For your delectation and enjoyment.
There have been changes to the first three, but nothing worthy of a repost. This is the first complete version of chapter 4.
4. Raglan Horse
Fair.
Mr. and Mrs. Landor arrived in his gig early the
next morning. Ionie was tethered to the back of it and making it
clear that she did not enjoy leaving her stall. If it was needed, her
side-saddle was in the gig. Cecelia came trotting out before he could
dismount and knock. “Thank goodness you're here. I don't think I
can take much more of this.”
“Much more of what, Miss Wood?”
“This continued sniping. Jane, Miss Arnold is
still upset from yesterday. I like and admire the Captain, but he is
affianced to her. I would never come between them. Somehow it seems I
have.”
Julia called her over, “Cecelia come and talk
with me. Walter, would you make sure that they are getting ready to
go. I'd like to get to Raglan while there are still some decent
horses still for sale.”
“Yes, my love. I hear and obey.”
Cecelia mounted the gig and sat beside Mrs.
Landor. Julia started the conversation, “Cecelia, I had a long talk
with Jane yesterday. You must understand that she's not sure of
herself.”
“Not sure of herself. What do you mean by that?”
“It's simple, remember when you rode Ionie and I
couldn't?”
“Yes, you just have to show the horse who is in
charge.”
“Which means you have to be confident that you
can control the horse. You are, and I'm not. That's why I can ride a
sweetheart like Awyr and not a difficult mare like Ionie.”
Cecelia thought for a moment, and said, “You
mean she's not sure she can ride George? That doesn't make sense to
me. He's not a horse is he?”
“She's not sure she can run a household like
Penyclawdd and keep George happy. It scares her.”
“Oh. Is she scared of me too?”
“Yes.”
“That's silly.”
“No it's not. If she gets snappy with you or
George it's because she's worried.”
“I hadn't thought of it like that. Perhaps you
have a point.”
They might have gone further with this discussion,
but Mr. Landor and Miss Arnold came out and haled them. “George is
bringing around their gig. I was wondering if you would prefer to
ride with Jane and George instead of me?”
“Why?”
“What happens if Ionie is upset? You can't
handle her, but Miss Wood can.”
Jane added her voice, “And, Julia, we hadn't
finished when the message came about the Captain being in distress.
I'd so much like to continue our conversation.”
Julia shrugged, and then whispered to Cecelia,
“Think about what I've said.” Then she dismounted and walked over
to Miss Arnold. “It would be my pleasure to get to know both you
and your fiancée much better.”
Mr. Landor drove his gig off first, with Cecelia
beside him and Ionie trotting on her lead behind. They reached the
main road to Abergavenny before either said much to each other.
“Mr. Landor?”
“Yes, Cecelia?”
“There's one thing I don't understand.”
“Only one thing, Egeria?”
“Who?” Mr. Landor started on a description of
the various Goddesses and Muses of Wisdom. Egeria was the Muse who
instructed the early Romans on ritual and religion. He hadn't gone
very far into the subject when Cecelia interrupted him. “Please
stop with my classics lesson, I have a serious question for you.”
“Ask away.”
“Why are you suddenly so helpful? I hardly saw
you or Mrs. Landor before Captain Wood and Miss Arnold arrived.”
“There are several reasons, Miss Wood.”
“Really?”
“First, your father asked me to keep an eye on
you. As long as it was just you running the estate, I didn't have
much to do.”
“Why?”
“You're a better manager than I am.”
“No, that can't be true.”
“Penyclawdd makes money, doesn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Llanthony has been nothing but hole in my
wallet. If my books didn't sell, I'd be starving.”
“Do you want my help?”
“That takes me to my second reason. You know
I've tried to get the local farmers to adopt modern and more
profitable methods.”
“Now that's hard. They're so stubborn,
especially when you're an outsider. You really should let me talk to
them first.”
“I'm applying the same charity to you. Help you
find a mate or at least somewhere to live once the Captain tires of
your company.” The thought that George might tire of her company
made Cecelia's chest tighten.
“Is that all?”
“No. I like you and George. You're pleasant
company.”
“And Jane?”
