Winning the Gentleman (Hearts on the Heath #2) - Kristi Ann Hunter Page 0,54

life.

“There were always interesting people along the fence of the show,” she continued. “Creating stories for them helped me feel less alone. I could pretend I had a new friend or made someone happy or calmed an anxious child.”

“I thought your tongue didn’t get away from you when you were on horseback.”

“It usually doesn’t.” Sophia chanced a quick glance at him. “This isn’t a particularly challenging ride, though. At this pace, it’s rather like a rocking chair.”

Where was Jonas when she needed him? If he could just clap his hand over her mouth right now, that would be excellent. She would have to do it herself, but she could hardly chomp down on one of the leather reins. Instead, she ducked her head and bit the material at the neck of her dress.

She really needed to wash this outfit.

A low chuckle rose from her companion, and she lifted her head to see him shaking his as he looked over the countryside.

Wondering what he was thinking to have prompted actual laughter had her silent the rest of the ride. He seemed at ease with the quiet, but Sophia was anything but.

What was he thinking of her?

Why did she even care?

The point of this whole endeavor was to gain a measure of respect from the horse-loving people of Newmarket. Mr. Whitworth’s opinion was her only available gauge of success. If he didn’t think much of her, she was doomed.

Lord Farnsworth’s stable came into view, and Mr. Whitworth’s easy, relaxed seat suddenly became stiff, making him jostle in the saddle with every change of the horse’s weight.

Sophia followed his gaze and found a man waiting beside a fine thoroughbred. In the past few days she had ridden what she assumed were some very fine racehorses, but she would truly love a chance to get on the back of that animal and charge across an empty field.

It would probably feel like flying.

Since that was unlikely to happen, she would simply enjoy how the man’s presence had a profound effect on the heretofore unflappable Mr. Whitworth. Even when they’d been negotiating for her job, he hadn’t seemed this tense, and definitely not this grim.

Two groomsmen came out, looking furtively between the two men and carefully avoiding meeting anyone’s eyes.

Awkwardness grew as one groom helped Sophia dismount.

Tension increased as the horses were led away.

Anyone with their wits about them would know the men wanted to be alone, but Sophia wasn’t going anywhere. She needed to know what was going on here. Her ability to read people’s mannerisms and facial expressions might be questionable, but she was confident in her ability to determine status. The stranger’s clothes indicated polite society.

Very polite society.

The men watched each other, giving occasional glances in her direction. If one of them asked her to leave, she would. She was stubborn, not rude.

Mr. Whitworth sighed and gave the newcomer a slight nod. “Rigsby.”

“Whitworth.”

Sophia waited, but no introduction was forthcoming. She gave a slight bob of a curtsy in the new man’s direction. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Miss Fitzroy.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of the other man’s mouth. “I am aware of who you are, Miss Fitzroy.” He sent a polite nod in her direction. “I am Lord Rigsby.”

Silence fell, and Sophia curled her hands into fists in an attempt to stay as still as the two men. It was uncanny, their ability not to move. She chanced a look at Mr. Whitworth, only to find him staring at her, brow twisted into a perplexed frown.

She refused to be affected by it. She needed to do anything necessary—within reason—to start a new life for herself and her brother. If that meant standing still as a statue and keeping her mouth shut, so be it.

Finally, Mr. Whitworth sighed. “What can I do for you, Rigsby?”

“I’ve been summoned to London by our—my father.” Lord Rigsby cleared his throat. “If we want to finish the arrangements before I leave, we need to do so today.”

“The marquis always has the worst timing,” Mr. Whitworth muttered. “Most things are in place, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Stildon should have received the papers today. We can meet at Hawksworth in an hour. I’m still collecting the information you requested.”

Lord Rigsby nodded in agreement before mounting his horse and turning toward the lane. He looked from Mr. Whitworth to Sophia, an unspoken question in his single raised eyebrow. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Fitzroy.” He pinched the edge of his hat as he gave