Where Love Begins by Julianne MacLean

Author:Julianne MacLean
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-09-02T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

THE NEXT DAY BROUGHT SUNSHINE and a swift breeze from the west, which lured many of the competitors out onto the water to test their skills. Evelyn had eaten lunch with Lord and Lady Radley and was now strolling along the Esplanade with them, while they speculated about who would improve their times over last year and who would fare worse. They reached the pavilion and encountered Lord Breckinridge with his first mate, Mr. Sheldon Hatfield.

“Good afternoon,” Lord Radley said, greeting Breckinridge with a pat on the back. “I’m surprised you’re not out there with the rest of them, practicing your maneuvers for race day.”

Breckinridge bowed to Evelyn and Lady Radley. “One needn’t practice with a boat like the Endeavor, at least not in front of the opponents. We wouldn’t want to give away our secrets, now would we?”

Lord Radley nodded. “Smart man. Overtake them when they least expect it.”

“We are going to overtake them whether they expect it or not,” Mr. Hatfield interjected. “No one stands a chance against the Endeavor, least of all the Cowes champion and his obsolete boat.”

He spoke with such contempt, Evelyn found it immensely unsettling. “Perhaps you would be wise not to underestimate the competition,” she said. “From what I understand, Lord Martin is a gifted sailor.”

Everyone turned to her, and a noteworthy silence ensued until Lady Radley came to her rescue. “You are quite right, Evelyn. I once heard that Lord Martin can recall the exact details of every race he’s ever been in and all the mistakes the other skippers made, and he doesn’t require a chart or tide table when he’s at the wheel. He keeps everything stored in his head like a scientific tactician.”

Hatfield’s lips twisted into a most unattractive scowl. “That is all idle gossip, madam, blown out of proportion. He was a classmate of mine at Eton, you see, so I know him better than anyone here. I assure you, when it came to practical applications like science and arithmetic, he was the worst student in the school. He never did a stitch of work, and he constantly misbehaved in class.”

“Perhaps he was simply bored,” Evelyn said in Martin’s defense.

Mr. Hatfield and Lord Breckinridge both stared fixedly at her, their eyes narrowing.

“Well!” Hatfield said, slapping his hands together. “I think we should go out there and show everyone how it’s done.”

But Breckinridge wasn’t listening. He was still staring at Evelyn. She shaded her eyes with a gloved hand and looked out at the boats.

At last he turned to Mr. Hatfield. “I believe we will go out. It’s a good day for a pleasure cruise. Anyone care to join us?” He directed the question specifically at Evelyn.

“That’s very tempting,” she replied, “but I don’t think I have the fortitude to endure these rough waters today. Perhaps another time when the wind is not so swift?” And when she did not have plans to meet Martin in her room for tea and sweets at five o’clock.

He bowed politely. “Of course, but I will hold you to that promise.

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