Riverbreeze: Part 2 (32 page)

She tried to think positively as she dressed and took particular care with her
toilette
, brushing and combing her hair a hundred strokes and then tidily tucking it into her linen coif. She thought of Diane de Poitiers, King Henri II’s mistress. She remembered the stories of the lovely lady that her governess…her
aunt
…had told the twins as they were growing up. The woman had believed in regular exercise and went horseback riding each morning. Louise told her how Diane had learned to ride by the time she was six years old and would ride her favorite stallion for hours each day while pretending to be the mythological Diane, Goddess of the Hunt. And to maintain her radiant beauty, each morning she would rise early, bathe in preserved cold rain water and once a week soak in asses’ milk.

She chuckled to herself thinking of soaking in asses’ milk. There were no asses in Virginia and no preserved rain water. There was the river and the creeks but she couldn’t imagine immersing herself in a creek every morning! All that would do would give her gooseflesh and that was not pretty!

But she could learn to ride. She could learn to ride like the beautiful, spirited Diane de Poiters and she could learn to ride like Queen Henrietta Maria who had also become an accomplished horsewoman as a girl. She stood up straighter and squared her shoulders. Gazing into the small looking glass, she struck a haughty pose. Yes, she could learn to ride like a queen and a famous mistress. Jamie owned horses bred especially for the royal army and she herself was the wife of a son of an Earl. By marriage she was a royal herself. A Countess, she fancied herself to be! She whirled around, making her skirts bell out. She danced a few steps, then pretended to speak to a lady in waiting, ‘
Fetch my comb.’ ‘Brush my hair.’ ‘Bring my jewels.’

At that she sobered, remembering the gorgeous necklace Elizabeth had shown her and the story behind it. Robert had been horribly whipped for stealing that necklace, and Jamie had whip scars too. So, no jewels.

But she could still be a beautiful lady high atop a horse, riding beside her handsome husband and making him proud. This was what was important to him, riding to church tomorrow, showing off his horses, showing off
her
.

Resolved, she
would
make him proud. And she would be courageous like her French sisters, Queen Henrietta Maria and Diane de Poitiers. Heaven knew how courageous they were, Diane, staying to please her lover, the King, despite his obligation to his Queen; and Queen Henrietta Maria, staying true to her religion, defying convention and acting on stage in the masques and plays she loved, and supporting and loving her husband, King Charles, even during this difficult time of civil war and separation.

With this newfound confidence, Evelyn went eagerly down to breakfast. She would need her strength. She would eat every last bite.

* * *

It was a pretty morning, bright, cheery sun, not too cold, perfect weather for a riding lesson. That should have inspired her, but as she and Jamie made their way to the paddock where Jamie had earlier placed the horses, she almost lost her nerve. She was so small and they were such large, intimidating animals. But then the image of her Queen came to her again. Henrietta Maria was shorter than her by several inches. If she could control a horse, so could Evelyn.

“You were very quiet at breakfast.” Jamie commented lightly, as he hugged her closer to his side.

“Just thinking.” She hedged.

“Are you afraid?” He asked, concernedly.

She shrugged her shoulder slightly. “A little.” She admitted.

“No need.” He said encouragingly. He pulled her faster towards the paddock, saying, “Come and meet Penny. She’s a sweetheart.”

As they neared the fence, there wasn’t any need for Jamie to call the horses. Penny and Pisador trotted right over to them.

Evelyn looked them over, feeling her stomach churn. Maybe she shouldn’t have eaten such a large breakfast after all.

But they were beautiful creatures and she was a courageous woman, she reminded herself.

“Meet Penny. You’ll be riding her.” Jamie said, taking Evelyn’s hand and holding it towards Penny’s nose. “Let her smell you, then pet her muzzle.”

Evelyn did, watching the horse warily, seeing her large, gentle eyes. She smiled suddenly. “’Tis soft, and her whiskers tickle!”

Jamie laughed. “Have you never touched a horse before?”

“No. Papa didn’t keep horses. I saw many in London, but never had the opportunity to get close to one, or at least, this close. Although I accidentally got splashed once…” She paused, blushing furiously. “…by a horse that was…uh…” She couldn’t finish she was too embarrassed.

“Pissing?” Jamie finished for her.

She nodded, hiding her face.

He laughed uproariously. “Where did this happen?”

“On London Bridge. It happened a few years back before all the trouble with Cromwell and Parliament. Ugh…” She gave a little shudder of distaste. “Anyway, we were strolling along the shops…there was the most fabulous hat shop next to a haberdashers and Bess and our governess were peering into the window when a gentleman rode up on a huge black horse. He tied up the horse and went into the haberdashery. Well, the horse must have had to go real bad because he let out a gushing stream that landed squarely on a cobble, splashing everywhere. It was disgusting!”

Jamie laughed again. Lowering his voice, he said, “Well, if it makes you feel better, I’ve been splashed many times. ‘Tis inevitable when you’re around horses. And it won’t kill you.”

Grudgingly she smiled too. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Rub her forehead now. See, she likes you.” He added, when Evelyn gently touched Penny’s forehead and then higher up to her forelock.

Pisador crowded in next to Penny and nudged Jamie’s shoulder. Jamie laughed. “Ah, you jealous thing.” He said, giving his attention to the bigger male, cradling the horse’s head in his two hands and then kissing his cheek!

Evelyn watched affectionately. He certainly loved his horses. “What does Pisador mean?” She asked.

“It means prancer. And he’s a fine prancer, aren’t you, boy?” He petted the horse’s muzzle again.

“And Penny. Why is she named Penny?”

“I think because she’s the color of an old penny and because my father was the Earl of Pennington.”

