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.Tell you what, why don't you surprise Mrs.Landor tomorrow? If you feel up to the ride, that is.”“I, I don't know.”George added, “You've got a start on a good seat, Jane.It's only a few miles up the lane.I'd think you'll be fine.”“I suppose I could.It's not as if I'd be jumping hedges or anything.”“See what you feel like in the morning.”“Miss Arnold, I know that Julia will be overjoyed to have your company.She finds Llanthony a little isolated.Doesn't complain mind you, but I can tell.”“Landor, what were our plans?”“The best pigeon shooting is further up the Cwm from Llanthony.Could you ride up in the morning, and then we'll leave together?”“I'll be there early in the morning.”“Excellent.Now I must be going, one of those blasted farmers has been cutting down trees in one of my coed's again.”“Sorry to hear it.See you tomorrow, early.”George awoke early.He ate something that resembled breakfast, had his horse saddled and stole off to Llanthony.His plan was to arrive not too long after dawn.Heulwen, of course noticed his departure and trotted after him.Since she wouldn't return to Penyclawdd, she would have to be tied up at Llanthony to keep her out of trouble.Jane awoke to a quiet house.After a more settled breakfast than the love of her life, she donned her riding habit and walked over to the stables.The groom had sad news for her.“Ma'am.I'm sorry but your horse has a loose shoe.She'll lose it if you ride her.”“So she goes bare-hoofed.What's wrong with that?”“She'll go lame.I've sent for the farrier, but it will be a good few hours before she's ready to ride.If she's ready at all today.He could find something else wrong with the hoof.”Jane was not a woman to be put off so easily.“Surely there is another horse I could ride?”“Not the cart or carriage horses, Ma'am.They don't take to being ridden.”His young assistant pointed out that one of the older horses, the one the groom used himself, was available.“Well Ma'am, if you insist.Flower, here, is an old and rather slow ride, but you can ride her.She's not a pretty horse.”“I do insist.I'm only riding the few miles up to Llanthony farm.Unless there's a problem with her.Is she a steady ride?”“Oh yes Ma'am.” Flower was a steady ride.He'd even ridden her when he could barely stand after seven or eight pints.She was very steady, at least on the way home.“It's just that she's a bit stubborn.Makes up her own mind when she wants.”“Would you let your wife ride her?”“I'm not married Ma'am.”“You know what I mean.Would I be safe on her?”“Yes, Ma'am.”“Then the problem is solved.Saddle her and I'll get my ride after all.”A few minutes later, Miss Arnold mounted Flower and pointed her out of the stable-yard.As she left, the assistant pointed out to the groom, “I hope Miss Arnold is as strong-willed with Flower as she was with you.”“What do you mean?”“You usually only ride Flower to the pubs, don't you? I hope for you that horse don't take it into her mind to only walk her usual, to one of your usual haunts.” The groom looked shaken, and replied with a quake in his voice, “Do you think she'll mind?”“I wouldn't be worried about Miss Arnold.It's what Miss Wood will say to you that will sting.”Jane found Flower a steady, if slow, ride.She pointed the horse up the country lane at the bottom of Cwm Bwlch, and the horse walked along slowly.Jane gave her mount a short whack with her switch, the way both George and Cecelia had shown her.Flower walked along a little faster for a few moments, then reverted to her normal pace.The next time she tried her switch the horse didn't even bother to speed up.Riding alone on the lane, she let the horse know how she felt with much less guarded language than she would ever use in company.“All right you bloody-minded damned sorry excuse for a horse.As long as you walk me to Llanthony.I can always get Julia to drive me home.”All went well, albeit slowly, until they reached the Queen's Head pub, about a quarter of the way to Llanthony.Flower stopped.Nothing Jane could do would make her walk a step farther.Finally, in frustration she pulled the horse around to point back towards Penyclawdd.Flower cantered back, past the turn to the farm and into the small town of Llanvihangel Crucorney.There she stopped at the pub on the Hereford road and halted.Jane caught her breath.“That's it, you damned horse.” She dismounted and tied it to a rail.Then she sat on a bench in front of the pub, a low and common place, and let loose with her tears.Things like this just did not happen in either Bath or London.In her distressed state she didn't notice an elegant carriage turn up the lane towards Penyclawdd.The two horsewomen who trotted along behind the carriage noticed her and stopped.“Miss Arnold, Jane?” It was Cecelia and Mary.Jane looked up at them, then glanced away in shame.Cecelia tried again, “Jane, what is it?”“That horse, Flower.She won't go where I want her to.”“I'm not surprised.She’s a deuced stubborn and unpleasant creature.Why are you riding her?”“My horse had a loose shoe and I wanted to ride to Llanthony today.I was going to surprise Julia.Your groom said she was safe for me to ride.”“I'll have to talk to him.I can see that he's spending too much time in the public houses.”“What do you mean?”“Why do you think the horse is coming here and not returning to her stable?”“Oh.Is that what they do?”“Sometimes.” Cecelia thought for a few moments, then asked Mary, “Would you like to visit the Landors today?”“Why not?”Cecelia dismounted, and passed the reins to Mary.Then she told Jane, “Get up on my horse.She'll take you.”“Is she well-mannered?”“Mostly, but she's also tired and a tired horse is a well-behaved one.She'll do well by you.”“What about you?”“I'll take that sorry nag.Then we'll ride together to Llanthony if you'd still like to go.”“I would, I think Mr.Landor would have told Julia to expect us.Even if he asked me if I'd like to surprise her.”“Then up you get.” Cecelia helped Jane mount her horse and made sure that the saddle was properly adjusted for her.“Why don't you two ride on? Make my apologies to Julia if I'm late.This miscreant will get a little training.”Mary asked, “Are you sure you'll be fine, Miss Wood?”“Of course.Flower and I know each other well.We are old friends.” She slapped the horse on the back and addressed it, “Aren't we Flower?” It whinnied discontent [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]