Page 89 of A Single Obsession

The neckcloth proved more challenging. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to fold it neatly and wished William was there to fix it for her. She tied an imperfect knot and grimaced. There was not time for a second attempt. It would have to do.

She struggled into her boots, put on her waistcoat and jacket, and fixed her brown wig onto her head, with the pink and purple chequered cap already attached to it. Eliza examined her appearance in the mirror, and a slim youth, wearing Beau’s colours, smiled back at her.

“You’ll do,” she said to herself.

She opened the door and confirmed no one was about before slipping from the chamber and down the stairs. The taproom was becoming busier, and the proprietors were so occupied they did not notice her sneaking outside and into the yard.

The faithful Finch waited with Romeo’s reins in his hands. He looked her up and down, inspecting her appearance until heat rose to her cheeks. When he took a pace forward, panic seized her. For a moment, she feared he was going to take advantage of the bizarre circumstances they were in to steal a kiss.

Involuntarily, she stepped back, only for him to chide her stupidity.

“You’ve nought to fear from me, Miss Eliza,” he said in a low tone only she could hear, “though you look mighty spry in those natty clothes. I need to straighten your neckcloth, or it will give the whole game away. Not even a groom would go about with such a shoddy excuse of a neck warmer!”

“Thank you,” she whispered, holding up her chin to allow him to tidy her cravat.

He redid the folds before pausing and fixing her with a piercing stare. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to turn about.”

“Are you fighting shy, Danny Finch?” she said, with a challenge in her eye.

“Nay, never say that, but now you’re all grown up, there’s so much at stake. If this came out—”

“If you wish to draw back, then do so. Never claim that I forced you into it.”

“Huh! Lady Castleford would never forgive me if I let you go off alone, nor your mother for that matter, but why I allowed you to persuade me into it when nothing in the world could hide the fact that you’re a girl—”

Eliza’s head jerked round to face her groom. “Oh no. Surely not. I’ve fooled people before. Won’t I succeed this time?”

Finch gave an embarrassed smile. “I expect it’s just that I know you’re no man that it makes it so hard for me to see you as anything else.”

He cleared his throat rather loudly and turned back to the horse. “Well, if you’re set on doing this, we’d better get going, or we’ll miss his lordship’s race altogether.”

Finch hovered by Romeo, waiting to help her mount, but with the slightest shake of the head, Eliza indicated she meant to do it by herself. She wouldn’t have his aid on the racecourse, so it would be as well to do without now.

She put her foot into the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle. It was quite simple when not impeded by skirts. Her groom tightened the girth and Eliza gave a big grin.

“I had forgotten how lovely it was to ride astride,” she said, leaning forward over Romeo’s mane, so only Finch could hear. “Come on. We’d better go before you suffer any more qualms of conscience.”

As they drew near to the racecourse, she grew quiet. The roads were busy with horses and carriages making their way to the meeting, and she had to concentrate hard to make sure she didn’t get separated from her groom.

Finch stabled his horse and led Romeo through the crowds toward the enclosure. Eliza’s stomach churned. It was all so unfamiliar. People kept staring at her and her mount. A jockey attracted far more notice than she had expected.

Was she foolish to believe she could just turn up with the horse and win the race? Did they need papers or something? Had Beau dealt with all that? What if she fell off and was injured? She wouldn’t be able to hide her sex. They would lose the contest, and she would have let Beau down.

Romeo would be lost forever—and so would she.

Pangs of guilt threatened to overwhelm her. Her family would be dismayed if her antics were discovered, but it couldn’t be helped. She had to take that risk.

If she won, she would free Beau from the need to marry her.

That was the part she was dreading—breaking off her engagement. She gulped hard and tamped down the nausea caused by the sudden wave of pain. Perhaps she would stage a tremendous row.

A laugh caught in her throat. If her identity was discovered, she wouldn’t have to manufacture a reason for the argument.

“Your lordship!” Finch cried out, waving to attract the attention of a gentleman standing near the enclosure. Eliza would have recognised that beloved profile anywhere. She bit back the emotion that welled up inside her and concentrated on the job in hand.

Though longing to look into his eyes, she didn’t dare. Her groom had made excuses for her whenever Beau had come to see Romeo, so this was the first time they’d met since coming to Epsom.

As he turned his head, she lowered her own, suddenly shy at the thought of being seen by him, dressed like a man. Surely he would recognise her, even in this guise.