Page 31 of Twice Shy
‘She has given me an interesting few minutes, I admit, but I feel confident that she knows who is in control, and who would wish to crawl about as I had to with the Slug.’
It was the first time that he had heard her actually name the hired hack, and it brought a sharp crack of laughter,which made the mare toss her head.
‘An apt name, for it was assuredly not a real horse. It did you no justice, Miss Ashling; that much was apparent from the first.’
She told herself that the man was being patronising, though his tone did nothing to indicate it, and thereby157fuelled her resentment. Her smile became fixed and her eyes, which had been unconsciously bright and laughing, grew cold. Her voice lost the intimacy.
‘It seems, Sir Lucius, that your opinion is highly sought after when it comes to the purchase of horses. I wonder, perhaps, if you advised Lord Godmanchester upon the purchase of Mist here, for his wife?’ She looked at him speculatively.
‘Godmanchester would not buy a poor animal, but yes, I was with him at the time.’ He wondered what had suddenly happened to make her withdraw from him without warning.
‘And were not silent?’
‘No, not silent, ma’am.’ He would not lie to her direct.
‘Then you must think me foolish to invite you to comeand view an animal of whose points, good and bad, you are already well aware. I must applaud your, shall we say “joint” choice, but I do wonder that you selected such a spirited mare. I recall Lady Godmanchester as a competent rider, but not a daring one.’
As if to confirm this, the grey mare curvetted, and Elizabeth took some moments to bring her back alongside Sir Lucius. He watched, apparently unconcerned, but ready, should he be needed, to grab her bridle above the bit. He need not have worried, and could even admire her skill.
Miss Ashling was in no way discomposed, and even seemed to relish the mild tussle of wills. She smiled naturally again, and patted the mare’s neck. ‘You see, sir, she really is no novice ride. To be honest, she is a bit of a handful, but with a lovely soft mouth, and very responsive. All she needs is firm handling.’
158Sir Lucius did not reply instantly. Miss Ashling, the reserved, chilly Miss Ashling that had reappeared for a moment, was once again so different a being. There was a slight flush to her cheek now, a genuine smile on her lips, and when she did the beauty that had stirred his interest but mildly was transformed.
‘I, er, let Godmanchester be the judge of his wife’s abilities as a horsewoman,’ he lied, laying any misjudgement at his friend’s door. ‘However, I think it fair to say that you, Miss Ashling, find her just in your style.’
‘Indeed. At home, in Sussex, I have a chestnut mare, Pallas, who is of a not dissimilar temperament, but has learnt who is mistress, as this one, as yet, has not. But neither has an ounce of vice; it is all spirit and eagerness. My uncle, who is himself not particularly interested in horses, approached Lord Egremont, who obviously is, and has his stud at Petworth. He obligingly found Pallas for me. She has Gohanna as her sire, and I am terribly proud of her. I think Lord Egremont found her a trifle disappointing, having hoped she might make a good brood mare, but felt she was a little short in the back for perfection. However, she is a lovely mount.’
Sir Lucius blinked. It was unusual to meet a young lady who knew anything at all about the best thoroughbreds, unless it was the latest winner of the Derby, and then it would be merely the name, and perhaps what colour it was. There were ladies who attended the races, but most were older, and married to gentlemen who frequented the meetings.
‘Forgive me, Miss Ashling, I did not know that you were159acquainted with Lord Egremont.’ Sir Lucius was a little surprised.
‘Ah, not very well, Sir Lucius. My papa was a friend of his many years ago, but my aunt would not permit me to go to Petworth, though it is not far from either Marden Hall or Dowlands, in view of Lord Egremont’s, er, unusual domestic arrangements. She says his house is “overrun with doxies and children of shame” and no decent woman should enter its portals. I have, however, met him at the races at Goodwood, of course. My uncle attends the meetings there, and I have joined him occasionally. I fear he is more interested in the company than the horses, unlike Lord Egremont, whom I found to be a very nice old gentleman, and a fount of knowledge. I think he picked Pallas for me because of my father.’
‘I myself own two mares bred from the Petworth stud, and breed on a modest scale.’
Elizabeth coloured, remembering the overheard conversation and the misinterpretation of his words.
‘So Lady Godmanchester informs me, sir.’ She lowered her eyes, and he frowned, thinking she objected to the mentioning of such a matter. It seemed odd.
‘If I have offended you by speaking of—’
‘Good grief, sir, do you think me so poor a specimen, having such exaggerated sensibilities?’
‘No, ma’am, but …’ His voice trailed off.
‘But it was easy to think it?’ She glowered at him.
He was getting confused. She seemed to be blowing alternately hot and cold with him, and he could not, for the life of him, think why. ‘What have I done, Miss Ashling?’
160‘Done, Sir Lucius?’ She tried to look as if she had no idea of his meaning.
‘Yes. It is not, was not, my intention to irritate or anger you, and yet you seem to harbour some animosity towards me today that, forgive the impertinence, was not there when we met yesterday. Has someone so traduced my character to you, Miss Ashling?’ He tried to speak lightly, but there was a frown in his eyes.
She felt his sense of hurt, and it made her feel guilty, and in her turn she blamed him for making her feel that way. She could not shout at him that she was angry because he took so much for granted.
‘No, Sir Lucius. I have never heard anything that would cast your character in a bad light.’
‘Then what is it?’
