by Anne Mallory
"Apollo?" She smirked over some secret thought as she brushed a hand along Damsel’s smooth neck.
He was about to demand to know what she was thinking when she turned the full force of her smile on him. He forgot what day it was.
"Are you participating in the hunt today?"
Yes, that was why he had come here, he remembered now. "Do you know how to ride?"
"No. I never thought I’d actually use the riding habit." Her voice was wistful.
James pointed to a stable lad. "Saddle these two horses."
The lad jumped up and ran to the tack room.
Calliope chewed on her lip. "I don’t know if this is a good idea, James. I don’t mind staying at the house. It’ll be safe in the common rooms."
The same warm feeling rushed through him at her use of his name.
"Where’s your sense of adventure? And how are we ever going to win the hunt if you aren’t on horseback?"
She grinned widely.
The lad had the horses saddled and in the yard quickly. James helped Calliope into the saddle.
"It’s rather higher than I thought."
She sat awkwardly with her legs to the left side and almost slid off the horse.
James observed her for a moment and then looked to the stable lad. The lad nodded.
James grabbed Calliope and pulled her down. The lad led Damsel back into the stable.
"I know I can do better. " Her voice was laced with disappointment. She thought he had changed his mind.
The lad re-emerged minutes later with a different saddle cinched on Damsel’s back. James hauled her back onto the horse. Calliope looked disgruntled. "A little communication would be a good thing."
James dismissed the lad. "One of the keys to riding side-saddle is the saddle itself. Needs to fit both the rider and the horse. The last saddle was too small for you. You have lovely long legs."
Calliope blushed and inspected the saddle beneath her. She looked to the left and right, and then patted the horse’s head.
"Don’t lean. Sit up straight. Don’t sit back. Balance on the center. Good."
Calliope looked like a marionette, jerking back and forth as he gave commands. She gave him an irritated glance, but the color was high in her cheeks and the horse was already interpreting her movements, excited to be off.
"If we were alone, I’d teach you to ride astride. However, some of the ladies would probably slip off their horses into a faint, so you are stuck side-saddle for today. " He grinned.
A light appeared in her eye and James had the odd feeling she was trying to record his exact words.
James gave her rudimentary instructions on controlling her mount and she started to look more comfortable, her back straight, her right foot relaxed. She looked natural in the saddle.
They walked across the yard and he steered her to a path leading into the sun-dappled woods.
"This is my favorite trail on Pettigrew’s estate. It’s a roundabout way to get to the lake. We can meander and maybe do some cantering so you can get the feel for Damsel’s stride."
He looked back. Her eyes were big and she had a dazed smile on her face. It pleased him.
It was a canopy trail, the sunlight mildly pierced the trees here and there, but the feel of the forest was all-encompassing. Unidentified foliage was dripping from every corner. Stephen was the green thumb, the one who always explained the assorted flora ....
"Oh, look!"
He pushed aside the direction of his thoughts and turned to see her pointing at a leggy fox scampering into the trees. Hadn’t she ever been out of the city?
They rode for a while in silence, enjoying the trail. As the path widened, she nudged Damsel and shot past him, laughing in delight. She looked like a woodland fairy. He wished she didn’t have the damn wig on, or the bonnet perched on top. The thought of her hair loose and flowing freely down her back was enough to make him shift uncomfortably on Apollo.
The trail was wide enough for two and he caught up and rode alongside her. The path led across a bubbling brook and through an open field. He pointed to different animals and birds, their legs brushing, her happily bemused expression invoking feelings he thought long dead.
Their ride ended at the lake. All of the trails eventually wound to the lake. Guests were gathering for the games. He could see people walking from the house to join them, although they were far enough away to be unidentifiable.
Lady Flanders cantered over. She was a skillful rider and always made the most of her riding habit, matching it to her mount and tack. James found he preferred Calliope’s lack of affectation and pure enjoyment.
"Angelford. I was disappointed in you last night. Perhaps you will be up for more entertainment tonight?"
" Perhaps. "
She smiled and opened her mouth to say more when their host interrupted.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please gather ‘round."
Pettigrew was in the gazebo motioning for everyone to join him.
"Lady Pettigrew has developed a twist for today’s hunt. It is to be a treasure hunt so that the ladies can participate. You will receive your first clue here. In groups of two, you will unravel the clue and proceed to the station revealed in the puzzle. At each station you will be required to successfully complete a task before receiving your next clue. Detailed maps of the grounds will be given to each pair."
"This sounds like fun." Calliope smiled at him.
Lady Flanders looked down her nose. "I would . I have much preferred the original fox hunt, but since the Pettigrews are bound and determined to play these little games, I think it only proper we form teams. Angelford, you and I—"
"Penelope, I believe your husband is motioning to you."
