The Lady In Question (28 page)

“As you wish,” he said mildly. “Although I must say I am surprised an Effington would be afraid of a mere camel. Why, a fair portion of the world rides camels every day. Men, children, even” — he paused for emphasis — “women.”

He was good.

Tony shook his head. “I had always heard Effington women were a distinctly different breed from other women, but apparently that assessment was inaccurate. It’s probably just those dangerous rules of society that Effington women flout. Something that, in truth, carries no real risk of actual danger or even…grand adventure.”

He was very good.

Delia fisted her hands by her side and started back toward the camel. “If I do not survive this, St. Stephens, I shall haunt you for the rest of your days.”

His laughter sounded behind her.

She approached the animal and stopped short. “He’s shedding.”

“She.”

“Very well,
she’s
shedding. Her coat looks positively moth-eaten. Is she all right? She doesn’t have some sort of disease, does she?”

“It’s perfectly normal.” Tony’s voice was casual. “I understand they molt at this time of year.”

“Oh, that’s lovely.” Delia gritted her teeth and continued toward the beast. “You’ve provided me a molting camel.”

“One takes what one can get. It’s not especially easy to find a camel in London on short notice.”

Tony addressed the other man. “Does she have a name?”

“Bess, my lord.”

“Bess,” Tony said formally, “allow me to introduce Lady Wilmont.”

Bess ignored him. As did Delia.

“And Lady Wilmont, this is Mr. Thomason, an excellent bloke. Quite skilled in the management of camels.”

Mr. Thomason tipped his hat respectfully. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”

Delia smiled weakly, her attention firmly on Bess. It seemed best to keep an eye on the creature at all times.

Tony nodded at Mr. Thomason, who immediately barked an unintelligible order to the camel. For all Delia could tell, he might have been saying sit or stand or kill. Bess reluctantly knelt, bringing her enormous head on a level with Delia’s.

Delia cautiously stepped closer. Bess had the loveliest eyes, huge, of course, deep brown and rimmed with long, curled lashes. She looked rather affectionate and even a touch coquettish. Delia was not fooled.

Mr. Thomason placed a set of wooden steps by the animal’s side. A small carpet had been thrown over her back and lay underneath an odd but sturdy-looking saddle of leather and wood. At once, salvation struck Delia. “I wish I had known about this. You should have prepared me, my lord. I would have worn a riding habit.” She shook her head regretfully and backed away. “What a pity, I can’t possibly ride Bess in this gown.”

Delia wore a deep green walking dress, another remnant of her unmarried days. She had no intention of wearing black today and didn’t care in the least about the consequences of violating the rules of mourning, one of those dangerous rules of society Tony was so smug about.

“It is indeed a lovely dress,” Tony said thoughtfully. “But I think you can still have your adventure.”

“Oh, but the thought was really quite en —”

Without warning he scooped her up in his arms and, before she could protest, climbed the mounting steps and deposited her on Bess’s saddle. The man was surprisingly swift. “Now then, you sit on it very much as you do a sidesaddle. You do know how to ride, don’t you?”

“No,” she snapped, then sighed. “Of course I know how to ride.”

“Excellent.”

He helped her get into the proper position, assistance that brought him into close proximity that would have been quite exciting were she not about to expire of sheer terror. Still, at this point, she was both committed and determined. She would not allow St. Stephens to get the better of her, nor would she allow his camel to do so either.

Mr. Thomason passed her the reins but thankfully kept a grip on the camel’s bit. “If you would hold on to the front of the saddle, my lady, I’ll get her to her feet.”

Delia lifted her chin and forced a light note to her voice. “I am quite looking forward to it.”

She heard Tony snort in disbelief but was not about to turn around to give him the scathing glare he deserved. She resolved to do something vile to him, if she survived.

Without warning, the beast lurched to her feet. Delia pitched forward toward the ground, held on for dear life, squeezed her eyes closed tight and resisted the urge to scream. Bess accompanied this movement with a most distressing snorting sound that did not inspire confidence.

