The Training of Scarlet Worthy (8 page)

We both laughed at our secret mischief making.

“Maybe you and I should have Carlton come to your office for a short briefing Sibyl, followed by a
long drawn-out
inspection.”

We slowly regained our composure. My Lady signaled with her gloved index finger and to the relief of all they were released to gather around the little surrey.

The handsome Carlton stepped forward, bowed, removed his cap, and opened the door of the carriage. He was carrying a tiny stool for us to step upon. I stepped out first, silently turning to take My Lady’s hand so that her entrance to the paddock would be as special and as graceful as was her appearance. She smiled and took my hand.

My Lady paced slowly along the edge of the assembled staff. I followed behind her. I was trailed in this three person parade by Carlton.

Occasionally she would stop and smile at an individual field hand, stable boy or milk maid. One young woman had a small handpicked bouquet of wildflowers. She held them outstretched for Lady Julia. My Lady took them, smiled at the girl and gently stroked the woman’s rosy cheek. The girl smiled and curtsied with pride. Lady Julia handed the flowers to me and we continued to review the ranks of the staff. She had yet to speak. My Lady stopped.

She turned to Carlton. “Where is Sean?”

“He’s preparing you mounts My Lady. May I get him for you?”

“No Carlton, I’ll see to it.” She continued, ushering me to step forward.

“I wish for you all to meet the new Manager of Brighten Estate. I’ll make no formal introductions at this time. I’m sure that she has her own plans to bring you up to speed regarding her needs, and her expectations. So in that regard I will leave it to her, and for her, to schedule time to get acquainted with all of the staff here assembled.

My Lady turned to me and paused. She took my hand. “However, let it be known, that from this time forward – she speaks on my behalf. You may continue your tasks - my best to all of you.”

My lady performed a rapid pit-pat clap of her gloved palms. She smiled sweetly. I watched in fascination as the assembly men and women hurried happily back to the Manor stables and fields.

Lady Julia turned on her heel. She began a vigorous walk toward the stable’s circular riding ring. In the distance, I could make out the image of two horses in the center of the ring and a single man attending to them. We covered the ground briskly, and soon I found myself standing by Lady Julia’s side and facing a man who appeared to be thirtyish. He held the reigns of both animals in his one hand and his cap in the other.

“Good morning Lady Julia,” he began. “I trust these two horses will suite your needs on this fine day?”

The man was of average build and his lyrical brogue identified him as an Irishman. He was of rugged appearance I thought. I could envision him as a brawler. His coveralls were dusty and he was unshaven. As I stepped closer to him I smelled the fuel of whiskey about him.

My Lady stood directly in front of the man. She stood several inches taller than he, her nose also just inches above his own.

“And I trust, that as my stable manager, you found the needs of these horses more important than my arrival here. I would like to hear your answer to that question Sean Murphy?”

“I got a bit behind Lady Julia, and…well I’m sorry. I just got behind.”

“Just got behind the barn with a bottle is my thinking Sean.” She ripped the leather reigns from the startled man’s hand.”

“Go to your quarters Murphy. I’m offended by your impertinence and your intemperance while on duty. Clean yourself, get presentable, and later this week…,” She was screaming at him. “When I am good and ready, and when I am not distracted. I will see you in my office or perhaps at a more suitable place to discuss this inexcusable behavior. Now away with you.”

The stable manager bowed his head and skitter away like a frightened field mouse. I watched him run and stumble past a haystack and into a grove of poplars. My jaw fell slack at his cowardice and his instant compliance before this beauty of a woman who stood beside me. I turned to her. I was expecting her anger to explode in a form of righteous exasperation.

“Close your mouth dear. She turned to me. “I’ll take care of Murphy. The next incident, if you permit it, that one will be on your watch. Put this behind you. I don’t let trivial things like this interrupt my fun, or in today’s case, our fun, or our plans for horseback riding. Besides I’m already enjoying myself knowing that Sean Murphy is quivering in his hut, worrying about what I have in store for him.”

She took my hand in hers and squeezed. “In fact I’ll plan on having you being witness what I like to call – his
behavior modification
. What fun that will be.” She laughed and squeezed my hand a bit too hard.

