Chapter 11

The following Saturday Elspeth had to go into Harrogate so she collected Serena from school. Mark and Serena went riding in the afternoon. With the long summer evening they were not constrained by time so they took the horsebox and drove up to the moors to ride. Not only did they thoroughly enjoy the freedom and beauty of the moors but were able to talk a lot too.

Serena's thoughts on what she wanted to do were beginning to crystallise and Mark was amazed that they were so close to Victoria's.

"Well yes, I suppose we've both had an influence on each other because it's been one of the main subjects of our letters."

"But which appeals more, the stud farm or the riding stables?"

"Both, but not a stud farm. Brood mares."

"Both? Won't that be too much work?"

"Not really. The riding stables will be the main activity and the breeding the background one."

"That'll require quite a lot of land."

"No. As long as we stick to brood mares and don't have our own stallion we can get away with a couple of paddocks and a ménage. Loose boxes are going to be the bigger problem."

"We? You and Victoria as partners?"

"Possibly. The thing is that if I persuaded Daddy to let me set up here we've got six loose boxes but not a lot of room for expansion unless we build a second batch away from the others. At the Collins's they've only got four but bags of space for more. But then we've got more room for the paddocks and ménage."

"Aren't you tying yourself a bit closely to Victoria? What happens when you both get married?"

"Oh, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In any case," and her eyes sparkled, "if we set up at Craig Hill you'll have both your women under one roof."

"What?"

"Mark darling, I'm only pulling your leg."

"You better had be."

Serena shrieked with laughter. "Your face!" she laughed.

"What do you mean?" Mark retorted vehemently.

"Puritanical shock," chuckled Serena, "coupled with 'phwoah!'"

"Serena!" Mark's thighs tightened involuntarily in outrage and his horse leapt forward which brought another scream of laughter from Serena.

Mark reined in his horse. "Serena, you are a very, very wicked girl."

"Yes, Mark," said Serena demurely but her dancing eyes denied it.

"Look," said Mark severely. "I have seen Victoria three times recently and have hardly spoken to her. I admit I think she's beautiful but there is nothing more. There couldn't be."

"Love at first sight?" giggled Serena.

"Shut up, Serena!"

Serena giggled once more then kicked her horse into a gallop. Mark nudged his into a trot. Serena made a big circle round and then came abreast of him.

"Are you cross with me?" she asked.

"No, just mildly irritated."

Serena giggled. "I'm sorry, Mark. I was only pulling your leg. Actually," and she turned serious, "we'd probably do better to set up at the Collins's so there's no pressure on you."

Mark pulled his horse to a halt. "Thank you, my sweet, but let's get this absolutely clear. There's nothing going on between Victoria and me. I suppose there could be later but isn't there a longish way to go before you do finally decide to set up together? I mean, don't you both need some experience before you get this thing going?"

"OK, Mark, so there's nothing going on between you and Victoria but don't take me so seriously or I might think there actually is." She grinned impishly and Mark smiled back at her ruefully. "Yes, we do need more experience and that's where we haven't reached agreement yet. I've got a vacancy at Burton Leonard which does what we both want: riding school and breeding. Victoria feels that we should be separate until we decide to join forces so that we've got fresh approaches."