He paused, “Her too. At least when she's on her
good behavior. Finally, I need you to pick out a good horse for
Julia.”
Once the two parties arrived at the Raglan fair,
they found stabling for their horses and headed for the horse sales.
Cecelia's initial impression of the livestock on offer was not high.
“Jane, I'm not sure I've seen any horses here that I would want you
to ride. Certainly none I would ride given the choice.” Mr. Landor
caught her attention, “Miss Wood, how about this mare?”
It was a brown and white horse. Cecelia looked at
it, and commented, “She's a long-legged curby backed brute. How
much are they asking?”
“Ten pounds.” Cecelia mentally calculated a
bargaining price. Then she said, “Maybe we can bargain, but only if
I think the horse is otherwise sound. Let me look at her mouth.”
After she spent a few moments looking at the teeth, she said, “Have
you been plowing with this horse? Her bite is ruined for riding.”
Together they moved on to look for another horse.
Lord Charles Somerset found Mr. Landor in the
crush and asked him, “I'm looking for a hunter as a wedding present
for my daughter Elizabeth, and I've heard that you have a fine
full-blooded one for sale.”
“My Lord, if you would follow me. Ionie is over
here.”
When Lord Charles examined Ionie, he said, “She's
a fine mare, but clearly ill-mannered. Can she be ridden by a lady?”
“Miss Cecelia Wood rides her. Would you like to
see Ionie put through her paces?”
“Yes, if you could.”
“Miss Wood, would you be willing to
demonstrate?”
Cecelia looked at Ionie, who was showing signs of
distress at the crowding and bustle. “I don't see why not. She's a
bit upset with the noise of the fair, but it's nothing that getting
her out and exercised won't fix.”
The side-saddle was brought from the gig and
mounted on Ionie. While this was happening Captain Wood attracted
Cecelia's attention. “Miss Wood, please don't. You are not
completely recovered from your fall and that horse has a wild look in
her eyes.”
“Captain Wood, the only reason she threw me that
evening was my lack of preparedness. I'll be fine.”
“Still, please humor me. That horse is not worth
the risk to you.”
“What risk? There isn't a horse I'm scared of.”
Cecelia was unpersuaded, and short of restraining her by force there
was nothing else he could do.
George watched in trepidation as Cecelia mounted
Ionie and trotted her around the field. All went well until there was
a loud crash from one of the stalls at the fair. Ionie put her ears
back and bolted for freedom. Cecelia pulled back as hard as she could
on the reins but the horse kept going. They jumped the first hedge
and shot off across country.
George saw someone leading a saddled horse out to
demonstrate its paces to a prospective customer. “That's what I
need.” He ran to them, closely followed by Mr. Landor. George
pushed the men aside and took the horse, “Sorry, but this is an
emergency.” He galloped off in pursuit of Miss Wood.
“Who was that?”
Mr. Landor replied, “That was Captain George
Wood, of Penyclawdd. I wouldn't worry about your horse, he's a
responsible sort of chap.”
“That's my horse! He stole my horse.”
“I wouldn't worry about it, if he hurts it he'll
pay for it.” He paused to watch George clear the first hedge, “Damn
he's a fine rider. Didn't think your horse had the ability to jump
like that in him.”
The man looked at Mr. Landor in disbelief, “That
was a twenty pound horse and saddle. I'll call the bailiffs.”
“Don't, twenty pounds you say?”
“Worth every last brass farthing.”
Landor pulled a ten-pound bank note out of his
coat. “I don't feel like haggling with you. Will this do?” It
did, the man would have settled for five. It was to his everlasting
regret that he hadn't asked for forty pounds first.
George found Cecelia several fields and a
half-mile away. She had finally pulled Ionie's head to one side,
forcing her to circle in the field. That forced her to settle down
and stop running. When George finally arrived, Ionie was calmly
eating grass in the field, while Cecelia was struggling with the
tattered remains of her dress. She used her one free hand to try to
keep the top of her dress up. “That horse dragged me through a
hedge.”
“I see.”
“You're seeing more than is proper, Captain
Wood.”
“I appreciate your problem, Did anyone ever tell
you that you have nice shoulders?” He thought some lucky man would
get to appreciate what was hidden beneath her folded arm.
