‘What kind of life?’ came the inevitable question.
‘Pretty rackety.’ Better to be brutal to be kind if the girl had any idea of snaring Moncaster.
‘Benedict, I lost money to him,’ she disclosed in a sudden rush of words.
‘We all lost money to him.’
‘I mean, I lost more—after you left.’
‘You couldn’t have lost much more. You only had enough rouleaus left for one more stake.’
‘I borrowed more.’
‘Borrowed? From him?’ He whistled under his breath.
‘It was not a good idea?’
‘Definitely not. What did you pledge?’
‘Pledge?’
‘What did he ask for?’ Benedict was getting seriously alarmed.
‘My handkerchief, first, but then he gave me rouleaus for free.’
‘He never gives anything for free.’
‘That’s what I’m thinking now,’ she said miserably. ‘What will he do, do you think?’
Benedict hardly liked to put his thoughts into words. The vague feelings of guilt that had previously visited him found vent in scolding.
‘Whatever made you do such an idiotic thing?’
‘I didn’t realise it was wrong until later. You were not there to advise me,’ she accused him.
‘It shouldn’t be me advising you. It should be your aunt. You must tell her what you’ve done and she must repay Lord Moncaster his debt.’
‘I can’t do that. She will be so angry with me and despatch me immediately to Spain.’
‘I wouldn’t blame her. You’re too much of a responsibility. Anyway, you’re leaving for Spain at the end of the Season, so why not now?’
‘I have my reasons,’ she said gravely, the image of Richard hovering close. Then, following her train of thought, she asked in a falsely bright voice, ‘Is Miss Tallis riding here today?’
‘She’s out driving with my sister. I’m supposed to be with them, but Sophia’s screeching sends me insane. I thought you were the better bet!’ He grinned.
She ignored the witticism. ‘Is she here right now? Perhaps we should go and find her.’
‘We won’t have to look too far.’ He raised his arm to point ahead. ‘She’s there, just to the right of that clump of trees.’
They reined in their horses. A carriage had been drawn up beneath the trees and to one side they saw Sir Julian Edgerton talking animatedly to Christabel. He had her hand raised to his lips and then, as they watched, slipped what looked like a ring on her finger.
‘Perhaps not the right time to interrupt,’ Benedict commented drily.
Domino felt considerable surprise, but also a warm pleasure. If Christabel were pledged to another man, it might mean Richard would look more kindly on her. ‘They are to be married?’
‘My mother’s been waiting an age for this—Bel must have finally decided to put the man out of his misery.’
‘It’s a very happy day, then. Let’s go and congratulate them.’
‘I don’t think I will right now,’ he prevaricated. ‘Just look at Sophia! ‘
They looked across from the betrothed couple and saw a figure in bright blue satin some distance from the carriage, standing rigidly with averted head.
‘Like I said, perhaps not the best time to interrupt.’ He gave a mischievous smile. ‘Come on, let’s have a gallop. No one’s around to tell tales.’
‘I must not, Benedict. I’m already in trouble for that.’
He set himself to persuade his companion that a gallop was just the thing to blow away her megrims when a large black stallion cut across their path and Richard Veryan was hailing them with a smile.
‘Good morning to you both. I’m very glad to see you, Domino, though I must admit I didn’t expect to meet you so early in the morning.’
‘It’s such a beautiful day that I couldn’t lie abed. Did you particularly want to see me, Richard?’ Her tone was eager, almost breathless.
‘I was worried that I might miss you, knowing what a crowded social calendar you have,’ he teased. ‘I wanted to tell you that I’m leaving for Cornwall very shortly.’
‘Cornwall? But why now?’ Her dismay rang out clearly.
‘Why not now?’ he said bracingly. ‘I’ve tarried too long in London—my mother deserves better. I should be at her side, don’t you think?’
‘Yes’, she stuttered, ‘of course, but it seems a sudden decision.’
‘Hardly sudden. It’s taken time to organise my affairs, but everything is now in a fair way to being settled. There’s no need for me to remain in London any longer.’
Benedict saw her face and knew instantly that his supposition over Moncaster was false. But this relationship didn’t look much more promising. There was an awkward silence and he felt it incumbent to oil the social wheels.
‘I’ll be returning to Cornwall myself pretty soon, Rick. We must make sure to ride out together—if you can spare the time.’
The other man smiled his assent. ‘There’s always time for a decent gallop.’
Domino had been following her own thoughts and blurted out abruptly, ‘But won’t you stay for the Vauxhall spectacle, Richard? It’s only a few days away.’
‘I think not, but you’re sure to enjoy yourself. I remember seeing the fireworks for the first time when I was about your age and they were truly spectacular.’
Domino dug her nails into her hands and screamed inwardly. Wanting to hit out, she said as casually as she could, ‘If you’re leaving so soon, you’d better make haste to congratulate Miss Tallis. She is close by, I believe.’
Benedict looked at her with surprise, wondering what her game was. Not for the first time he felt completely out of his depth in trying to fathom females.
‘Congratulate Miss Tallis?’ Richard was questioning.
‘We’ve just seen her with Sir Julian Edgerton in a most romantic situation, haven’t we, Benedict?’ Her companion looked suitably revolted. ‘Benedict tells me that the betrothal between Sir Julian and his sister is something the whole family has been expecting, and it looks as though today it’s finally happened,’ she added helpfully.
Richard was far too self-controlled to betray his feelings, but his face grew austere and the light went out of the smiling grey eyes.
‘I had better do as you suggest, then, and seek Miss Tallis out.’
He wheeled his horse sharply around and rode away. His face might be an impassive mask, but inside he was incandescent. She was going to marry the man! How could she even consider it? Just a few days ago she had kissed him, caressed him, laid herself open to his lovemaking. The thought almost tore the breath from his body. Only yesterday in Curzon Street he’d felt certain that he could leave behind the old history at last. He’d been shocked to discover that Christabel had never known the depths of his youthful love and begun to understand just how easy it had been for Joshua to mislead her. The familiar, nagging hurt hadn’t disappeared completely, but he’d felt better able to contemplate the past with some serenity. Now, though, the wound had opened again and laceratingly. Yet another man was to smile into those startling emerald eyes, to