The Mating Season by P.G. Wodehouse

Author:P.G. Wodehouse [Wodehouse, P.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

AFTER SUNDAY DINNER Jonni went upstairs to her room and changed into her riding clothes. On her way down she met Trevor coming up. They paused midway on the staircase.

"I'm going out riding for an hour or so," she told him. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to come along?" The question was asked more out of politeness than in the hope he might reconsider.

"No, thank you." Trevor made the anticipated refusal. "I'm going upstairs to change. Afterward I intend to become entrenched in the newspaper."

"Ah, the newspaper, a touch of civilization in this wilderness," Jonni teased him.

"Precisely, my love." He kissed her lightly on the mouth. "Enjoy yourself."

"I will."

Jonni continued down the steps, then walked at an unhurried pace out the door and down the path toward the barn. It was another clear, sunny day, the temperature pleasantly cool, a good day for riding.

The tack-room door stood open. Gabe was inside, removing the broken chin strap from a bridle.

He had changed out of his suit into a white shirt and a pair of mud-colored denims. He glanced up when Jonni entered then resumed his repair of the bridle.

"I'm going riding," Jonni announced. "Would you like to suggest a horse or should I take my choice?" She was curt, resentment still smoldering from the incident with her aunt at the church.

"A pleasure ride?" Gabe glanced up again see her affirmative nod. "Take Sancho, the zebra dun in the first stall. You can use the saddle and bridle there, on your left."

As Jonni reached for the bridle and saddle blanket, he added, "If your fiancé needs a gentle mount, you can saddle the claybank mare for him. She's as placid as they come."

"Trevor isn't going riding." She slipped her arm through the bridle's headstall to drape it on her shoulder.

"I forgot. He's a city dude. He probably doesn't know how to ride, does he?" Gabe pitched the broken chin strap into the trash barrel. His action seemed to indicate he thought Trevor deserved the same treatment.

"As a matter of fact, Trevor can ride very well. He just doesn't like horses, nor does he enjoy riding them. So it isn't likely it would be something he'd do for pleasure."

As she issued the information, Jonni was tautly aware of his eyes on her, following her every movement.

"When does he ride, then?" he challenged in skepticism.

"One of his investors from Virginia does a lot of fox hunting. I know Trevor has ridden with him on several occasions."

She gathered up the blanket and saddle pad. She felt on edge and blamed it on Gabe's inquisition, which seemed an attempt to find fault with Trevor.

"In other words, he goes riding when there's money involved, but not for the pleasure of being with you." Gabe succeeded in coming up with a conclusion that made Trevor look bad.

"I wouldn't want him doing it just for me," Jonni retorted.

There was a pause and Jonni thought she had finally silenced him. But she hadn't. "You're a morning person. Trevor prefers the night.

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