“No, but thank you. I'd rather not show them
off. Let alone flaunt what would show if my arm slips.”
George gave her dilemma careful consideration and
replied, “An idea, Miss Wood. I'll give you my jacket and then
you'll be at least notionally decent.”
He removed his jacket, nudged his horse next to
hers and exchanged his jacket for her reins. While he looked away,
regretfully, Cecelia put his jacket on over the shreds of her dress
and buttoned it up. “Captain Wood, you can look now.”
“I must say it becomes you. You'll set a new
fashion for fair equestrians.”
“No I won't. It feels indecent.”
“It isn't. It's lovely, like you.” Cecelia
blushed. He continued, “Let's get back to Raglan.”
They returned. Ionie, having had her run, behaved
well.
Lord Charles admired Cecelia's horsemanship, but
said, “That is a fine horse, but not for my daughter to ride. Your
horse is better suited for racing. Let me see what my steward thinks
of her.”
In the meantime Captain Wood attracted Jane and
Julia's attention. “Miss Wood needs help with her dress. Can you
fix it?” The two women led Cecelia off to see what could be
salvaged, or failing that to see what could be assembled by purchase
in Raglan.
As he left to find his steward and to see if he
could use another racing horse, Lord Charles noticed George. “I
say, aren't you Captain George Wood, lately returned from Spain?”
“Yes, my Lord”
“I thought so, my brother Fitzroy wrote me to
look out for you. Seems you had a rough time of it.”
“My division was nearly destroyed at Badajoz.
I'm sorry to say that I was shattered as well, and I'm back home to
recover.”
“Then you'll appreciate the news, Lord
Wellington's siege has taken the city.”
“They tried again?”
“This time his excellency supervised it himself.
Fitzroy says it was bloody, but it succeeded.” George could hear
the distant guns thundering in his mind. The color drained from his
face. “My Lord if you'll excuse me.” He trotted off, found Landor
and said, “Walter I have to go, now. Would you pay for this horse?”
“George are you well?”
“Just heard about the second siege of Badajoz. I
need some space and time by myself. I'll ride to Penyclawdd.”
“I understand. We'll settle up later. Enjoy your
new horse.”
“Thank you, please see that Jane and Cecelia get
home safely.”
“Don't worry about it. If need be Cecelia can
drive one of the gigs.”
George laughed at the thought, “Yes, she does
have good hands and a light touch.” Then he rode off to find solace
in the solitude of the mountains.
Jane and Julia led Cecelia back to the fair. Their
efforts, combined with a bodice from the village seamstress, restored
Cecelia to a presentable state of dress. Cecelia asked Mr. Landor,
“Where is Captain Wood? I'd like to thank him for lending me his
jacket. For that matter I'd like to give it back to him.”
Mr. Landor was staring off into the distance,
verses coursing through his head, and didn't hear her. Julia,
familiar with her husband's peculiarities, waited a moment, then
pinched him. He jumped, “What?”
“Sorry, my love, but where is the Captain?”
“Halfway to Penyclawdd, given the way he was
riding. Unless he stopped to climb Holy mountain. Probably didn't.”
Disappointment showed itself on Cecelia's
expression, “I so wanted to thank him for my rescue.”
“Rescue?”
“The way my dress was parted, I'd have inspired
you to write a poem about the Amazons.”
This brought a laugh from the Landors but not from
Jane. Cecelia noticed Jane's discomfort, and told her “Captain Wood
was a perfect gentleman. He lent me his jacket because my dress was
so badly ripped that I was nearly indecent. Then he turned his back
while I put it on. You're very lucky to be engaged to him.”
“I am, aren't I?”
“Jane, please don't worry about my cousin and
me. We're just friends. I'd like to be one of your bridesmaids if
you'd have me.”
Jane seemed mollified, and smiled at Cecelia, “You
aren't trying to take him from me?”
“Me? Lord no. Why would you ever think that?”
“It's just. Let's say once burned is twice shy.”
Mr. Landor inserted himself into the conversation.
“Ladies, this is a horse fair. Neither Miss Arnold, nor Mrs. Landor
has even looked at horses today.”
