by Tony Parsons
‘It’s a pretty poor show when a girl can’t have who she wants as her escort,’ Catriona said.
‘I’m sorry, but the only way I would ever agree is if your father invited me on your behalf – and that he would never do.’
‘David, I’ve always got on very well with your family, especially your mother. I do not consider myself to be a snob. You were the first boy I thought of to escort me to the ball. No doubt Susan had the same idea.’
David shook his head. ‘What you and Susan want and what your parents will want will be very different.’
‘I am so disappointed. I had set my heart on you escorting me.’
‘Discuss it with your parents, Cat. We will, of course, be there to see you make your debut,’ David said with a grin.
‘Who will?’ Catriona asked.
‘Mum, Dad, Kate, Jean and me.’
‘You are going?’
‘Oh, yes. I’ll be looking after Dad. He’ll want to be there but he tires easily these days.’
‘You are beastly, David! You’ll be there large as life and yet you won’t escort me.’
‘There will be more than you to look at, Cat. Quite a few pretty girls, I’m told.’
‘If I had something in my hand, I would throw it at you,’ Catriona said. It was clear that David was not going to escort her to the ball. Why does everything have to be so difficult? she thought. At least he wasn’t going to escort Susan either, which was something of a relief. And then she remembered the second reason for her visit to High Peaks.
‘Will you let me ride your black horse?’ she asked.
‘You mean now? In that dress?’
‘Of course not, you ninny. I could come back tomorrow.’
‘I suppose I could stretch a point and let you ride him.’
‘Ha, very decent of you. Can I bring Daddy with me?’
‘You can bring anyone you like. What time tomorrow?’
‘In the morning, if that suits you. Say about ten,’ she suggested.
‘Ten is fine. You going back to the house?’
‘Yes, I want to talk to your mother.’
‘Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Cat. There’s things I’ve got to do here now.’
Catriona ran back to the house in high dudgeon. Anne could tell that something was amiss. The usually serene Catriona was close to tears.
‘Catriona, what is it? Surely you and David haven’t been arguing again. Has he said something to upset you?’
‘I asked him to escort me to the Debutantes’ Ball and he refused. He said I should have asked my parents.’
‘Oh, you too,’ Anne said sympathetically.
‘So you know that Susan also asked David?’
‘Yes, dear. David gave her the same answer he gave you.’
‘I suppose I have to be thankful for that. It would have been the end if he had agreed to take Susan. She would never let me forget it. Oh, Mrs Mac, I had set my heart on David escorting me.’
‘Did he explain why he won’t escort you?’ Anne asked.
‘Yes. But it’s my night and I can’t see why I can’t have the boy of my choice.’
‘I’m sorry to see you so disappointed, but I must say that I agree with him. Not because he’s my son but because I think he’s right. Angus and Jane will be expecting you to choose a boy they approve of.’
‘It’s ridiculous.’
‘I understand what you must be feeling, Catriona. I was a girl once and I recognise that your feelings can override your commonsense. Either you and Susan are engaged in some private feud over David or you both like him more than you are letting on.’
‘Oh, Mrs Mac, Susan is my best friend. I wouldn’t feud with her. I know she likes David a whole lot, and that’s that.’
‘What about you, Catriona? Do you like him a lot, too?’
‘More than a lot. I think I’m in love with him.’
‘Does David have any idea about this?’
‘I’m never sure where I stand with him. He either ignores me or does something madly heroic on my behalf. I’ve had at least a dozen boys try to kiss me and two proposals of marriage, yet David has never so much as touched me.’
‘Or, I should add, any other girl,’ Anne pointed out.
‘How long can that go on? You know what men are like and you must know what some girls will do.’
‘Would you do anything for David?’ Anne asked.
‘If I knew he loved me, wanted me, yes I would,’ Catriona said.
‘Oh, dear. I don’t know what to say. But I do know that David doesn’t want to get married for some time. He wants to work his dogs at the National. It’s as if he wants to get that out of the way before he begins the next stage of his life. You see, Catriona, he really wants to win the National for Andy. That means a lot to him.’
‘You know him best, Mrs Mac. Do you think he likes me at all?’
‘Of course he does, dear. It’s just that David isn’t ready to tell you. I realise it must be infuriating for you, but I can only suggest that if you love David, you must be prepared to wait for him. Do your parents have any idea of your feelings for him?’ Anne asked.
‘I suspect Mummy might have some inclination, but Daddy has other things in mind for me.’
‘So if it comes to the crunch, what would you do?’
‘If David ever told me that he loved me and wanted to marry me, there would be no decision to make.’
‘You’d marry David against your parents’ wishes?’
‘I certainly would.’
‘Do you think you’ll feel the same way in a year’s time or even three years’ time? You might have to wait that long.’
‘I’m sure this is not just a crush, Mrs Mac. I’ve always had feelings for David, ever since I was a child, but what I feel for him now is something quite different. But, please, you won’t mention it to anyone, will you? I don’t want David to know about it.’
‘It will be a secret between the two of us,’ Anne said, putting her arm around Catriona’s shoulders. ‘I must tell you that nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you marry David.’