“There, now, that wasn’t at all bad,” Tony said from somewhere off to her side. Delia opened her eyes cautiously. Tony sat astride a horse beside and a bit below her. “Where did that horse come from?”

He chuckled. “It’s been here all the time. You obviously didn’t notice.”

“I was occupied,” she said in a lofty manner.

She wasn’t entirely certain why this was so terrifying. She wasn’t much higher than she would be on a horse. Of course, a horse’s neck was substantially closer. Bess’s neck seemed miles away and there was a distinctly uncomfortable feeling of openness. Perhaps it was the foreign nature of the beast that scared her. Or perhaps she wasn’t cut out for adventures involving animals.

“All right, then.” Tony nodded. “We’re off.”

“What do you mean,
off
?”

“Well the adventure was the ride, wasn’t it? You wished to
ride
a camel, not merely sit a camel.” He grinned. “The adventure is just beginning.”

“Wonderful.” She drew a deep breath. She had gone this far, she could certainly make it through a brief ride.

The stableman led the beast forward and she was at once grateful he had not abandoned her and a touch embarrassed. She was an excellent rider. On a horse, at any rate. Still, how much different could a camel be?

“I feel like a small child on a pony,” she muttered.

The difference was immediately apparent. A camel did not move at all like a horse. There was an odd sway to her motion, akin to the feel of being on a boat. Not at all unpleasant, really. Delia’s tension eased. She might well be able to get used to camel-riding. Might possibly even enjoy it.

“I say, isn’t that interesting,” Tony murmured.

Delia started. “What’s wrong?”

He laughed. “Not a thing. I just noticed she moves both feet on one side of her body and then both feet on the other. Nothing like a horse. It’s fascinating.”

“No doubt.”

A few minutes later, Delia realized it was not the least bit fascinating. Indeed, the rolling motion of Bess’s walk, the rhythmic sway to and fro, triggered a most uneasy sensation in Delia’s stomach.

“My lord. Tony.” She took a slow, measured breath in an effort to calm her queasy insides. “I should like to get down now.”

“Why? You look extremely impressive up there. Quite like a desert queen.”

“Nonetheless, I have had enough.”

“But you’ve barely gone a few feet.”

“Therefore I have now ridden a camel.” Delia hated to admit she did not feel at all well and forced a laugh that sounded more like an odd sort of squeak. “And quite an adventure it was. Truly grand. I am most grateful. Now —”

“I don’t know,” Tony said, shaking his head somberly. “I’m not certain if this counts as a true adventure, as brief as it is. I had planned on a nice brisk walk. Perhaps even a canter or whatever passes for a canter for a camel.”

“I do appreciate the offer, but —”

“I did go to a great deal of trouble and it seems a shame —”

“Tony,” she snapped, “get me off of this beast! This minute!”

“Come, now, Delia…” He studied her for a moment. “Do you know you look rather green?”

“I
feel
rather green.”

Tony signaled to Mr. Thomason and Bess shuffled to a stop, then dropped to her knees. At once, Tony dismounted and hurried to help Delia off of the camel. The moment her feet touched solid ground, her knees buckled.

“Damnation.” Tony scooped her up in his arms. “Good Lord, Delia, I am sorry.”

She moaned and sent a prayer of thanks heavenward that she had not eaten yet today. He sat her down firmly on the mounting steps and knelt before her.

“Put your head down and breathe deeply.”

“My head is not the problem.” Even so, she followed his instructions. After a few deep breaths, her stomach calmed and she felt considerably better.

“Delia?” His hand rested gently on the back of her neck.

She raised her head and looked at him.

His expression was contrite, apologetic and almost worried enough to cause her to forgive him immediately. Almost.

He shook his head. “I am truly sorry. I never imagined you would…well…”

She narrowed her eyes.

“I thought your color was simply some sort of reflection from your dress.” There was a helpless note in his voice that was almost endearing. Almost.

“I do hope…” He paused, indecision on his face. “That is to say…”

“Yes?”

“You won’t hold this against me, will you?” His brow furrowed. “I did arrange it in good faith. I merely wanted the day to be one you would never forget.”

