The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth

punishment for treason against Parliament was death.
    Emilia had hated the Roundheads ever since they had killed her father, and she had a natural distaste for the puritanical views of those who ruled the country, as it contradicted everything she thought most good and beautiful about life. So she came closer and closer to the Cavaliers, hoping to catch a word or two.
    Suddenly her eyes widened in surprise. Standing there, talking urgently to the lords, was a boy she knew well.
    â€˜Tom Whitehorse!’ she cried. ‘What are you doing here?’
    His head snapped round, with a look of fear and horror on his face that she did not understand. He stared at her, not recognising her in her boy’s clothes.
    The gentlemen swiftly looked her up and down, frowning, then nodded curtly to Tom and stepped away.
    â€˜Thomas, my boy, we will talk further later,’ the black-haired one said.
    â€˜But, my lord!’ There was anguish in Tom’s voice.
    â€˜Later. When you have had a chance to catch up with your friend.’ The lord smiled, nodded meaningfully, and walked away.
    Tom stared at Emilia in angry consternation.
    â€˜It’s me,’ she said. ‘Emilia Finch. Don’t you recognise me?’
    â€˜Emilia!’ He was incredulous. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’
    â€˜I’m racing,’ she said.
    â€˜You can’t race, you’re a girl.’
    â€˜Not today,’ she said coolly, indicating her breeches with a wave of her hand. She was beginning to regret accosting him.
    He looked scandalised. ‘Surely you’re jesting.’
    â€˜No. I’m entirely serious. If I were you, I’d be putting money on me and Alida, because we’re going to win this race.’
    He put up his eyebrows. ‘I’m not here to gamble,’ he said.
    â€˜No? Then why are you here?’
    He flushed and bit his lip. ‘Visiting friends,’ he said shortly.
    â€˜That man in the velvet coat? But he’s old enough to be your father. Surely he’s no friend of yours?’
    â€˜Friend of my father,’ Tom said, his flush deepening.
    Emilia opened her mouth to ask morequestions, and he said quickly, ‘He too is visiting in the area. We are staying at the . . . at one of the big houses around here. I’m . . . ah . . . I’m staying only a few days. My host is racing one of his horses today, and we’ve come to watch.’
    Tom waved his hand towards an elderly man in an ornate mulberry coat who was leaning lightly on an ebony stick with a silver knob, as he talked earnestly to the black-haired lord. Neither was paying any attention to the horses.
    â€˜Surely he’s not racing himself!’ Emilia said.
    â€˜Of course not. His groom will be riding the horse.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Emilia said mockingly. ‘How could I be so stupid? Gentlemen do not ride their own horses.’
    Tom stared at her, in half a mind to be affronted, then suddenly grinned. ‘Not in a race they want to win, anyway,’ he admitted.
    Emilia was relieved to see him smile. She couldnot understand why he had been so fidgety and uncomfortable with her, when they had known each other for years.
    â€˜I’d better go,’ she said. ‘My race starts soon. Wish me luck!’
    â€˜All right, good luck!’ he said.
    She waved her hand at him and went back to find Felipe and Cosmo. When she turned around a few moments later, Tom was gone.

Devil’s Bargain

    â€˜W here have you been!’ Cosmo cried. ‘The race is about to begin. Come quickly! I’ve got your mare bridled and saddled and raring to go! I’ve given her a good slug of my special brew, and there’s no holding her now.’
    â€˜Why, what’s in it?’ Emilia demanded.
    Cosmo moved his hand from side to side. ‘A bit of this, a bit of that. Come on! I’ve found a pair of old boots for you that should fit all right,