‘Really? That means a lot to me. Thank you.’
‘There is one other thing, Catriona.’
‘What is it, Mrs Mac?’
‘I think it’s about time you started calling me Anne.’
‘Very well, Anne. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m coming back to ride the black horse,’ Catriona said as she turned to leave.
‘Good. I’m sure you’ll like him.’
As Anne and Catriona walked out to the verandah, Catriona stopped and said, ‘Anne, you seem to know a lot about the MacLeods’ background. Would you mind telling me more about it some time?’
‘Not at all. Actually, I have it all written down. I managed to get quite a bit out of Andy and I found some records his mother had kept. I think it’s important to keep a family record, especially when the history of that family can be traced back over a thousand years. You must come to dinner one night and I’ll tell you everything I know.’
Anne stood thoughtfully on the front verandah for a long while after Catriona had driven off. She cherished the hope that David and Catriona would one day come to love each other and marry, despite opposition from Angus and Jane. She resolved to speak to David about Catriona’s visit for the following day.
That evening, as soon as dinner was over, she tackled him about his attitude. ‘David, having delivered one brickbat to Catriona today, I do hope you’ll be more friendly to her tomorrow, especially with Angus in tow. You know you have disappointed her deeply,’ she said.
‘Yes, I’ll be nice to her. Angus, too. No brickbats, perhaps a bouquet,’ David said with a laugh.
Anne gave him a quick, critical glance. ‘I’m not sure that I like the sound of that. I do hope you’re not plotting some mischief.’
‘I wouldn’t call it mischief, Mum.’
‘Hmm. Now you have got me worried. Please don’t do anything to get Angus off side, David
.’
‘I’m going to serve him up some of his own medicine, Mum.’
‘Oh, David, please believe me when I tell you that it is not in your best interests to offend him.’
‘He won’t be offended by what I do tomorrow, but he might be when Catriona tells him I knocked her back for the Debs’ Ball.’
‘You should get the cheque from him before she gives him that bit of news.’
‘I’m sure I will. Cat won’t tell him before tomorrow. She wants that black horse.’
Chapter Eighteen
The following morning, Catriona arrived with her father and she was fully decked out for riding.
‘Morning, Mr Campbell, Cat,’ David greeted them.
Catriona gave him a quick glance, noting that he seemed to be in high spirits today.
‘Hello, David. How are you faring these days?’ Angus asked.
‘Getting there, Mr Campbell. Prices are on the up and the seasons are fair. The wool traveller told me they reckon wool might go up a bit more.’
‘So I’ve heard,’ Angus agreed. ‘Now, where have you got this great horse?’
‘In his stable. I didn’t saddle him as I asked Cat to bring her own gear. I’ve got the liver chestnut saddled up for you to try, too, Mr Campbell.’
‘Good heavens, I’d forgotten about him. What’s he like?’
‘He’s a nice-going horse and good on his feet. No vices and you can cut out a beast with him. He hasn’t got the same class as the black horse but he’s as good as most going about. You don’t have to take him if you don’t want him. I could sell him tomorrow.’
‘What do you want for him?’
‘A thousand.’
‘I’ll try him, David.’
‘Okay, I’ll get him and King while Cat’s getting her gear.’
‘Is King what you’ve called the black horse?’ Catriona asked.
‘If I were going to ride him in the show ring, I would call him King o’ the Night.’
‘Where on earth did you dig up that name?’ Catriona asked, arching her long eyebrows.
‘If you read the history of England and its legends, you would find that the King of the Night is mentioned before the Romans invaded Britain. I thought King o’ the Night would be a real good name for a black horse.’
Angus and Catriona looked at him in surprise. ‘I had no idea you were interested in that sort of thing, David,’ Catriona remarked.
‘I’m pretty keen on a lot of English poetry.’
David went down to the stables and came back with the two geldings. The liver chestnut was a nice stock horse and would have taken a few eyes if paraded on his own, but he was very much overshadowed by King.
Angus walked around both horses while David was saddling King with Catriona’s gear.
‘What is he, David? Sixteen hands?’ Angus asked.
‘A touch over, Mr Campbell.’
When the horse was saddled, David handed the reins to Catriona and stepped away from the horse. ‘King is very light in the mouth and ribs, Cat. So is the chestnut, Angus. Take them out through the gate to Creek Paddock and work them there. You’ll find a cleared ring where I work the horses. I’ll open the gate.’
The two horses stood stock-still as Catriona and Angus mounted. ‘Just a touch, Cat, and he’ll go,’ David said. He walked alongside the horses and opened the gate that gave them access to the first of the hill country paddocks. Beyond this were the foothills below Yellow Rock. There was not a cloud in the sky and the rugged, scrub-covered peak stood out starkly against the sky. It was a warm day, although not as warm as it would be later.
David watched the two riders as they walked their horses down to his work circle. Catriona was dressed in grey riding trousers, a cream silk blouse and long leather riding boots. Her brown eyes were sparkling beneath her wide-brimmed grey Akubra. He thought she looked a picture.