“Oh.” She said softly, hiding her face, suddenly remembering his background and her own: a daughter of a fortune teller and granddaughter of common street performers.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not fit to be your wife, Jamie.” She said in a small voice.

“What!” He exclaimed, shocked. “Why would you say that? Where did this idea come from? You didn’t say anything before we married.”

“I’m saying it now.” She looked directly into his troubled but kind blue eyes. “You’re nobility and…and I’m….not.” She ended weakly, looking down.

“Nonsense!” He disagreed fervently. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her a little. “Look at me! Do I look like nobility? Do you see a crown on my head?” He swept his hand up to his head. “A coat of arms anywhere?” He swept his hand around the yard. “Am I dressed in velvets and satins?”

She eyed his plain clothes and noticed the frayed hems on his breeches and at the collar of his shirt. The toes of his boots were scuffed too. She smiled a small smile. “No.” She admitted. “But your father—“

He quickly put his fingertips on her lips. He looked angry. “Stop. Stop this nonsense. My father is dead. That life is long gone. I live here now with you, and my brother, and your sister, and Abigail, and Robin. We are common folk, struggling to survive in this wild country. I am not a noble. I am a farmer, lucky enough to have a few horses and that’s all.” He shook his head and spoke as if to himself. “Not fit to be my wife.” He looked back at her with passion. “You
are
fit to be my wife! Never think otherwise. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” She said in a small voice, thoroughly chastised, but warmed by his great fervor. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” He said, shaking his head again. “Tis ridiculous.”

“I said I’m sorry.”

He placed his work-roughened hands on either side of her face. “All right.” He said, looking gently into her eyes. “Let’s put this nonsense out of our minds and concentrate on your riding lessons. Do you have your drawers on underneath your petticoats?”

“Yes.” She answered, frowning. She always wore her drawers. “Why do you ask that?”

“Because I haven’t a sidesaddle for you, and you’ll have to ride astride.”

“Astride! Is that acceptable?”

He laughed. “’Twill have to be. And you’ll have more control. Now, do you have your gloves?”

“No.”

“Then get your gloves and while you do that I’ll saddle the horses.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“I can’t wait.” He said, blowing her a kiss.

She ran to the house, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. She was worried about riding astride, but on the other hand, like he said, she would have more control and it might be easier. And nobody would see her to disapprove of her scandalous behavior. However, they would see her tomorrow at church. Jamie must not think anything of it or he wouldn’t put her in that position.

Oh, what did it matter anyway? They were no longer in London where they had to worry about conforming to society’s standards of proper behavior. She and Jamie could do anything they wanted to on their own property, as long as they didn’t harm or kill anyone.

And then she thought of her near slip of the tongue. That had been a very careless mistake on her part. Jamie was right; she was fit to be his wife. Class distinction didn’t matter here in Virginia. She was no better or no worse than anyone else.

* * *

Everyone came out to watch her: Elizabeth, Robert, and Abigail. They cheered her on and teased her good-naturedly. Even the servants lingered for a few moments wanting to join in on the fun, but after a sharp look from Robert they reluctantly headed for the edge of the woods, axes propped on their shoulders, where they were chopping down another tree for firewood. That’s all they did these days, chop firewood, but Evelyn didn’t feel any sympathy for them. Having them do that work freed up Jamie for activities like this, and they were well fed for their labor which maintained their health.

Evelyn gave the servants no mind but she scowled at the others. They were making her nervous. What if she was a poor student? What if she fell off? What if she made a fool of herself? She didn’t want anyone to witness her awkwardness.

But Jamie was an excellent teacher. He was calm, patient and encouraging. Once she became comfortable with being high off the ground, the lesson went surprisingly well and she even felt confident enough to break her concentration for a moment in order to wave and smile at her audience.

She found it was easier riding astride, or assumed it was since she had never ridden before, and once Jamie had adjusted the stirrups to the perfect length for her and helped to arrange her skirts so they weren’t all tangled up around her legs, she grew to enjoy the exercise.

And the saddle was nicely padded too so her bum didn’t get too sore!

At first Jamie had walked the horse around the yard until Evelyn felt secure enough with keeping her balance. Then he taught her how to properly hold the single set of reins and how to signal the horse to turn left or right and how to stop and start.

He explained that Penny was the perfect horse for a beginning rider. She was very gentle; she never bucked, jumped, ran off or got crazy. And she was very patient. He said Penny must have had a very calm trainer. He explained that horses have long memories and if she had had a bad trainer and received any cruel treatment, she would remember that and be difficult to manage. He, therefore, reasoned that his older half-brother, Wesley, who had a mean hand, had not been involved in her training and in her care. With an affectionate smile, he recalled the old groom, Thomas. Although Thomas was most likely dead by now, his son, Thomas Jr., was probably the one who had taken over the old groom’s duties. He was thankful to him because these horses had fine dispositions.

After a half hour or so of walking around the yard and getting a feel for the reins and steering the horse in different directions, Jamie announced that she was ready to take Penny to a trot. She wasn’t so sure about this, but gamely followed Jamie’s instructions and gave it a try.

The horse responded beautifully to Evelyn’s commands and suddenly she was trotting around the yard. She was actually having fun and she laughed out loud. Jamie laughed with her and told her she was a natural. She didn’t know if she believed that, but she took the compliment by bowing her head at her husband and blowing him a kiss.

“Now we go for a real ride.” He said, running to Pisador and swinging easily onto the horse’s back.

“Are you sure I’m ready?” She asked nervously.

“We’ll go slowly at first.” He said. Then he turned towards their audience. “We’ll be back later.” He called out to them as he waved his hat in farewell, looking as happy as Evelyn had ever seen him.