Lace for Milady Read Free Page B

want for her?”
    “One hundred and fifty pounds.”
    The speed of her answer caused me to wonder whether she hadn’t been considering this sale for some time. No need to include the negotiations that lowered the price to one hundred. I had decided that was my top price, and once she realized this the thing was as well as done. She got the better part of the fifty pounds out of me by adding an extra charge for saddle, blankets, curry brushes, and other objects, and I believe we were both satisfied with our bargain. As Juliette was no gift horse, I did not hesitate to look her thoroughly in the mouth, legs, chest, and eyes. I did not intend to repeat the dowsing I had taken on my house. I now required a riding habit but could not wait to try my skill, and went to the stable straight away to do so. With the help of a groom, a block of wood, and strong arms, I contrived to get myself hoisted aloft.
    I am not chicken-hearted. No foolish fears of mice, heights, the dark or small spaces trouble me, but I confess that when first I looked down to the ground, I felt a quiver of apprehension. I grabbed the reins awkwardly, and they seemed but a poor means of holding myself on to the animal’s back. To ensure my seat, I put one hand in Juliette’s mane. She did not appear to object to this. In fact, I later was told that horses have little feeling in this area, and it is recommended to do this when learning to jump. This felt a little safer, and I let Juliette out of the stable. The ground ceased whirling under me after two slow walks around the garden, and I was emboldened to let her out a little. The groom informed me to give her a little kick with my heel to achieve this. I did so, and she walked faster but not dangerously fast. I have said my land was only two acres, but mean as she was, Lady Ing did not prohibit my walking in her park, and I assumed riding, too, would be permitted. The lands between our two houses were open, a meadow and a garden, whereas I required, or at least desired, the concealing privacy of a few trees for my first ride, so I went off into the spinney that did not belong to her. It belonged to the Duke of Clavering, my neighbour on the other side, and was a part of Belview, his estate. He had a reputation for liking his privacy very well, but as he was known to be in London, I had no fear of discovery.
    The ride proceeded satisfactorily. I had no illusion my performance rivalled that of Juliette’s former owner, but I did not fall off, and eventually even let go of her mane and held myself on by the reins alone. I am fairly athletic. I came to enjoy sitting so high in the saddle and was eager to try something more daring than a walk. I kicked Juliette’s side, a little harder than I had intended to, actually, and she broke into a trot. It was somewhat frightening. The smoothness of the walk was all disrupted, and I found myself bumping up and down. I grabbed her mane again, and as I lurched forward to do so, my heel inadvertently touched Juliette’s side once more. The silly animal—really, horses are the most stupid creatures, ten times dumber than a pig—thought I wished to go faster, and did so. I was positively flopping in the saddle now, and becoming quite frightened. Worse was soon to come. The saddle began slipping on me, slipping so that I was virtually hanging off Juliette’s left side. This unnerved the animal, and she took to going faster and faster. I soon realized my best option was to fall off before I got trampled under her hooves, and let go, rolling in the damp earth of the spinney. I did not break any bones, fortunately, but I wrenched my left knee rather badly. It was my pride that was the more hurt, and I was thankful I had taken my first lesson and inevitable tumble in the privacy of the spinney.
    It soon dawned on me that my disgrace would not be kept to myself. Juliette, the perverse animal, did not stop. She kept on going, and I had a sinking sensation that where she would go