Gemma felt a tremor of unease. "Do you think he'll get on well with Bad Pony?" Her cart pony was a stubborn animal, and could be most ill-mannered at times. She felt sorry for the creature. It was a strange short-legged beast, heavy-bodied and strong, but it had never taken to her and barely tolerated Mr. Bing. Their fine carriage horse had perished along with the carriage, and Edmund himself on that night he'd been summoned to deliver twins in a storm. Bad Pony was all that remained. The creature had taken Edmund's fancy while they served on the Peninsula and for some unfounded reason he'd brought it home with him, although Gemma was certain Edmund had never meant to put it in the traces.

But Mr. Bing didn't seem to be too worried about that pony's churlish temperament. He thumped the tall, gleaming thoroughbred on the shoulder with rough affection. "Aye then, Icky's a fine boy, a proper horse. He likes everyone, don't you Icky?"

Encouraged, Gemma stepped forward and held her own hand out flat. She wished she had known to keep a carrot in her pocket. She would from now on. Still, the friendly horse nuzzled her palm and gave a hopeful waffle through his nose. Gemma smiled. "Do you think it says something about our visitor that he rides such a lovely horse?"

Mr. Bing shook his head. "Couldn't speak to that. I've known some real bastards who could pick out good horseflesh. But to that lad's credit, there's nowt sign that spurs have ever touched them glossy sides."

From Mr. Bing, that was practically a stamp of approval. Then he slid his gaze in her direction. "You know yon fellow went walkin' last night."

Gemma raised a brow. "Did he? I was quite certain I heard him shouting out in his sleep. I didn't want to go in to him unless it seemed he could not calm down, but then everything became very quiet after that."

"Aye, because he went straight out t' window and climbed down t' porch."

"Really?" Gemma considered that for a moment. "I cannot decide if that is alarming or considerate. It could be that he simply didn't want to wake anyone."

"It could be he thought he needed to run for his life. It could be he's as mad as a hatter, and there ain't a thing you can do for him."

Gemma waved that away with a slight swing of her basket. "Well, he's back in his room now. I looked in on him. He's in a sound sleep, fully dressed on top of the covers."

Mr. Bing bristled. "You are not to be alone with him, you hear me?"