Chapter 7

THE CAMDEN BALL– PART 2

"That event in Derbyshire was quite entertaining, I must say. I found myself biting my nails even though I'm not as obsessed with horses as you are," Ralph was saying to Theo.

He was hardly listening though. His attention was reserved for Lady Rosalyn Orford. She wasn't speaking at all. But ever since they'd started talking about horse racing, he could see the play of emotions on her face. He'd sense that she was about to say something, but then she'd swallow it and keep her lips sealed.

He knew how to get her to talk.

"You know, I was at this local event last week. I didn't participate, I was just there as a spectator. The actual race was between the thoroughbred and this new Cleveland bay. And it was quite shocking to watch the bay win the race," he said.

"It was obvious, is what it was," Lady Rosalyn snorted.

Ah.

"It was?" Ralph asked her suspiciously.

"That the bay would win? Of course," she shot back.

"Yes, I gathered as much. I'm asking you how you know about this local race," Ralph said through clenched teeth.

Oh because she was there and she won the bets. Also, she was unaccompanied, dressed as a man, Theo wanted to say. But he kept his mouth shut.

"Ralph, you know I keep an account on all the races happening around here. I asked one of the footmen," she stuttered.

Ralph didn't look like he believed a word she'd said but let it go because they had company.

"Alright. But it is true, my sister is just as mad about horses as you are, if not more," Ralph said to Theo.

"Interesting. So tell me, Lady Rosalyn, why did your footman think the bay won?" He turned to her.

She seemed a little nervous at his question, but replied, "the thoroughbred was tired and didn't seem to be in good spirits. While the bay normally isn't as fast as the thoroughbred, it was clear that her heart was in it."

"Or so my footman thought," she added when Ralph looked at her with narrowed eyes.

To any novice, her answer would've been a ton of gibberish. But Theo was no novice. And it seemed like this woman understood horses. This was exactly what he'd thought at the beginning of the race.

He just nodded, too surprised to speak. She was unlike any woman he'd ever encountered.

"What did you think of the Derby Stakes that happened last month?" Lady Rosalyn asked Theo.

He knew she was testing him.

After a while, he found that he was engaged in a heated but extremely riveting conversation with Lady Rosalyn. And he discovered that Ralph had excused himself sometime back.

"It seems like your brother has deserted us," he said.

She seemed taken aback, noticing Ralph's absence only then. That pleased him.

"It seems he has. And so have my friends," she murmured.

"Would you like to take in some fresh air?" he asked, a little too hopefully for his taste.

"I would like that above all else," she smiled.

They made their way to the balcony, it was littered with several people but it was better than the crowded ball room.

They leaned against the railing, not knowing what to say to each other.

"There's something..." they both said at the same time and laughed.

"Ladies first," said Theo.

"I thank you for not saying anything about the race to Ralph."

"And I would like to apologise for my reprehensible behaviour," he said.

"On all occasions?" she grinned.

"All of them," he smiled sheepishly.

"I'm generally not such a cad. In fact I'm quite charming with Ladies," he added.

"Why isn't that hard to believe?" she chuckled.

"So?" he prompted.

"I forgive you for causing my fall in the woods, for your arrogance and for kissing me without my permission," she smiled.

Theo didn't really regret the kiss. Only that she'd stopped him.

At his disgruntled expression, she added, "I should like to apologise too."

"Apology accepted. For swearing at me like a sailor and slapping me, not that it was uncalled for," he winked.

Rosalyn smiled broadly, feeling light.

"So are we friends then?" she asked him.

"Friends? How you wound me, my lady," he said, affecting the look of an aggrieved beau.

"Yes, only friends," she said solemnly, looking at him sideways.

"As you wish," he sighed.

Lady Rosalyn was his friend's sister and that made things very inconvenient. Not that he had a dalliance in mind. She was a proper Lady and they could never have what he wanted. But a friendship with her would be sheer torture. Then again, he'd never met a woman like her. She was so easy to talk to and most of all, she loved horses just as much as he did. Except for his inconvenient attraction to her, he saw no reason he couldn't be her friend.

They got talking and Theo ended up telling her about his plans regarding his stables.

"So a stable housing all the best horses in England?" she asked, fascinated.

"Yes, it may sound a little silly. But I have it all planned," he said.

"Oh it isn't silly at all. But it'll require quite a sum," she murmured.

It was considered bad ton to talk of money in front of Ladies, but he thought he could tell her. And so he did.

"So you'll have to marry before you turn thirty?" she laughed, much to his annoyance.

"It's a damned nuisance," he grunted.

"I'm sorry," she giggled again.

"Will you help me?" Theo asked suddenly.

If he wanted his mother to believe this ploy, he'd need to put more effort into it, after all.

But Theo knew he was only looking for excuses to spend more time in her company.

"Help you with what?"

"Finding a wife,"

She began to laugh.

"What is it?"

"Well, it's just that had I had the talent for match making and the sort, all my friends and I would've probably been married by now," she shrugged, still grinning.

"You don't have to match-make. Just help me decide which Lady is suitable and which one isn't. Won't you help a friend?" he made a puppy face.

"Fine, I guess I could do that," she said hesitantly.

"But only because you played the 'friend' card," she grumpily added.

"Thank you. Now what can I do for you in return?"

"Consider my ideas for your stables?"

"That goes without saying, my lady," he said.

"Anything else that I can do for you?"

She seemed to be thinking for the longest time and then her eyes lit up with an evil glint.

Oh no.

"What if you accompanied me to all the local horse races in and around London? That way I can see the races and I don't have to worry about my safety either," she said gleefully.

He began to shake his head, already regretting his offer to do something for her.

"You can't say no. Won't you help a friend?" she batted her eyelids.

"No, Lady Rosalyn," he said, appalled.

"If that's how it's going to be, fine. I'd go anyway, you know. Whether you accompany me or not," she said with an insolent lift of her shoulder, drawing his attention to that delicate curve.

Theo sighed.

What he gotten himself into? He couldn't say no now. She was reckless and spelled trouble. If he left her to her own devices, she'd put her safety in danger. But if he was with her, at least there wouldn't be any worries regarding her well being.

Yes, you'll be the only one she'd have to worry about, his subconscious smirked.

He could resist her, he told himself.

"Fine, I'll do it," he said, resigned.

"Hurrah!" she clapped her hands and laughed.

He smiled too because how could he not?