"Most of my life," Flick answered, her gaze on Avril Collins's face. "I live with the General at Hillgate End, south of the racecourse."
Avril's pouting lips-they had to be rouged-lifted in a little smile. "I know," she said on a breathless giggle, one finger reaching out to tap Demon's coat, "that you live in London, Mr. Cynster."
Flick glanced at Demon's face. He smiled-not a smile she was used to, but one coolly, distantly polite.
"Actually, I live in London only part of the time. The rest of the time I live near Hillgate End."
"The General keeps a studbook, doesn't he?" Henry March appealed to Flick. "That must be exciting-do you help him keep track of the horses?"
Flick smiled. "It is interesting, but I don't help all that much. Of course, all the talk in the house is about horses."
Henry's eager expression suggested such a household was his idea of heaven.
"Oh, horses!" Avril wrinkled her nose and cast an openly inviting glance at Demon. "Don't you find them the most boring of creatures?"
"No." Demon met her gaze. "I breed them."
Flick could almost feel sorry for Avril Collins-Demon purposely let the silence stretch for one exceedingly uncomfortable instant, then turned to Henry March. "I own the stud farm to the west of the Lidgate road. Stop by some time if you're interested. If I'm not there, my foreman will show you around. Just mention my name."
"T-thank you," Henry stammered. "I'd l-like that immensely."
Mrs. Pemberton appeared with another group of young people. The fresh round of introductions allowed Kitty March to remove her unfortunate friend. Kitty tugged at her brother's sleeve, but he frowned at her, then returned to his open adoration of Flick.
In that pursuit he was joined by the two male members of the new group, both young gentlemen from nearby estates. Somewhat disconcerted by their soulful looks, Flick did her best to encourage rational conversation, only to be defeated by their patent silliness.
Their silliness, however, was nothing compared to their sisters' witlessness, their vapidity. Flick was not sure which she found more distracting.
"No." She drew a patient breath. "I don't watch every race. The Jockey Club sends all the results to the General."
"Do you get to name all the new foals?" One of the young ladies stared wide-eyed up at Demon.
Wearily resigned, he raised his brows. "I suppose I do."
"Oh! That must be so wonderful." The young damsel clasped her hands to her breast. "Thinking up sweet names for all those lovely little foals, staggering around on their shaky legs."
Flick immediately looked back at her group of swains. "Do any of you come to Newmarket to see the races?"
She struggled on, racking her brain for topics on which they might have more than two words to contribute. Most of such topics concerned racing, horses and carriages-within minutes, Demon insinuated a comment into their conversation. A minute later, he somehow managed to merge the two groups, which left the young ladies a trifle miffed, but they didn't move away.
Which was a pity, as Mrs. Pemberton arrived with another wave of admirers, both for her and Demon. Flick found herself facing five males, while Demon had his hands full, figuratively speaking, with six young girls. And one not-so-young, not-so-innocent young madam.
"What a delightful surprise, Mr. Cynster, to discover a gentleman of your standing at a gathering such as this. In case you missed my name, I'm Miss Henshaw."
The throaty voice had Flick quickly turning.
"I say-you ride that pretty little mare, don't you? The one with the white hocks."
Distracted, Flick glanced back at one of the new male additions. "Yes. That's Jessamy."
"Do you jump her?"
"Not especially."
"Well, you should. I've seen conformations like that around the traps-she'll do well, mark my words."
Flick shook her head. "Jessamy's not-
"Dare say you might not know, being a female, but take my word for it-she's got good legs and good stamina." The bluffly genial youth, the local squire's son, grinned at her, the epitome of a patronizing male. "If you like, I could organize a jockey and trainer for you."