English Rider Read Free Page A

“Why, certainly, Veronica,” she said politely. “That’s very nice of you.”
    As she watched the whole scene, Stevie had to bite her lip to keep from saying something sarcastic. She had no idea what was going on, but she was definitely suspicious. Since when was Veronica so forgiving and friendly? Was she still hoping to wheedle her way into an invitation to a royal garden party? Or was she up to something even sneakier?
    “Oh, good.” Veronica took a step closer to Tessa. “I’m so glad you feel that way. And I have a great idea. I was just about to head home—why don’t you join me for a spot of tea?”
    “Oh!” This time Tessa looked pleased. “Thank you so much. That would be lovely.” She turned to her friends. “Do you mind? I’m sure I’ll be back in plenty of time forour sleepover.” The four girls were planning to stay at Lisa’s house that night.
    For the first time, Veronica glanced at Stevie, Carole, and Lisa. “Oh,” she said flatly. “Um, I would invite you all, but I really think Tessa and I need a chance to get to know each other. You know, one on one.”
    Stevie didn’t bother to respond. “Hey, Tessa?” she said instead, grabbing her friend’s arm. “Can we see you for a second? Alone?”
    “Certainly.” Tessa smiled apologetically at Veronica. “Would you excuse us?”
    “Sure,” Veronica replied generously. She started down the hall. “I’ll meet you in the locker room in a few minutes, okay?”
    Moments later The Saddle Club was huddled in a corner of Starlight’s stall. “Are you crazy?” Stevie whispered. “You can’t go to Veronica’s house! It’s got to be a trick!”
    Lisa glanced over the stall door to make sure Veronica wasn’t eavesdropping. “For once, Stevie’s not just being paranoid,” she agreed. “Veronica is up to something. You can count on it.”
    “I don’t know …,” Tessa said uncertainly. “She looked so sincere.” She shrugged. “And if she is being sincere, maybe there’s some hope for peace for the rest of my visit. That would be a relief, wouldn’t it?”
    “I guess so,” Carole said. “But only
if
she’s sincere. Which she isn’t. Veronica is never nice for no reason.”
    Tessa still looked confused, but before she couldsay anything else, the girls heard Veronica calling her name.
    “I’d better go,” Tessa whispered to her friends. “Don’t worry—it will be all right. If she’s up to something, I’ll figure it out soon enough. And if she’s not …” She shrugged again, looking hopeful. Then she led the way out of the stall.
    “Oh, there you are,” Veronica said when she spotted them. “Sorry to interrupt your little meeting or whatever. But I just thought of something, Tessa—I’d love for you to meet our daytime maid, Julie.” She smiled. “She’s from England, too. I’m sure she’d love to chat with you about all the news from back home. But we have to hurry. Her shift ends in half an hour, and we don’t want to miss her.”
    “All right,” Tessa said. “I’m ready.” She paused just long enough to give her friends one last hopeful look. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “It will be fine.” Then she turned and hurried off after Veronica.
    Stevie watched her go. “Well, that proves it,” she told her friends.
    “What do you mean?” Lisa leaned against the stable wall.
    “Veronica is definitely up to something,” Stevie said grimly. “And it must be something big. Why else would Princess Veronica even
think
about talking to a lowly maid?”

S TEVIE LOOKED AT her watch. “How long does it take to drink a lousy cup of tea, anyway?” she grumbled.
    Carole smiled weakly. “Don’t you mean a ‘spot’ of tea?”
    Stevie merely rolled her eyes in response. It was later that afternoon, and she, Carole, and Lisa were sitting around the Atwoods’ kitchen table waiting for Tessa to return from her tea date with Veronica.
    “Do you think we should really be worried?” Lisa