Cecelia remembered the purpose of their
expedition, “Come, let's see if I can't find you a good mount.”
They hadn't gone very far into the crush when they
bumped into Lord Charles and his daughter the Honorable Mary
Georgiana Somerset. He condescended to notice them. “Is this young
woman the one who rode that horse?”
Cecelia curtsied to them. “I am, my lord.”
“And your name?”
“Miss Cecelia Wood.”
“Miss Wood? I've heard of you. Sir Giles Wood's
daughter aren't you? Quite a horsewoman, one of the best in Monmouth
county.”
Cecelia blushed with embarrassment, “I'm sure my
reputation is overblown.”
“I watched you ride that shrew of a horse. My
steward wasn't sure that our jockeys could handle her as well as you
did.”
“Ionie is just a bit unmannered. I've ridden
worse.”
Jane was quietly simmering in the background. This
commoner was getting all the attention. She interrupted, “My Lord
Somerset, don't you remember me?”
“I'm sorry Miss, but I don't.”
“I'm the Honorable Jane Arnold, daughter of Lord
Andover. We met in Westminster last year.”
Lord Charles frowned, then recognized her, “Jane.
I'm sorry. What are you doing in this forsaken place?”
“I'm affianced to Captain Wood, Miss Wood's
cousin. He's inherited Penyclawdd House.”
“Captain Wood? Oh yes, we talked earlier today.
A quiet, but distinguished looking young man.”
“I think so. He's been ever so attentive to me.”
“Wasn't he mentioned in dispatches from the
first siege of Badajoz?”
“He was.”
“I gather that battle undid him. Shame. He was a
good officer and bound for better things. With luck he'll recover
some of his poise.” Lord Charles paused for a moment's
consideration and then to Jane's immense annoyance asked Cecelia,
“Miss Wood, I've been trying to find suitable mounts for my
daughters. Could you help?”
“It would be my pleasure. How well do they
ride?”
The Honorable Mary spoke up, “Nothing like you,
Miss Wood. Just up and down in Hyde park.”
“Hyde park, I've never been there. Is it
difficult terrain?”
Jane nudged Cecelia, “It's in London.”
“So all on the flat with no jumps. How boring.”
This brought laughter to most of the company, and
confusion to Cecelia. “I'm sorry, I don't understand.”
“You've never been to London, have you?”
“Bath, once, when I was a little girl, but
London, never.”
Mary described Hyde Park for her. “It's just a
big flat open area next to the city. You walk your horse up and down
it while talking to other fashionable people.”
Cecelia dug herself into a deeper hole by
replying. “That doesn't sound like fun at all. No wonder you and
Miss Arnold can't ride properly. I'd be very happy to help you pick
out a horse, but you have to promise me not to condemn the poor
creature to such a miserable existence.”
“Why?”
“Any horse worth riding likes to run
occasionally.”
Lord Charles did the unforgivable, at least in
Miss Arnold's eyes. He laughed and said, “Miss Wood, it sounds to
me like my daughter could use some instruction in equitation. Would
you be willing to help her learn?”
“My Lord, it would be my pleasure. I'm due to go
to Bath in a couple of weeks with Miss Arnold and her fiancée, but
until then I'm available.”
“Bath, you say. Mary weren't you planning to
stay there with your Aunt next month?”
“Yes, father, as you well know.”
“Miss Wood, why don't you accompany us to Raglan
House this afternoon? You can spend a couple days tutoring Miss
Somerset, and then maybe she can help introduce you to Bath society.
That would be a fair exchange, wouldn't it?”
“More than fair, I'd be happy to accept. Can I
make sure that my friends can get home safely without my help before
I accept your offer.”
Mr. Landor intervened immediately. “Don't worry
about us. Julia's a fair whip and we have only the two gigs.
Especially if someone purchases Ionie.”
Sir Charles laughed again, “Landor, you really
do want to get rid of that horse, don't you?”
“She's not a suitable ride for Mrs. Landor, and
she eats like a pig. So yes I'd even give her away to get rid of
her.”
“How's twenty-five pounds?”
“Done. Even if you don't race her, she's good
breeding stock.”
