Page 47 of The Lady and the Duke

“Come, let me introduce you to Petal,” Ellen said leading Lydia up to herhorse.

The horse shook her head up and down as if greeting Lydia. Lydia reached up gently and touched thehorse’sneck.

“Go ahead,” Ellen said, “You can stroke her muzzle. Shelikesthat.”

Lydia reached over and felt the almost velvet softness of the area aroundthenose.

“It is so soft,” sheexclaimed.

“I know. Is it notlovely?”

Lydia smiled. This might be fun after all. Her fear wassubsiding.

“Are you ready?” Ellenasked.

“Absolutely ready,” Lydia said with a newbravado.

The groom led her horse to a mounting block and held the horse as Ellen instructed Lydia how to mount. It took a little getting used to, but Lydia finally found her position on the saddle, and the groom instructed her how to hold the reins and handed her aridingcrop.

Ellen quickly mounted and turned to Lydia. “Just give Petal a light tap with the crop andfollowme.”

They spent only an hour at the first lesson, but Lydia picked up the basics very quickly and was even learning how to trot, although she could hardly say she hadmasteredit.

“Wonderful,” Ellen said as they dismounted. “You are going to be a finehorsewoman.”

Lydia smiled, as she felt she had done well, although she thought she might be sore in a few places for a dayortwo.

Lydia watched as the groom led the horses into thestable.

“He will give them a nice brushing down and plenty of oats for being such good horsies.” Ellen took Lydia by the elbow and directed her toward the house. “And now it is time forouroats.”

“Oatmeal for lunch?” Lydiateased.

“Actually trout from our stream. Quitelovely.”

“Do you want to freshen up?” Ellen asked as they approached Ellen’ssuite.

“Yes,please.”

“Oh, Miss Ellen, you are riding once again?” a woman asked, as she approached along thehallway.

“Miss Stafford, I have indeed. I have been giving riding instruction to my dear friend, Lydia Fernside. Have youtwomet?”

Pamela Stafford gave a long look at Lydia. “I have not had thepleasure.”

She held out a soft hand, whichLydiatook.

“Miss Pamela Stafford—Miss LydiaFernside.”

“Dear…”Pamelasaid.

“An honor, Miss Stafford,” Lydia replied, and then withdrew her hand from the tentativehandshake.

“Will I be seeing you at luncheon?” Pamelaasked.

“We are dining in my suite, this noon,” Ellenanswered.

“Ladies…” Pamela said, nodding and then drifting down the hall like a wisp trailing across a pond atevening.