CHAPTER FIVE #3
‘Erm … she wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.
’ Sage pulled a face as she picked up her mug of coffee and took a fortifying glug.
‘She just wasn’t overly friendly. I would not have put the two of them together,’ she finished tactfully, not wanting to be disloyal to her twin, who was clearly taken with Isabel, but unable to say anything remotely positive about her.
‘She’s a complete cow, Sage. Although that’s monstrously unfair to poor cows.
Your brother has fallen for her hook, line and sinker.
I somehow don’t think it’s her warm heart and nurturing temperament that have bewitched him.
’ Her grandmother arched an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth twitched with a mirthful smile.
‘Gammy!’ Sage laughed in surprise. ‘I have never heard you say anything so horrid about anyone before!’
‘Well, I admit she’s good-looking but the minute her mouth opens and you realize what a sour thing she is – especially to Casper – you forget she has a pretty face.
I do hope he finds someone kinder and softer to look after him,’ Betsy continued sadly.
‘He needs a bit of care, the poor boy, he works flat out.’
‘I thought exactly the same thing when we left her house,’ Sage admitted. ‘How serious do you think it is, though? He won’t ask her to marry him, will he?’
‘Gosh – I don’t know, sweetheart. I still think you two are too young for all that but then I suppose not.
’ Betsy lifted her shoulders in a Gallic shrug and gestured helplessly in Hal’s direction.
‘You obviously are old enough, as you seem to be in somewhat of a marital predicament! We must just hope that Cas sees sense before he gets himself into trouble like you.’ Betsy put a warm hand on her granddaughter’s shoulder to soften the blow and show that she meant no harm.
‘I am thrilled that you and sweet Hal are here, darling – I just wish it was under happier circumstances. You are both welcome to stay here for as long as you like. I know it goes without saying, but this is your home.’
‘Thank you, Gammy. I’m just very conscious of being a burden to you and Bumpa.
I don’t want us being here to upset your lives in any way.
You both have such a lot on your plates.
’ As Betsy opened her mouth to interject, Sage hugged her quickly.
‘I know you’ll argue with me, but that’s the whole point, you’re far too kind.
’ Changing tack to divert her grandmother, she said, ‘Let’s go and look at the pony tomorrow, shall we?
We can drop in on Dolly on the way home. ’
‘That’s a grand idea altogether,’ added Maggie. ‘And bring that lovely Dolly back with you for Casper afterwards, he’s coming here for supper tomorrow.’ She chuckled to herself as she made another pot of coffee.
‘That’s not a bad shout,’ replied Sage thoughtfully.
‘Morning all!’ Dennis came in smiling, and sat down opposite his wife. He took off his flat cap, setting it down next to him on the table along with his mobile and car keys, then looked across at his granddaughter. ‘Well done today, it’s good to have you home.’
‘Thanks, Bumpa,’ Sage said, through a mouthful of toast and marmalade.
‘Right, Betsy,’ Dennis said as he accepted a cup of coffee from Maggie with a smile of thanks, ‘first thing I want to say is that Sandpiper’s filly is fast. She skipped past Dear Morris like a hare with a firework up its tail, ten lengths clear – she was hard-held and barely broke a sweat.
Before you feel too smug, my love – yes, I admit that this is a major coup, well done.
I was wrong to sell the filly. Please try not to torture me too callously. ’
Betsy gracefully inclined her head towards her husband and with a coy, beguiling smile said, deceptively innocently, ‘I would never seek to cause you pain, husband of mine.’ Her eyes then betraying an impish gleam, she continued, ‘But do admit, darling, that I am the superior judge of horseflesh and then the matter will be closed, your mistake never to be mentioned again.’
‘Ha!’ Dennis snorted, amused despite himself.
‘What I will admit, Elizabeth, is that your sentimentality in holding onto Sandpiper’s progeny could prove extremely lucky.
Skylark has good DNA, that’s for sure. However, one thing I am going to insist on is changing her jockey.
Fred Wentworth is not the right pilot, not this time.
We will leave her entered for the Guineas and she will need to be prepared carefully.
I suggest she runs in her maiden race at Chelmsford next week with an apprentice jockey.
I am going to talk to Rafe Dunbarton, as he was talking about a very effective girl who is riding well at the moment.
Apparently she has won on two of his horses in the last couple of weeks and after watching Sage riding her this morning, the filly obviously responds well to a lighter, feminine touch.
Who is here for dinner tomorrow night? I might invite Rafe. Did you say Casper was coming?’
‘I know the girl you mean. She’s Irish, isn’t she?
Josie Moore is her name. I saw her riding one of Walter’s horses for Rafe last week.
She’s a lovely rider. I think that’s a very good idea.
How exciting that we might have a runner in the Guineas!
Yes, do invite Rafe – as you say, Casper is here, and Sage.
’ Betsy turned to her granddaughter. ‘Sage, do you think we can entice Dolly to come and even out the numbers a little?’
‘We can certainly ask her tomorrow, Gammy,’ Sage replied in amusement. She could read her grandmother’s intentions clearly enough, and she would also dearly love for Casper and Dolly to be reunited.
But at the mention of Rafe Dunbarton, the fearless rider with the fierce temper, her heart had plummeted.