“Lilly?” Georgie couldn’t believe what he’d just said. She jumped up before he could finish, knocking over the tambour frame holding her needlework. “She’s here?”
He inclined his head as if he was being serious, but his eyes danced and his lips twitched as if he would burst out laughing at any moment. “She is, and it appears to my stable master that she is looking for someone.”
“Give me a moment to change.” Georgie dashed out of the room, not even apologizing to Adeline. And, forgetting all the years of decorum she had learned, shouted for Smith to attend her immediately. Georgie had not thought her mare would arrive at all.
Smith arrived in Georgie’s dressing room at the same time she did. “I must change into my riding habit.”
“The nankeen or the velvet?”
“The nankeen.” Georgie unmoored the buttons on her day dress. “I want to put Lilly through her paces.”
Smith frowned. “Try not to fall off this time.”
Not again. Georgie almost groaned at her maid’s lack of understanding. “I keep telling you that the falling off is important. One must always be ready, and Hawksworth taught me how to fall. It is something that must be practiced.”
“You’re going to break your neck,” Smith warned unrepentantly.
“The point of practicing is so that I do not break my neck or any other part of me.” Georgie pushed the day gown down, stepped out of it, and held her arms up to receive the skirt of her riding habit.
“Harrumph.” Smith dropped the garment over Georgie’s head. “I pray to the Lord you’re right.”
Georgie kept her grin to herself. “Trust me, or rather Hawksworth, I am.” She shoved her feet into her riding boots, and stood still as her maid affixed her hat, a bit of straw with a feather that curled under her chin. She pulled on her gloves, opened a box, and took a handful of dried apple pieces. “I shall see you later.”
“Do not forget you will need time to bathe before tea,” Smith called as Georgie strode out of the room.
“I will be back in time.” She descended the stairs in a rush as a footman held the door open.
“Have a good ride, miss.”
“I shall,” she threw over her shoulder. The whole house must know her horse had arrived. Her maid had not even been surprised by her demand.
When she reached the stable, Lilly was already saddled and standing next to the mounting block. “Lilly!”
Spinning around, the mare yanked her reins out of the stable boy’s hands. She stepped forward and waited.
“Down.” Georgie clapped as her horse kneeled down low enough for her to mount without help. “Good girl. Rise.” Lilly stood as Georgie straightened her skirts.
The stable boy’s jaw dropped. “I ain’t never seen nothin’ like that.”
Outside of Astley’s, neither had she until her brother-in-law had taught her horse to perform, and had taught Georgie how to train the mare to do other tricks as well. “She is a very intelligent horse.”
One of the older grooms rode up beside her. “I’m Johnson. His lordship said as I was to go with ye until ye know the place.”
Although she would have liked to be alone, she knew that was not a possibility. It would also have been unwise for her to go off on her own. “I shall be happy for the company.” Georgie glanced around. “Which direction shall we head?”
“If ye be wantin’ a good gallop, off to the left there’s a long straight path and a field.”
“Lead the way.” The groom trotted forward, and she held Lilly back until they had reached the path, then gave the horse her head.
They flew past the groom, who grinned as if he’d expected it, and continued for about a mile before reaching a field of late summer blooms mingling with autumn flowers, and tall grass. Georgie brought the mare around. “This looks like a good place to practice. Are you ready?”
The horse vibrated with excitement and Lilly’s large head nodded as if she knew exactly what Georgie had said. “Kick.” She held on as the mare kicked out with her back legs. “Still.” Immediately, Lilly stopped. “Prance left.” She sidled to the left, and Georgie gave the command to stop. “Prance right.” Lilly performed the same maneuver to the right. Georgie stroked the mare’s neck. “Rise and kick.” She held on as the horse rose onto her back legs and hit out at an invisible foe. “Still.” Once again she stroked the horse’s neck. “Excellent. Now off.” As Lilly rose, Georgie jumped off her back.
“Miss!” The groom raced to her, fear infusing his words. “Dear God! Are ye hurt? His lordship will be right angry with me if anything happened to you.”
Georgie stood and shook out her skirts. “I am perfectly fine. We are just practicing. My brother-in-law is a former army officer, and he taught us to be ready for anything.” Georgie took in the worried look on the man’s face. “I apologize. I should have warned you what to expect.” She gave Lilly a bit of apple. “Shall we ride for a while? I will tell you when we are ready to repeat the maneuvers.”
The groom glanced from the horse to Georgie. “As long as I know what ye’re doin’.”
“We won’t surprise you again. I promise.” She gave another piece of apple to the horse. “Lilly, down.” The mare kneeled and Georgie scrambled onto her back. “Rise.”
“I have to say that horse is a marvel,” the groom said, shaking his head.
“She is very special.” The horse nodded, and they followed the groom across the meadow alternating between a trot and a gallop. This was what she had missed in London. The freedom to ride her horse without being hemmed in by tonish rules.
Johnson led them to the end of the meadow then around through the woods where the leaves were turning into brilliant reds and golden browns, and back to the house as a church bell in the distance struck the hour. “That was excellent timing, Johnson.”
The older man smiled. “I’ve had plenty of practice getting folks back for tea.”
“It shows.” She smiled then spoke to Lilly, “Down.” As Georgie dismounted, clapping started. Frits stood to one side. “That was impressive.”
Georgie’s face heated under the praise. Everyone at home was used to Lilly’s skills and paid no attention. “Thank you.”
Frits strolled over to Lilly. “I’ll have to ask if you can teach Adeline’s mare to do that.”
“I would be happy to try.” Georgie wondered if she actually could teach another horse. “Though, I have to admit Hawksworth taught Lilly and me.”
“I won’t expect miracles. But I would like to see how it is done.” Frits watched as the horse stood calmly munching.
“Very well.” Georgie slowly fed Lilly the rest of the apple bits. “Perhaps tomorrow morning would be a good time. Before breakfast,” she suggested, then frowned. “Adeline will only be able to mount and dismount. Surely she is not still riding.”
“Ah, no.” Frits rubbed his chin. “Getting on and off will have to suffice for now. She has missed riding a great deal. I’m hoping just being able to do that will make her feel better.” He held out his arm. “What else can Lilly do?”