Teresa trotted along beside me, a little uneasy as she would always be on a horse, but the improvement in her was amazing. In time she would Jose her nervousness, I assured myself.
We were talking about the trees and the plants, a subject in which Teresa was very interested and in which she certainly excelled; and she was delighted when she could tell me the names of plants of which I had never heard.
Ahead of us I could see the Hall. It was a most imposing house built in the Tudor style but seeming of an earlier age, because instead of the customary red brick it was in the grey stone of the Abbey. Much of the stone had been taken from the Abbey which gave it its distinction. I could see the broad low arch flanked on either side by tall octagonal towers. Many gables and turrets caught the eye - all dominated by the tall Gate House.
As we came close to it, suddenly a light carriage appeared on the road. It was drawn by two magnificent grey horses and was pelting along at a dangerous speed. It appeared to be coming straight for us. I called to the girls to slow down and draw in to the side of the road. The carriage was close. I heard Teresa cry out and then her horse was off. It bolted right in front of the carriage and across the road to the Hall.
I spurred up my horse and galloped after her.
"Don't be frightened, Teresa," I shouted .. . She wouldn't hear me, of course.
I reached her just as she was thrown out of the saddle onto the grass in front of the Hall. I dismounted and ran to her. She lay still and was very pale.
"Teresa ..." I cried. "Oh, Teresa ..."
To my immense relief she opened her eyes and looked at me. I thanked God she was alive.
The carriage was close by and a man jumped out of the driver's seat and ran towards us. It was Jason Verringer.
My greatest emotion then was anger. "So it was you," I cried. "You're mad ... This child ..."
He took no notice of me but knelt and bent over Teresa.
"Here," he said. "You've taken a toss. We all do that at some time. Anything broken? Let's see if you can stand up."
Teresa shrank from him. "Miss Grant," she whispered.
I said: "It's all right, Teresa. I'm here to take care of you. You don't appear to be badly hurt. Let's see if you can stand."
Jason Verringer helped her to get up. It was clear that she could stand without pain.
"I don't think there are any bones broken," he said. "I'll get the doctor to have a look at her right away. Now I'm going to carry you in," he said to Teresa.
She looked at me appealingly.
"I'll be with you," I said. "Don't be afraid, Teresa. I'm going to stay with you."
I remembered then that I was in charge of the whole party. I saw the girls on their horses, watching, appalled by what had happened.
My horse was quietly nibbling the grass. I could not see Teresa's.
I went over to the girls.
I said: "You've seen what happened to Teresa. They are going to send for a doctor. I don't think she is badly hurt. I want you all to go back to the school and tell Miss Hetherington what has happened." I looked at Charlotte. I went on: "Charlotte, I am putting you in charge."
There was a faint flush on her cheeks and I saw her head shoot up and the look of pride on her face.
"You are a good horse-woman and you are in the lead. Look after everyone. Make sure they keep with you." I had cast my eyes over the party and made sure that they were all there. "Get the girls back as soon as you can and tell Miss Hetherington that Teresa is at the Hall and that I shall stay with her until she is fit to ride back. Is that under stood?"
"Yes, Miss Grant," said Charlotte earnestly. "Now go," I said. "All follow Charlotte and do as e says. There is nothing to be afraid of. Teresa is not badly hurt."
I watched them ride off. Then I turned towards the Hall.
My fear was rapidly turning to anger. He had done this. He was the one who had thoughtlessly driven out at such a fast and furious pace. He had startled the horses and Teresa had been unable to control hers. And I was in charge!
I walked hastily into the Hall, through the door over which was an ornate coat of arms carved into the stone. I was in a vast hall with a vaulted ceiling. Weapons adorned the walls and a family tree was carved over the fireplace. Several people stood in the hall and they all looked scared.
"The little girl is in the blue bedroom, Miss," said a man who was clearly an important person in his own right-a butler or major-domo I imagined. "The doctor has already been sent for and Sir Jason says would you be so good as to go up there as soon as possible. One of the maids will take you."
I nodded and followed a girl up the carved staircase, the posts of which were decorated with Tudor roses and fleurs-de-lys.
In a bedroom with blue curtains and touches of the same colour throughout the room, Teresa lay on a bed. Her relief at the sight of me was obvious.
Jason Verringer turned as I entered.
"The doctor should be here within half an hour. I have told him he is urgently needed. I am sure she is not badly hurt, but it is wise to have a doctor in such cases. No bones are broken evidently. There may be a little shock, concussion ..."
"Stay here, Miss Grant," said Teresa.
"Of course I will."
"Miss Grant will stay here as long as you do," said Jason Verringer in a gentle voice which seemed somehow incongruous coming from him.
I could not look at him. I was so angry. This was his fault. He had no right to be driving at such speed through narrow lanes.
He brought a chair so that I could sit down by the bed.
"Miss Grant," whispered Teresa. "What of the others? Where are they?"
"They've gone back to school. I put Charlotte in charge. She's the best horse-woman. She'll manage." "I don't want to ride again ... ever. I never did.
I was so frightened."
"Don't worry about it now. Just lie quietly." One of the maids came.
She said: "It's hot sweet tea. Mrs. Keel says it do be the best thing times like these."
"It can't do any harm," said Jason Verringer. "Could you drink it, Teresa?" I asked.
She hesitated. I put my arm about her and lifted her up. She sipped it and a little colour came back into her cheeks.
The minutes ticked by and it seemed more like an hour before the doctor came.
"You had better stay here while he examines her, Miss Grant," said Jason Verringer, and he went out leaving me with Teresa and the doctor.
The examination revealed that Teresa was badly bruised but that no bones were broken. She had had a lucky escape. She was terribly shaken though. I noticed how her hands trembled.
The doctor said: "You lie there and you'll soon be all right. You're best in bed."
I followed him out of the room. Jason Verringer was in the corridor waiting.
"Well?" he said.
"She's all right," said the doctor. "But very shocked. She's a nervous girl, isn't she?"
"Yes," I said, "she is."
"There might be a touch of concussion. I think it very likely. She should not be moved for a day or so. Well, not today in any case."
"There's no problem about that," said Jason Verringer. "She can stay here."
"That would be wisest," said the doctor looking at me.
"I think she would be happier if we could get her back to the school," I said. "It's not very far."
"That's quite unnecessary," put in Jason Verringer. "She'll be perfectly all right here. She shouldn't be moved, should she, doctor?"
The doctor hesitated.
"Should she?" repeated Jason Verringer.
"I'd rather she wasn't," said the doctor.
I frowned.
"The girl doesn't want to be separated from Miss Grant," said Jason Verringer. He smiled.