The mare approached and nuzzled her cheek.
“At the moment, I’m feeling a little lonely too. I wish I’d thought to bring an apple for you.” She stroked the mare’s nose and received a thick lick on the cheek in return. Ugh. “You must be related to Jasper.”
She heard a deep, rumbling chuckle from behind her. Ewan stepped forward and leaned his big shoulder against the stall, his gaze never leaving hers as he withdrew his handkerchief and wiped it gently against her cheek. “What is it with you and animals, lass? They can’t resist you.”
Just her luck, she was devastating to animals. Not to men.
“There’s something about this sweet mare that drew me to her. Look how gentle she is. Do you think Meggie will like her?”
He tossed her a careless smile. “I think she’ll be perfect. Let me find her owner and I’ll sign us up for the bidding. Seems we’ve had a productive day. The auction will begin soon. Are you interested in watching?”
“Yes, I’ve never seen an auction before. Have you?”
“Sure, lots of times. I think you’ll enjoy it. The bidding moves along quickly, especially under the direction of these experienced auctioneers. There’s an art to the process.”
“Tell me about it.” This was what she loved about being out in the world, the nuances of everyday life. What appeared simple and straightforward on the surface was actually a complicated mix of past events and experiences leading up to a single moment.
“It isn’t merely about selling horseflesh, but about desire and temptation.”
Lily laughed. “You make it sound like one of those scandalous novels Eloise loves to read.”
“It’s similar. We think we’ve come here merely to purchase horses, but it’s the auctioneer’s job to rouse our passions, to make us desire that horse so badly, we’ll throw caution—and our budgets—to the wind to possess the object of our bidding. And if more than one party is aroused, then a bidding war starts. The auctioneer has accomplished his goal.”
“Will he start with the best horses first?”
“No. Here’s where the art of the process comes in. He starts slowly, perhaps with an attractive mare or high-stepping filly, something to pique one’s interest. Then he’ll raise the stakes a bit with a promising colt that is likely to attract several bidders. If that colt lands his owner a nice price, then the auctioneer knows he’ll have a successful auction, for the losing bidders will be that much more eager for the next promising colt on the roster. But he won’t put him up right away.”
“Why not? I’d think the bidders would grow impatient.”
“They will, and that’s precisely what the auctioneer hopes for. He doesn’t want them easily gratified.”
“Oh, I see. He wants that slow build, that teasing promise of fulfillment. Like the romantic hero’s chase for the heroine in Eloise’s novels. There’s no fun if the heroine easily falls into the hero’s arms. He must be tempted, then thwarted and made to suffer before his ultimate triumph.”
She tucked her arm in his and allowed him to lead the way to the auction area. “This is all so fascinating. So exciting.”
“Better than your books?”
“Much better. My heart’s racing in anticipation, and I’m not even bidding. How do you feel? What if someone bids against you on Hades? I doubt anyone will fight for the sweet little mare though. You ought to buy her at a good price. But how high are you willing to bid for Hades? Do you think you’ll be swept up in the heat of the moment?”
“I know what he’s worth, but I’ll let him go if the price is too high.”
She nodded, smiling up at him. “I thought as much. You don’t seem the sort to lose control. Ever.”
“I try not to.” He gazed at her, his expression thoughtful.
She shrugged and looked away as the auctioneer pounded his gavel to signal the start of the auction. She felt Ewan’s gaze still on her and felt her body respond with hot tingles up and down her spine. Her blood heated, and those little butterflies in her stomach began to flutter about in their usual Ewan-spurred frenzy.
She was glad not to be bidding. She obviously lacked the ability to control her own feelings. Indeed, had she participated, she would have been one of those dupes whose desires were so easily manipulated. Goodness, if Ewan were on the auction block, she would have offered her entire fortune to have him. Quite pitiful really, considering he would not have bid on her were she on the block. He was only interested in Scottish ponies.
Though the auction proceeded quickly, it still took almost an hour for Hades to come up. The little mare had come up early on and only Ewan had bid on her. Still, Lily had been in agony until the auctioneer banged his gavel to signal the end of the bidding.