Garrett tightened his grip on his own reins. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Jane couldn’t say no to a challenge, especially not from someone she disliked.

“I’m not sure—” Garrett began.

“Do you ride often, Mrs. Langford?” Jane pursed her lips and regarded Mrs. Langford over the top of her spectacles.

Isabella’s smug laughter followed. “On the contrary, I rarely ride. But something tells me I could best you, Miss Lowndes. You seem more interested in books than horses.”

Garrett winced. There was no chance Jane wouldn’t scoop up Isabella’s gauntlet and slap her with it.

“By all means, then.” The gleam of competition shone in Jane’s eyes. “I’m eager to show you how wrong you are. Where shall we race to?”

Garrett rubbed the back of his neck. Jane wasn’t about to listen to reason coming from him. Excusing himself, he rode to where Lucy was trotting ahead of Cassandra, Claringdon, and Swifdon. “Jane’s accepted a challenge to race Mrs. Langford.”

Lucy’s brows shot up. “Has she?” A sly smile settled on her face.

“Yes,” Garrett replied grimly.

“Excellent, we’ll have something to divert us,” Lucy said.

Garrett pushed his hat back on his forehead. “You think it’s a good idea?”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll be interested to see it. Jane never loses at anything she sets her mind to.”

Garrett groaned. “You don’t plan to stop her, then?”

“Stop her?” Lucy laughed. “I intend to wager upon her.”

Garrett shook his head. By the time he returned to where Jane and Isabella cantered next to each other, they were busily discussing the details.

“See that field in the distance?” Jane pointed to a meadow a half-mile away.

A quick single nod from Isabella. “Yes.”

“Shall we race to the other side of it? There’s a tree at the far end. Do you see it?”

Garrett followed Jane’s gaze. A lone tree stood at the far corner of the field.

Another nod from Isabella.

“That shall be the finish,” Jane declared.

“Perfect.” Isabella’s face was wreathed in a smile. She turned in the sidesaddle and called to the group. “You must all stop and watch us, everyone! Miss Lowndes and I intend to race to that tree.” She pointed with her riding crop.

A great deal of murmuring ensued while Lucy led the betting. The entire company lined up along the side of the meadow.

“Make the call to start, Mr. Upton,” Isabella prompted with a too bright smile.

Removing his hat, Garrett scrubbed his hand through his hair. He turned his attention to Jane. “You insist upon doing this?”

“Of course,” Jane replied.

Garrett let out his pent-up breath. “Very well.”

Claringdon drew up his mount beside Garrett. “One has the distinct feeling they’re racing over you, Upton.”

Garrett grimaced. “Two ladies racing sidesaddle across a field? It’s bloody dangerous.”