She held a hand to her mouth and Benedict gazed out. “It is coming down thickly, but try not to worry, Rosalind. He’s probably holed up at the inn. Mainwaring’s a soldier, after all and they aren’t caught out very often, but we’ll go to the stables and talk to Ridges. He could’ve just made it and be brushing his horse down now – says he really enjoys doing that.”
Nodding, she followed him into the hall, pulling her wool cloak on and the hood up, tight against the cold.
Once outside, the full intent of the sky glowered down upon them. It scowled full and ominous but, for the moment, held its crammed strength at bay, still just slowly scattering the huge flakes.
“Ridges, has the major returned yet?”
“No, my lord. Heard nowt. Getting slightly worried myself, but–” A whinny sounded close and all shoulders lowered in relief. “That’s Goliath, I’d know that sound anywhere. He’ll be wanting… Oh Christ…”
Everyone turned, but the groom’s eyes were sharper and they all watched the shape of a horse appear out of the gloom. Ridges said quietly, “There’s no rider.”
“Lucas!”
Benedict grabbed her around the waist before she could run and frighten the animal. Ridges approached stealthily but the horse needed no such tenderness and trudged to his master, butting his head at the groom.
“Where’s your rider, eh?” Ridges checked the horse over. “No sign of anything, my lord. Saddle’s fine and nowt’s missing.”
Rosalind buried her head in Ben’s shoulder, before quickly raising it again. “The oak tree. He might be at the oak tree.”
Benedict didn’t ask questions and neither did Ridges, who just nodded and led Goliath to one side before tacking Ben’s black gelding.
“I’m coming with you,” Rosalind stated firmly.
“You can’t ride.”
“I’m coming with you,” she repeated. “I may recognise more when I’m there. I can ride Goliath, as he…he likes me.”
Benedict’s eyebrow rose. “No. The horse is exhausted and you have no experience.”
Ridges interrupted. “Might be useful to take Goliath, my lord. You know what horses are like; he may lead us there. We can bring a spare for the major. And if we get lost, there’s nowt like that old boy to see us home. Could find his way to the stables in a tempest – and he might need to,” he said, eyeing the sky. “Miss Trewent can ride behind me, if that’s agreeable with you, Miss.”
“A good idea, Ridges. I only need help getting on…and staying on.”
“Well then, just hold tight, Miss. Pretend I’m the major.”
Rosalind thought to give him her fiercest glare, but now wasn’t the time. She would, however, be having words with blabbermouth Billy.
