She brushed her skirts and became determined to make the best of it. “Quite all right, my lord,” she called. “It is only that I have just discovered that my own groom at home is a rather weak cup of tea. I should have known I would not have to do so much work with Jimmy at the helm. Very foolish of me.”
The groom appeared greatly relieved that he would not be blamed for throwing a lady over a horse and nodded vigorously. He pointed at her bonnet, which had gone askew, and tapped his finger to his cheek to indicate there was a smudge on her own.
Pulling herself together as best she could, Georgiana patted Minerva’s neck, the horse rather wild-eyed at this unusual turn of events. Then she walked round the horse to face Lord Asturt.
It would have been trying enough to face down Lord Asturt and Lady Mendleton. In particular, Lady Mendleton, as the poor woman had pinned all her hopes on Georgiana’s skill on a horse.
As it happened, things were a deal more trying than that. Lord Asturt escorted Lady Annabelle, who appeared vastly entertained, and an older woman presumed to be Lady Annabelle’s mother. Behind them, two mounted grooms looked on in amusement.
“Goodness, Miss Wilcox,” Lady Annabelle said, “you have given Lady Mendleton quite the fright.”
Though Georgiana would like to claim that everything Lady Annabelle said was wrong, she was not wrong inthat. Lady Mendleton leaned back, her eyes half closed, while Carstares rummaged through a trunk and brought out a vinaigrette. He waved it under her nose and brought her round.
“Dear Lady Mendleton,” Georgiana said, rushing to her side. “There is no need for alarm. None at all.”
“But I never saw such a thing,” Lady Mendleton said weakly. “One moment you were there and the next you were…gone.”
“Most common circumstance in the world,” Lord Asturt said. “Does a day go by without some poor young lady being thrown entirely over her saddle? I rather doubt it.”
Georgiana certainlydiddoubt it, but she was grateful for the lord’s kindness. Lady Annabelle only looked at him in astonishment.
“Miss Wilcox,” Lord Asturt went on, “allow me to introduce you to Lady Kerster, Lady Annabelle’s mother.”
Georgiana curtsied, though she had never involved herself in such an odd introduction in her life.
Lady Kerster only nodded coolly and said to Lady Mendleton, “How do you do, Louisa? I have not seen you since Newmarket last year.”
Lady Mendleton, with the help of strong smells and vigorous fanning, had recovered enough to say, “Indeed, we have not met since then, Harriet. You look very well.”
Georgiana thought this awkward conversation amidst a very awkward situation might go on for quite some time if she did not do something about it. She motioned for the groom to go back to the block. She would get on Minerva one way or the other.
Jimmy did as he was bid, though he did not appear to relish the idea. As Lady Kerster and Lady Mendleton exchanged vague pleasantries, Georgiana said softly, “Do it just as you ought, the fault was mine, but I shan’t push so hard this time.”
This seemed to give the groom some amount of courage and he nodded. Georgiana placed her foot in his palms and said, “Go.”
By keeping her hands on the pommel and allowing the footman to do most of the work, Georgiana found herself quite easily in the saddle. She maneuvered her right leg into position, her left foot in the stirrup, and it was done. Now, she must just remember to lightly tap her cane instead of use her right leg when she wished to signal the horse.
Her managing to get on the horse also managed to stop the rather endless and pointless conversation between Lady Mendleton and Lady Kerster.
“Goodness,” Lady Mendleton said to Georgiana, “You’re on, I thought you might give it up.”
“That is the grace of youth,” Lord Asturt said, “no harm done in the end, eh? Though, I will say the horse is looking ready to get skittish. Best not keep her standing about.”
Georgiana nodded gratefully. She was beginning to feel rather bad about her thoughts on Lord Asturt when she’d danced with him. He was turning out to be a very handy fellow. There was nothing more she’d wish to do at this moment than get away.
“Well, I suppose we might go forward,” Lady Mendleton said, not sounding particularly confident about the idea.
“I will escort you myself,” Lord Asturt said gallantly. “I only encountered Lady Annabelle and Lady Kerster quite by accident and am certain I have already overstayed my welcome.”
Lord Asturt might be certain of it, but Lady Annabelle did not seem quite as certain. Georgiana doubted that the lady would find herself bereft upon losing Lord Asturt’s company, but rather she was put out at being thrown over for another lady.
Lady Kerster did not seem to have the same qualms. In a rather imperious tone, she said, “Good day to you, Lord Asturt. Louisa. Miss Wilcox.” She turned her horse and her daughter reluctantly followed.
To Georgiana’s greatrelief, the rest of their time in the park had passed by uneventful. Lord Asturt had gone back to asking questions about Lord Langley, who he really did seem to excessively admire, but Georgiana found she could not condemn him for it after his very recent rescue. They passed by any number of gentlemen who tipped their hat, and perhaps turned round in their saddles after she’d passed by. Lady Mendleton seemed to gain in equanimity and cheerfulness by every foot they traveled without incident.
The sidesaddle, once she became used to leaning a bit further back than was her habit and using the cane in place of her right leg, was a welcome surprise. It was a deal more comfortable than riding astride and most surprising, she felt confident in her seat. Though ladies alwaysappearedin danger of sliding off their horse, in fact it felt very secure. Minerva had a few sidesteps and head shakes to perform, in order to point out that she had been recently alarmed, but it was no trouble to check her. Over time, the horse settled and was no doubt relieved that they had gone on to activities she understood, rather than having her rider unaccountably sailing over her back.
They ended with Lord Asturt assuring Lady Mendleton he would call at her next at-home day.
