* * *
WHILE NED WAS sipping coffee in Upper Brook Street, Horatio Webb was busy introducing his children and his niece to the mounts he had had brought down from the country.
“These should be just the ticket for jaunts in the Park,” he said as he ushered his charges into the stables. “Quite the thing, I hear, to be seen riding in the morning.”
“Golly, yes!” returned Jeremy, eyes aglow. “All the crack.”
Horatio’s eyes twinkled. “Now these two, you two should recognize.”
“By Jupiter! They’re the ones you bought from Lord Cranbourne, aren’t they, sir?” George, together with Jeremy, stared round-eyed at the two glossy-coated chestnut geldings their father had indicated.
Horatio beamed. “I thought they needed a little exercise. Think you can handle them?”
A garbled rush of words assured him that they could.
“We’ll cut a dash on these,” Jeremy declared.
With both boys absorbed, Horatio smiled down at Amy, clutching his hand. “Now for you, my miss, I’ve brought down Pebbles. Old Maude wouldn’t have appreciated the traffic, you know.”
Struck dumb at the thought of advancing beyond Old Maude’s plodding gait, Amy stared at the placid grey mare who ambled up to look over the stall door. “Look!” she piped, as the mare reached down to nudge hopefully at her pockets. “She knows me!”
That, of course, took care of Amy. Leaving her to get properly acquainted with the mare, Horatio smiled at his two remaining charges. “Now, my dear,” he said, beckoning Clarissa forward. “I fear I couldn’t improve on Jenna, so I brought her down for you. I do hope you’re not disappointed.”
Clarissa smiled delightedly as she reached up to stroke the velvety nose of her beautiful chestnut mare. “How could I possibly be disappointed with you, my pet,” she crooned softly as the mare nudged her cheek. “I was afraid you would want to spell her for a bit,” she told her father. “I rode her all winter.”
“Old Arthur seemed to think she was moping, missing all her rides. You know how soft-hearted he is.” Horatio patted Jenna’s nose, then turned to Sophie.
“And now for you, my dearest Sophie.” Taking her arm, he led her to the next stall, where an elegant roan mare was bobbing her head curiously. “I hope Dulcima here suits you. Not as powerful as the Sheik, of course, but rather more suited to the confines of the Park.”
Sophie was staring at the beautiful horse. “But…she’s new, isn’t she?”
Horatio waved dismissively. “Found her at Tattersall’s. She’s well broken and used to being ridden in town. Quite a find.”
“Well, yes. But I would have been quite happy with one of your other horses, uncle. I do hope you didn’t buy her just for me?”
“No, no. Nonsense—of course not.” Under Sophie’s disbelieving gaze, Horatio looked down and tugged at his waistcoat. “Besides,” he said, looking up, a sudden impish twinkle in his eye. “Dare say Mr. Lester will be riding in the Park on the odd occasion. Never do for him to think I don’t take all care of you, m’dear.”
The comment cut off Sophie’s protests. Taken aback, she frowned, opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“Leave you to get acquainted.” With a farewell pat for the mare, Horatio strode back to see how his sons were faring.
Sophie looked after him, her eyes narrowing. Then she snorted disgustedly and turned back to the mare. As if in argument, the mare shook her head, then snorted once, ears pricking forward. Sophie grinned. “Aren’t you a clever creature?” she crooned.
The mare nodded vigorously.
When, at length, they were ready to leave their equine partners, they strolled together back along the mews and around to the house, Horatio with them.
In reply to Jeremy and George’s eager question, Horatio replied, “You should give them a day or two to get over their journey, and for those not used to the noise to become more accustomed, before you take them out.”
The boys whooped. “Monday, then!”
“However,” Horatio smoothly continued, cutting across their transports. “You cannot, I’m afraid, simply take off with a groom here in town.” He glanced first at Sophie, then at Clarissa, walking on either side of him. “Neither your aunt nor I would be happy with that.”
“But Toby will be here soon, will he not?” Clarissa ventured.
Horatio nodded. His eldest son, presently at Oxford, was expected to join the family any day. “True. But even so, you must remember that Toby is barely twenty. It would hardly be fair to foist the responsibility for all of you onto his shoulders. Indeed, although your mother and I have no doubt of his willingness to act as your escort, he is not yet experienced enough to adequately guard against the dangers which might face you here in the capital. This is not Leicestershire, as you know.”
“What, then?” Sophie asked, knowing he was right. “Where will we find a suitable escort?”