A few minutes later, the two met in Sarah’s room, since it was larger than Effie’s. Effie carried in her new habit and spread it across Sarah’s bed. The tailored jacket of sapphire blue wool was adorned with braiding on the front and the promised laces at the back. The matching skirt had a train long enough to cover the legs modestly while riding sidesaddle.
“It’s lovely, Effie.”
“Now to see if we can get ye into it.”
The girl helped Sarah dress. The habit shirt—a short cotton chemisette with frilled collar—was loose and went on easily. The jacket was a little tight at the waist and extremely tight at the bosom, but with strenuous tugging on the laces of Sarah’s long boned stays, followed by loosening the jacket laces, Effie managed to do up the fastenings. The similar lacing at the back of the skirt allowed Sarah to don that as well. She wore her own gloves and half boots, although Effie insisted Sarah wear her rather masculine-looking hat, which Effie placed atop her head and pinned to her hair.
When she was fully dressed, Sarah regarded herself in the long mirror.
“It is very becoming, Effie. But don’t you wish to wear this and ride with Mr. Henshall yourself? I remember how happy you were to ride with him the summer you were here.”
“I would be. Though not today. I’m ... Well, remember that certain female affliction ye explained to me during our last visit?”
“I do.”
“Well, it’s upon me now, and I don’t feel equal to riding. So please do go with him.”
“If you are certain...?”
“I am. In the meantime, I will help in the kitchen—at least until Georgie returns from wherever she went. Then she and I plan to begin writing our new play.”
Sarah looked at her in surprise. “I am glad to hear it. I shall look forward to seeing it.”
Effie smiled at her. “And I look forward to seeing ye enjoy yourself.”
The two went downstairs together, Sarah feeling uncomfortable in the form-fitting habit and nervous as well.
From the window, she saw Mr. Henshall ride up the lane atop a chestnut horse, leading a smaller dappled grey by a lead.
Sarah went outside to join him. As he’d said, the afternoon was brisk and sunny—a typical December’s day on the south coast of Devonshire.
He had changed into riding clothes before leaving the house, and once again she noticed how striking he appeared astride his horse, his posture excellent, his shoulders broad, his manner confident. In his cutaway riding coat and black boots with tan cuffs, he looked so handsome and masculine that Sarah’s stomach seemed to somersault inside her.
Mr. Henshall dismounted and tied the horses to a nearby post, then turned, his gaze lingering on her face and figure. “You look lovely, Sarah.”
“Thank you.”
He raised a gloved hand to salute Effie, hovering in the doorway to watch them depart. “Well done, lass.”
The grey mare wore a sidesaddle and regarded Sarah with part wariness, part resignation. Sarah gingerly approached and stroked her velvety muzzle, whispering, “I know how you feel.”
Would she remember how to do this? Sarah hoped she neither injured nor mortified herself.
Mr. Henshall came and stood beside her. “There’s an old mounting block there, or I could give you a leg up?”
“Perhaps both?” Sarah stepped atop the mounting block, and from there Mr. Henshall assisted her up into the sidesaddle. Once seated, she hooked her right knee over the pommel, while he guided her left half boot into the single stirrup. Her breath caught to see his gloved hand on her ankle.
When he’d finished, Sarah rearranged the long train of the habit, making sure her legs were fully covered. Then she picked up the reins.
The horse shied, probably unnerved by Sarah’s ungainly mounting. “Easy, girl. You’re all right.” Sarah reached low and stroked the sleek neck, and the mare seemed to calm.
Once she was ready, Mr. Henshall remounted his own horse.
Gathering the reins, he said, “Let’s start slow, till ye grow accustomed to being in the saddle again.” He clicked his horse into a walk back down the drive, and the mare followed after the merest touch of the rein.
“All right?” he asked.
Sarah nodded. “So far.”
