Scarlet Devices by Delphine Dryden Read Free Book Online

“How can he hope to compete for speed in the dirigible leg?”
    â€œThe second smallest son is the one standing next to him. They’re like a race of giants. But they didn’t want to hire a driver. Rumor has it their company is close to going under. They need the win, and they need to keep the proceeds in the family.” Matthew sounded more thoughtful than coldly speculative, but Eliza reminded herself that whatever information he had gathered on the others, he’d also sought for tidbits to use against her.
    Eliza studied the even larger man next to the one in dove gray, then considered the whole Whitcombe family. They seemed to be assembled in force around the lovely rally car, apparently arguing the finer points of boiler maintenance, if their gestures were any indication. Not a happy crew, on the whole. And large, to a man.
    â€œNo women in the bunch, I see.”
    â€œMother Whitcombe is dealing with the press outside. I passed her on my way in. Now, you see the white steam car behind me with the red and blue racing stripes? That’s Moreau, the driver for the French consortium. All he has to do is show up to have reporters crawling over him, of course. But he’s also brought an outrageous number of mysterious packages with him, and you can see his car is loaded to the gills. Rumors abound as to what might be in those boxes and hampers.”
    She stole a look around Matthew’s shoulder at the steam car in question. The canvas top was down and the car was tightly packed, just as he’d said, with bundles and baskets galore. As she watched, the mechanics raised the roof, hiding the curious cargo. “It looks like he’s going on a very extravagant picnic.”
    â€œAye, perhaps. But I wouldn’t put it past him to have something far more sinister in mind.”
    â€œYou’re just prejudiced against the French,” she scoffed, turning back to her own vehicle. Dexter was fastening the boiler hatch with an air of satisfaction.
    â€œOf course he’s prejudiced against the French,” Dexter told her. “He’s also trying to scare you. She won’t fall for it, Matthew. Charlotte and I have given her all the information she needs to win the race handily. And I’ve told her all she needs to know to keep this engine in tip-top condition, isn’t that right, Eliza?”
    She snorted. “I could teach you a thing or two about that engine, and you know it.” But the truth was, if Matthew had been trying to worry her, he’d succeeded. This infuriated Eliza, but she couldn’t help peering around at her adversaries, wondering what other secrets lay waiting to be discovered and exploited. And what had they learned about her in turn, that they might try to use against her? Matthew couldn’t be the only one utilizing the psychological approach.
    â€œYou and Charlotte would have done better to spend the time finding another driver,” Matthew said, reminding Eliza why she was so determined to beat him. “I still say this is insanity. You won’t be safe, Eliza. Your parents are mad to let you participate in this.”
    â€œMatthew—” Dexter started in a warning tone.
    â€œNo, Dexter. Let Mr. Pence have his say.” She turned to him. “You were expressing your concern, sir?”
    He eyed her warily. “You’re well aware of my concerns.”
    Eliza nodded. “You’ve certainly made no effort to keep them to yourself. Let me address them yet again. I’m past the age of majority, sir. My parents may not be thrilled, but there’s no question of them ‘letting’ me do anything. I’ll be exactly as safe as any of the other competitors, which is to say not very. And you do realize I’m not the only female driver? There are three others. Shouldn’t you be making the rounds expressing your sentiments to them as well?”
    â€œYou’re the only one I know. And