To Capture a Duke's Heart (15 page)

Hearing what sounded like a muffled harrumph behind her, Penny fought the urge to cringe.  Managing a gracious smile instead, she allowed the earl to lead her into the front parlor.  

A few steps behind, Rafael nudged Gabriel with his elbow and murmured in a low voice, “You’d best dispatch a letter to the states the moment we return to London lest Mother hear the news of your sudden nuptials from someone else.”

Gabriel nodded in agreement.  His mother would be shocked enough to learn of his precipitous marriage, but if she chanced to hear of it from someone
other
than himself; well needless to say he would never hear the end of it.

After several minutes of exchanging pleasantries in the front parlor, McKesson rose from his chair to join Gabriel where he stood near the room’s massive stone fireplace, while Penelope, Michael and Rafael continued to drink their tea and avail themselves of the vast selection of cakes, scones and small crustless sandwiches the earl’s kitchen staff had prepared.

“She’s delightful, Ainsworth.  And what a beauty,” Alistair murmured in a hushed voice as he regarded Penelope with undisguised admiration.  “Wherever did you find her?”

Uninvited in my bed
, Gabriel thought petulantly.  Nevertheless, he was careful to maintain a pleasant expression.  Not only due to his promise to Beckford, however, but because he would much rather suffer in silence than reveal the actual, humiliating circumstances of his marriage to anyone.  He was a man who controlled one of England’s largest fortunes, held a seat in Parliament, managed numerous estates encompassing several thousand tenants and directly employed several hundred individuals.  To divulge that he had been so easily duped by a mere slip of a girl would have been mortifying to say the least.  He still had his pride, by God, battered and bruised as it was.  “Penelope is the Earl of Beckford’s daughter.” 

“You don’t say,” Alistair remarked in surprise.  “I recall Beckford mentioning that he had a daughter during his last visit, though I hadn’t realized the girl was of marriageable age.”

“Penelope is eighteen,” Gabriel replied, discomfited by the sudden reminder of his wife’s youth, for it rankled to know that the woman who’d managed to dupe him with such astonishing ease was in fact little more than a child.

The earl grinned.  “Snapped her up before the other gents could get a look at her, did you?”

Gabriel managed a slight smile.  “Yes, I suppose you could say that.”

“Always knew you were a clever chap,” Alistair remarked with an approving nod.

Clever indeed, Gabriel thought in disgust.  So bloody clever that he’d managed to land himself square in the middle of a perfectly-laid trap, one that had led him straight into the parson’s noose. 

“The young ladies will be devastated, of course, to learn that you are officially off the market,” the earl continued with a chuckle.  “Though I’ve no doubt that the continued eligibility of those two charming rogues,” he added, motioning toward Michael and Rafael “will help to ease their collective heartache.”

“Yes, I’ve a feeling you are correct on that account,” Gabriel agreed, glancing at his brothers in sudden sympathy.  Now that he was legally wed it was inevitable that his brothers would find themselves even more highly sought after than before; as despite their being second sons, they were both well on their way to amassing considerable fortunes of their own, thanks in part to his expert guidance and a number of sound financial investments. 

“Well then, if everyone is suitably refreshed, perhaps we should make our way to the stables,” the earl suggested a few minutes later.

Rafael and Michael were on their feet at once, their matching expressions undeniably eager.

“Of course you are more than welcome to remain here at the house if you would prefer not to accompany us outdoors, Your Grace,” the earl said to Penny as she rose from her seat on the velvet-covered settee.

“Actually, Lord McKesson, I believe I’ll join you, for I would enjoy seeing the horses as well.”

“Of course, of course,” he replied with an enthusiastic smile. “I should have expected you to be a horse lover, your being Beckford’s daughter and all.  Are you in search of a new mount for yourself, perhaps?”

“No, not presently,” she answered, taking the earl’s arm once again as he led them from the parlor.  “In fact I acquired a new mount not that long ago, one of yours actually.”

The earl’s bushy eyebrows rose in surprise.  “You don’t say?”

“My father purchased him during his last visit here, a marvelous black stallion named Apollo.”

“Oh yes, a splendid animal,” he declared, eyeing her with a combination of surprise and admiration, “though quite massive and highly spirited as I recall.  You must be quite a horsewoman to handle a brute like that, Your Grace.”

“He
is
a bit rambunctious,” Penny agreed good-humoredly.  “But yes, I am extremely comfortable in the saddle and Apollo and I suit each other quite well, I assure you.” 

The earl smiled, seeming genuinely pleased.  “I’m delighted to hear it.”

Following a short walk to the rear of the property, they reached the stable where McKesson’s thoroughbreds were housed and then entered through a set of wide, double doors.  Breathing in the familiar scents of freshly cut hay, oiled leather and horses, Penny felt right at home as she surveyed the bevy of activity within the huge wooden structure.  She was careful to watch her step, however, clad as she was in a pair of dainty kid slippers, rather than her sturdy leather riding boots.

“After receiving your missive,” the earl said to Gabriel, as he led them further into the cavernous building, “I believe these four here to be best suited to your needs,” he continued, motioning to the grouping of stalls on his right. 

Gabriel nodded, while Rafael let out an admiring whistle as they neared the stalls.

“Magnificent animals, each one,” the earl stated proudly.

“Indeed they are,” Michael agreed as his eyes leapt eagerly from stall to stall.

“I have several others of course, which you are more than welcome to consider,” McKesson stated, “but I know that you will settle for nothing but the best, Your Grace, and I can assure you that these four are the finest of the lot.  Finest group of young thoroughbreds in all the land actually, if I do say so myself.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Gabriel replied with the utmost sincerity.

“Alright then, let’s take a closer look shall we,” the earl suggested, directing them to the first stall.

