker of sorts shot through Alexander’s nostrils. “For I daresay, I have never seen such a knot in all my days.”

“No, me lord, I did not tie it.” Then One added far beneath his breath, “How could ye assume such a thing?”

“There was no need for One’s assistance.” Meredith lifted her chin. “I tied it myself, and I am quite pleased with the result” She proudly flicked the left loop of the great bow that sat upon her throat. “Showed a little creativity, ‘tis all. Nothing wrong with that.”

“The point, Miss Merriweather, is to slip beneath the notice of the members, not to draw undue attention.” Alexander exhaled a long sigh. “ ‘Tis far too late to retrieve a freshly pressed cloth from the house for One to tie for you. The auction is about to begin.”

Meredith raised her arms from her sides and turned slowly about. “So, otherwise, am I presentable?”

———

She did present, actually, Alexander decided, closing the carriage door as he circled Meredith for a more complete impression.

One had done a remarkable job outfitting the tall miss. Her hair was twisted up and hidden into the column, of her beaver hat. The gentleman’s coat she wore was cut broad in the shoulders, hiding the gentle slope of her own delicate set, while its drape and coordinating waistcoat covered the hourglass pinch at her waist and her other… womanly attributes.

“The Hessians are a bit short in the toe.” Meredith limped in a small circle to accentuate her discomfort. “Though, I own, I simply adore the breeches.” She looked to One. “I say, may I purchase them from you after our little game this day?”

One ignored the comment completely and instead addressed Alexander. “The Hessians are sized fer a young gentleman.” He lifted a telling brow and nodded secretly.

Meredith set her hands on her concealed hips. “Are you implying that my feet are overlarge, sir?”

One shook the smallest amount, but his voice remained level. “I only informed me lordship as to the cut of the boot, miss. I beg yer pardon if me comment insulted ye in any way. ‘Twas not me intention, I assure ye.”

“Very well, then.” Meredith kicked the tip of her ebony walking stick and twirled it in a neat circle before returning it to the ground. “Shall we enter?” She started forward.

Alexander grabbed her arm, pulling her back before the carriage. “We have to get a few rules straight before we dare enter.”

“Oh yes, the rules.” Meredith pulled from his grip and crossed her arms at her chest. “Go on. I did promise, after all.”

“First, you do not speak, even if spoken to. Second,
never
look anyone in the eye. Avert your gaze. For while the clothing may disguise your sex”—Alexander ran the back of his lingers slowly across her cheek—”your lovely face will reveal it.”

Meredith brushed his hand away and Alexander caught a flash of annoyance in her eyes.

“Is that all, my lord?”

“No, my dear.” Alexander urged Meredith from the side of the carriage and toward the gates of Tattersalls. “The last rule is most important—remain at my side at all times. No matter what happens, if anything goes wrong, you stay with me. Understand?”

“Of course, I do.” Meredith’s face took on a sheen of excitement. “What could possibly go wrong?”

“What indeed?” Alexander carefully tamped down any hint of worry in his reply.

What indeed.

———

Tattersalls’ famed ring was completely deserted, which surprised Meredith. With an auction about to commence, she would have expected to see at least a horse or two being tested by handlers for potential buyers.

Still, Alexander seemed to know where he was going and so she. followed him, taking two long strides for his one just to keep up. As she swung her arms, pumping them to remain beside Alexander, she allowed her hand to brash his. All in the name of research, of course. Once, she was so bold as to let her fingers accidentally touch his right thigh as they walked.

Though she doubted a rake would dare attempt to seduce a woman while playing such a risky game as they were today, Meredith wondered if he at least considered it. And though she was dressed as a gentleman, this afternoon she intended to make quite certain he remembered there was a woman beneath the coat and breeches.

Her reasoning for joining him today was twofold, even if a little mad. Firstly, it was a brilliant opportunity to insinuate herself more thoroughly with Alexander. Proximity would bring a more intimate knowledge of the rake, and she hoped this knowledge would enable her to find his weaknesses, which, in turn, would lead him to reveal his true self. Had she been prepared for his surprise arrival at Bramley Mount, and had she not allowed herself to become distracted, she might have accomplished this yesterday. Today, however, would do just fine and she knew her time would be well-spent, whether or not she gleaned any tidbits for her guidebook. For Meredith had a second reason for being here.

It was beyond daring to slip into the “gentlemen only” bastion of Tattersalls. And, admittedly, the mere thought of being the first woman to breach its high gates was more than a little titillating to Meredith.

There were the gigantic horses to consider, which concerned her, but certainly they would all be on lead and she would be safe enough—especially with Alexander at her side.

Her heart thudded as they turned into what she took to be a courtyard with a columned cupola in its center, with a bust of Prinny perched atop it. It was there that Tattersalls’ patrons had gathered. Outside the stables was a wide passageway covered by a peaked roof upheld by pale columns. It all looked quite regal indeed.

At least forty gentlemen, many referring to the small folded booklets in their hands, gathered in the open-air passage.

Meredith cuffed Alexander’s shoulder, as she’d seen men do from time to time. He stumbled forward a couple of paces, since he’d been leaning to the left for a better view. Turning his head, he frowned at her.