Her lips tightened, and she turned to see Flanders indeed motioning from the other side of the gazebo. She gave James a determined smile. "I will talk to you at the finish line, dear."
Calliope muttered but her face remained excited as Pettigrew pointed to the croquet sets on the lawn. "One person from each team will play. Once your ball passes through each of the wickets, you and your partner will gain possession of your first clue."
James played for their team, and Calliope cheered loudly as he finished first. Pettigrew handed Calliope a packet of instructions as soon as James’s ball cleared the last wicket.
"Angelford, Esmerelda, here is your map and first clue. Have a good time and try not to lose your way." Pettigrew winked suggestively.
Calliope read the clue aloud. "It’s a riddle, James. ‘Crumble and fall, prayers of old. Find the flame, fight the cold.’ "
"The old abbey. Let’s go."
She sprinted to Damsel. James hoisted her into the saddle and they were off. They raced to the abbey hidden in a copse of trees, dismounted and hurried inside the collapsing facade. Two servants awaited them. One smiled and lit a candle. "My lord, one of you will need to balance on the log while not spilling a drop of wax from this taper. Otherwise you must begin anew. "
"I’ll do it," Calliope volunteered.
She gingerly took the candle and mounted an ancient ceiling beam that had fallen to the floor. Moving one foot after another, she gracefully crossed the beam. As she reached the other side, a smile wreathed her face. "Done!"
The servant nodded and handed them a sheet of paper. Another pair of participants ran into the abbey as James and Calliope rushed to their horses.
"Another riddle," Calliope said, bouncing up and down. " ‘The sweet bloom of a maiden fair. Pluck one for your lady’s hair.’ "
"Lady Pettigrew’s rose garden. "
They set off. A series of six additional stops led them to the maze, the kitchens, the stable, a copse of trees in the shape of a hand, the carriage house and the conservatory. The last clue sent them galloping back to the lake. Calliope was so eager to be the first team back that her wig was in danger of falling off. She had thrown herself aggressively into the challenges. And she had acquitted herself adequately as a new horsewoman, if a bit enthus
iastic.
"Hurry up, you’re slowing us down," Calliope yelled over her shoulder.
James threw his head back and laughed. He hadn’t had this much fun in, well, forever.
They galloped back to the lake but other couples were already milling about. One couple was arguing with Pettigrew.
"We lost it on the way—you can’t penalize us for that!"
" How many servants were at the maze station?"
"Two."
"Wrong, three."
The couple stalked away from Pettigrew, muttering under their breath.
"Ah, Angelford and Esmerelda. Do you have your clues?"
They dismounted and left the horses with the others that were grazing. Pettigrew hadn’t mentioned keeping the clues, but Calliope had retained each one, refusing to toss them on the ground.
Calliope handed them to Pettigrew, who examined each before proclaiming, "You are the winners. A few other teams tried to claim the title without actually completing the course." Pettigrew scowled at the other couples. " Congratulations, here is your prize. Ah, it looks like the second- and third-place finishers are right behind you. Please excuse me, I need to get their prizes."
He handed them two boxes. Calliope opened the first and her mouth dropped. James peeked over her shoulder and saw a ruby necklace. She opened the other box to find matching earrings.
She sputtered. "What . . . how . . ."
James raised an eyebrow. "A courtesan wouldn’t be impressed with those baubles, my dear."
Her mouth snapped shut and she closed the boxes.
"Yes, they are pretty little things." Her voice had turned haughty. He grinned at her and she looked disgruntled.
The rest of the participants slowly drifted back and everyone was enjoying the sandwiches and wine brought by the servants. The guests were chatting and sitting by the lake.
Roth wandered over. "Heard you two won."
.
James cocked an eyebrow. "Expected some competition from you, but didn’t come across you once on the course."
Roth looked unperturbed. "Lady Willoughby and I stayed close to the lake. We decided to forgo the hunt."
Calliope tugged on James’s coat. "If you don’t mind, I think I’m ready to go back. My legs feel like they’ve been molded around a banister."
James and Roth both smiled. "I think I’ll ride back with you," Roth said. James followed as they walked to fetch their mounts. A number of people were milling near the horses and examining the animals. One man touched Apollo’s forelock. Apollo nickered and moved away. James tamped his irritation.
Calliope gathered Damsel’s reins and led her to James for a boost. He lifted her, and as she smoothed her skirts, Damsel fidgeted and tossed her neck.
Calliope leaned forward to soothe the restless horse and Damsel went wild. James reached forward to grab the reins, but horse and rider were off. Damsel was jerking and Calliope was hanging on for dear life, form forgotten. James vaulted onto Apollo and raced after her. Roth did likewise. Damsel galloped into the trees, yanking left, then right. James and Roth entered the copse seconds behind.
