“Yes, it was… I don’t want to bring any harm on her by saying her name!” Marjorie said, interrupting herself. Evan shook his head.
“Her secret will be as safe as yours, My Lady. I’ll leave you in my carriage, fetch her from your home, and wait while she ‘finds’ you. I’ll direct her to bring something for you to wear, if she is able. It will be fine, I assure you. Remember, I have as much to lose from this intrigue as you do!”
“I dare say, you do not! This would all become a humorous tale told over brandies among your peers, while I would be a woman who’s been ruined. Any hope of a prosperous match would be over and there would be no other offers in the future. My entire family would lose everything because of my stupidity.”
“I would not let that happen, My Lady,” Evan replied in a low, serious voice. “I would see to it that there was no shame or ruin, even if I had to…”
He stopped, and Marjorie looked up.
“Had to what?” she asked quietly. “Marry me yourself? Take on the discarded baggage that no other man would want because I enjoyed a foolish, fleeting escapade, the audacity of wanting to be my own person for once in my life? That’s to be your lifelong punishment… and mine?”
“Punishment? You wound me!” Evan said with mock sadness. “I should rather think any woman would be dying to marry me! At least, that’s what my mother has always told me.”
Marjorie laughed, but became serious once more. “This is not a laughing matter. But, My Lord, I do have to say that I’m sorry for insisting I ride today.” Evan started to wave off her apology, but she pressed on. “No, please, this is my fault. My actions caused you to be dragged into my actions because… well, I don’t know why. At first, this was only a moment’s diversion, an attempt to feel like I had some small measure of decision in my fate. Then, when my situation became more dire, I was foolish enough to think… what, that I could masquerade as a stable hand for the rest of my life? And without ever being found out?”
“Well,” Evan said lightly, shrugging his shoulders and giving her a small smile, “it’s not actually the worst plan I’ve ever heard of. After all, aren’t you betrothed to a man who should be a grandfather?”
“How did you know of that? No one has announced it.”
“Lady Marjorie, perhaps the only reason you’re still so innocent and tender hearted is because you’ve never faced down the gossip of the ton. There is no such thing as a secret in our circles,” Evan said. “Well, excepting for your current attire, I should say. But even that is because no one would ever presume you’d be so bold as to do such a thing!”
Marjorie battled with simultaneous feelings of gratitude at his commiserating and indignation that he would be so bold. But in the end, she knew that he was right.
“It is my duty,” she said finally. “I was not given a say in the matter.”
“I see. And I am heartily sorry, I should not have jested about it so boldly. Forgive me.” Evan looked truly downtrodden, and Marjorie couldn’t help but smile.
“Of course, My Lord. No harm was intended, I’m sure.”
“Now then, we must see to getting you home safely. I’ll ask one of my men to bring the carriage from that direction and we’ll be on our way. Only wait here, so that I might leave instructions with them.”
Evan stood up to leave, but Marjorie clutched at his hand to stop him. She smiled before adding, “And do find out if Jacobs won!”
* * *
“My Lord! I’ve been searching for you!” Donohue said, soundly out of breath. He bent forward and grasped his knees, trying to take in deeper gasps. “But how is Mr. Gregg faring?”
“He’s badly injured, I’m afraid,” Evan answered, stretching the truth somewhat. “I’ve come to ask for the carriage to carry him back.”
“Surely one of the lads here can—” the older man started to say, but Evan interrupted.
“No! I mean, I feel responsible, after all I’m the one who instructed him to race today. I will see to him myself. But you said you were looking for me?” Evan asked.
“Oh yes! You must come look at this.”
Donohue turned without another word and without waiting to see if his employer would follow. Sensing the urgency, Evan trotted after him, surprised that the older man was in such a hurry.
“Here, My Lord. Look.” Donohue held out a wide leather strap for Evan to inspect, the girth strap that held a saddle in place around a horse’s midsection. It appeared to be only somewhat used, but otherwise in good condition, at least until…
“It seems all right. Doesn’t it? Wait, what’s that… good god, it’s been cut!” Evan said, running his fingers over the perfect slash in the strap before looking up at Donohue’s grim face. “Tell me this isn’t from Gregg’s saddle?”
“Aye, that it is. If you look here, you’ll see that it was cleanly cut, all but for the last bit. Whoever did this must have thought that the saddle would hold until the race got underway, knowing that the horse’s body would finish tearing it in two while it ran.”
“I feel as though I ask this every day, Donohue, but who would possibly do this?” Evan gripped the two ends of the girth so hard that his knuckles turned white.
“I know not, My Lord. But it must be someone who would have no qualms about killing a rider and maiming a horse. Perhaps the same black-hearted scoundrel that would poison your animals’ feed, or let loose an unbroken stallion?”
“God, I feel so helpless! And angry at the same time!” Evan hissed. “I want to hit someone squarely in the face for their deeds, but I know not who!”
