Page 31 of A Single Obsession

Two days later, at Eliza’s insistence, Anthony took her to watch Beau carry out his bet. She told Georgiana they were going to Astley’s riding school and left her sister to assume she was having a lesson with the great Mr Astley.

A prick of guilt stabbed at her conscience for concealing the true purpose of their outing, but she brushed it aside. What was the point in distressing Georgie by telling her? It would only lead to an unpleasant argument, and the outcome would be just the same. Nothing was going to stop her from viewing the Viscount’s performance.

Eliza sat in silence, twisting her hands round and round in her lap, all the way to Astley’s. Although excited at the prospect of seeing Beau ride, she feared for him if something went wrong. She didn’t doubt his ability where horses were concerned, but he was attempting an extraordinary feat, and animals were unpredictable. She’d taken a tumble or two from a horse over the years with little harm, but not everyone was so fortunate. People died in riding accidents. Perhaps she’d been foolish to encourage him.

However, she was wise enough to know he could not draw back now. It was not the money, but his pride at stake. She took confidence in the fact that Mr Astley had agreed to give Beau exclusive use of his riding school. The man must have faith in his ability to succeed, because he would not care to have a dead nobleman on his hands.

When they arrived at Astley’s, Eliza was taken aback to discover the audience for Beau’s equestrian performance had grown. A crowd had gathered, and a glance informed her she was the only lady present.

“I thought this was to be a private affair,” she said to Anthony, feeling conspicuous and out of place.

“Sorry.”

Eliza shrugged. “It would not have made any difference. I had no intention of missing this.”

“Maybe not, but I should have warned you. Templecombe never could hold his tongue. As might have been expected, he could not keep the wager to himself. Word spread around the sporting fraternity, and a sizeable number have laid bets on whether Beau will succeed.”

“Do they think he will?”

Anthony hesitated and then shook his head. “He wasn’t born to it like Astley, who’s been performing tricks since he was five. I’m afraid they’ve come to watch Beau fail.”

“Doesn’t anyone believe he’ll do it?” Eliza asked indignantly.

“Me. I trust his judgement with horses. If he thinks he can do it, I believe him. Besides, someone had to take the bets, didn’t they? If he succeeds, I’ll do very nicely out of it. Stick with me, and no one will bother you.”

“I would have fitted in better in breeches,” she said under her breath as she followed Anthony toward an empty area of seating.

He stopped in his tracks and frowned at her. “Thank goodness you didn’t think of it. If you had done so and someone recognised you…”

His words hung in the air, his expression so stern that Eliza was relieved he hadn’t seen her dressed as Mr Robson at Tattersall’s.

They sat down toward the back, at some distance from where the other gentlemen had gathered around Mr Templecombe, but still with an excellent view.

Eliza tried to ignore the crowd and focused all her attention on Beau, who was walking into the arena to a tumultuous round of applause and cheering. He had one of his pairs of matched bays with him. Eliza suspected it was the duo he had owned longest—the pair he had been driving together for several years.

He mounted a horse and rode around the ring. The second followed, keeping pace with the first with little effort from Beau. His mouth was working, encouraging his horses, but she was too far away to hear what he said.

As she watched, Beau slipped his feet out of his stirrups and climbed onto the back of the left-hand horse, just behind the saddle, as it continued to move around the ring. She held her breath, saying a silent prayer for his safety, as he stood up and wavered for a moment before finding his balance.

Without realising what she was doing, she reached out and grabbed Anthony’s hand, but then snatched it away as heat flooded her face. He gave her a quick reassuring smile and then both pairs of eyes fixed on Beau.

A sudden movement, and Beau jumped onto the back of the other horse, and slipped down into the saddle, letting out a whoop and pumping the air with his fist to the cheers of the audience. After a couple more circuits, he drew both horses to a standstill.

Mr Templecombe leapt out of his seat, vaulted over the barrier and landed in the ring.

He hurried over to where Beau stood and slapped him on the back. “Well, blow me down. You did it.”

The other gentlemen crowded into the arena, offering their congratulations.

Eliza and Anthony made their way to the front of the seating area.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, urging him to go to his friend’s side, as he was clearly impatient to do.

He needed no further encouragement and sprang over the balustrade to join the crowd of gentlemen.

Eliza stared at Beau, her heart glowing with admiration. She revelled in the praise his sporting colleagues heaped on him, content simply to be there.

Just for a moment, he glanced over their heads toward her. As their eyes met, she mimicked a round of applause with her hands. He bowed his head, acknowledging her congratulations, before his face disappeared into the throng of men around him.