Chapter 9 #2
Upstairs, she put on khaki pants with a buttoned front panel and ballooning fabric at the thighs, tapering to a slim fit for her calf.
On top, she wore a collared white shirt with a red and brown striped silk tie.
Donning calf-hugging riding boots, a knee-length flared khaki jacket, and a camel-colored cloche hat, she was ready.
Out front, she found Evelyn standing beside her Le Zebre sports car, cheerfully telling curious passersby about its horsepower and top speed. It drew the eye, distracting even from the imposing facade of the mansion.
“You want to drive?” Evelyn asked her with a sideways smile.
“Ooh! Thank you,” she said with glee, catching the keys Evelyn tossed.
She climbed into the leather-upholstered driver’s seat, she turned the ignition key, and a doorman turned the crank in front. The engine caught, and the long, polished, burgundy snout of the car roared to life. She loved this sound almost as much as the engine of a Jenny.
Pulling out into the street, she floored it, and they barreled down Park Avenue, terrifying pedestrians and motorists alike.
Turning on Fifty-ninth Street, she sped toward the Queensboro Bridge, then zoomed over the soaring steel cantilever structure into the smoky wilds of Queens.
Free of the city’s traffic, she sped up, pushing forty miles per hour.
She whooped with glee, and her friend joined her.
They arrived at Belmont Park in thirty-eight minutes, their shortest time yet. She absolutely hadn’t been thinking about Hank the whole way there. He barely crossed her mind. He definitely wouldn’t be in that hangar she was staring at avidly, heart thundering.
Shaking herself, she got out of the car and said, “Thank you so much. That was exactly what I needed.”
“Thank heavens. I find so many problems can be solved by irresponsibly fast driving.”
“So do I. Let’s go find some horses to ride until we’ve forgotten all of our cares.”
As they passed the enormous barn doors of the hangar, she lingered for a moment, looking at the airplanes and surreptitiously checking for a certain pilot with dark hair and sinful eyes.
All she saw was a couple of mechanics going about their business.
One of them waved to her as she passed. A Jenny flew overhead, coming in for a landing on the main racetrack.
Her stomach clenched for a moment at the thought that it might be Hank.
She hurried to catch up to her friend. As they waited in the stable for their horses to be saddled, she tried to ignore the sounds of the plane landing outside. She was tempted to run out to see if it was him, but she stayed put, joking absently with Evelyn.
Two grooms brought out their horses. “Let’s race.” Evelyn grinned widely.
They mounted and rode to the starting line on the track. Since everything was closed during the week because of the airplanes, they had the racetrack to themselves. The grooms all knew the flight schedules, and it was easy to avoid being on the track when it was in use.
Evelyn gave the signal, and they took off.
Riding a galloping horse felt like flying but more predictable.
A horse, unlike a plane, had a mind of its own and a sense of self-preservation.
There was a unity of intention when riding a fine racehorse like this.
Together, they could do anything, but if her mind wandered even for a moment, she lost the connection and the advantage.
As they rounded the corner of the training track, she caught a glimpse of a Jenny taxiing into the hangar.
She couldn’t quite make out the pilot. In that moment, Evelyn pulled ahead.
Cursing, she urged her horse on and tore after her friend, only a length behind.
Pounding along the straightaway, she gained until they were neck and neck.
She felt the finely tuned muscle and determination of the creature beneath her, so responsive and spirited.
This horse loved speed as much as she did, and as the finish line came into view, a final burst of energy took them into the lead by a nose, and she yelled triumphantly as Evelyn cursed her defeat.
Catching her friend’s eye, they both burst out laughing. “Good race, Rory. As usual, you take the cup. I bow to your superior skill, My Lady Demoness of Speed.” She dismounted and bowed mockingly. “Rest the horses and have another go?”
“Of course,” Rory said, dismounting herself.
“Did you notice we had an audience?” Evelyn pointed to the stands.
There she saw a familiar profile beside a tall, thin one.
She swallowed hard. He was here, watching her.
Wasn’t this what she secretly hoped for?
But it was dangerous for him to be here.
She couldn’t go over and say hello. Nonetheless, she could feel his eyes on her like a caress, even at this distance.
Evelyn nudged her with her elbow. “That’s not that pilot you told me about, is it?”
Rory’s cheeks heated, and she coughed to disguise her reaction. Fortunately, Evelyn didn’t do anything but smile like a Cheshire Cat. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Ready to lose another race?”
“Not on your life. I’m going to win this one.”
Mounting once again, they rode to the starting line. At Evelyn’s signal, they both tore out onto the track once again. Only this time, a piece of her attention was on the man in the stands.
Rory fell behind. She picked up the pace, almost catching up. Her friend pulled ahead, and try as she might, she couldn’t gain the lead. Evelyn was a nose ahead of her when they crossed the finish line.
Evelyn hopped down from her horse and did a very undignified victory dance.
“Fine. You can be My Lady Demoness of Speed just this once,” she said with mock resignation. “Best of three?”
“You’re on once this beauty has had a chance to catch his breath.” Evelyn led her horse to water. “You know, you should enlist Aunt Alva’s help with your father. He seems to be terrified of her.”
Rory shook her head, smiling. “I’ll speak to her. You’re right. She can help.”
In the third race, Rory put her head down and poured all her focus into the ride.
She was damned well not going to lose to Evelyn again with Hank looking on.
Keeping her eyes on the track ahead and ignoring everything else, she sped around the track, the wind whipping her face.
She hardly even noticed where Evelyn was.
As she crossed the finish line, she crowed in triumph, her friend an entire length behind her.
“I let you win because you’re distressed,” Evelyn said, sidling up.
“Pish-tosh. Do I look distressed to you?”
Evelyn’s face turned suddenly serious. “You do a bit, actually. It feels like you’re trying too hard to convince me everything is fine. I hope this little distraction helped.”
“It did. And I love you for it. Let’s head back. I have plans with this evening.”
They dismounted and handed the horses over to the grooms. “What was this one’s name again?” she asked. “I’d like to ride her again next time I come out.”
“Epona, Miss.”
Her brow furrowed. “That’s an unusual name.”
“Goddess of horses, Miss.”
She smiled. “Appropriate.”
Taking a glance at the stands, she saw they were empty. Hank was gone. It was for the best.
“Excuse me for a moment while I powder my nose,” she said to Evelyn.
She walked over to the building with the bathrooms, which were some distance from the stables, and attended to her needs. As she walked out again, a strong hand grasped her elbow.
“Rory.” That voice.
“Hank.” She grinned.
“You didn’t come all the way out here to see little old me, did you?” His smile melted every bone in her body.
“Of course not,” she lied. “I’m here to race horses with Evelyn.”
“Oh really?”
He took her in his arms and bent her backwards.
His lips consumed hers with a desperation and fury that left her breathless.
It was a kiss unlike any other she had experienced, sending lightning bolts all through her body but especially to the core of her desire.
She wished he could lower her to the ground and have her right there.
Their tongues twined in a carnal dance until she saw stars.
Then, as suddenly as he’d embraced her, he released her.
She glanced around and saw two grooms walking their way.
Breathless and flushed, she stepped back to a safe distance and cleared her throat.
“I sent you an invitation, princess. I hope you’ll accept.” There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“An invitation? To what?” Lord, she wanted to see him again, but did she dare go out in public with him after that run-in with Edward? Her father would have a fit.
“No one will suspect a thing. I promise,” he said as if reading her mind.
She nodded and smiled, anticipation thrumming in her veins.
“Until next time, Hank.”
He tipped his hat at her and disappeared.
She licked her lips, relishing the taste of him. Until next time indeed. But how soon would that be?