The Earl's Desire by Alexia Praks

Author:Alexia Praks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, regency romance, virgin heroine, alpha male hero

THIRTEEN

The air was hot, and the sizzling sun burnt down unmercifully on the crowd of people all trying to find the best spot to watch the race. There was little breeze to satisfy the women suffocating with their whalebone corsets shaping their bodies into small curves of hips and generous bosoms. Shouting and cursing rang alongside the laughing of youngsters, and drunken men mixed with the crying of lost little ones. On top of the green, numerous picnic blankets were laid on the freshly cut grass. Food and wine flowed freely. Beautifully crafted hats decorated with flowers and butterflies glided back and forth on top of beautifully painted, soft faces.

Christine raced down the hill toward the busy crowd on the race course of Huntingdon Estate, puffing as she slowed down.

“Chris! Wait for me. Don’t run so fast,” Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson’s son, who had just returned from London, shouted. His mouth was wide open, fighting for air as he sprinted after her. Christine turned at his shouting and slowed down. He caught up with her then and overtook her.

“Beat you!” he yelled, beaming with pride as he urged Christine to run faster down the last few yards. She reached him a second later and put both her hands on her slim hips, gasping for fresh air to fill her starved lungs.

“God man, you blush like a girl!” he teased, punching her on the shoulder. She bit her lip and gave him no comment in return.

Betty, Emma, and Andrew, the stableman, walked down toward them with baskets and blankets.

“Hurry up. The race is about to begin. I wouldn’t want to miss this one; the earl is in it,” Andrew urged both women as he raced down to where Christine and Paul stood. The women chased after him, giggling and beaming at each other. Betty reached them first. When she came to a stop by the small group, she shaded her eyes against the hot sun with her hands and looked around them. There were people everywhere, seated in groups surrounding the racetrack.

“Well, where should we sit?” she asked.

“Oh, I think here will do; we can see just fine from here,” Andrew said as he spread out the blanket on the grass.

“Hmm, the view is rather good from here,” Paul commented as he tilted his head to examine the racetrack.

“It is rather a hot day, isn’t it?” Emma complained, eyeing enviously those ladies sitting under the tent with their bright parasols and their pretty bonnets shading their heads.

Christine looked around the field. There were many people, and the atmosphere was like that at a fair. Under the tent, she could see Lord and Lady Queensbury. Seated beside them was Lady Anne, who was seated next to Sir Allan. Christine saw Anne lean toward him. They were sitting intimately close. Anne said something funny in his ear, causing them both to laugh.

“Do you know Sir Allan doesn’t look like his lordship?” Emma said to Paul.

“Why should they?” Christine asked, raising her eyebrows at the maid.

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