“I only want to know what they are reading,” she muttered.

Alexander brought a vertical finger to his lips. “No talking, remember?”

What a ridiculous rule. No one could hear her. “But—”

“Shh!” Then Alexander shook his head slightly and put his lips nearly to her ear. “It’s just a catalog describing the horses to be auctioned.”

She could feel his warm breath on her cheek and it made her tingle all the way down her spine.

He began to turn, but Meredith caught his lapel and drew him close again. This time, she let her breath caress his face, let her concealed breasts press against his ribs, if only for a moment. “I say”—she lowered her voice, hoping to approximate a young man’s timbre, but without much success—”should we not have a catalog as well?”

Alexander raised his brow; then he grabbed her arm and pulled her up against one of the wide columns. He stared down into her eyes for several seconds before speaking. “But you’ve got to stop touching me.” Then a wry grin appeared on his lips. “We’ve time enough for that later, my dear.”

She stared back at him, not wholly sure what she could possibly say in reply.

“Stay here and do not move until I return.”

Meredith tipped her head, just like she reckoned a man would, and watched Alexander stamp his way through the dusty graveled courtyard.

She exhaled a sigh. Except for testing Alexander’s resolve to act the gentleman, this afternoon wasn’t proving to be nearly as diverting as she’d hoped it would. And if she didn’t know better, she would think women didn’t attend events at Tattersalls not because they were not permitted, but because it was too tedious.

By degrees, her gaze was drawn to the roof pitch. Several glassed windows had been set at the outermost slope, allowing large rectangular beams of sunlight to illuminate the passageway.

Suddenly the gentlemen all rushed forward, and Meredith heard the unmistakable clop of hooves on the dry, beaten earth.

Her chest began to clench, and inside, her heart thudded impossibly hard against her ribs.

Horses.

Horses. Oh Lord.

Sweat began to bead in tiny pearls where her beaver hat met her hairline.

Truth to tell, Meredith had known Tattersalls was not the right place to test or observe Alexander. She’d only fooled herself into believing it was. In the presence of so many others, he would never be more than the perfect gentleman.

In reality, she’d only wanted to come because Lansing made it sound so irresistibly daring. And yet, it hadn’t been risky or exciting… or anything. Why, she’d just walked right in. No one even really looked at her.

Coming to Tattersalls was just plain dim-witted— given her dread of horses.

The earthy scent of the beasts filled her nostrils. She clapped a hand to her chest and struggled for a breath.

Just calm yourself. There is nothing to fear. Nothing. Surely the horses are all on leads.

She swallowed hard.
Be a man. Be… Lord Stilton. He would not fear horses. Be Lord Stilton,
she told herself.

Meredith closed her eyes tightly as the clopping grew louder.
Jupiter!
There had to be at least four huge horses in the passage now. Four—just a few yards away.

Her gaze frantically searched the courtyard for Lansing. Where
was
he? By now, her knees had lost all solidity and had been transformed into two wobbly globs of marmalade conserve.

Over the shifting beaver hats before her, she could see the broad back of a fifth horse. Lord above, it was monstrous. Why, it had to be even larger than Lansing’s mammoth beast.

Her teeth began clacking together. In another moment, it would be too late to do anything. She’d be paralyzed with fright.

Go now. Now.
Her hand slid away from the column and she felt her legs carrying her backward.

From the farthest corner of her eye, she caught sight of the cupola in the distance. At once she knew that she’d be safe there until Lansing returned.

Meredith spun around in the gravel and immediately slammed into a gentleman.

“Oof!”
As she struggled to catch her breath, Meredith raised her eyes and readied an apology on her lips.

“Oh
no.
“

Meredith swallowed the huge lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. Her heart pounded heavier still and black speckles began to swirl like blue-winged ravens across her vision.

Startled pale eyes stared down at her. “Miss Merriweather?” came her beau’s all-too-familiar voice.

She teetered on the heels of her Hessians and felt his long fingers ring her arms, steadying her.

He was
here
. Here… at Tattersalls!

“Ch-Chillton,” she muttered.

A rake knows the appeal of a knight in shining armor.

Chillton’s hands slid up to Meredith’s shoulders and shook her, whisking away the dark haze descending over her consciousness like a threadbare death shroud.

“What in the king’s name are you doing
here
—and dressed… so, so shockingly?” His voice was noticeably strained, but he spoke in low tones, to ensure, she knew, that no other would overhear and witness her disgraceful actions.

Meredith could feel her lips moving, and yet no sound was coming from them. There was no way that she could admit what her little charade as a gentleman was all about. He’d never understand.

She peered nervously up at Chillton. “I thought you were away… on a business excursion.”

“I had been, but was called back to meet with a merchant from India. He was only to be in Town for a short while…” He paused momentarily, as if lost in thought.

“Don’t understand why he never showed—the note said Tattersalls, I am sure of it,” he muttered before his gaze grew sharp again; then he pinned his attention on Meredith. “My reason for being here is of absolutely no consequence.” His mouth snapped shut before he finished, and wrinkling his nose as though Meredith smelled as foul as the dung heap near his foot, he studied her gentleman’s garb. “What are you doing here, dressed like—”