Winter's Charms by Celia Lake

Author:Celia Lake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celia Lake

Chapter 8

CHRISTMAS MORNING, IN A PONY CART

“You know where we’re going?” Giles was settled beside her in the cart. She had expected a pony cart, with a bench and open sides. Instead, she had found a governess cart, meant to be driven from inside the wicker-work basket of the cart itself. Kate had been dubious about it. As anyone sensible would be about a cart where you had to sit diagonally at the back to one side, the reins in your hands.

However, it meant that Giles could sit comfortably facing her. They could tuck two baskets with various supplies and Kate’s satchel of working tools in the front of the cart, tidily out of the way. The weather was surprisingly promising, clear and bright by mid-morning. They were still in a long period of drought, so she hadn’t exactly been expecting rain, but it did mean they were less likely to bog down on the road.

“I have a map. I have reviewed the map five times. Also, it really is basically following the road until we get to a couple of landmarks, then turn right. We might need to leave the pony at that point, but it won’t be a long walk.”

Milo was barely a pony, a Welsh cob, she thought, a deep and rather showy bay. More even-tempered than the dapple-grey mare she’d first met in the barn. Milo meant they could take the much more manageable governess cart, rather than a larger cart with one of the draught horses. Privately, Kate also thought they’d earned their holiday. They’d apparently been in heavy demand on loan to bring extra wood to the larger houses along the main road. And to help cart food and guests for the festivities as well, for the better part of the week.

“Walk on, Milo.” Kate clucked, and the cob stepped out neatly. She kept him to a walk until they were on the main road, with a much smoother surface. Once they were going straight, she raised the pitch of her voice again. “Trot up, trot up.” The pony picked up steadily, and soon they were moving well along. Kate had checked with Wilcox, and he thought they could make distance easily inside an hour.

It turned out to be forty-five minutes to the first major landmark, even with giving Milo regular breaks to walk. They passed no one else on the road. Giles rode along largely in silence, though Kate thought he might be enjoying the breeze. She’d not asked how much time he spent in the surrounding countryside as a boy, but she was beginning to suspect he’d roamed freely.

“It feels good to be outside for a bit. And it’s not too cold. You said you know where we’re going? Did you come out this way a lot? There’s no other noticeable lanes or roads turning off, though.”

Giles snorted as she pulled Milo back to a walk to give him a bit of a rest. “Nanny didn’t do outdoors, other than the garden. But I’d go off for a ride with one of the grooms when I was here.

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