Read Online Langdown Manor by Sue Reid - Free Book Online Page A

hold her. It wasn’t my fault. It was that noise. It startled Starshine. I had to let go.’
    â€˜I know,’ Fred said. ‘I heard it, too. It must have been the blacksmith. I’ve never heard him strike the anvil like that before. I only just managed to hold Nimbus.’
    Then you’re a better horseman than me, I thought. I tried to move again.
    â€˜Don’t move,’ he said. ‘Lie quietly. I’ll be right back.’ I turned my head then and saw that Starshine was trotting towards us. Fred coaxed her to him gently, patting her back to calm her before tethering her reins loosely to his horse. I saw her lower her head to crop the grass. I smiled.
    â€˜She’s all right?’ I said as Fred came up to me.
    â€˜She’s fine,’ he said. ‘But what about you?’ A frown wrinkled his forehead. ‘Can you move?’
    â€˜I can move my legs and arms,’ I said. I touched the side I’d fallen on gingerly. It ached, but it was only bruised, nothing more.
    â€˜It was lucky you rolled off sideways, not backwards,’ he said. ‘Can you try to sit up? I’ll help you.’ He put an arm behind me and I carefully manoeuvred myself into a sitting position. His arm still held me and I leaned back into it. It felt warm and comforting. I glanced up and saw Fred looking at me, a peculiar expression on his face. I felt myself blush and shifted slightly away from him.
    â€˜I’m all right now,’ I said. He took his arm away.
    â€˜You’ve some grass and leaves on you,’ he said.
    â€˜Oh,’ I said. I looked down at myself. I was muddy too, on the side I’d fallen. I put a hand to my head to right my hat and veil, tucking stray hairs in behind my ears. Fred was still watching me. My face felt hot.
    â€˜There’s still some grass on you, miss,’ he said. Oh, so that was why he was looking at me. I was a mess. ‘On your back,’ he said. ‘Here, let me.’ I felt his fingers on my back, gently but firmly brushing away the grass. ‘I’m not hurting you, am I?’ he asked.
    â€˜No,’ I said. I liked the feel of his hand on my back. I was sorry when he took it away.
    â€˜There,’ he said. ‘You look better now.’
    â€˜I think I could stand if you helped me,’ I said. He held out a hand to pull me up. I wobbled and reached for him.
    â€˜Steady,’ he said, putting an arm round me. I leaned back against it again, It felt strong and comforting, but I made myself push it away. I was determined to get straight back up on my horse. Father had taught me to face my fears. Not that I had any real fears about Starshine. She turned her head to me and gave a soft whinny. It was like a signal.
    â€˜Are you sure you are all right?’ Fred asked.
    â€˜I’m fine. Just a few bruises. See.’ I walked unaided over to Starshine. It hurt, but I hid how much. He’d never let me up, if he knew. ‘You’ll need to help me,’ I said.
    He shook his head. ‘You’re not getting up on Starshine now.’
    â€˜I’ve got to get back somehow,’ I said.
    â€˜That was a nasty fall,’ he said. ‘You can ride back behind me on Nimbus. There’s room for both of us.’
    He held out his hand. I was tempted to take it but I had to get back on to Starshine. ‘I’m only bruised. Help me up, Fred.’
    He smiled. ‘Only if you’ll let me lead you back.’
    I didn’t answer. I wanted to finish our ride, but if I told Fred that now he might refuse to help me. ‘Are you going to help me, or do I have to do it myself?’ I leaned forward to grasp the pommel. I put one foot in the stirrup. I’d meant what I’d said. Fred had folded his arms and was grinning as he watched me. He didn’t believe me. Very well. I bunched up my skirt and tried to pull up my other leg, wincing as I did it.
    â€˜No!’ he exclaimed.