The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley Read Online Free Page A

he steepled his fingers, raising
one eyebrow in that manner he’d adopted since the death of their
father two years ago. Where some young men might find the weight of
an earldom sat heavily on their shoulders, Robert seemed to relish
the role.
    “I’ve only had one Season. How can you
expect me to decide so soon? It’s not as if we can’t afford to
remain in London until summer. And how was I supposed to properly
entertain potential beaux last year when I had Patriot on my
mind?”
    Robert’s lips thinned. “Does this mean he’s
not foremost in your thoughts this year? I should never have agreed
to let you train that horse. No gentleman will want you if word
gets out what you’ve been doing.”
    She refused to say it, but that was exactly
her concern. She had no intention of giving up horse training once
she married, which greatly narrowed her chances of finding a
suitable match. Northcotte’s Patriot was on the lips of most
members of the Jockey Club to become the prominent three-year-old.
His third place finish at Newmarket hadn’t dimmed her hopes her
horse would come into his stride now that the first official race
was behind him. While she had no plans of becoming a breeder of
horses, or anything else for that matter, she enjoyed nurturing the
spirited colts and fillies in her brother’s stable.
    She would only be happy if she could marry a
man with a good stable. A kind, gentle sort who would allow her to
continue to train horses. She didn’t even care whose horses they
were, her brother’s or her husband’s, just so long as she didn’t
have to put her dreams aside.
    Robert would not be looking for that sort of
man as he sought a husband for her, unless he hoped to have access
to another man’s stud. He’d look for an heir to a title, or
possibly a wealthy businessman who might be interested in backing
the Northcotte stable. A marriage to suit his own whims.
    She must be allowed to make the choice
herself. “If I promise to make a decision by the end of the Season,
will you let me select my own husband?”
    He leaned back in his chair and contemplated
her, his expression the composed mask she recognized. At last, he
nodded. “I’ll continue to consider my own list of candidates,
however, in case you fail to produce a satisfactory suitor. But we
can put the decision off until later in the Season.”
    “Just promise me you won’t let anyone other
than Bruce ride Patriot.”
    His brows dropped sharply. “I’m sorry, that
isn’t possible. He didn’t survive his illness.”
    “What? But he was fine that morning. Did the
doctor say what it was?”
    “The constable is still investigating. But
I’m certain it’s nothing you might catch.”
    That hadn’t crossed her mind. Aside from
feeling she’d lost a friend, she now had to worry they would find
someone Patriot was comfortable with. And she wouldn’t be there to
help him adjust. She was stuck here in London.
    After retrieving her pelisse, hat and
gloves, Joanna stormed out the front door where the groom, Wallis,
waited with a pair of horses. Just seeing Patriot awaiting her
lifted some of her frustration. The handsome black towered over
her, even though she was rather tall herself, but he was like a
kitten when she sat on his back. That was another area of potential
problem in finding a husband. Few men would allow their wives to
ride stallions. Once she married, she’d not be able to ride him,
however, since he belonged to her brother.
    With Wallis following, she set out for Hyde
Park. Unlike most runners, Patriot had been trained to accept both
a lady’s saddle and a man’s. Pressing her crop against Patriot’s
right side as she rode, she could mimic riding astride. It was more
awkward to ride that way, but it was a small price to pay to be
able to ride him where others might be shocked at her riding
astride.
    Hopefully, Rotten Row would be empty at this
early hour, with gentlemen of the ton likely sleeping off
last night’s revelry.