Disclaimer: I don't own any part of The Nanny…yet.
A/N: Just another idea I couldn't let go of…N/CC and M/S…later M/F LOL Let me know what you think. - D
First Impressions
Chapter 3
The next few days were spent working on saddling and learning the differences in English and Western riding styles. The girls chose to learn both methods or at least as much as they could during the summer. Niles taught them the different gaits, the walk, trot/jog, and canter/lope. The girls both learned very quickly and became rather good riders at least for recreational riding.
Chastity wanted to take in everything she could…all the different styles and ways of riding and training. Not to mention, she didn't mind visiting the ranch, as she called it, with the Brightmore's; specifically Niles. Sara just enjoyed taking nice longs rides along the path or through the countryside. Provided, of course, she was accompanied by the young and handsome Max Sheffield.
The first month of their summer abroad practically flew by. Chastity and Sara had become almost like sisters. In fact, after their first week of lessons Chastity, and her grandparents, insisted that Sara stay with them in the country so she wouldn't have to travel back and forth from the city for her daily lessons. Her parents came out and met with the Harris's and the Brightmore's and thought it would be a very lovely summer opportunity for Sara.
"Niles…" Chastity started softly as she slid down from Ice Princess' back. "Why is it no one ever rides Raven, but you?"
Niles smiled at her. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you've made sure to have Sara and I…and even Max ride on all of the other three horses…before finally determining our regular mounts. I'm just wondering why you never had any of us ride Raven?" Chastity seemed genuinely interested.
Niles and Chastity walked the horses slowly over the country side as they chatted. "Well, Raven is my horse, rather than my grandparents. I saved every penny I ever earned to buy him. I'd wanted him the moment I helped to deliver him. It was amazing and he was beautiful. But, his owners thought he'd be a champion someday and decided to train him to show. They did…" Niles grinned a little.
"What's that grin about?" Chastity nudged him lightly.
Niles laughed and patted Raven's neck. "They used a bit of a heavy hand with him. Raven is generally good natured and extremely intelligent. He'll do anything you ask of him…provided you ask and don't demand."
"Is that why you never use the crop with him?" Chastity asked softly.
Niles turned and looked at her. "Well, Miss Babcock…aren't we the observant one. That's exactly why. He didn't show well for them so his…price dropped considerably and I bought him."
"What happened?" She asked him easily.
The boyish smirk that Chastity liked so much slipped across his face. "I won the dressage the first year I showed him. The following year he was the grand champion."
"Wow…Niles that's amazing!" Chastity stopped moving.
Niles stopped as well. "Raven did all the work. I've had a lot of offers for him, but I'll never let him go. I even limit the amount of times I stud him out.
"Niles…" Chastity turned to face him not realizing how close she was standing to him. Their eyes locked.
Niles tried to control his breathing. "Yes…Chastity?"
"Uhm…leg up?" Chastity's voice squeaked a little making her blush.
Niles smiled glad that he wasn't the only one who was suddenly uncomfortable. "Sure…" Niles helped Chastity re-mount Princess and he mounted Raven and they continued their slow journey back to the stables.
When Princess reached a cluster of trees she suddenly stopped. "What is it, Princess?" Chastity asked patting her neck lightly.
"Careful, Chastity, it could be a snake or a small animal." Niles moved Raven up close to Princess, hoping to keep her calm. Niles smiled as the horses nuzzled. "Why you little vixen." Niles laughed. "She just wanted a little snog with her favorite stallion." Niles turned to realize he and Chastity were very close yet again.
"I can't say as I blame her." Chastity gazed into the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. "Niles…" Chastity leaned toward him a bit.
Niles swallowed the lump from his throat. "Yes…Chastity?"
"Are you going to allow yourself to be outdone by a horse?" Chastity smiled invitingly at him.
Niles leaned in just enough to brush his lips softly to hers. He kept the reins in one hand and supported himself by leaning his other just behind Princess's saddle. Chastity also kept hold of the reins with one hand and allowed her other to stroke his face softly. Their tongues met and danced in soft caressing circles until the need for air forced them apart.
"Wow…" Chastity smiled at him her hand still rested on his cheek. "I guess not."
Niles sat up abruptly. "I'm sorry, Chastity. I…I shouldn't have done that." Niles looked away embarrassed. "We should head back. Max and Sara will wonder what happened to us." Niles turned Raven away from Princess.
Chastity frowned in her confusion. "Niles…" She said softly. "Niles! Stop!" Chastity pulled Princess to walking next to Raven. "What's the matter?"
"I'm too old for you, Chastity, and far below your station…not to mention I'm your instructor. It was…inappropriate." Niles didn't meet her stare.
