Page 44 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

So he assumed I had never sat on a horse. I pressed my lips together to hide a smile. “Must we?” I asked innocently.

“Of course,” his voice was stern. “Potted ham?”

I was briefly confused until I followed his gaze to the sideboard. “Oh! Yes, thank you.”

“The easiest scheme might be that you feign some sort of injury,” he continued. “Perhaps a twisted ankle. It is inconvenient, of course, but it should serve our purpose … it might even be an asset. Stefan would dance attendance…”

“Don’t I get any say in this?” I asked. “I don’t want to affect a limp on top of everything else. I won’t remember which leg it’s supposed to be. I’ll end up lurching around like a pirate.”

“In that case” – he pierced me with a glare – “I suggest that you remain seated as much as possible.”

I looked at him from beneath my lashes. He was so sure of himself. I couldn’t help it, I wanted to unsteady him, to leave him off-balance. And as easily as that, my decision was made.

“Do you know,” I said airily, “I never thought riding looked all that difficult.”

“Let me assure you that it is difficult,” Nicholas replied through clenched teeth.

“I mean, you just sit there,” I carried on, as if he hadn’t spoken.

“Miss Fox,” he hissed. “You can’t ride like a lady and they’ll see straight through you.”

“I doubt it will be as bad as all that.” I grinned. Then I raised my voice. “No, thank you, not the kedgeree, I never can face fish in the morning,” and I sailed back to my seat, leaving Nicholas gaping after me.

“I’d love a soft-boiled egg and some toast, please,” I asked the footman, and then I took my seat.

“My, what an appetite!” Helena exclaimed gaily.

“Mmm,” I agreed, digging into the plate of food Nicholas had made for me, “but then, I’ll need to gather my strength. I’ve decided that I will ride this afternoon. Thank you for the invitation, Mr Waterford.”

“Excellent,” said Jack. I noticed that he was looking at his friend in obvious amusement. It was clear we had had some sort of disagreement. Nicholas was stony-faced with disapproval.

“Wonderful,” Stefan agreed warmly. “I’m looking forward to exploring some of this beautiful parkland.”

“What I saw this morning was spectacular,” I said truthfully.

“I’m sure we can find a mount for you, Miss Fox,” Helena said, in a way that implied it would actually be a tremendous ordeal.

“Thank you. Miss Cassandra was telling me this morning that you keep an extremely superior stable,” I replied.

Helena couldn’t help but preen a little. “It is true that our stables are the envy of the rest of the county.”

“More than one county, Mama!” Agatha trilled, making eyes at Stefan, who, it seemed, was a keen horseman. I repressed the urge to laugh. Agatha was (literally) trotting out her assets for his gratification.

“My late husband,” Helena said, “had an exceptional eye for horseflesh.”

The laughter died within me. She was talking about my father. There had been nothing in her voice or face when she mentioned him – no sorrow or grief, no sense of victory or gladness. They were just easy words.

“So your daughter told me,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Was he a keen rider himself, then?”

There was an infinitesimal hesitation, as Helena sipped from her teacup. “I believe he preferred his horses above any person he ever met,” she said.

And who could blame him? I thought bitterly, longing to leap to his defence.

“Well, if we are to ride, then I had better go and change,” Agatha said, laying her napkin on her plate. She looked pleased with herself, and I knew why. Her new riding habit was extremely flattering.

The rest of our breakfast passed peacefully enough while Helena recommended various routes we might take – it seemed it was only the younger half of the party who would be setting out.

Undeterred by my stepmother’s sly comments about my appetite, I ate a very hearty breakfast and enjoyed every single bite. I may not like the improvements that Helena had made to the house, but I couldn’t deny that her cook was excellent.