My horse, Mabel, a big brown gal with a black mane and tail, paused to eat some grass. The others trotted on without us. I pulled on the reins and nudged her with my heels.

“Come on, Mabel,” I hissed. “You’re making me look bad.”

She didn’t care. She wouldn’t budge.

“If you’re going to let her eat the entire ride, we’ll never get there,” Andre called over his shoulder.

“It’s not really about ‘letting,’ ” I argued.

Andre trotted back to me. He looked fantastic with his straight posture, his blazer over his sweater and his riding gloves. His big gray mare sidled up next to Mabel, and Andre gave the hungry horse a firm slap on the haunch. Mabel stomped her back feet in protest but took the hint and began to trot down the lane after Viv and her pretty dappled mount. Unprepared, I was left to clutch the reins while my posterior took a beating from the saddle and my hat bounced around my head, sliding over my eyes.

Mabel fell into step with Viv’s horse while I shoved my riding hat back on my head. We continued on with Andre cantering up beside us. Mabel was more cooperative now, and I suspected it was because my load was lighter as I’d left my dignity back in that clump of grass. I shifted in my seat, knowing I was going to be sore later.

We followed the property line of the castle. The landscape was breathtaking with rolling hills unfurling with the vibrant green of late spring. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweetness of the air. This, this was why I’d wanted to come to the country for the weekend.

The castle was a tiny blip on the horizon, and I felt the tension in my shoulders drop as we put more distance between ourselves and the keep. I didn’t want to think about Piper May and Dooney Portis and their wedding, which should have been tomorrow. When I’d called Harrison last night to tell him what had happened, he was halfway to his car when I told him not to bother, that we weren’t able to leave.

He wasn’t thrilled with having me stuck in another murder investigation and neither was I, but at least I had ruled out the castle as a wedding venue. Even without the murder, it was simply too much, even for me.

“Here,” Andre said. He stopped his horse and we came to a halt beside him.

Mabel was being a model of good behavior now, and I was certain it was because she wanted Andre’s good opinion of her restored.

“Here what?” Viv asked.