Chapter 14
Fourteen
Austin flexed his fingers around the bowstring, the familiar tension singing up his arm as he tested the draw. The chestnut gelding that Dominic recommended shifted beneath him. Its powerful haunches bunched, and its ears pricked forward.
Excellent choice, old friend. Austin smirked as the other lords gathered around him. Some were failing to control their beasts.
The starting line was a ribbon of churned earth, and the crowd was a wall of pastel gowns and dark coats. Parasols bloomed like spring flowers around the dowager who stood on her dais with a silver bell in hand and a grin wide enough to swallow the sun.
“You ready, Chestnut?” he whispered into the horse’s ear and patted it.
Across the track, near the first hedge, Austin tried and failed not to look at Deena, who stood beside Dominic. She wore a pale pink gown that made her skin glow in an otherworldly way.
“Do not get distracted, Austin,” he muttered under his breath.
But when he turned to her again, her eyes were bright and fixed on him with an intensity that made his pulse stutter.
“Your Grace!” Lady Amelia’s voice floated over the noise. He unwillingly turned towards her as she waved her lace handkerchief from the rail. “Bring us victory!”
“I always do,” Austin said confidently and gave her the barest nod before his gaze slid back to Deena.
She hadn’t waved. She stood afar and perceived him in that intense way that she usually did, and nothing excited him more.
The dowager raised her arm, halting all his thoughts.
“Gentlemen—get ready!”
The horse surged against his bits, muscles coiled beneath Austin, and its breath steamed in the cool air.
“Set!”
Austin leaned low, reins steady, thighs gripping tight as the gelding quivered with eagerness.
“Go!”
As soon as the bell clanged, the chestnuts hooves detonated, and excitement slammed into Austin like a fist to the chest. His heart slammed against his ribs in time with the thunder of galloping horses.
Wind tore past his face, whipping his coat, stinging his eyes.
The world blurred into streaks of green, brown, and gold; the only things sharp were the course ahead and the pounding rhythm beneath him.
The chestnut stretched out, devouring the ground. Every stride felt like flight and Austin’s blood sang with it. He enjoyed the wild joy of speed, of control, and of pushing limits until the edge of danger blurred into exhilaration.
This is freedom.
He glanced sideways and was surprised to see that Lord Bennington rode neck-and-neck on a rangy bay, grinning like a madman.
“Thought you’d leave me in the dust, Your Grace?” Bennington shouted over the pounding hooves.
Austin flashed a grin, teeth bared against the wind. “And you thought you’d keep up, Lord Bennington? Not a chance!”
Bennington laughed, urging his mount forward. “You’ll have to do better than that!”
Austin touched his heels to the beast’s sides, and the chestnut surged, pulling ahead by half a length, then a full one. The wind roared in his ears, drowning everything but the thunder of hooves and the wild beat of his heart.
Austin made the mistake by glancing towards the rail again. Deena had not moved. She stood exactly where she had been, watching him.
The first hedge loomed, and he lifted the horse with seat and knee; the chestnut soared, landing clean and sure on the far side. Cheers erupted behind him, but Austin barely heard them because Lord Bennington landed a heartbeat later, cursing good-naturedly.
“You’re showing off!” Lord Bennington yelled.
“Only a little,” Austin called back.
The next hedge rose, and this time he timed it perfectly, the gelding clearing with room to spare. Excitement burned through him, hot, bright, and addictive. Every nerve was alight; every sense of his was sharpened to a razor’s edge.
“This is it, Chestnut!” he yelled and let out a maniacal laugh.
The scent of crushed grass, the tang of sweat, and the thunderous movement of the horse beneath him was everything he’d once chased in midnight races across moonlit fields when he was a boy.
Why did I stop?
The final stretch opened. It was straight and flat. Austin saw the target waiting at the end like a dare. He rose in the stirrups, urging the chestnut into a full gallop. The horse responded instantly, stretching low and long, muscles straining, ears flat against his neck.
Austin’s pulse matched the rhythm. He could feel the eyes of the crowd, the weight of expectation, but none of it mattered. Only the target. Only the bow in his hand.
Only Deena watching.
The finish line flashed past. Austin grabbed an arrow from his satchel in one fluid motion. He placed the arrow, drew it tightly, and felt the string bite into his fingers. Beside him Lord Bennington arrived and drew his arrow too.
“May the best man win,” Austin called to him and winked.
“I wish you luck, Your Grace!” Bennington said with a laugh.
