Chapter 2: Miss Steele
It had started out as a beautiful early spring day. Mr. Grey and his childhood friend Mr. John Taylor spent the day on the road. They began their trip from London stopping half way and making camp overnight and were both eager to get to their final destination by nightfall. The Grey's had a very large estate in Brighton and it was decided by his father that would be the best place for him to secure a wife. It also gave him the opportunity to keep a close watch on his dear sister. His father Lord Carrick Grey had given him six months. Frankly, he needed a break from work and travel. He was looking forward to some time away from London and the businesses. He had asked the oldest and most trusted friend to accompany him. John was also in need of a spouse, his first wife had died fours years earlier from influenza and he had never fully recovered from the loss. Christian believed that this time would be beneficial for his friend as well and hoped all his plans for John and Mia would come to fruition.
They were barely 10 miles from the gates of the Grey Estate when the sky went dark and the rain began to fall. It was a complete downpour and typical of April. But it agitated Christian nonetheless. They pressed on through the worst of it for several miles and just like that rain was done and the skies were blue once again.
He saw her in the distance, a small girl in a pale blue dress soaked in mud and rain. A large dog at her side. For a moment he thought she was a child but as his horse drew closer she was arguably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Dark brown hair, pale skin, large blue eyes and a broad smile, she was stunning, even covered in mud. The dog barked and growled at their approach. Ana did her best to stop him, pulling on the makeshift leash in vain. All she managed to accomplish was to have herself dragged into the brush adding a new layer of mud to her once blue skirts.
"Solomon. Sit. Behave yourself." She laughed as she pulled herself out of the mud. Both men had dismounted and were at her side in an instant but Ana was too bemused with her situation to care.
"Miss, can we help you." It was John who spoke first much to Christian's aggravation.
"I am fine, Sir. Thank you. My aunt's house is just up the way." She pointed in the direction of the Hyde Estate and Christian grimaced. Both John and Ana noticed his slight.
"Are you sure, you took quite a fall."
"I assure you I am unharmed. This mongrel loves to toss me about from time to time." Solomon was now seated calmly beside Ana, his gaze never leaving the two men who stood before her. In vain Ana tried to straighten herself and look presentable, she was in the presence of two gentlemen after all. "I was minutes away from the house when the rain started and now here I am, drenched to the bone." Both men stared at her for a moment. Neither knowing what to do or say next. They were bewitched by her beauty and the way she carried herself was different than any woman either of the men had ever encountered. She lacked the grace and sophistication they were accustomed to but in its place was an enchanting magic neither man had ever experienced.
"I am Mr. John Taylor." She curtsied at the introduction and smiled "And this is Mr. Christian Grey." Her blue eyes went wide at the sound of his name.
"Ah, the illustrious Mr. Grey. You have been much anticipated?" Clearly taken aback by her candor the John could not help but laugh at Christians sheer horror.
"Is that so Miss..."He spoke with tight lips and tense shoulders.
"Steele. Miss. Ana Steele. And yes that is so, Mr. Grey. All the single young ladies over the age of sixteen have their hearts a flutter that you're here to choose a wife before the leaves turn brown and gold." John laughed loudly, rarely was a lady so bold. Christian was also bemused by her candor, she was clearly not brought up in proper society. "You should know they are all planning and plotting to woo you. All the ladies have purchased new dresses and gloves. The seamstresses have been working deep into the nights in preparation. Should make for an interesting summer."
"Interesting indeed." John playfully punched his friend in the shoulder but Christian was unflinching.
"And what about you, Miss Steele? Are you not a flutter as well?" He crossed his arms against his broad chest waiting for her response.
"Me!" She exclaimed, trying to hold back laughter as she looked up and down at her mud soaked dress and pushed a wayward hair from her brow. "I am nearly three and twenty an old maid by anyone's standards, nor do I have wealth or property. Nor a wish to marry. I think you are safe with me, Mr. Grey." She laughed wholeheartedly and the men couldn't help but join in.
"Indeed, I am. How long are you in Brighton?"
"For the foreseeable future. My father passed this winter and I am staying with my aunt."
"You're Aunt is Mrs. Hyde? She nodded yes "How are you finding Mr. Hyde?" Christian knew of the temperment of both Mr. Hydes. They were often cruel, usually vuglar and he worried that this sweet girl was left a sheep amongst the wolves. She began to speak several times with a furrowed brow, conflicted on how to answer. Should she be honest or should she answer with decorum. Both Christian and John felt her struggle and they fully understood her situation.
"Very well. They have been very kind to open their doors to me. I had never met my Aunt before I came here. She and my father were estranged. It was kind of her to take a stranger in." When Ana was nervous she would ramble on without thought to her words and today was no exception. There was a long and awkward pause between the new acquaintances and Ana felt her cheeks begin to redden with embarrassment. "Well, I have to be getting back. It was a pleasure to meet you both. Good day." She gave them a quick curtsy. The men both tipped their hats and watched for a moment as she walked away.
"Miss Steele." Christian called out, surprised by his own boldness. She stopped and turned back to him. "My sister Mia is in town, you should pay her a call this week. Perhaps tomorrow. I'll tell her to expect you?"
"Yes, of course, Mr. Grey. Tomorrow around noon."
"Wonderful." John looked at him, perplexed by his friend's unusual behavior. Christain looked back at him annoyed and turned to mount horse.
"Wonderful?" John teased, realizing any thoughts he had to court were out the window. Cleary Christain had plans of his own.
"Oh, shut up, John. Let's go."
