Maybe that is what this is. A dream. Her racing over the countryside on the back of a horse in the most beautiful landscape she could imagine, with the man of her dreams riding behind her to catch her. That only happened in her dreams.
With a sudden whoosh of air, Bradford raced past her on his black horse like a demon suddenly released from hell.
That rosy haze left abruptly as she watched his back proceed further and further in front of her. He was going to win.
Surprised that he wouldn't let a lady win, she grinned and urged her horse on faster. The animal needed little encouragement from her rider, seeing the competition race past.
Aubrey knew that there was no way her sweet mare, no matter how quick she might be, had any chance of overtaking the duke's magnificent stallion, but that didn't mean she had to give up and let him win. Oh no, she would make him work for the win and know that she wasn't about to give up just because of his station. She would challenge him.
Nearing the tree at the bottom of the second hill, her sweet horse gave all that she had. In the end it wasn't enough, but it didn't matter that she hadn't won. When the duke gave a hearty laugh, one that was full-hearted and carefree, she felt as if she had.
Jumping off of his horse, he reached out to her to help her dismount. "I think that was the most fun I've had in some time. Thank you." He was only slightly out of breath from the race.
"It was my pleasure." An answering smile curved her lips. "I had hoped to win, of course, but I can't be disappointed with how much my horse gave."
"No, indeed. I was quite surprised myself at how fast she ran. Not to mention your underhanded tactics in the take off." His hands remained on around her waist a tad longer than was necessary, but she didn't mind. In all honesty, she wished they had remained there longer. "In fact, I am quite scandalized."
A laugh escaped her lips. "I'm afraid had you known me a bit better, my lord, you would not be quite as surprised."
"Truly?"
She nodded with a smile. "I enjoy competition and take every opportunity to have the upper hand if possible."
His brow rose as he looked at her appraisingly.
"Unfortunately, I am telling the truth," she laughed, correctly reading his thoughts. "You may ask my sister, for she has had the brunt of my cunning at times."
Laughing, he shook his head slightly. "I believe I might have to test this claim, perhaps later with a game of cards."
She sighed dramatically. "Well, I tried to warn you, Your Grace. If I should win at cards, I will remind you that you were warned in advance."
Another laugh escaped him. "Do you mind if we walk a bit? After that race I believe they deserve a rest." He gestured to the horses.
"Not at all. I think my legs might enjoy the exercise as well. I haven't ridden like that in some time. At least not since we've been in town."
"Hyde Park doesn't allow such racing," he agreed.
"Certainly not. If we had raced like that, I don't doubt that we would have killed someone."
He took hold of his horse's bridle and walked beside her. "We could have killed someone here. The competition was that fierce."
She couldn't help but laugh. "And it will be just as fierce if we ever race again. I warn you, Your Grace, I shall always try to win, no matter how much your horse might outclass mine." She thought for a moment. "Perhaps I shall race a stallion next time."
He stopped and looked at her in astonishment before chuckling. "For a moment I thought you were serious."
"I was." She laughed as he sputtered. Taking pity on his obvious distressed she soothed, "While I might enjoy the challenge, I rather enjoy my neck the way it is. I don't think I will be riding a stallion any time in the future."
"And I am grateful to hear it."
She laughed again, reaching up to give her horse's neck a brisk rub.
"Why have we never done this before?"
His question completely caught her off guard. Turning to look at him, she saw him watching her. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we have known each other for such a long time. I feel as if I should know you better." He hesitated for a moment. "You're much more than I realized."
She laughed humorlessly.
He reached out to touch her arm, stopping her from walking any further. "Forgive me. That came out wrong."
She shook her head. "No. I understand. You courted my friend for so long, and I've stayed on the edges of the ballroom. Not many men have taken the time to get to know me." She wasn't bitter about it; it was just a fact.
"Our mistakes."
The look he gave her was full of sincerity and she wanted to melt.
"Well, I appreciate that, Your Grace." She gave him a genuine smile, the bond that had begun to form between them showing plainly on her face.
"Call me Bradford."
"I'm sorry?" His request surprised her. It was too much like their conversation on the terrace that night.
It was his turn to smile. "I said that you may call me Bradford. Honestly, I do not enjoy being called ‘Your Grace' as much as others might think. Besides, I'd like to think of us as friends. Don't you agree?"
"Yes. I'd like that." Friends. It was more than she could have hoped for from him, and she would cherish any connection to him.
But it wasn't enough. She wanted more.
She wanted his love and affection. Not because she was the masquerade woman, but because she was herself. Because she was his friend, and so much more.
She was in love with him. It was more than a connection, more than passion. It was overwhelming, all consuming.
The realization was enough to startle her into tearing her eyes away from his before he saw too much.
He wanted her friendship, not her love.
And she would give it, but it would never be enough.
"I have a favor to ask of you," Victoria said, quietly shutting the door to her brother's study.
Looking up from his desk, Derek Haveston, Viscount Lawrence, arched a brow at her. "And what would that be?"
Victoria smoothed her skirts, trying to appear serene although inside, she was strung as tight as a bow. Her plans to trick the Duke of Wathersby into proposing to her all rested upon her brother's cooperation, but she knew her brother would never willingly be part of such a plot.
"I thought it might be entertaining to hold a masked ball here while the guests are in residence. We could easily invite the local gentry. Although it is short notice, I'm sure they would attend."
As her brother stared at her, probing her for information, she held still and smiled. Most did not know that her brother was a master at figuring out people's secrets just by watching their body language.
"This isn't another attempt to get Wathersby, is it?" he asked dryly, clearly knowing the answer already.
"Of course not! Why would I ever do such a thing?" she tried to sound outraged that he would suggest such a thing, but deep down she wondered how much he knew.
The smile that played around his lips told her everything.
Her shoulders sagged. "All right. How much do you already know?"
"I know that you started the rumor about Lady Sera."
She huffed. "That was hardly anything."
"Hardly anything?" He rose from his desk slowly. "You ruined all her prospects of marriage."
She picked at an invisible piece of lint on her sleeve. "She seems to have married just fine."
"Only because she had to accept a fortune hunter. It is only pure coincidence that she has a happy marriage," his voice was low. "It is hard to believe that my own sister would do something so self serving, but it is appalling that you would think nothing of it."
Her back straightened. "I may not have such firm morals of right and wrong as you, but no matter what you might think, I never actually wished Lady Sera harm. I only wished for the duke to turn his attentions toward me."
"And has he done so?"
"Not exactly, but I thought that this ball would help with that," she finally admitted. "I am asking for this not to sabotage anyone else, just for a chance for him to get to know me without being tainted by my identity. Is that too much to ask?"
Her brother sighed heavily and sat in his chair. Excitement bubbled up her throat as she felt a victory. Her brother was about to give in. The twinge that she felt about deceiving both her brother and the duke was pushed to the back of her mind. There wasn't any other way.
"Victoria," he trailed off before continuing. "I feel I must tell you that you don't need to marry him. I know what father wished, but marriage is a lifetime commitment that--"
"Stop." She held up her hand, not wanting to hear any more "This has nothing to do with father."
"Really?" Disbelief colored his voice. "I may have been away at school much of the time, but I knew what father wanted of you. And he wasn't right, Victoria. Women are more than bartering tools, more than a means of cementing an alliance. Father may have wanted a duke as a son-in-law, but he is gone now. You have no need to follow that path."