Chastity pulled Princess up and in front of Raven making him stop. She looked right at Niles and waited for him to meet her eyes. "Niles…look at me." She instructed. "Please…" She said much softer knowing his concerns were somewhat valid. "Did I say it was inappropriate?" Niles shook his head. "Did I give you any indication at all that I was unhappy or displeased with your kissing me?" Again, Niles shook his head. "As for your being far below my station as you put it, I don't care about that and neither should you. And so what if you're four years older than me…my father is nearly ten years older than my mother. Besides…" Chastity tried diffusing the tension. "Everyone knows girls mature far faster than boys. I'm probably years older than you…maturity wise."
Chastity moved Princess up next to Raven so she was nearly face to face with Niles. "Well," Niles started. "I suppose you've got me there. You are more mature than me; this is a perfect example of that." Niles looked up at her sheepishly.
"Now." Chastity rested her hand on his thigh. "Shall we try that again and see if we can end it on a better note?"
Niles smiled and again he leaned in and took her lips softly with his, their tongues met and danced the same soft, slow, caressing circles until they just had to breath. Chastity smiled at him. "Wow, just as amazing as the first time."
"I was born to serve, Miss Babcock." Niles winked at her. "You are a most incredible young woman, Chastity."
Chastity pulled Princess around so she was again facing the same direction as Raven. "Thank you, Niles. You're not so bad yourself. So, what do you think Gramma Beth has made us for lunch?" Gramma Beth is what Sara and Chastity had taken to calling Niles' grandmother.
"So, Max," Sara started as she finished untacking* Jesse and helped Max with Rain. "What exactly do you do?"
Max grinned sheepishly. "Well, I just finished school…barely, thanks to Niles. And in the fall, I'm going to produce 'The Sound of Music' for the music department." Max puffed up just a bit.
"Wow! Really? That's great I love musicals." Sara sat on the tack box and watched as Max brushed down Rain's golden coat. "So what exactly does Niles do for you?"
Max froze for a second. He and Niles didn't really discuss the 'arrangement' outside of the manor house in London. "Uhm…why do you ask?"
"Well, Chas told me that Niles is your…valet or something? What's that about?" Sara asked rather innocently.
"Oh, well, I suppose that's technically true. You see, Niles' parents are my parents cook and butler, we grew up together. He's my best friend, but yes…in the fall…he'll start in service as my valet. It won't make him any less my best friend. It's just the way things are here. Do you understand?" Max tried to explain without making it sound as bad as everyone would think it was…as he thought it was.
"Well," Sara began. "I suppose if you and Niles are ok with it, why should it bother me?"
Just then Niles and Chastity came into the stables. Why should what bother you, Sara?" Chastity asked casually.
"Oh…uhm…nothing." Max answered.
Niles looked at Chastity. "Did you tell Sara?"
"You mean about you're…situation?" Niles nodded. "You didn't say I shouldn't…I'm sorry. She's my best friend, Niles…I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret." Chastity feared she'd just in that moment ruined all the progress she'd made with Niles.
Niles laughed loudly at her rapid fire explanation. "I'm not upset, Chastity. I just wondered. I'm glad you felt like you could tell her, it means you're not embarrassed by it."
"Uhm…we're going to head inside and get cleaned up for lunch." Max volunteered deciding to give Chastity and Niles some space.
Chastity started untacking Princess as did Niles with Raven. "Niles…are you embarrassed by it?" She asked cautiously.
"Well…I grew up more like Max's older brother than as the son of a servant. His parents saw his attachment to me. He was difficult for the nanny and well, I helped him to behave. Then when he started school, and he wasn't a very good student, so the Sheffield's sent me with him so I could help out. "
"What about college?" Chastity asked without looking up from her task.
"Oh yes, I'll get to attend oxford in the fall as well." Niles answered. "I get the four year education boys dream of just so I can graduate and be a butler." Niles put his saddle on the perch. "But, that's the way of things over here."
Chastity lifted her saddle, which Niles quickly helped her hoist up to the perch. "Well, maybe someday, you'll come to America, things are different over there."
"I'd still be his butler, Chastity. That fact will never change. It's sort of…well it's…" Niles looked down into the soft blue of her eyes and lost his train of thought just long enough for his grandmother to call.
"Niles! Chastity! Lunch is ready!" Elizabeth Brightmore was a woman of keen sensibilities and she had a feeling about Niles and Chastity from the moment Chastity crossed her grandson's path. She stood on the patio and watched as the two walked in from the stables together trying desperately to look far more casual that they really felt.
* untacking means removing the saddle, bit, bridle and blankets from the horse...basically 'undressing' the horse.
