Holiday in Bath by Laura Matthews Read Free Book Online Page A

hope the feather won’t make you sneeze."
    “It is too long?” Trelenny turned anxiously to her mother. “I thought perhaps it was just supposed to brush my cheek, and not tickle my nose the way it does.”
    Mrs. Storwood suppressed the laugh which bubbled in her. “It’s just that you have tilted the hat forward, which is very becoming. Here, we’ll tuck the feather further into the band. That’s perfect, my love. Have a nice ride.”
    The crisp fall day greeted them as they stepped out the front door and Trelenny forgot for a moment her afternoon’s goal. “I love this time of year. The air smells so good and the trees are glorious. Would you like to ride over to Lady Wood? The colors are spectacular just now, and the hills are gold and purple in the autumn light.”
    “The trail will be a bit hazardous after yesterday’s rain.”
    “Yes, well, if you’d rather not.”
    “I didn’t say I’d rather not. Actually, I think it might be a good idea.”
    Confused as to whether he wished her to break her neck or wanted to please her by accepting her suggestion, Trelenny abandoned the subject. “Mama told you that my father’s cousin is coming.”
    “Yes. Do you like him?”
    Trelenny wrinkled her nose distastefully. “He’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen such a popinjay and he must be fifty if he’s a day.”
    “Unfortunate,” he murmured sympathetically.
    “There is something I particularly wished to speak about with you, Cranford. You see, Papa will have company while he’s here. That is, Mama won’t ever leave Papa here alone, so naturally we never go anywhere. I can understand that, of course.” She paused while Cranford gave instructions for the saddling of their mounts, and then smiled sweetly at him. “It’s so comforting to have someone assume these little tasks for one.
    He shook his head disbelievingly. “What is it you want, Trelenny?”
    “Well, Mama won’t take me to London because none of her friends are there right now, and we have no escort, and besides, she wouldn’t feel right going there without papa. They met there, you know.”
    “I’d never thought about it.”
    “No, of course not, but they did, and she just can’t bring herself to go there without him. But it does seem foolish to waste this perfectly providential opportunity, doesn’t it?”
    “Does it? What opportunity?"
    “Cousin Filkins’ being here. I mean, how often is there someone here to be with papa while we’re away? But we couldn’t go to London, so I thought… That’s not my saddle. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    “It’s Clare’s saddle and I brought it for you. I’ve done some experimenting to give it a better seat. You’re quite right that sidesaddles are not designed for our rough area. Will you try it?”
    Trelenny blinked at him. “You did that for me?”
    “Certainly. May I hand you up?”
    Bemused, Trelenny nodded.
    “Your left thigh goes under the crutch. When you jump, you need only raise your left heel and press in and up while you bring your right leg down tightly against the horn, gripping the two crutches. It should give you a three-point contact that is unshakable.”
    “Have you tried it?” she asked wonderingly.
    “Yes.” He watched her for signs of amusement, but there were none.
    “I think perhaps that is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she said softly. “Thank you, Cranford.”
    Just when he thought she could no longer surprise him, she did. “I enjoyed doing it. You’ll see that I’ve also removed the knee rest to the right of the horn. It’s a hazard if you fall and catch your skirt on it, but you may be used to it and feel less secure without it. If so, I can have it put back.”
    Unable to adequately express her gratitude, Trelenny merely nodded again and urged Stalwart forward. They rode in silence for some time as she accustomed herself to the new security of her seat. “May I jump now?” she asked at length.
    “Whenever you’re