Рита Браун - The Hunt Ball

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Cast of Characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Some Useful Terms

About the Author

Also by Rita Mae Brown

Copyright Page

Grab mane and kick on!

Dedicated to Mrs. Mary Tattersall O’Brien, M.D.

Honorary Whipper-in

Oak Ridge Foxhunt Club

CAST OF CHARACTERS

HUMAN

Jane Arnold,“Sister,” is the master of foxhounds of the Jefferson Hunt Club in central Virginia. She loves her hounds, her horses, her house pets. Occasionally, she finds humans lovable. Strong, healthy, vibrant at seventy-two, she’s proof of the benefits of the outdoor life.

Shaker Crownis the huntsman. He’s acquired the discipline of holding his tongue and his temper most times. He’s wonderful with hounds. In his early forties, he’s finding his way back to love.

Crawford Howard,a self-made man, moved to Virginia from Indiana. He’s egotistical, ambitious, and thinks he knows more than he does about foxhunting. But he’s also generous, intelligent, and fond of young people. His great disappointment is not being a father, but he never speaks of this, especially to his wife.

Marty Howardloves her husband. They’ve had their ups and downs but they understand each other. She is accustomed to sweeping up after him but she does this less than in the past. He’s got to learn sometime. She’s a better rider than her husband, which spurs him on.

Charlotte Nortonis the young headmistress of Custis Hall, a prestigious prep school for young ladies. Dedicated to education, she’s cool in a crisis.

Anne Harris,“Tootie,” is one of the brightest students Charlotte Norton has ever known. Taciturn, observant, yet capable of delivering a stinging barb, this senior shines with promise. She’s beautiful, petite, African American, and a strong rider.

Valentina Smithis the class president. Blonde, tall, lean, and drop-dead gorgeous, the kid is a natural politician. She and Tootie can clash at times but they are friends. She loves foxhunting.

Felicity Porterseems overshadowed by Tootie and Val but she is highly intelligent and has a sturdy self-regard. She’s the kind of person who is quietly competent. She, too, is a good rider.

Pamela Reneseems burdened by being African American, whereas for Tootie it’s a given. Pamela can’t stand Val and feels tremendously competitive with Tootie, whom she accuses of being an Oreo cookie. Her family substituted money for love, which makes Pamela poor. Underneath it all, she’s basically a good person, but that can be hard to appreciate.

Betty Franklinis the long-serving honorary whipper-in at the Jefferson Hunt Club. Her judgment, way with hounds, knowledge of territory, and ability to ride make her a standout. Many is the huntsman who would kill to have a Betty Franklin whip in to him or her. She’s in her mid-forties, a mother, happily married, and a dear, dear friend to Sister.

Dr. Walter Lungrun,joint master of foxhounds of the Jefferson Hunt Club, has only held this position for a year. He’s learning all he can. He adores Sister and the feeling is mutual. Their only complaint is that there’s so much work to do, they rarely have time for a good talk. Walter is in his late thirties. He is the result of an affair Raymond Arnold Sr. had with Walter’s mother. Mr. Lungrun never knew or pretended he didn’t, and Sister didn’t know until a year ago.

The Bancroft Family.Edward Bancroft, in his seventies, ran a large corporation founded by his family in the mid-nineteenth century. His wife, Tedi, is one of Sister’s oldest friends. Tedi rides splendid Thoroughbreds and is always impeccably turned out, as is her surviving daughter, Sybil, who is in her second year as an honorary whipper-in. The Bancrofts are true givers in terms of money, time, and genuine caring.

Knute Nilssonis the treasurer of Custis Hall so he’s forever obsessing about the budget. He’s efficient, has kept the school in the black, and works well with Charlotte.

Al Perezcombines two functions that dovetail, director of alumnae affairs and fund-raising. He’s well liked by everyone and a natural for the job. Others attribute his warmth and good nature to his Hispanic background.

Bill Wheatleynears retirement as head of Custis Hall’s theater department. The theater department (along with the riding program) is one of the best in the country for secondary schools. Bill has drive, imagination, and humor. But he’s seen education change drastically and he’s not sorry to be leaving.

Ben Sidelhas been sheriff of the county for two years. Originally from Ohio, he sometimes needs help in the labyrinthine ways of the South. He relies on Sister’s knowledge and discretion.

THE AMERICAN FOXHOUNDS

Sister and Shaker have carefully bred a balanced pack. The American foxhound blends English, French, and Irish blood, the first identifiable pack being brought here in 1650 by Robert de la Brooke of Maryland. Before that, individual hounds were shipped over, but de la Brooke brought an entire pack. In 1785, General Lafayette sent his mentor and hero, George Washington, a pack of French hounds whose voices were said to sound like “the bells of Moscow.”

Whatever the strain, the American foxhound is highly intelligent, beautifully built with a strong sloping shoulder, powerful hips and thighs, and a nice tight foot. The whole aspect of the hound in motion is one of grace, power, and effortless covering of ground. They are “racier” than the English hound and stand perhaps two feet at the shoulder, although size is not nearly as important as nose, drive, cry, biddability. The American hound is sensitive, extremely loving, and has eyes that range from softest brown to gold to sky blue, although one doesn’t often see the sky-blue eye. The hound lives to please its master and to chase foxes.

Corais the strike hound, which means she often finds the scent first. She’s the dominant female in the pack and is in her sixth season.

Dianais the anchor hound and she’s in her fourth season. All the other hounds trust her and if they need direction, she’ll give it.

Dragonis her littermate. He possesses tremendous drive, a fabulous nose, but he’s arrogant. He wants to be the strike hound. Cora hates him.

Dasheris also Diana and Dragon’s littermate. He lacks his brother’s brilliance but he’s steady and smart.

Asais in his seventh season and is invaluable in teaching the younger hounds, which are the second “D” litter and the “T” litter. A hound’s name usually begins with the first letter of his mother’s name. So the “D” hounds are out of Delia.

THE HORSES

Sister’s horses are: Keepsake,a Thoroughbred/quarter horse cross, written TB/QH by horsemen. He’s an intelligent gelding of eight years.