Page 19 of A Well-Trained Lady

“I remember,” he said, giving me a brief smile before directing his attention forward. “Did he not offer to buy Guinevere?”

“Oh yes, and for a far greater sum than Uncle paid. Of course, Uncle refused, and I am eternally grateful for it. I couldn’t imagine life without her. Sometimes I believe Guinevere is the only one who truly understands me.” Ruth shot me a nervous glance. “I do realize she is a horse, but often I wonder about an animal’s ability to discern human emotion.”

I gave a tight nod, not wishing to disagree with the odd notion. “And was that the only time Guinevere raced your neighbor’s horse?”

“Yes. And I’m certain it was also the last. Mr. Ansely seems most reluctant to have another of his stallions bested.” Ruth sighed as we reached the stable doors. “In truth, if it was not so utterly thrilling to see the shock on his face following all his boasting, I should feel bad for him.”

I pressed back a smile at her candidness.

“Well, come on,” she said, walking in before me.

The smell of hay and horse manure overwhelmed my senses, and I paused, lifting my gloved hand to my nose.

Augustus stepped near. “Is all well with you, Miss Godwin?”

I lifted my chin, unsettled by his ceaseless consideration. Was he trying to glimpse a fault of some sort? A weakness? I was determined not to reveal whatever it was he sought. “Perfectly well,” I said, walking through the threshold.

In the second stall a mare sifted a pile of hay with her muzzle. Ruth approached and pulled off her gloves, reaching out a hand. The horse lifted her head and sauntered toward us. “Isn’t she exceptional?”

“Indeed.” Though I had no great eye for such things, she was a lovely creature and truly looked exactly as Ruth had described—as though her white nose had been dipped in a pail of golden color. The mare gave Ruth’s hand an affectionate nudge. “Do you ride often?” I asked, impressed by the familiarity they seemed to share.

Ruth beamed back at me. “Every morning with Augi and Sarah … and Owen when he is home, except the Sabbath, of course.”

“Of course.”

“You should join us, Bella. Aunt Marina has a horse she no longer rides.”

I had no desire to ride. I wasn’t exceptionally fond of being atop an animal that had its own mind. Besides, I had refused to have a riding habit made, and thus had no proper attire for the exercise. “I would not want to impose upon your aunt’s kindness any further.”

“I assure you, it would not be an imposition at all. She would likely be grateful for it. Would she not, Augi?”

Augustus lifted his hand and placed it on the horse, causing the creature to give a small whinny. “You would be welcome to ride her.”

I faced Ruth. “In all honesty, I no longer prefer riding. I haven’t cared for it in years. Not since my fall.”

Augustus shifted, and my conscience pricked me for mentioning it.

“That was a most unfortunate event.” Ruth’s tone was so casual that I wondered if she had already forgotten who was to blame for the incident.

Augustus dropped his hand from the horse and glanced at me. “It certainly was.”

“Would you like to feed Guinevere?” Ruth bent down and pulled a carrot from a burlap sack set on the ground. “Carrots are her favorite. Well, besides apples. And I suppose she does love an occasional sugar cube, though the groom tells me they aren’t good for her.”

“That is quite all right.” I gestured for her to proceed, having no intention of dirtying my gloves with such a task.

Ruth held the carrot out to the horse, and the mare quickly accepted her offering, giving Ruth another nudge with her head.

“Shall we take a look at the others?” Ruth asked, though it was obvious she was reluctant to leave her precious pet.

“Perhaps Miss Godwin would allow me to show her the remaining horses?”

The unexpected offer left me searching for an acceptable excuse. When nothing surfaced in time, I stepped to his side. “Very well.”

“Don’t appear too eager,” Augustus whispered, as I followed him farther into the stable. “I’d hate to give Ruth the impression that you actually desire my company.”

“If it would suit you better, I could simply inform her of my thoughts so she need not speculate.”

He laughed. “And what thoughts are those?”