David sat down on a log and watched father and daughter work out his horses. Catriona put King through his paces, all of which he performed perfectly. David didn’t pay much attention to Angus; he just didn’t have it as a rider, and the chestnut was really too good for him.
Catriona cantered back with a flushed face and a flashing smile. ‘David, King is just great. What a canter he has. You could go to sleep on him. He’s more horse than anything I’ve been on.’
‘He’s not bad for what he’s done,’ David said.
‘You like him, Catriona?’ Angus asked.
‘I love him, Daddy. He’s easily the best horse I’ve ever ridden.’
‘How do you like the chestnut, Mr Campbell?’ David asked.
‘He’s a good horse, David. I’d have to work him on cattle to get a really good idea of his ability, but he seems a smart horse.’
‘I can soon run a few steers up. I’ll show you what he can do and then you can try him out yourself.’
‘No need for that, your word is good enough for me. If you say he’ll cut out a beast, I know he will. He’s better than anything I’ve got.’
David reckoned that was a safe bet. Angus was inclined to ride gentle horses and would let Stuart and his employees do the tough cattle work.
‘So you’ll take him?’
‘Here’s my hand on it,’ Angus said, extending his hand.
‘The chestnut is yours.’
‘Right. How much for the black horse?’ Angus asked.
‘He’s not for sale, Mr Campbell,’ David said calmly.
Angus looked thunderstruck and he could see the disappointment on Catriona’s face.
David had waited years for the chance to get even with the Campbells. They had presented his family with a stud bull they couldn’t afford and a damned expensive saddle. He hadn’t wanted a saddle for helping Cat. He knew it had been generous of the Campbells, but it just highlighted the fact that the Campbells had the money to give such presents and the MacLeods couldn’t reciprocate. Well, now they could.
‘I understood that the black horse was for sale. Look here, David, put a price on him. I promised Catriona that I would try and get her this horse ever since I first saw him.’
‘I didn’t ever tell you that King was for sale,’ David said.
‘You led us on to believe he was. Why else would Catriona have come up here to ride him?’
‘Catriona came here to see if he suited her,’ David said.
‘And he does,’ Angus replied heatedly. ‘She wants him. I’ll give you three thousand dollars for him. That would be the best price you’ve ever been offered for a horse.’
David shook his head. ‘King isn’t for sale. Not for three thousand or thirty thousand. I wouldn’t sell a horse like this.’
Catriona looked stunned. It was as if she had seen a vision of paradise and been blinded in the very next instant. She was even more astonished when she heard David’s next words.
‘The reason the horse is not for sale, Mr Campbell, is because I am giving him to Catriona.’
David looked with satisfaction at Catriona’s disbelieving expression and Angus’s look of puzzlement. Angus was a proud man who had the money to buy the best livestock in the country. On this occasion he had come up against a young man who could not be influenced by his power to purchase. Angus knew that if he accepted the black horse he would be beholden to David MacLeod, and if he didn’t he would devastate his daughter.
‘You’re gi-giving me the black horse?’ Catriona stuttered.
David nodded.
‘Why?’ she asked.
‘You once gave us a very good bull that helped us a lot. He was a much better bull than we could afford. We’ve owed you for that.’
‘Andy did a fair bit of work to pay for that bull,’ Angus said.
‘He was worth five times the value of the work Dad did for you. You also gave me a very expensive saddle. You didn’t have to do that and I certainly did not expect it. This is my way of returning those favours.’
Angus and Catriona still looked stunned. Angus had been going to offer an even lowe
r price for the chestnut, and now he was glad he hadn’t. He would have looked damned small.
David went to the gate and opened it. ‘You’d better bring your horse, Cat,’ he said.
Catriona looked at him speculatively and then did as he suggested. Angus followed suit.
They walked down to the horse yard in silence.
‘Have you got time for a drink of tea?’ David asked.
Angus nodded. How could he refuse after what David had just done?
After greeting Anne and the silent Andrew, Angus and Catriona went into the bathroom for a wash. Anne raised her eyebrows and David winked. She thought he seemed very pleased with himself.
‘Do you know what your son has just done?’ Catriona said as they sat down at the table.
‘No. Is it safe to ask?’ Anne said with a smile.
‘He has given me his black horse.’
‘Has he indeed? What a pleasant surprise. I can honestly say I had no idea. What David does with his horses is his own business. Cake, Angus?’
‘Thank you, Anne. How are you, Andy?’
Andy raised his arm to indicate that he had heard the question.
‘Thankfully Andy is a shade better than he was,’ Anne responded. ‘Catriona, have you got your Deb dress yet?’
‘Oh, yes. I’ve tried it on.’
‘Who is escorting you to the ball, Cat?’ David asked with a glint in his eye.
‘I’m not sure yet. The first boy I asked knocked me back. I was so shattered that I haven’t had the heart to ask anyone else.’
‘You’ve got a good horse to work now. That should lift your spirits,’ David said.
‘Who the devil knocked you back, Catriona?’ Angus asked with his eyes flashing fire. ‘Is he anyone I know?’
‘Yes, Daddy, but I don’t want you to worry about it.’