Once each of the horses had been thoroughly examined, the animals were led from their stalls and readied to be taken outside.

As the duke and his brothers conversed with the earl, his records keeper and the head trainer, just outside the stable doors, Penny excused herself from the group and made her way to the paddock, walking alongside the split rail fence until she reached one of the narrow benches spaced at equal intervals along the perimeter.  Stepping up onto the thick, smoothly-sanded wooden slab, she crossed her arms atop the highest rung and watched as the stable master and a trio of grooms led the horses into the enclosure.  They were all beautiful animals, a bay, two blacks and a grey, each of them a superb representation of their breed. 

She continued to watch as they were subsequently put through their paces, paying careful attention to the movements of each one as they walked, cantered, trotted and galloped within the enormous enclosure. And while most women of her age might have quickly grown bored with the various demonstrations, Penny was enjoying it immensely.

She’d been standing there for nearly half an hour, perfectly content to watch the proceedings on her own, when she caught a movement from the corner of her eye, alerting her to someone’s approach.  Turning her head she saw that it was Michael coming toward her, the darker color of his jacket, which she had noted earlier, the only discernable distinction between him and his twin brother.  In time she would learn to tell them apart without the benefit of their clothing, she supposed.  Waiting silently as he neared, she offered a small, hesitant smile as he came to stand beside her.

“The earl asked me to inform you that you are more than welcome to return to the house if you are finding the wait tedious.”

“Not at all,” Penny replied truthfully.  “I’m quite content to watch, thank you.”

Michael nodded as he turned his gaze back to the horses.  “I heard you speaking with McKesson earlier,” he said after a moment.  “I take it you are an avid equestrian.”

“I am,” she said, somewhat surprised by the question, for she hadn’t expected him to remain at her side once he’d delivered his message, nor had she expected him to voluntarily engage her in conversation.  Nevertheless, if he was extending an olive branch she was more than willing to take it.  “It was inevitable I suppose, for much to my mother’s dismay my father had me in the saddle the moment I was out of leading strings.”

Michael motioned to the empty space beside her on the bench.  “Would you mind?” 

“No, of course not,” Penny replied, moving a few inches to the left as Michael stepped up onto the wooden slab next to her.  They stood there for a time, watching the goings on within the paddock in companionable silence.

“So, which of the four do you fancy, Your Grace?” Michael asked, breaking the silence a few minutes later.

Hearing Michael refer to her as
Your Grace
caused Penny to dart a quick, sidelong glance in his direction, though she detected nothing spiteful or unkind in his expression.  “Please, call me Penny,” she said after a brief hesitation, hoping she wasn’t overstepping. 

“Alright,” he agreed with a slight nod.  “Which of the four do you fancy, Penny.”

“Well, they are certainly
all
extraordinary animals, but I’m partial to the bay,” she said, her eyes tracking the horse’s movement as he circled the paddock.  “His temperament is spirited but not unruly, both the arch of his neck and the slope of his shoulders are impeccable, his legs are exceptionally long and clean and if you’ll note his breathing you will see that his recovery time is quite impressive.  In addition, and while the difference isn’t readily discernable upon first glance,” she continued, “the bay’s stride length appears to be slightly superior to each of the blacks and just a fraction longer than the grey’s.”

Michael’s expression reflected no small measure of surprise at her astute assessment as he glanced toward her.  Then shifting his gaze back to the paddock he followed the bay’s movements, focusing on his gait.  “You’ve a good eye,” he stated after a moment. 

“His lines, as well as his coloring make me wonder if he might be descended of the Godolphin Arabian,” Penny mused.  “Do you happen to know, perchance?”

Michael blinked.  “Er… yes actually, as a matter of fact he is.  A direct descendent of his son Cade, according to McKesson’s record keeper.”

Penny was impressed.  “That’s quite a bloodline.”

“Yes, it certainly is,” Michael murmured.

They continued to study the horses for several more minutes, commenting now and then on their mutual observations.

Standing slightly apart from where Rafael and McKesson were speaking with the trainer near the paddock gate, Gabriel tried to keep his attention focused upon the horses.  It proved a difficult task, however, as his errant gaze strayed time and again to where Michael stood conversing with his new bride farther down the rail.
Humph
, so much for brotherly loyalty he thought to himself.  Although it really shouldn’t have surprised him he supposed, as Michael had always been the most benevolent and tenderhearted member of their family.  Even so, he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of annoyance at the apparent ease of his brother’s capitulation.

As such, he allowed the subtle hint of reproach to reflect upon his face when Michael made his way back a short while later.

Noting Gabriel’s expression, Michael shrugged contritely.  “She knows horses,” he offered by way of explanation and then hurried to join the others near the gate.

She knows horses
.  Following Michael with his eyes, he shook his head in disbelief.  Damn it all, if they weren’t careful the conniving little chit would soon have his brothers wrapped around her little finger and persuaded to disregard her duplicitous act entirely.  Hell, with her remarkable theatrical abilities she might even convince them that it was
she
who was the victim in all of this instead of him. 

With their selections made a short time later, the bay for Michael and the grey for Rafael, they prepared to resume their journey with the earl’s assurance that the horses would be delivered to London within the coming fortnight.

“Your Grace,” the earl said to Penny as they approached the awaiting coach, “it was an absolute delight meeting you.  Please give my regards to your father when you see him next.”

“Thank you, Lord McKesson.  I shall,” she replied with a warm smile.  Then, allowing one of the footmen to assist her into the vehicle, Penny settled once again into her seat against the far wall and waited for the gentlemen to join her. 

Minutes later, once everyone was comfortably settled, the step was raised, the door pushed closed and the carriage wheels began rolling forward once again.