To Catch a Husband(35)

‘But what if one of them should fall…?’

Kitty could see that her godmother was not reassured and she gave her a quick hug.

‘Do not worry, ma’am, we will be riding directly to Titchwell and back again. I am not proficient enough for anything more than the gentlest of rides, is that not so, Ann?’

‘We will proceed with great decorum, I promise,’ said Ann, twinkling. ‘You may expect to see us back here in very good time for dinner!’



In high good humour the riders gathered in the stable yard an hour later. There were several minutes of noisy confusion as the horses were brought out and everyone mounted up. Kitty looked askance at Selby as he walked up to her, leading a very pretty grey mare.

‘Dapple has cast a shoe,’ explained the groom. ‘The mistress ordered Bianca to be saddled for you.’

Kitty eyed the mare doubtfully. She had grown used to the little pony and although the grey mare looked beautiful, she doubted she would be quite as docile as Dapple. She was obliged to take an extra step up on the mounting block to reach the saddle and she tried not to feel too nervous as she gathered up the reins.

‘Just remember all I’ve taught you, miss,’ said Selby as he adjusted the stirrup and checked the girth. ‘She’s a sturdy little mare, and will carry you all day without flagging, never fear.’

‘I seem so much further from the ground,’ said Kitty, trying a little laugh.

‘You will be safe enough on Bianca,’ said Ann soothingly. ‘She has no vicious habits. And if we get separated,’ she added, as she turned to lead the way out of the yard, ‘just give Bianca her head: she knows her way home!’

It did not take Kitty long to settle on to her new mount and she soon felt very comfortable in the saddle. Ann suggested they should gallop through the park and Kitty found the mare’s speed exhilarating. It was gratifying to be able to keep up with her friends and their compliments upon her ability helped her to relax and enjoy the long ride into Titchwell. The landlord of the Star was looking out for them and his stable lads were waiting to take charge of the horses as soon as they arrived.

Kitty allowed one of the diminutive stable boys to catch at the reins, holding the mare steady while Mr Hamilton ran over to help her dismount. Ann had already jumped nimbly to the ground and was gazing intently at a paper nailed to the doorpost as Kitty and her escort walked across the yard.

‘Now what is that, Miss Ann?’ demanded Mr Hamilton, laughing. ‘What has caught your attention?’

Ann quickly tore down the paper handed it to Garston, who uttered a laugh.

‘A little added entertainment,’ he said, tucking the paper into his pocket as they all followed the landlord into the hostelry. Miss Camber and her brother immediately demanded to know what he meant, but Garston merely shook his head, and when they applied to Ann she would only smile mysteriously.

‘Come now, tell us what is on that paper,’ cried Mr Hamilton as they settled themselves around the table in their private dining room.

‘Something very dear to Miss Wythenshawe’s heart,’ announced Ann.

Kitty looked up.

‘I am sure I do not know what that might be.’

Garston pulled out the paper.

‘An Abolition meeting,’ he read. ‘At Harper’s Field, Chapeltown, this afternoon. Members of the Anti-Slavery Movement will address the meeting.’ He looked up. ‘These meetings are happening everywhere: I think it is time I attended one. Doesn’t do to be behindhand, you know.’

‘Chapeltown is not far from here,’ said Ann. ‘We could go there this afternoon.’

‘But we promised Papa we would go directly back to Kirkleigh,’ objected Miss Camber.

‘It is only a little deviation from our route,’ said Garston, studying the paper. ‘The meeting is for two o’clock: no doubt it will be over by three and if we do not tarry, we will still be back in plenty of time for dinner.’

‘Is Chapeltown part of Lord Harworth’s estate?’ enquired George Camber.

Ann waved one white hand.

‘It is only a couple of miles outside the boundary.’ She pouted. ‘I should have thought that you of all people would want to go, Kitty. You were very keen to support the cause in London.’

‘I am still a supporter, but this is not what we planned…’

‘We planned to spend the day riding.’ Mr Hamilton grinned. ‘If we were to take a look at the meeting on our way home it can do no harm.’

