Chapter Seven
‘If you see a tired horse lying down inside’
Smithers placed the tray with Julia’s morning chocolate on the bedside table, crossed over to the window and pulled back the curtains to expose a grey and drizzly Tuesday morning.
‘It’s going to be wet for your riding today, Miss Julia,’ she stated bluntly.
Julia yawned and stretched back on to the pillows. ‘Bother.’
She reached out to pick up the chocolate and sipped it reflectively, looking out at the misty rain. Smithers started to lay out Julia’s clothing, and then from the large wardrobe took out her riding habit.
‘I will go and press this, though with all that rain outside I’m sure it’s hardly worth it,’ she grumbled.
Julia suppressed a smile. Smithers disliked horses and considered riding a dangerous occupation for any female. Julia wasn’t sure if she didn’t agree with her.
She had spent an anxious time going through her wardrobe with Smithers to refurbish her old riding habit, which appeared sadly out of date. Though having had little use it was still in good condition. The grey cloth with black trim and matching hat was cut in military style that showed her figure off to good advantage, so hopefully Mr Hamilton wouldn’t object that it wasn’t in the first style of fashion.
‘If you feel that it is suitable as it is then leave it as there is nobody to see me, apart from Mr Hamilton,’ her mistress said mischievously, knowing full well the response she would receive.
Smithers looked suitably shocked.
‘Of course it must be pressed! You could not possibly go out looking like a drab!’
Shaking her head and muttering at the very thought of Julia’s lowered standards, Smithers left the bedroom while Julia began to feel a twinge of guilt for teasing her maid.
By noon, a pale sun had appeared and the weather started to improve. It was with some surprise that Julia was informed by Molly that she had visitors. On entering the drawing room she found not the expected Mr Hamilton, but the two Miss Wentworth’s, both looking charming in primrose and sky blue.
After the first greetings it was Susan, who, seeing Julia attired in her riding habit, said, ‘Have we come at an inconvenient time, Julia? Are you about to go riding?’
Before Julia could answer her, Molly appeared at the door to announce that Mr Hamilton had arrived and all were swept out to look at the mare, complete with a ladies side-saddle and a groom in attendance.
Julia felt embarrassed and self-conscious in front of an audience, but allowed herself to be mounted on Athene, and indeed the mare behaved beautifully just as Mr Hamilton had said she would. The groom led her around and then passed over the reins to let the mare go through her paces with Julia in control, while the watching onlookers gave their encouragement.
‘Enough!’ said Gerald Hamilton after twenty minutes and he went over to her side. As she slipped out of the saddle into his waiting arms, she felt her colour rise. He held her closely for perhaps an instant too long before her feet touched the ground. The strength of those arms and the intensity in his eyes held her spellbound for a moment.
She became aware that he was speaking, addressing her. ‘As you have visitors presently, perhaps this hour tomorrow would be convenient for me to escort you on your first excursion?’
She nodded her agreement blindly as the groom handed Athene to Wyatt who had joined the watching group. Both Susan and Caroline begged Julia to continue with her lesson for they would soon be departing.
Wyatt led Athene to the stables, Mr Hamilton left, and both Miss Wentworth’s and Julia were soon back in the morning room where Molly brought them a welcome dish of tea.
‘How very kind of Mr Hamilton to loan you a horse, Julia. Do you enjoy riding very much?’ enquired Susan.
‘I should think Mr Hamilton would much rather Julia had his horse so he could go riding with her,’ said Caroline slyly. ‘I think that Mr Hamilton has a tendresse for Julia, otherwise why would he lend her his horse?’
‘Caroline!’ Susan, threw her sister a horrified look. ‘Oh Julia, I am sorry. Caroline is very young and doesn’t realise what she is saying.’ Susan turned, agitated, to glare at her sister.
Caroline tossed her golden curls and shook her shoulders, but gazed right back at her sister and remarked, ‘You may say what you will Susan, but I feel sure that Mr Hamilton would no more lend you or me his mare than any other person in the parish, so there. And if that doesn’t tell you something, then I’m sure I don’t know what would,’ she added triumphantly.
Susan turned to her hostess in helpless confusion, but by this time Julia could see the humour in the situation and with a shrug and a little laugh poured more tea. She pacified the situation by changing the subject, diverting the sisters to talk of other things.
Of greatest interest was Susan’s expected departure to her Aunt Maria’s and the forthcoming London season. This would occur within the next fortnight, and here Caroline added pertly, that a certain gentleman would be looking forward to Susan’s return, drawing a flush to that lady’s cheek and a flash of anger to the eye, as she exclaimed to her sister.
