Page 32 of The Risky Wager of a Masked Lady
Evan took the lamb, and his expression softened. He looked at it carefully, turning it this way and that to inspect it.
“Is it not yours, My Lord? It was caught in a thicket near to here, and when I heard its cries, I stopped to set it free. Do mind his back leg, there’s a slight gash there,” Jonathan said, indicating a small bloody wound.
“I cannot believe it,” Evan whispered. “Donohue! Look!”
“Why, is that your lady mother’s pet?” the stable master asked. “The one that was lost yesterday?”
Jonathan stood awkwardly to the side, wondering at who would keep livestock so close. But Evan only grinned broadly.
“Well done! First you save my horse, and now you mend my poor mother’s tears. She took in this lamb when its mother fell ill from the birthing, feeding it warm milk with a spoon and tending it all through the night until another sheep could be brought from a neighbor. Then, this lamb wouldn’t take to the new sheep. She has carried for it like a babe ever since, and her heart is nearly broken in two from the loss of it.”
Jonathan ducked his head as the two carried on over the lamb. Donohue offered to carry it to the house for the countess to see, and Evan handed it over with a smile.
“Now then, Jonathan. You’ve done my household yet another great service. But from here on out, remember that tardiness is not a quality I admire. These horses don’t need to be kept waiting on their water and oats while everyone who cares for them wanders up to the stables.”
“Yes, My Lord,” Jonathan answered quietly.
“But I have a different matter to discuss,” Evan continued. “I watched you riding here today. I am pleased to see that you were in such a hurry to arrive that you rode with no care for your own neck! Are you willing to ride under my name in the races each week?”
“Ride for your stable, My Lord? It would be an honor I couldn’t even think of!” Jonathan answered without thinking. His face darkened. “But I’m afraid I’m none too familiar with the rules of that kind of riding. I’ve really only ridden like that in the fields.”
“That’s no matter,” Evan responded with a wave of his hand. “We’ve built a practice field just beyond the grain storage. I’ve two other riders, they spend a great deal of time there each day putting the horses through their paces. Then, on race day, they give the horses a more gentle ride, see to their transport to the events, then they take turns riding them in the different rounds. Does that suit you?”
“Of course, My Lord! When shall I begin?” Jonathan asked, eager to be not only working, but also far from Lord Lanercost.
“Now, if you prefer it, ride your horse over to the grazing ring just to the left of the practice track, and then come back. Mr. Donohue will have you saddle up the next horse to begin working with. She’s a bit new, I’m afraid, and has never run in these races, although she’s been putting in some time with our track and been pitted against our own horses.”
Jonathan raced to obey orders, leading the horse first to the water trough and then to the ring. He unhooked the horse’s bit and bridle so that the animal might nibble at the sweet grass while he went about his work.
While Jonathan walked back up the hill, Donohue returned. His smile shone brightly on his face as he approached.
“My Lord, your mother is ecstatic about the return of the wee lamb! She even insisted I fetch it some clover from around the fountain in front of the drive. It does my heart good to know she is well pleased!” he said, laughing at the way the small creature had bitten the purple flowers and small green leaves right from his hand.
“Aye, and me the same. She asks so little in life,” Evan answered with a contented sigh, “only a measure of companionship and a bit of joy from time to time. I was prepared to buy up another farmer’s lamb, roll it around in the dirt to conceal its shiny coat, then present it to her as the prodigal lamb returned!”
“Well, I’m certainly glad it didn’t come to that. With her ladyship’s sharp wits, she’d have seen through the ruse within only a second or two. Then you’d have some explaining to do about your attempt at a lie!”
Evan feigned a horrified expression. “She’d have me horse-whipped for sure! One thing I know is true, my father may very well have never told a lie in his life. Never was an untrue word known to have crossed his lips! And it’s a standard I keep for myself, and for all those around me. I don’t suffer a person who is not truthful.”
Turning his attention to where Jonathan was nearing the stable yard, he lowered his voice and asked, “But tell me, Donohue, what do you think of this new hire? I was up for much of the night, worrying that I might have been too quick with my offer.”
“What do you mean, My Lord?” Donohue asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure it is only worry for the strange events that have occurred. But I began to fear that it was almost too convenient the way the lad happened to be near enough at the Stakes to rescue the stallion.”
“That may be, sir, but there’s no way Mr. Gregg or anyone who hired him could have taught him to soothe that wild horse. The thing is wholly unbroken! He’d just as soon have gotten his brains splattered by the hoofs on that horse! No, I have a rule when it comes to judging people: I look to the animals for assurance. If a horse or lamb or nay, even a barnyard hen has no quarrel with a man, then that man is all right by me.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a surer way to measure a man’s worth, Donohue!” Evan answered, turning to look at the old stable master with respect. “And to think, the lamb we all strove to save came willingly with Gregg! You’re right, I’m only thinking of my nerves. I’m sure Gregg will prove to be an honest, faithful employee!”
Jonathan returned, and Evan went to see to other matters. That left Donohue to show Jonathan the way of the barn. The stable master sent the new rider to fetch the tack while he led a stark white mare out of her stall.
“This here’s Winter,” Donohue remarked, “and her name says it all. She’s cold and aloof and hasn’t yet warmed up to any of us. Although, after watching you with the stallion, I have a notion that you two will be best of friends before supper time!”
Jonathan smiled at the compliment, ducking his head shyly. He saddled the horse under Donohue’s watchful eye, then positioned the bit in Winter’s mouth with very little effort. After slipping on the bridle and buckling the straps, Jonathan guided the reins over the horse’s head and made ready to ride.
“Here you go, lad. Gimme your leg,” Donohue said, cupping his hands and bending slightly to help hoist Jonathan into the saddle. Without a second thought, the younger rider placed a left foot in the waiting hands and bounced up, swinging his right foot over into the saddle. As he did, his hand slipped from the front of the saddle, prompting Donohue to shift his hands and push Jonathan’s backside to prevent him from tumbling down.
The rider’s face burned nearly crimson at the touch, and it took all his strength to recover from the surprise of the too-forward gesture. Donohue, thinking nothing of the encounter, brushed his hands together and patted the horse’s neck.
