As they led him in through the stable doors, a shadow detached itself from the interior and strolled out into the thin winter sunlight.
“Clever horse,” the Marquis of Aldridge said. “Knows quite a few tricks.”
“He does, yes.” James smiled. He had selected Seistan from the herd himself when the colt was still at his mother’s heel.
Bellowes pulled some threads of tobacco from a pocket and tamped it into the bowl of his pipe, carefully avoiding looking at either aristocrat.
“Even how to limp when you tell him.” Aldridge shot a look at James through raised brows.
James pursed his lips. Now what? He could not in honesty deny the charge, though he could refuse to answer.
Bellowes straightened from his slouch against the stable wall. “I’d best keep an eye on the boys, my lords. Looks like a few days’ more rest will put that horse of yours back on his feet again, Lord Elfingham. And so I will tell anyone that asks.”
“Thank you, Bellowes.” James inclined his head to the stable master, who bowed to him and to Aldridge and strode off into the stables.
“Corrupting my stable master, are you?” Aldridge sounded amused. “I acquit you of nefarious intent, Elfingham. You are here a’courting, and a man might be forgiven for being inventive in such a case.”
James tipped his head to acknowledge the point. “I mean no harm to the lady in question, or to the duchess and her guests. I give you my word on that.”
“There is betting at the clubs about which lady you will choose: Felicity Belvoir or your cousin Charlotte Winderfield, who is your grandfather’s choice, they say.”
James eyes widened, but he managed to control any other reaction. “Fools with too much time on their hands,” he suggested.
“Yes. Fools indeed. It is Sophia Belvoir, of course.”
James smiled a little, tipping his head again.
“You do not seem to be making progress,” the marquis observed. “She has been avoiding you.” He waited, but James said nothing. “She has heard about the wager in the clubs. I suspect she means to save her sister from your wiles.”
“Her sister is at no risk,” James hissed.
“And Lady Charlotte?”
James glared at his tormenter. “Is my courtship your business, my lord? Your father and mine are not friends.”
Aldridge dismissed that with a wave of his hand. “I am not asking on my father’s behalf, nor do I make enemies at his command. I don’t ask for your friendship, Elfingham, but I am willing to offer mine.”
“Why?” The English rushed negotiations by the standards that James had been raised to, but that was an abrupt question even for them.
Aldridge regarded him for a long moment then heaved a sigh. “Shall we say fellow feeling? I know what it is to be invisible to the lady who has attracted one’s regard. In your case, the solution is simple. Tell the lady that you are courting her and only her.”
If this strategy contained a trap, James could not see it. “And in your own case?”
Aldridge took his time to answer. “Let me just say that I have my own reasons for wanting friendship between our families… and for not promoting your grandfather’s scheme for your marriage.”
“My grandfather is doomed to disappointment.” Could it be true? James thought back to ballrooms during the Season, where he propped up a pillar watching Lady Sophia while Aldridge did likewise from across the room, watching… “Charlotte? I take it your intentions towards my cousin…”
Aldridge smiled, wistfully. “My damnable reputation. I seek a wife, not a mistress, if that is what you are delicately not asking. But the lady is not interested, I fear.”
“Not in anyone, or so she told my grandfather when he announced his scheme, and so she has repeated to me on more than one occasion. But you have not abandoned hope, it seems?”
“Talk to Sophia, Elfingham. At least remove the lies between you.”
“I will,” James decided. “If I can catch her away from your oh, so charming brother.”
