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back inside, glad to get out of the cold wind; the temperature had risen by several degrees, but the biting east wind blowing straight from the North Sea was still whistling across the fields.
‘I’m only riding to the village, Ned, I really don’t think there’s any need for you to accompany me, whatever Mr Anderson said. I shall go through Home Wood, you may come with me as far as that in order to open the gate. All I have to do is complete the mile to the village along a straight path and that will take me no more than fifteen minutes. I am visiting a friend who’s staying at The Black Sheep, I do not wish anyone to be obliged to wait outside in the cold whilst I’m there.’
The young man looked uncertain, then nodded. ‘If you’re sure, miss, I shall come with you to the gate as you suggest. What time do you think you’ll be returning?’
‘I shall not be above an hour, so if you come back to open the gate at 11 o’clock, you should see me riding across the field.’
Cassie soon found her old expertise came back to her, indeed, the mare was a trifle sluggish for her taste, but ideal for a first venture. When they reached the exit from Home Woods, Ned dismounted and opened the gate for her.
‘The field’s a mite muddy, miss, so I should take it steady.’
‘I’ve no intention of galloping today; it is many years since I’ve been on board a horse, I know my limitations.’
She heard the gate clunk shut behind her and urged her mount into a smooth trot. The path she was following was only visible from the gate at first, then it dipped and ran through a small coppice, over a stream and continued for another few hundred yards until it came to the outskirts of the village.
The sun was out, although with no heat it was shining directly in to her eyes. Cassie was forced to screw them up in order to see ahead, whilst still watching the track for potholes and other imperfections. The last thing she wanted was a fall, Mr Anderson might refuse to lend her a mount next time she asked.
She didn’t see the figures lurking in the trees beside the path so when a horse suddenly appeared in front of her she barely had time to rein back. Bess through her head up in a panic and tried to back away, but a second roughly dressed man appeared and grabbed the bit. Before Cassie could open her mouth to protest her attacker jumped forward. The next thing she knew her foot had been snatched from the stirrup and she was tumbling sideways to the ground. Her head crashed heavily on a stone at the side of the track and everything went black.
* * * *
Jonathan Anderson cantered back to Martlesham Hall his head full of the problems his tenants were facing, and ways in which he could help them. He had arranged for the cottagers whose homes were damaged to move in to the empty rooms behind the stables. It was not ideal, but they were warm and dry, and they could manage until the repairs were put in hand.
He vaulted from the saddle and tossed his reins to the waiting groom. He was about to turn away when he swung back, his face dark. ‘What the hell are you doing here, Ned? You were told to accompany Miss Roberts on her ride.’
Ned blanched. ‘Miss Roberts has only ridden into the village, sir, I accompanied her as far as the gate, and am to return to meet her thirty minutes from now.’
‘I gave you instructions and expect them to be followed to the letter, I employ you, not Miss Roberts, unless you wish to seek work elsewhere?’
The young man mumbled a response and hung his head, wishing he was anywhere but there.
Jonathan strode back to the house, he had some letters to write before he could leave, but decided he would wait until Cassie returned. As he tossed his riding coat, hat and gloves to the waiting footman the butler appeared, a silver salver in his hand, upon which was a note.
‘Miss Roberts asked expressly for you to read this note, sir, as soon as you returned. She also asked me to inform you that she has
‘I’m only riding to the village, Ned, I really don’t think there’s any need for you to accompany me, whatever Mr Anderson said. I shall go through Home Wood, you may come with me as far as that in order to open the gate. All I have to do is complete the mile to the village along a straight path and that will take me no more than fifteen minutes. I am visiting a friend who’s staying at The Black Sheep, I do not wish anyone to be obliged to wait outside in the cold whilst I’m there.’
The young man looked uncertain, then nodded. ‘If you’re sure, miss, I shall come with you to the gate as you suggest. What time do you think you’ll be returning?’
‘I shall not be above an hour, so if you come back to open the gate at 11 o’clock, you should see me riding across the field.’
Cassie soon found her old expertise came back to her, indeed, the mare was a trifle sluggish for her taste, but ideal for a first venture. When they reached the exit from Home Woods, Ned dismounted and opened the gate for her.
‘The field’s a mite muddy, miss, so I should take it steady.’
‘I’ve no intention of galloping today; it is many years since I’ve been on board a horse, I know my limitations.’
She heard the gate clunk shut behind her and urged her mount into a smooth trot. The path she was following was only visible from the gate at first, then it dipped and ran through a small coppice, over a stream and continued for another few hundred yards until it came to the outskirts of the village.
The sun was out, although with no heat it was shining directly in to her eyes. Cassie was forced to screw them up in order to see ahead, whilst still watching the track for potholes and other imperfections. The last thing she wanted was a fall, Mr Anderson might refuse to lend her a mount next time she asked.
She didn’t see the figures lurking in the trees beside the path so when a horse suddenly appeared in front of her she barely had time to rein back. Bess through her head up in a panic and tried to back away, but a second roughly dressed man appeared and grabbed the bit. Before Cassie could open her mouth to protest her attacker jumped forward. The next thing she knew her foot had been snatched from the stirrup and she was tumbling sideways to the ground. Her head crashed heavily on a stone at the side of the track and everything went black.
* * * *
Jonathan Anderson cantered back to Martlesham Hall his head full of the problems his tenants were facing, and ways in which he could help them. He had arranged for the cottagers whose homes were damaged to move in to the empty rooms behind the stables. It was not ideal, but they were warm and dry, and they could manage until the repairs were put in hand.
He vaulted from the saddle and tossed his reins to the waiting groom. He was about to turn away when he swung back, his face dark. ‘What the hell are you doing here, Ned? You were told to accompany Miss Roberts on her ride.’
Ned blanched. ‘Miss Roberts has only ridden into the village, sir, I accompanied her as far as the gate, and am to return to meet her thirty minutes from now.’
‘I gave you instructions and expect them to be followed to the letter, I employ you, not Miss Roberts, unless you wish to seek work elsewhere?’
The young man mumbled a response and hung his head, wishing he was anywhere but there.
Jonathan strode back to the house, he had some letters to write before he could leave, but decided he would wait until Cassie returned. As he tossed his riding coat, hat and gloves to the waiting footman the butler appeared, a silver salver in his hand, upon which was a note.
‘Miss Roberts asked expressly for you to read this note, sir, as soon as you returned. She also asked me to inform you that she has
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