Jane managed, with difficulty, to keep her
opinions to herself until she and Julia were part-way back to
Abergavenny. Eventually they boiled up and erupted.
“I thought the idea for this trip was to find
mounts for us, not introduce that puffed up ignorant little girl to
society.”
“Is your nose out of joint that she was invited
to the Somerset's and you weren't?”
“No, well yes it is. My family has known them
for years, and she's a nobody. A little countrified nobody. Just
because she can ride well, she gets to visit them.”
“That's not quite fair, Jane.”
“I'll tell you what isn't fair. We're riding
home in this gig, without horses. That's what's not fair.”
“There weren't many mares for sale at this fair.
None that were any good.”
“George bought a horse.”
“Only because he needed to get away from the
crush in a hurry. Something upset him.”
“Still I should have been invited to stay at
Raglan too. I'm almost family.”
“But you aren't are you?”
“Yes I am, my mother's second cousin once
removed is Sir Charles' great-uncle.”
“I suppose that's close enough to be called
family.”
“It certainly is. I consider myself snubbed.”
“Do you want Cecelia to live with you and
Captain Wood once you're married?”
“Good God No!”
“Then she has to find her way into society. Sir
Charles is doing her a great favor by introducing her to his
daughter.”
“It should be me too. Cecelia should teach me to
ride.”
“I'm sure she will when she has the chance.”
Eventually Jane's grumblings reached the point
where Julia felt the need to stop them. She pulled the reins and
stopped the gig. She turned to her passenger and bluntly told her,
“Jane, when you twit at Cecelia like that, you only make yourself
look awful. It's one of your less appealing traits.”
“But?”
“Would you like to walk the rest of the way to
Penyclawdd? Miss Wood is my friend as well as you. I'm happy that
she's making some acquaintance with a larger society. You should be
as well.”
Jane paused, it was never pleasant to have one's
character flaws pointed out. After a few moments thought she replied,
“I'm sorry Julia. You're right. I'm just so worried.”
“Why? Captain Wood certainly seems to love you.
He is getting better with time, and you have friends here who like
you. In spite of your occasional snappy comments.”
“I don't know. There's just something off. I
can't just be happy anymore.”
“I can't solve that for you. You have to make up
your own mind to enjoy your life.”
“Doesn't make it easy, does it?”
“No it doesn't.” Julia paused and then
continued, “I know it's not quite as much fun as riding, but can
you drive?”
“A little, I've done a few passes up and down in
Hyde park.”
“Time for a lesson, then.” She passed Jane the
reins and they swapped places in the gig so that Jane could reach the
brake. “If you're ready, give the reins a shake and tell the horse
to 'walk on'.”
Jane was moving along the Hereford road in decent
style and showing that she had a good eye and a decent touch on the
reins when a lone horseman crashed out of the brush ahead of them.
Their horse reared in surprise and backed the gig into the hedge
before the two women could get it back under control.
“George! What are you doing? You startled our
horse.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't see you.”
“You should have looked.”
“I was just up enjoying the air and the view on
Holy Mountain. Thought I'd come back to see how the search for a
horse was going.”
Jane sulked, “Not well. We didn't find any. But
Miss Wood is going to tutor that Somerset girl.”
“One of Lord Charles' daughters. Good for her.”
“I wasn't invited.”
“Oh that's a shame. I guess we'll have
Penyclawdd to ourselves for a few days. That should be amusing.”
“Is that what it will be like when we're
married?”
“I suppose so, except when we invite company.”
“We'll have company often, won't we?”
“I'd expect so. Jane, I'm sure we have a horse
you can ride if you want. I'm no mean bit myself. It would be my
pleasure to tutor you.”
Julia interjected with a smile, “I didn't know
you could ride side-saddle Captain Wood.”
“I suppose I could, but I don't. Horses are
horses, however you ride them. I'm sure I can teach riding even if I
use a different saddle.”
“See Jane? These things have a way of working
out. You'll get your riding lessons after all, and Captain Wood is a
skilled horseman.”
“As long as he's sober.”
“Even when I'm drunk, but I'm staying sober now.
Mr. Landor is right that getting drunk doesn't help with the
memories. They just come back harder with the morning head.”
