Lady Tara by Leonora Blythe

Author:Leonora Blythe [Blythe, Leonora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fawcett
Published: 1978-02-19T13:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Raven was in a pensive mood as he walked to the stables. He wondered if there were anything he could do to help bring together the Wardales and their grandfather. It seemed a criminal act to have sent such a beauty into exile. Determined to find a way to intercede, he quickened his stride. He found both Nestor and John in the stables, admiring his horses. They looked up as he entered.

"My latest acquisitions," Raven said, indicating the bays they were inspecting.

"They are beautiful, sir," Nestor exclaimed. "I have never seen four horses so perfectly matched." The envy in his voice was plain. "Have you broken any records with them?"

"Not yet," Raven laughed. "Your sister and John hampered my efforts the other night," he teased.

"Faddle!" Nestor rejoined, grinning, "you cannot have been going for any record with Matthews tooling them .... But really, sir, have you sprung 'em yet?"

"Only on the Brighton Road," Raven answered, "and we managed to shave a full minute off the time set by Sir Roger Leonard."

"I bet you could beat all the records, if you wanted to," Nestor breathed. "Would you not agree, John?"

"Aye m'lord," John replied with respect for the superb horseflesh. "I don't think I've ever seen such goers as these. Real prime 'uns they are."

Raven was clearly delighted with the praise and spent the next few minutes examining and discussing with them both the finer points of his horses. Nestor's zeal and the way he had with the animals impressed Raven, and he was prompted to ask if Nestor had ever thought of buying his colors.

"If only I had the money or connections," Nestor answered pensively, "I would. When I applied to my grandfather, he refused to help. He would only agree to getting me a post at the Foreign Office. I manage well enough, though," he pulled a wry face to indicate his discontent. "Or I should say I did manage, for I do not think I will be welcomed back when Sir Jack hears of my stupidity." He shrugged off the thought as light-heartedly as he could. "I say, sir," he said quickly, "would you mind if I helped exercise your horses?"

Raven looked at him carefully, as though deciding whether or not he should trust him, and Nestor held his breath for the verdict.

"What do you advise, John?" Raven quizzed. "Do you vouch for him?"

A slow, delighted smile spread across John's face at the, teasing. "I dunno, m'lord," he said ponderously. "Now, if it were Lady Tara, I would 'ave no 'esitation . . . ." He paused and Nestor hit him playfully in the ribs. "But I reckon 'e'd be safe enough."

"John! You rogue," Nestor said. "If I have any faults, you must take the blame, for you have been my only instructor." He turned to Raven. "Well, sir?"

"Be off with you, then," Raven said jocosely. "Tell Matthews which horse you would have saddled."

Shouting his thanks, Nestor hurried off in search of the coachman.

John, realizing that he had been

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