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place in the civilised surroundings of the park.
"I don't, although I suspect Claire might," Harry said, "Claire can
speak for herself."
She forced herself to look at him.
"Would it do any good if I did object?"
His eyes held hers in a challenge.
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"No."
"About to go another round? Should I place a bet on the outcome?"
Harry enquired. He brought his horses to a halt.
"There's no need.
Claire and I have declared a truce. Haven't we, Claire? " he asked
softly.
The intimate tone of his voice set her back up. He probably had been
speaking to Mrs. Robards in the same way.
"Of sorts," she said coldly.
"So, she will converse amicably with me as we ride through the park."
She looked at him.
"Will I, my lord?"
"You will, Mrs. Ellison." A slight smile played about his lips, but
his eyes dared her to argue.
"Have you been to Hyde Park before, Claire?"
She gave him a false smile. She would show him how amicable she could
be.
"No, it is my very first time. How lovely it is! And so many trees
and people."
"You forgot the horses and carriages," Jack said. His eyes had begun
to glitter in an ominous way.
"Oh, yes! There are so many!" She looked at his horse.
"What a pretty creature. Does he have a name?"
"Satan."
The horse flicked his ears back at the sound of Jack's voice.
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"That is not a very nice name." It really wasn't. The horse had a
refined, intelligent face.
"No?" Jack's brows snapped together.
Harry made a choking sound. Claire turned to look at him. The smirk
on his face only increased her annoyance. Why wasn't he helping her?
Instead, he was obviously enjoying the whole show.
"I would like to return home," she told Harry.
"So soon?" he asked blandly.
"It cannot be too soon as far as I am concerned."
"Trying to run again, Claire?" Jack asked softly.
"I wouldn't suggest it. I'll come after you."
He was serious; of that she had no doubt. She clenched her hands
together. She would not give him the satisfaction of another
quarrel.
She was almost relieved to see Lady Rotham dressed in a stylish riding
habit trot towards them on a dainty grey mare. She was accompanied by
Frederick Brenton and another lady. As they came to a halt next to
Harry's phaeton, Claire saw the second rider could hardly be more than
seventeen. She had the cool beauty of a marble statue. Her complexion
was smooth and pale, and her eyes a light clear blue. Lady Rotham's
gaze slid past Claire as if she weren't there. She smiled at Harry.
"Mr. Devlin, how pleasant to see you. I believe you have met my ward,
Miss Snow- den?"
"I have had the delightful pleasure," Harry said. He turned one of his
most charming smiles on Miss Snow- den. She gave him a cold look, then
turned her gaze on Jack.
Lady Rotham steadied her mare who had bared her teeth at Jack's
horse.
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She gave Jack an arch smile.
"I have been looking for you, Rotham. You promised to ride with us
today. I was forced to impose upon dear Frederick instead."
"No imposition at all. My pleasure," Frederick said.
"Perhaps if I had been informed of the fact it would not have slipped
my mind, ma'am." Jack's voice was cool.
"Oh? I was quite certain you told Alicia, but perhaps I was
mistaken."
The grey mare danced into Harry's team. The horses jerked forward,
causing Claire to lose her balance. Her chip-brimmed hat tumbled off
her head, falling towards Harry's horses. She half stood, trying to
reach it, afraid it would be trampled. The horses suddenly leapt
forward. The next thing she knew, she was knocked breathless as she
hit the ground.
She closed her eyes, pain and humiliation searing through her.
"Claire, damn it, look at me!" Jack's impatient voice penetrated her
haze. He seemed to be leaning over her. How dare he scold her at a
time like this? She kept her eyes squeezed shut, willing him to go
away.
"Claire?" A gentle hand brushed over her face.
"Can you open your eyes?"
He was worried? She slowly forced her eyes open, and found his dark
face hovering over hers. In her dazed condition, she suddenly recalled
the last time they'd been in this position, only he had bent his head
closer, until his lips covered hers.
She groaned and closed her eyes, trying to force the memory away.
"Claire, open your eyes!"
"No, go... go away." Undoubtedly she had injured her head. Why would
she even be thinking about such a thing unless her mind was addled?
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"Claire? Wake up!" This time it was Harry.
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