‘Really, Caroline, you are becoming impossible! I shall tell Mama of your unbecoming conduct.’
This drew an immediate apology from an abashed Caroline, and the harmony at the tea table was immediately restored so that the visit ended with the prospect of further visits before Susan’s departure.
At three o’clock the following afternoon, Mr Hamilton appeared, this time without his groom. Before she could comment on this, Julia was lifted into the saddle by him while a surly Wyatt held Athene. In no time at all they were heading down the driveway and out onto the open road. Here her escort suggested they turn and head to the marshes and the horses gait quickened from a walk to an easy trot. After seeing how relaxed both the mare and her rider were, Gerald quickened the pace to a canter, and soon they were in open country enjoying the warmth of the sun and the soft breeze from the sea.
Julia had forgotten how delightful riding could be with a good mount and an understanding escort, and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. After an hour, Gerald Hamilton suggested that perhaps they should return home and it was with some reluctance that she agreed.
As the horses walked side by side, she watched the sea birds circling above the coast, and out at sea the sails of a ship making its way back to port. Only then did she realise in the silence around them that they were quite alone. No groom had accompanied them and Julia wondered about the propriety of this.
As if he could read her thoughts, Gerald Hamilton turned to her. He smiled and said, ‘I trust that your reputation will not be lost if you are seen out riding alone with me, Miss Farraday?’
‘No, no. I probably should have asked Wyatt to accompany us. However as you are well aware, my great uncle has no riding horses, so…’ and here she shrugged her shoulders and smiled back at him.
He laughed out loud, causing Athene to toss her head and side step a little, and Julia put all her attention to keeping the mare steady.
‘Yes, I did know that and although I could have brought my groom, I thought it might be a chance for us to get to know one another a little better, Miss Farraday. Oh dear, that does sound so formal, and as we are both well past the schoolroom, may I call you Julia? Dare I tell you it is my favourite name? Please do call me Gerald, for, after all,’ he leaned forward, grinning like a schoolboy, ‘we are almost neighbours, aren’t we?’
She couldn’t disagree with him on either count and although her great uncle’s words again sprang to mind, she found herself automatically nodding her assent. When he next addressed her using her name she thought how pleasant it sounded coming from his lips.
‘Timothy Danvers returned to town this morning, Julia, and asked me to give you his kind regards, and he hopes to renew your acquaintance in the future.’
‘Why, that is most kind of him.’
For a moment she could think of nothing to say, then remembering Sir Henry’s wo
rds on the way back from the ball, Julia enquired confidentially, ‘I believe you have lived in India, Gerald?’
The look he sent her was sharp. ‘Who told you that?’
For a moment she was nonplussed. ‘Why…Sir Henry told me.’
‘Oh.’ He laughed briefly, and his features softened though he said nothing further.
‘I’m sorry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It is just, you see,’ and she gave him an imploring look, ‘my parents were in India, in Calcutta, where they died of fever,’ she stumbled over the last word as he suddenly leant across to take her hand.
‘No, I’m sorry Julia.’
His look was one of deep concern. How quickly his moods and expressions changed, she thought, with will o’ the wisp randomness or were they for theatrical effect?
‘You were not there, in India, then?’ she pressed on.
‘No, I was in Madras.’ He had removed his hand and was looking straight ahead, his expression unfathomable. ‘Oh well,’ and with a rather forced laugh he turned to her again. ‘That was twelve years ago and I thought it had been forgotten by now. Come, let us trot home. We must not overdo your first day’s ride.’
As they reached the entrance to her home and rode towards the stables, he spoke again.
‘I regret that I have business to attend to in Rye tomorrow. However, if it is convenient for you, would Friday afternoon suit for another outing?’
Julia agreed it would and then suddenly they were in the stable yard. Wyatt ambled forward but Gerald had already alighted from his horse and quickly assisted Julia from Athene.
‘Farewell until Friday. Though to be sure it’s going to seem more like a week than a day until I see you again.’
Julia felt the full impact of his eyes, which seemed to be searching hers with an intensity she couldn’t fathom. Then, with a quick press of her hand, he sprang back into the saddle, gave a salute, and trotted smartly off.
Julia gave the unwilling Wyatt his instructions to cool Athene thoroughly down after her outing and she returned to the house, her mind a whirl of impatience for what Friday might bring.