The Other Side - J. D. Robb [42]
His recounting of his cronies’ various peccadilloes had taken all of an hour. Some were charming, like Lord Bright’s promise to go to Almack’s as often as his very shy sister did. And some were appalling, making Bettina sorry that she had insisted Harry tell her all that he thought she needed to know.
If Harry ever came downstairs, they were going to make their first test in public: a ride in the park. They had argued over whether to take a carriage or their horses. Harry had won. They would ride. They always rode on Rotten Row, he’d said, reminding her that they wanted to do nothing that would draw any particular attention.
If riding astride became too difficult for her, Harry insisted that they could dismount and lead their horses, pretending that they preferred to walk to more easily converse with friends.
“I rode astride with my brothers for years. Can I guess that you never rode sidesaddle with your sisters?”
“I would have looked stupid. But I’m sure I can manage.”
As she watched Harry come down the stairs, she wondered if he could, indeed, manage. He was having a difficult enough time with the habit, the new one she had not worn yet. She bit her lip and did not complain.
The blue was gorgeous. Bright enough to make her look young again, but it did not demand attention the way Mrs. Melton’s clothes did.
Bettina bowed to him, and he curtsied with studied grace. That was one lesson he had learned well. Then, for no reason at all, they both burst out laughing.
“I suspect that with the right air about us, it will be great fun to fool the ton.” Harry smoothed his skirts and stopped in the middle of the gesture. “A lady is always confident and never gives any indication she is not dressed perfectly.” He whispered the phrase to himself, but Bettina heard him.
“What have you been reading?” she asked. “I do not think there is a woman in the world who thinks she is dressed perfectly.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve read several of the books you have on ways to command attention in society.”
“Today, I have no desire to command anyone’s attention. God forbid.” Bettina drew on gloves and offered an arm to Harry. “The horses are out front. Remember what I told you about mounting, and for all that’s good, do not refuse the mounting block. I never do.”
Bettina waited patiently while Harry did his best to mount her mare. The horse cooperated, but Harry’s ensemble did not. The groom held on to the reins as Harry hooked his leg over the pommel and adjusted the voluminous skirts so that they would drape properly.
It took all Bettina’s control not to call out help, and she prayed that the groom was not aware of what an excellent rider the countess was reputed to be.
Once on the horse, she could see Harry could not find the stirrup, his foot lost in the fabric, so she stepped up and took his ankle, directing it properly.
Harry leaned down so that Bettina had a very clear view of her décolletage and breathed, “Thank you, my lord,” in a surprisingly sexy voice.
Her body reacted with a feeling between her legs that could only be the beginning of something she had no desire to experience in public. Turning quickly, she mounted his horse with convincing ease.
It was Wednesday, and with Parliament not in session, the streets were more crowded than usual, all the better-looking equipages and riders headed for an afternoon on Rotten Row.
Harry’s only mistake on the way to Hyde Park was when he took the lead as soon as they moved away from the gate of Fell House. Bettina cantered to his side and whispered, “The earl takes the lead.” Harry winced at the obvious error and fell back.
The park was filled with familiar faces, just as she expected. There were several carriages, and knots of people gathered for a gossip here and there. With a bow and wave to several of them, Bettina led Harry to a spot where they could easily ride side by side.
“Will you stop waving that way? You will have people thinking I have turned into a nancy boy.” Harry leaned toward her as he spoke, and Bettina nodded with a smile so that