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“Well, I don’t know if I can saddle the horse in the middle of the night without anyone noticing and—”

Adam chuckled. “Do you not trust that I have all that taken care of?”

Beatrice shrugged. “Seeing how you attempted to clear your mind today”—she gestured vaguely to his face—“I do not know what thoughts you have left in there.”

Adam shook his head with a laugh. “Get dressed. Please.”

Yet he stood there, in the middle of the room watching her. She did the same.

“Well?” He raised a questioning brow.

“Will you be watching me get dressed?”

He looked around before walking toward the bed, jumping onto it, stretching his long legs, and propping his head with one hand. “Perhaps.”

Beatrice let out a chuckle. “Shall you perhaps help me undress, as well?”

He looked her up and down, slowly, with those hooded eyes of his. “If you ask nicely.”

Beatrice’s breath hitched. Did he just say what she thought he said? Yes, they’d been flirting a little here and there, but this was beyond a light flirtation. She walked toward him and brought her face close to his. “Are you drunk again?”

He let out a chuckle, and a light scent of alcohol hit her nose for the first time. Or perhaps she’d just noticed it for the first time. “I might have had a glass of wine or two in the clubs while waiting for the time to pass.”

Beatrice grimaced. “And you want to race around the Serpentine. Drunk.”

He patted her cheek playfully. “I promise you, I am more sober than the night of the brawl. Besides, if you want to race me and win, you better hope I am in my cups. I am highly competitive. And I do not let anyone win. Not even my sisters.”

Beatrice stepped away, letting him roll off the bed. He straightened his clothes and sauntered toward the exit.

“Well, it’s a good thing I am not your sister then, isn’t it?” Beatrice said to his retreating back. “Because I never needed anyone to let me win. I claw out every win with my own hands.”

She suddenly remembered her aunt’s words.

Grab your happiness whichever way you can. Because no one is going to hand it to you on a silver platter.

Perhaps it was a good thing he was in a flirtatious mood. Because she was about to grab her happiness. Any way she could.

Chapter 14

The Serpentine Lake shimmered under the moonlit sky, the wind creating little ripples in the water. Clouds were gathering, threatening to cover the moon and shroud the path around the lake in darkness. Adam and Beatrice stood at the water’s edge, their horses restlessly pawing at the ground.

Beatrice adjusted her riding gloves, fixed her bonnet, and threw Adam a challenging gaze. He looked back, an easy smile on his lips. Beatrice caught her breath, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. What was happening?

The silver moon framed his face so perfectly that, through the injuries on his face, she could clearly see his sharp cheekbones, his square jaw, and straight aristocratic nose. His lips were firm, and yet she knew them to be soft and inviting. And his gaze was full of mischief.

“Are you certain you don’t want me to let you win?” Adam teased.

She matched his playful tone, her voice laced with confidence. “I don’t let things happen to me. I make them happen. Prepare to be left in my dust.”

“A bold statement,” Adam called back.

“And yet truthful.”

Adam’s chuckle sent warmth down Beatrice’s belly. “You shouldn’t get too excited, because I am an exceptional horseman.”

“Are you? Well, Mr. Lewis, I’ll have you know that I am a sheltered lady who grew up in a small village with nothing else to do but read and ride. While you were off at Eton studying and then sitting in an office, I’ve been riding this entire time.”

“Doesn’t mean you’re better than me.” He raised a brow in challenge.