Page 59 of A Single Obsession

Harriet failed to recover her poise, and her accuracy continued to deteriorate. The more Eliza improved, the worse Harriet’s aim became. At the third end, Eliza overtook Mr Whitlow and her rival exclaimed at her brother’s mediocre performance.

“How could you be overtaken by a beginner, Whitlow?” Harriet said in a loud voice, so everyone could hear. “But then, Miss Merry has advanced with such speed you would not think she was a novice now. Are you positive you haven’t shot with a bow before today?”

Eliza’s eyes flashed with anger. How dare Harriet question her word? She might not always be as truthful as she meant to be, but it was unthinkable to fabricate such a story just to get close to Beau. What was more, she could not bear the other woman’s hypocrisy. She did not doubt her rival would have pretended to be a beginner if she had thought it would serve her cause.

Harriet gave her a disdainful look. “I admit it would be tempting to be taught by such a master, but to improve so rapidly…”

Eliza closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to calm herself. If she wanted to triumph over her opponent, she needed to regain her composure.

Her efforts to overcome her anger paid off. On the last end, she hit the centre of the target with all four arrows, beating Harriet, and taking second place behind Beau.

“I’ll have to watch you in the future,” he said to her, his eyes glistening with praise. “If you shoot like that as a beginner, I can see you’ll give me a run for my money once you’ve had a bit more practice.”

“Congratulations,” said Harriet. “I am clearly missing my mark today.”

Eliza wondered whether she was talking about her archery or her flirting. She smiled to herself. This time, she had won on both scores.

Chapter 26

Miss Whitlow did not take her defeat well. She continued to poke at Eliza, questioning if she was the archery novice she claimed to be, until Beau spoke up in her defence.

Too late, he saw his mistake. Miss Whitlow praised him for wanting to see the best in people and increased her veiled spitefulness toward Eliza whilst flirting all the more with him.

Beau found it hard to concentrate on any of the conversation at breakfast the next morning. He’d foregone his early ride, because Miss Whitlow had threatened to join him, and by avoiding the stables, he’d missed Romeo’s arrival.

His only thought was to finish the meal as quickly as possible so he could see his young racehorse.

“I would love to go for a tour around the estate,” Miss Whitlow said, staring at him.

Beau dipped his eyes, hoping that her wish wouldn’t turn into a demand for his time.

“A drive would be perfect, would you not agree, Frances?” Lady Harting said. “We could make the circuit in the landau.”

Miss Whitlow pursed her lips, looking less than pleased it was his mother who had taken up her request rather than him, but her disappointment was gone in a moment. She was not easily deterred. With a slight change of tactics, she fluttered her eyelashes in his direction. “Perhaps the gentlemen would care to ride with us?”

Beau saw his morning in the stables disappearing fast. He ground his teeth as he tried to think of a way to get out of accompanying the ladies. His gaze drifted to Eliza’s face to be met with a sympathetic look.

Miss Whitlow must have seen this exchange and directed her next comment at her. “You’ll join us, won’t you, Miss Merry?”

Beau frowned at Eliza, a question in his eyes. She cast him an imploring glance, as if she depended on him to rescue her from the drive she clearly didn’t want to go on.

It was becoming a habit to respond to that look. Perhaps he could save them both from the ordeal, for a time at least.

“What a tempting idea, Miss Whitlow,” Beau said, flashing her a dazzling smile, “but my colt has just arrived from Newmarket, and I promised to show him to Miss Merry at the earliest opportunity. We’re heading for the stables after breakfast, but no doubt will catch you up shortly.”

Beau was vaguely aware of Miss Whitlow responding with a very thin smile, but he was not really paying attention.

His eyes were fixed on Eliza, who gave him such a look of gratitude he felt like a hero.

Beau paced up and down the hall while he waited for Eliza to change into her habit. She had told him to go ahead, but he was too gentlemanlike for that. However, when she hurried downstairs, just fifteen minutes later, dressed for riding, he shot her a smile of genuine appreciation for having kept him waiting for so little time.

They left by the rear door and made their way to the stables. He strode so fast Eliza had to scurry to keep up, but she didn’t complain or ask him to slow down. She seemed to understand his eagerness.

As they entered the building, Romeo whickered in welcome. Eliza held back as Beau hurried over to the colt’s stall and nuzzled his head up against him, whispering words of affection.

“I’ll give you some time alone together,” his groom said with a chuckle.

Beau twisted round, ready to chide the man for teasing him, but he caught Jem looking at Eliza, not his horse. He suddenly felt unsure of himself. Was his groom talking about Romeo or Miss Merry?