Austin exhaled. His eyes darted to Deena and back to the target and he released the arrow just as Lord Bennington did the same. They flew straight and true. But Lord Bennington’s arrow landed off-center.
Before Austin could look at his target the crowd erupted with cheers, whistles, and applause. Austin looked up and saw his arrow dead center, buried deep into the bullseye.
“Damn you, Velvet Duke,” Bennington laughed breathlessly. “Always have to steal the show.”
Austin grinned, still breathing hard. “You put up quite a challenge, Lord Bennington.”
“But congratulations are due to you,” Lord Bennington said with a slight bow.
“Thank you, and I’m sure you’ll beat me at the next one, Lord Bennington.”
The men shook hands before Austin picked up his bow, chest heaving, energy still roaring through him, and let out a winner’s roar.
Sweat stung his eyes as his heart hammered like war drums. He turned instinctively towards the rail where Deena stood.
Austin noticed how flushed her skin was, and he hoped it was him who caused that.
Well, there’s only one way to find out.
Ignoring the calls of the ladies around him, he made his way to Deena.
Deena stood beside Dominic at the edge of the track.
The crowd pressed close on all sides, and the women pranced around Austin like restless birds.
The sun was high; however, the warmth she felt was not from it.
Her eyes were fixed on Austin, and her body reacted in ways she was still beginning to understand.
But the latest information she received about him left her rattled.
Her body and mind were in a constant tug of war.
Is he even who says he is?
She studied him from afar. Austin walked confidently.
The chestnut gelding was restless beside him, but he controlled the animal well.
His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and Deena could see his corded forearms as he pulled the reins until a stable boy assisted him.
The way he moved with the horse, so easily controlled and powerful, made her stomach tighten.
Dominic shifted beside her, drawing her attention back to him. She approached her brother because she needed to find out the truth. But when Austin won the race, she got distracted.
“I never joined in any of Grandmother’s silly games,” Dominic said flatly. “Not once.”
“Why not?”
“It’s all the same to me, and I didn’t see the point of it because I was not looking for a wife.”
Deena barely heard him. Austin was smiling at her now. His shoulders flexed beneath his shirt as he stalked towards them. Deena swallowed.
“Although,” Dominic continued, “there was that one time I made an exception.”
Deena frowned at him. “Who did you make an exception for?”
“For Selina.”
“Oh, of course! How silly of me to even ask that.”
“Honestly, Dee, it’s like your mind is elsewhere all the time.”
“Mmm,” Deena murmured, eyes fixated on Austin.
Dominic glanced at her. “Proving my point.”
She blinked, dragging her gaze to him. “Sorry. What?”
He studied her for a moment, then followed her line of sight towards Austin. He was stopped by Lady Amelia, who seemed to be forcing him to take her lace handkerchief. Dominic frowned, and Deena’s heart stilled until he turned to her with a wide grin.
“I recommended the winning chestnut,” he said proudly.
“I should’ve known.” She smiled back. “Dominic…I need to ask you something.”
“Ask away,” he said eagerly.
Deena lowered her voice. “What’s the truth about Austin’s title?”
Dominic’s smile vanished. He glanced around, then drew her a step farther from the crowd.
“Keep your voice down,” he said quietly.
“I did. I’m sure no one heard me,” she whispered.
“You never know who’s listening.”
“Why does it matter if anyone hears?”
“It’s a…sensitive topic. What did you hear?” Dominic frowned down at her.
“I’ve heard whispers that his title is in danger. That there are questions about… legitimacy.”
Dominic cussed under his breath. “There have been murmurs, but it cannot be true because Austin is most definitely the late Duke’s son. The resemblance is uncanny.”
Deena agreed, but even so, a rumor that huge would have its consequences. “Who do you believe started the rumors?”
“I wish I knew, Dee. That way I could help my friend.” He looked out at Austin and smiled.
Deena’s heart softened with understanding.
“Nothing is certain yet. There’s no proof. People will doubt he is the late duke’s son if this rumor spreads.
Deena briefly thought about using this information in her next article. It was the perfect scandal, the one the blackmailer must have been searching for, and it could end all her troubles. But her empathy held her back.
How can I betray him?
“And what if he is illegitimate?” She asked her brother.
“Then he loses everything.” Dominic’s voice was grim.
She stared across the track at Austin, who just left the eager Lady Amelia.
Her throat felt suddenly dry. “Why would someone threaten—”