The girl smiled. “Thank you, I will take that compliment. Now, as I was saying, we do not stand on ceremony, and I’m not sure the earl and his family do either. They have lived here their entire life, as have I, and I have never seen their snobbery. Now Lady English, she is another matter entirely.”
“Most unpleasant.”
“Milly, I think you have secrets, but as I like you I will not pry.”
Dear God.The shift in conversation threw Milly.
“I—ah….”
“It’s all right, but if you wish to tell me, then my ears are available to you at any time.”
Apple-blossom then patted her hands, before gathering the reins of her horse.
“And now let’s gallop.”
She was not as proficient as her charge, but Milly acquitted herself well enough. She was even smiling as they turned for home, more than ready for tea.
“Do you know, Milly, I think your prophecy about the weather could prove accurate.”
Looking skyward, she noted it had definitely darkened, and the temperature seemed to have dropped. Thunder started rolling in when they were about twenty minutes from Wimplestow Hall, and rain began to pelt down. Milly had no time to react as the black beast Apple-blossom rode reared high. Seconds later, he had bolted down the road, his rider attempting to stay in the saddle.
“Dear God!” Milly galloped after them, riding low on her horse’s neck. The bloody black beast was fast, but she soon managed to draw alongside. Apple-blossom was sawing on the reins but with little result. Milly leaned sideways and grabbed the reins. Her last thought as Apple-blossom’s mount veered right was that she was likely to break her neck, and she would never see Joseph again. She fell sideways, hitting the ground hard and rolling. She came to a halt on her back.