She led me toward the waiting horses, stopping just shy of the one chosen for me. My Lady placed her hands on my shoulders and urged me to face her. “Let me check you clothing dear.”

She looked me up and down. She lightly brushed the velvet lapels of my waist coat as if to remove some imaginary dust. She straighten my high collar and fluffed up my necktie and silk bows. My Lady polished each of the three gold buttons on my coat with her fingertips, fingernails dancing ever so lightly over my breasts and nipples. She reached up and squared my hat properly on my head, deftly pushing a few errant red stands of my hair into place. Her gaze was peaceful and I could smell the sweetness of her warm breath.

“You look like a beautiful Princess.” She drew my veil more firmly against my nose. “I believe a veil conveys an air of royalty upon the image of a Princess. Shoulders back Princess, and chin up. That’s my girl. You look so proud. Now repeat after me. I am a Princess, and I am with my Queen.”

I spoke the words as she instructed. “I am a Princess and I am with my Queen.”

She grinned at me and continued. “The Queen and I are about to ride about the Manor. We choose to do so, simply because we wish to do so.”

I echoed her words.

“And I wish to see the magnificence of the realm that is mine to command on behalf of my Queen.”

I said the words after her, almost trance-like, and mostly because I believed all of what I was repeating.

The horses were beautiful. The one chosen for me a sweet chestnut mare with deep brown eyes the size of a tea cups. Lady Julia’s, a larger horse, a shiny black stallion with a mane roped in braids as thick as my wrist. I stood admiring the two animals. They bore no resemblance to the plow horse that I had been accustomed to back on the farm. These mounts were surely registered with some pedigree.

I watched as My Lady inspected the saddles, bits, reigns and assorted tack. I wasn’t a polished or informed equestrian, and I didn’t think that they were thoroughbreds, but they were tall and well formed. Their subtle manner suggested that they were selected or bred to accommodate a gently ride for My Lady’s guest. That was what I hoped was the case.

I’m not a total novice on horseback
, I thought.
But I’m no veteran either, and I surly don’t want to embarrass myself.

“Come over here dear.” She stood holding the brown mare’s reigns. “Let me help you get mounted properly. We’ll start with a little practice ride here in the ring. I’ll feel better if you are familiar with the gear, and that the equipment is adjusted to provide the proper comfort for your body. That way we won’t have any mishaps on our journey of inspection.”

I joined her on the left side of the horse. I had remembered that the left side was the tradition for mounting and the horses were trained to expect such a mounting by the rider.

“I’ve chosen an English saddle for you Sibyl. It’s my own design and invention, a women’s’ saddle. We women have a broader pelvis than men, so I made the seat more accepting, and also a bit more cushioned.” My Lady smiled and winked at me. “Trust me Sibyl.” Her long eyelash brushed against the netting of her veil. “I guarantee that you will enjoy riding in
this
saddle. Come now place your boot in the stirrup and I’ll boost you up.”

I reached up as high as I could stretch and placed a grip on the saddle, one hand on the front, and one securely on the rear. I then arched my left leg and slipped my foot into the left stirrup. The horse moved a bit but it remained calm. My Lady cupped my bottom cheeks in both hands. She squeezed my ass playfully whispering in my ear.

“Oh my Sibyl, you are in a bit of a predicament aren’t you, and how yummy, your bottom is quite nice to hold.”

She giggled and so did I. She was having fun teasing me and I loved her playful attitude. Her lips were on my ear and her voice became throatier, more seductive as she continued to hold me in my vulnerability.

“I think it’s fair to say that your ass is mine sweetie.” She squeezed my cheeks and held a grip. “I wonder how long you could stand like this, perched here on one leg, maybe five minutes, an hour. It’s too bad we don’t have time to measure your endurance.”

At that moment I wasn’t sure if she was really teasing, and I wasn’t sure about my endurance either, and frankly I didn’t care. It felt so good to have her touch me. I blurted it out.

“I say we shoot for the hour.”

“Why Miss Smith, you are a very bad little girl.” She laughed and swatted my ass cheek in mock admonition. “I’m shocked that a fine woman of your breeding would harbor such naughty thoughts.”

