James looked toward the rain-streaked window. "Without an examination, we might lose the very thing we need to understand." He turned to Thomas. "Secure the tack room. Peter is not to be questioned or threatened for obeying my instructions."
Thomas nodded and withdrew.
A silence followed. The unanswered invitation remained between James and Emma, suddenly more difficult to address than the troublesome saddle.
"About supper," James began.
Emma drew the bonnet ribbons through her fingers. "I should like to come, Your Grace. If my father is welcome."
"He is."
"Then perhaps we might begin by calling one another James and Emma, when we are not discussing estate business."
His expression softened. "I should like that very much."
The following morning, Mr. Bell arrived with Mr. Pritchard, a saddler from Winchester, whom James had engaged to inspect the equipment. Storm stood quietly while Thomas led him several steps along the stable passage. The stallion moved more freely than he had a fortnight earlier, but Bell did not mistake improvement for complete recovery.
"We'll examine his back before deciding anything further," he said.
With Thomas keeping the horse comfortable, Bell gently tested the affected area. Storm showed less sensitivity than before, though he still tightened his muscles when pressure was applied near the rear of his back.
"Better," Bell observed. "Not yet ready for a rider."
Emma made a note in the observation book. James stood beside her, watching the surgeon's hands.
"Could the saddle have caused all of this?"
"It may well have contributed," Bell answered. "But we must distinguish what we can observe from what we merely suspect."
They moved into the tack room, where Pritchard placed the saddle upon a wooden stand. He examined its tree, panels, and worn padding, pressing carefully along the underside.
"Here," he said, indicating a raised section near the rear of one panel. "The stuffing has gathered unevenly. There's considerably more pressure in this area than there ought to be."
Emma leaned closer without touching the saddle. "Would that correspond with the irritated patch?"
"It could, especially when a rider's weight bears down upon it." Pritchard examined the opposite panel. "The padding has settled differently on this side. I would not put this saddle on any horse in its present condition."