K. M. Peyton

Darkling is ragged and wild, but Jenny can't help falling for him. As soon as her grandfather buys the chestnut colt, she is thrilled. But a racing colt turns out to be a frightening responsibility - especially one as temperamental as Darkling . . .

A Pattern of Roses is a 1972 children's novel by British author K. M. Peyton, about a mystery and a ghost. It was issued in the US under the title So Once Was I in 1975, but subsequent editions have used the original title. The novel was made into a television film in 1983. The film was the first significant on screen …