Every step she made here seemed to be a false one.

Her horse suddenly snuffled, stiffening beneath her, and Adelaide gripped the reins tightly in anticipation, looking around them for any sign of danger.

The only thing she could see was a small pony, shaggy in appearance, copper in shade, and no bigger than a goat. It stared at her and her horse as if to disapprove of their trespassing, and the horse did not appreciate it.

But Adelaide had had enough of being a stranger and pulled them to a halt, grunting softly in determination. She dismounted with surprising ease, considering she had not ridden in some time, and shook out the skirts of her blue riding habit before striding toward the pony.

“Here, sweeting,” she cooed, holding her hand out, palm up. “Come see me. That’s a good love.”

The pony continued to stare at her, lowering its head slightly and inching its nose toward her.

Adelaide smiled at the timid gesture and crooked her fingers. “Come on. It’s all right.”

Her horse snuffled behind her, and the pony darted away on skittish hooves, cantering off into the distance.

“Lovely,” Adelaide grumbled, shaking her head and turning back for her horse.

Only to find that he, too, had departed.

She could see him clearly as he galloped away, unsure if he were heading for home or simply enjoying a ride for his own pleasure. Given her complete lack of orientation to her surroundings and any directions at all, it was impossible to guess one way or the other.

Had the stablemaster said anything in particular about that horse when she’d said she wanted to go for a ride? Any warnings about his being prone to bolting or easily startled? She knew she could not be wholly to blame in this, as she had not insisted on that particular horse for any reason, but if she had been warned, no other parties could be blamed either.

What use was blame anyway?

Basset would have her head if the horse did not return home. It was a fine animal and likely had cost a fortune. But she had no authority to call the creature back, and even if she had, it would not help her to return home any easier.

Now she would have to manage that on foot.

Better and better.

She exhaled heavily, half tempted to simply crumple in a heap where she stood. It all felt so pointless when everything around her looked the same, and the worn paths she could see might have led anywhere. She could not hear the sea, nor could she smell it in the air, and unless she was mistaken, it would rain in the next few hours.