‘Perhaps Mr Clarkson will be there with his box.’ Ann turned to Miss Camber, her eyes wide. ‘You should have seen him, Lizzie, he pulled out thumbscrews and leg-shackles, all designed to subdue the poor slaves. I vow I almost fainted at the sight of such gruesome articles.’

‘By Jove, I wish I had been there!’ declared George Camber. ‘By all means let us ride over after lunch and take a look.’

‘We need not stay long,’ added Garston, ‘We do not want to be late for dinner.’

‘And I should like to see what this Clarkson has to say,’ added Mr Hamilton.

‘Let us take a vote upon it!’ cried Ann. ‘Who would like to ride over to Chapeltown when we have finished our meal?’

Kitty remained silent, but the others were all in favour. She tried to hide her unease. She guessed that a large crowd meeting in the open air might not be quite so well behaved as those gathered in Lombard Street. Something of her thoughts showed in her face, for Ann reached over and gripped her hand.

‘Do cheer up, Kitty. You were doubtful about the meeting in London, were you not? And those fears were quite unfounded.’

‘It did pass off very well,’ Kitty admitted.

‘And so will this one,’ said Ann. ‘Besides, this time we have three gentlemen to look after us.’

Mr Hamilton reached for the bottle of wine.

‘Don’t you worry, Miss Wythenshawe,’ he said comfortably. ‘We will take care of you all. And if we don’t like the look of the meeting, we can always ride away.’

‘Good notion, Hamilton.’ Garston nodded. ‘Is that the last of the bottle? Waiter, bring us more wine, and hurry!’



Because of their proposed detour the little party did not tarry over their lunch and they were soon on their way again, not riding back towards Kirkleigh but taking the road south to Chapeltown. It was a glorious day and the trilling song of a lark accompanied them as they rode between the thick green hedges that marked the lower valleys and provided a contrast with the dry stone walls of the hill farms. As they approached Chapeltown the road became noticeably busier.

‘No need to fret about getting lost,’ grinned Mr Hamilton, bringing his horse alongside Kitty’s mare. ‘I have just spoken to one of the men. He is a local, and says everyone is going to Harper’s Field. All we need do is to follow the crowd.’

Ahead of them Kitty could see the people stepping off the road and into a field, where a number of carts and carriages were already drawn up close to a small copse, taking advantage of the shade. One farm cart had been stationed out in the open, and Kitty guessed it was to act as an improvised stage for the group of serious-looking gentlemen standing close by. She looked around. From her vantage point in the saddle she had a good view of the whole area. There were one or two better-dressed gentlemen sitting in the carriages under the trees, but the large crowd comprised mainly working men. Farm labourers, she guessed, with a few women amongst them and a noisy crowd of very young men in one corner that she thought could well be apprentices.

‘You see,’ said Ann, ‘everyone is perfectly amiable.’

‘They are also perfectly noisome,’ giggled Lizzie Camber, holding a handkerchief to her nose. ‘Let us move away from the crowd, shall we?’

‘Aye,’ agreed her brother. ‘We could tether the horses in the shade. That fellow over there has a flagon of ale. I wonder if he would sell it to me. It’s dashed hot here today.’

‘Good idea, George. Let’s get the ladies into the shade and we’ll come back and ask him.’

They began to walk their horses towards the trees. Kitty noticed that more people were arriving, one or two on horseback but most were walking, including a large group of rough-looking men who strode purposefully into the field. Very quickly the festival atmosphere disappeared. The late-comers were carrying thick sticks that they brandished threateningly. The air was now full of menace and Kitty watched, horrified, as they began to force their way through the crowd, lashing out at anyone who got in their way. Angry roars replaced the laughter and chatter as fighting broke out amongst the men. Kitty looked towards the apprentices. With a loud halloo they charged into the crowd, fists flying. Behind her she heard Garston utter an oath.

‘We should get out of here,’ he said sharply. ‘Camber, look to your sister. Ann, Kitty, come along.’

They turned towards the gate, but Kitty could see that their exit was blocked by even more people pouring into the field. Behind her, shouts and yells filled the air: men were grappling with each other, women screamed and people were running in all directions, trying to avoid the rough-looking men brandishing the cudgels.

‘This way!’ shouted George Camber, turning his horse about, but everywhere they looked there were groups of men, fighting. Lizzie Camber began to cry.