Damsel slowed and thrashed wildly. If he could just get a little closer . . .
Calliope flew from Damsel’s back, landing roughly at the base of a giant oak. Damsel threw her head back and galloped down the path.
James jumped off Apollo and ran to Calliope’s still form. Terror and despair coursed through his body. He had lost more than one friend in riding accidents. What had he been thinking, letting her ride? Roth dismounted and joined him at her side. James felt her head and she groaned. Relief washed over him as he pictured a totally different outcome.
Roth stood up. "I’ll get the horse. " He remounted and rode into the trees.
"Ow, stop that. " Her eyes opened and she frowned.
"What happened? " James asked.
"That wasn’t my most graceful exit."
"Are you hurt?"
"I would have been, sooner rather than later, I think. Why did Damsel react that way? I thought she liked me." Calliope looked more hurt by the horse’s betrayal than by landing on the ground.
She sat up and winced. "I think I might rest a bit, if you don’t mind."
Mind? She wasn’t going to be given a choice. "Do you think you can stand?"
She nodded. He picked her up and gently put her on her feet.
"I can walk. I’m just a little bruised. I think my confidence is a bit bruised as well."
James let her walk around, seeing nothing broken, and then picked her up and set her on Apollo’s back.
Roth returned with a grim look on his face. "Check the saddle."
James didn’t need to uncinch the saddle. He followed the trail of blood to the burrs that had been shoved underneath the leather. Someone would know an inexperienced rider was sure to lean forward trying to find her seat. The culprit would not even have to remove the saddle for the damage to be done. Rage filled him. Calliope could have died.
"Could have been done anytime at the lake. The question is, why?" Roth asked.
"What are you two talking about?" Calliope inquired.
Roth looked from one to the other. James wished he knew what the man was thinking. He was always so bloody hard to read.
"Fine, keep your secrets, but gentlemen, do you think we can head back now?" Her voice was dulled by pain.
James mounted behind her, his rage simmering beneath the surface. He enveloped her in his arms and she immediately relaxed against him.
Pettigrew and a few of the other guests burst into the trees. They had to bring their horses up short before colliding with them.
"What happened? Is Esmerelda all right?" Pettigrew looked concerned.
"Yes, a bit shaken but otherwise unharmed. We are returning to the house."
"Of course. I’ll come with you. Can’t leave an injured guest."
They rode back to the stables. James kept up a quick pace, holding Calliope carefully in his arms, and trying to avoid Pettigrew’s questions.
They arrived at the stables. James lowered Calliope into Roth’s arms, jumped down and reached for Damsel’s reins. Pettigrew dismounted and hurried over. He saw the blood and investigated the saddle.
"Tanner!"
The head groom ran out of the stable. "Yes, my lord?"
"What is the meaning of this? Who put the saddle on this horse? Someone is not doing his job properly!" Pettigrew continued to yell at the groom. "One of my guests could have been killed! I will have someone’s head. Yours if no one else’s!"
Pettigrew was overdoing the outrage. He could have been convincing with a bit less fervor. He stomped off to the manor.
James walked over to the abashed groom. "I know you and your staff didn’t have anything to do with the accident. I will speak with Pettigrew. Here is my card. If you or anyone else is turned out as a result of this incident, go to this address and ask for Stubbins. If you could take care of Damsel’s injuries, I’d appreciate it."
"Thank you, my lord." The groom’s eyes regained a spark of life. He wiped a hand over his brow, took Damsel’s and Apollo’s reins and hurried inside.
Calliope was leaning against Roth. She looked at James strangely, and nodded approvingly.
James gently lifted her and carried her into the house.
Calliope rested a cold cheek against his shoulder. Roth was keeping up with the quick pace he had set.
"Roth, would you send Esmerelda’s maid, Betsy, to her room with some hot tea and a warming pan?"
He nodded. "Think I’ll have a talk with Pettigrew too."
James frowned and nodded in return. There was nothing he could do about Roth now. He’d have to talk with him later.
"Lord Pettigrew certainly seemed upset," Calliope mumbled against his chest.
"Yes, we’ll have to keep a closer eye on him."
She tilted her head back, her face only inches from his. "Wasn’t he just expressing concern as a host?"
"Shh. We’ll talk when we re
ach your room."
She tucked her head into his shoulder. Her body was beginning to feel warmer. That was a good sign.
He unlocked her room and set her down on the bed. "Remove your riding habit. You’ll feel better after a nap."
She frowned. "No, I’m going to have tea. You just sent Roth for some."
"Change your clothes and get under the covers, or I’ll do it for you."
Her face assumed the disgruntled look she was so fond of, but she must have read his intent, because she hurriedly changed while James walked to the window overlooking one of the gardens. He could see her out of the corner of his eye.