Winning the Gentleman (Hearts on the Heath #2) - Kristi Ann Hunter Page 0,55

her a nod. “It is nice to know I am not the only one who makes Whitworth uncomfortable.”

As the man rode away, Sophia couldn’t help feeling she’d just learned something significant. The expression on Mr. Whitworth’s face confirmed the suspicion.

Now if only she knew what it was.

She raked her mind back through every moment of the interaction, every nuance, every stated word.

Every stumbled-over word.

Her mouth dropped open on a gasp. If Lord Rigsby’s father was a marquis, all his male children would bear the honorific of Lord, and though he’d tried to cover it, Lord Rigsby had almost said our father.

Her eyes widened in realization. That sense of connection, that idea of camaraderie hadn’t come from nowhere. He may have made something of his life, but he also knew what it was to be on the outside.

Wonder as well as respect tinged her voice as she looked up at him and whispered, “Why, Mr. Whitworth, you’re illegitimate.”

JUST WHEN AARON had been beginning to like his half brother, something happened to make him disgusted with the fellow. Though this was as much his own fault as it was Rigsby’s.

As he’d feared, the knowledge of his own brand of social ostracism had given Miss Fitzroy the idea that the distance between them was not as great as it had originally appeared. Aaron did not need that distance shortened. If anything, he needed to make the gap wider.

Her whispered conclusion contained no judgment, but there’d been a tone of conspiratorial reverence he could not encourage. Anyone in town could confirm it, so denying the claim wasn’t an option. Ignoring it, however, was. “The race is tomorrow. Be in the training yard early.”

She nodded in the direction Rigsby had ridden. “Is he older or younger?”

“Younger,” Aaron answered before he could stop himself. He’d informed people of his birth many times in recent years, and local gossip had done it for him everywhere else. Never before had someone had the gumption to ask for more details.

He braced himself for what came next—because with Miss Fitzroy something was always going to get said next. He’d come to terms with his situation, as there’d been no other choice. That didn’t mean he wanted to talk about it.

She blinked at him a few times. “That’s why you’re letting me do this, isn’t it? Because you know what it feels like.”

Oh no, she was not making him into some sort of . . . of . . . whatever she was trying to make him. He placed his hands on his hips in denial. “The only reason you are riding tomorrow is because, regardless of my birth, I am too much of a gentleman to go back on my word.”

Miss Fitzroy mocked him by mimicking his stance. “Many a man claims the name of gentleman yet does not honor his promises.”

He would not ask how she knew that. He. Would. Not. “Then perhaps he is not a true gentleman.”

“Or perhaps he doesn’t understand how much a promise can mean to someone who is desperate.”

Aaron did not want to think about Miss Fitzroy as desperate, though she clearly was. He’d seen this dress every day except for race day and Sunday. Her shoes were as thin as paper. There was no doubt she had few means.

Nor was there doubt that he needed to keep that distance between them. Her dream of someone seeing her ride and asking her to train his horses was never going to become reality. Her connection to Lord Farnsworth was keeping her safe at the moment, but what about later? The sooner she was permanently situated somewhere safe, the better.

“I’ll help you find other employment.”

She stuck her chin up another notch and stepped closer until Aaron could see the variations of green in her eyes. “I’m going to win that race.”

“And then what?” Aaron rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. It was a toss-up whether his frustration was with her, the situation, or his reaction to both. He wanted to send her away, wanted to pull her close and kiss her, wanted to shake her until she gave up this fool’s errand. “We have established that I am aware of what it takes to find a way in this world when it gives you minimal encouragement to even keep breathing. I know how to fight for success.” He swallowed and felt like he was opening his own coffin as he said, “I also know when something is a lost cause. Let me help