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"I would have preferred to select my own."
"The choice is not that great." A footman hastened to open the door for them, and Carlton went on, "There is only one horse in the stable suitable for a lady. The head groom assures me she is gentle and tractable."
From this Maria
"But I have nothing for you," she whispered. "Next time, I promise. How beautiful you are!" She turned to the groom. "What is her name?"
"Stella," was the reply. "Ye'll hae no trouble wi' her, miss; she's gentle as a lamb."
Maria
They started off at a walk, with Carlton leading. As soon as his back was turned Maria
Carlton stayed on the path until they were out of the grounds. They went out a back gate instead of following the main drive to the road, and found themselves on the open moors, with the mountains forming a magnificent backdrop. The terrain was not too unlike the moors of Maria
She knew she rode well; had not her father, the best horseman in the West Riding, taught her? Indeed, these lessons had been the only occasions when Maria
So when Carlton said, "We might try a trot, I suppose, if you think you can stay on," Maria
Maria
It was not repentance or fear that finally made her slow the horse's reckless pace, but awareness that she did not know the terrain and had no right to endanger the splendid animal by risking a stumble or a fall. Only then, as the whistling of air in her ears diminished, did she hear the pound of hooves behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Carlton urging the gelding on at a desperate pace. He rode like a centaur, but the sight of his taut, anxious face made her want to burst out laughing. As he drew closer he shouted, "Hold on, don't let go the reins! Try to pull her in."
Maria
The truth had dawned on him by then, and his expression was too much for Maria
"I did. So did Stella." Maria
"She is," Carlton agreed. "And you are a thoughtless, reckless young idiot." He studied her laughing, unrepentant face with its frame of tumbled curls, and after a moment the corners of his mouth twitched. "I suppose I sounded very smug, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did. I could not resist."
"I can't say that I blame you. All the same, you took a risk you should not have taken, and frightened me half to death. My heart has not stopped pounding yet."
"I didn't know you cared," said Maria
"The Duchess would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you," was the cool reply. "Now, if your sense of humor is satisfied, shall we go on?"
"Well," said Maria
"First I want you to tell me something. What precisely happened between you and Bagshot?"
Maria
"I don't want to talk about it," Maria
"I fear you must if you want me to trace your Maggie. I was unable to discover what had become of her. I must have more information if I am to proceed."
"You tried to find her?" Maria
"But ineffective, so far. I learned something of her history from the performers at the club, but none of them knew her well, and no one admits to having seen her after that night. Did she ever mention where she lived, or the name of a friend with whom she might have taken shelter? I must know everything she said."
"I didn't know what sort of place it was!"
Maria
"She would know of Bagshot's reputation," Carlton agreed dryly. "It is notorious, to say the least. And I myself observed him watching you the first night I attended your performance."
"You probably thought I would encourage his attentions," Maria
She closed her eyes and shivered. After a moment Carlton said gently, "I am sorry to put you through this. If it is any comfort to you, I believe you were as i
Maria
"That is not the issue. Finish your account, please."
"But… Well, it is soon finished. He seized me. I resisted. My resistance only enraged him more. I did not see Maggie come in; I was – I was on the verge of fainting, I think. I felt his grasp relax; then he fell at my feet and I saw Maggie holding the stick with which she had struck him – his own gold-headed cane."