I laughed too and started to speak. Once more she squeezed me. I was surprised by her strength.

“Up we go girl.” In a single move I was elevated. I swung my right leg over the back of my mount and glided gently onto the saddle. It was exhilarating to feel the strong animal between my legs. I seemed to tower over the landscape. I looked down at my lovely benefactress. She held a pair of white gloves in her hand.

“For you,” she said. “These riding gloves will complete your outfit. Slip them on.”

I busied myself with the kid gloves. I examined the fit.
Perfect
, I thought.
My Lady thinks of everything, and she chooses only the best.

I was indeed feeling like a princess. I sat straight and tall. I felt important. I felt like somebody, and I knew I looked stunning. I could see myself as if I were approaching from a distance. A finely dressed woman, sitting upon a magnificent animal in a perfectly maintained equestrian ring, and about to survey her Estate. I was in heaven. I felt pretty.

It was a new experience for me to feel that way. I swooned. “Thank you.” I said, “Oh thank you My Lady. Thank you, with my whole heart. I am so indebted to you.” My eyes followed the stunning blond creature who hovered about below me.

She simply smiled at my outpouring and continued to adjust the cinch below my horse and the blanket beneath my saddle.

“Take your feet out of the stirrups.” She instructed. “Let your legs hang loose, as if they were bags of sand, that’s it, good, but remain upright, shoulders back, chest out and head up.”

I remained riveted to the sound of her commands, so bound was I to comply with her instructions and to have her be proud of me. Oh, how I wished to make her proud of me. Never had a woman possessed such a willing pupil as me. I was captivated by her, and my feelings for her were charged, tingling like sweet electricity pulsing throughout my mind and my body. My senses were at full alert, my body teased to full attention. I wished that this day would never end.

“It’s important that you are seated properly.”

I was eased back to reality by her voice.

“We will begin as if at a formal Dressage. I will lead you around the ring, just a few circles until the seating and the tack feels as if it were made for you. When we agree on that, then I will mount as well, and then you and I will be best prepared to begin the tour in a more relaxed position. If I can get the Dressage gate as I wish for you, then the rest will fall into place.”

She stood beside me and placed the riding crop on the small of my back. “Sit tall and relaxed, shoulders back, good – now look up and past the horse’s ears, always ahead of the ears my dear, and gaze upon the field ahead.”

My Lady tapped the crop against my back. “Now comes the fun part.”

I looked at her in puzzlement. “Fun part My Lady?”

“Yes the fun part. You do play, don’t you dearie? Believe me, this is going to be fun,
big girl fun
. Soon you will see why.” A devilish smile dimpled her cheeks. “Wiggle you bottom for me. Do it, I want to watch you. Come now wiggle it for Lady Julia, wiggle like a tiny pussy cat.”

I was blushing at the command. I giggled as a child, but I wiggled as she instructed.

“Keep wiggling until you feel you have centered your bottom and you pelvic bone directly in the center of the saddle. A proper seat is vital to your comfort. Once I get you seated, I will then adjust the height of the stirrups to fit your seat. I want you to feel equal weight on your seat and pelvis. No slouching Princess. Sit straight and proud for your Queen.”

This is fun
. I thought. “I think I’m getting it.” I blurted out a surprised laugh. “My Lady, I think my seat is now correct. Do you think so?”

“Why my darling Miss Sibyl, I think that your seat is the sweetest little bottom in my entire kingdom.”

I laughed as did she. I placed my finger tips to my lips to feign embarrassment, but I was not embarrassed, I was flushed with pride, just knowing that she found my bottom attractive. I wiggled again, an emboldened attempt to tease her.

“Now you have what is called the classic seat, and I don’t mean your sweet ass child, no matter how classic it is indeed.”

She moved quickly from side to side adjusting my stirrups. “Perfect, your feet are now back and well under you, and an imaginary straight line from your ear lobe to your heel. Do you feel as one with the saddle? If so, that’s how I want you to feel - so as the horse moves beneath you, you will feel connected to the horse. Does that make sense?”

I nodded, she was a fantastic teacher and I loved listening to her.

“Remember I told you that this was a special saddle? One that I made just for
us girls
, well here, let me show you what I mean.” She stepped to one side.