“Thus far, you are succeeding admirably. I will certainly never forget this.”

His expression brightened. “Then you’re not angry?”

She considered him for a long moment. It was extremely tempting to let him suffer. At least until her stomach had fully recovered. Still, she had said she wanted to ride on a camel. He had no way of knowing it was no more than an impulsive comment, the first thing that had come to mind, and certainly no way of knowing the ramifications on her constitution of such a ride. Why, she’d had no idea herself.

“No, of course not.” She favored him with a grudging smile. “You obviously went to a great deal of trouble. It was really rather thoughtful.”

He raised a brow. “And grand?”

She couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Perhaps.”

“Are you feeling better?”

“Much.”

“Excellent.” He leaned forward, braced his hands on the step on either side of her and trapped her gaze with his, his voice low and intimate. “Then have I moved up your list? Am I now number three?”

His lips were a bare few inches from hers. If she shifted forward the tiniest bit, she could kiss him. She could wrap her arms around him and tumble off her perch to the ground with him here and now. Right in front of Mr. Thomason and Bess and anyone else who might happen along. Now, that would indeed be quite an adventure, and most definitely make this a day to remember. Perhaps she needed to revise her list.

“That would depend, my lord.” She reached forward and brushed her lips across his in a teasing manner.

“On what?” His tone, his eyes, the very line of his body were entirely too seductive for such an early hour. The man obviously had no sense of decency. How delightful.

She smiled in an inviting manner that mirrored his. “On precisely what adventures you have planned for the rest of the day.”

He laughed and pulled her to her feet. “I fear it is entirely too early for your next adventure.”

“Is it?” She gazed up at him and quite regretted that it might be too early for any number of adventures that came to mind. “Whatever shall we do?”

“Delia” — his gaze roamed over her hungrily — “you are a temptress.”

Or perhaps it wasn’t too early at all. She grinned wickedly. “I know.”

He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head as if to clear it and turned toward Mr. Thomason.

“You have my undying gratitude, sir.”

“Happy to have been of service, my lord. My lady.” He touched his hat in a casual salute. “If you ever need a camel again, sir —”

“He won’t,” Delia said firmly, “but you have my thanks as well.”

Tony laughed, bade Mr. Thomason a good day, then tucked Delia’s hand in the crook of his arm. “I daresay a walk will be good for us.” His voice was cool, but there was a definite twinkle in his eye.

“After the exertion of our lengthy ride, that is.”

“I have forgiven you, Tony, allotted you an adventure that does indeed move you up my list, but I shouldn’t continue this topic if I were you,” she said coolly.

He chuckled. “Perhaps not.”

They strolled aimlessly, in the general direction of the trees near the Serpentine.

“Where did you find a camel?” she said idly.

“Oh, I know a gentleman who knows a gentleman who knows a gentleman.”

“What if I had wanted to ride an elephant?”

“I know a gentleman who can arrange that too.”

“That’s not very specific.”

“I should hate for you to know all my secrets.” He grinned down at her. “Where would be the adventure in that?”

“I told you my secret.”

“I daresay the fact that you were not your sister was a secret only to me.”

She laughed. “Perhaps.”

It was delightful to be in his company like this. With a lovely sort of physical awareness between them that heightened her senses, coupled with a comfortable feeling that she knew him well. Perhaps, as Gordon had suggested, it was indeed in a past life. In this life, she barely knew him at all. “What are your secrets, my lord?”

“My secrets? Aside from where I find camels, you mean?” He shook his head with regret. “Because I can never reveal that.”

“I understand,” she said in a mock serious tone that matched his. “Actually, I was thinking of something a bit more mundane. Those ordinary details of your life you have yet to reveal.”

“As my life is indeed both mundane and ordinary, I should hate to bore you.”

“At the moment, boredom would be a welcome respite.” She cast him a teasing smile. “Perhaps I have overestimated the value of adventure.”

“Perhaps we should not have started with a camel.” He laughed. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything.” Her voice was firm. “I may well end up marrying you, and you yourself pointed out I should know you before I make such a decision.”