A/N: Those of you who's not really familiar with horse terms. A lot is a
group of horses. When a trainer schedules a day's exercises for the horses
and riders. He divides the horses in to lots, which then head out to the
training grounds at the same time. A professional rider has everything from
3 to even 10 lots a day.
Chapter 2 Training Grounds
Buffy said her goodbyes to Willow letting her know she would call the first chance she got. Getting out of Willow's car, Buffy started her walk towards the huge, three-story main house. She looked over to the training grounds and spotted a few horses, going at a warm up pace in a slow canter. She smiled, happily thinking it would soon be her out there riding those horses. Her father would have loved it.
She noticed the green pastures that were filled with herds of yearlings, thinking this would be a great place to bring up Gypsy Lovers' foal. As she came closer she saw the huge barn that had to be where they kept the horses. A barn like that had to be able to hold 100 or even 150 horses.
Outside the main entrance of the stable she saw riders mounting up, getting ready to go at it. She practically couldn't wait for her to be one of them. As she arrived at the main house's entrance she rang the doorbell. Soon a man in his 40 s arrived behind the screen door. He had glasses low on the bridge of his nose and wore a tweed suit. 'He has to be British, it must be Mr. Giles', Buffy thought taking in his appearance.
"You're Elisabeth Summers I presume?", the British man asked.
"Please, call me Buffy. And you're Mr. Giles?" Buffy asked tentatively, hoping she was speaking to the right man.
"That I am, but you can call me Giles. Please, do come in", Giles said as he stepped away gesturing for her to enter.
"I'm truly sorry to hear about your father. He was a great man. I remember he once won a race for my father. It was one of the Ascot races if I remember correctly." Giles said as he proceeded down the enormous marble covered hall to enter a study. Buffy couldn't keep her mouth close as she marveled at her beautiful surroundings. "Thanks", she managed to reply in between her awes.
They took a seat "You will be quartered in this house with Faith, one of my other riders, my nephew William Eddington and me. I don't think it's appropriate for a young girl like your self to be quartered in the barracks with the rest of the help. I think you'll find out soon enough why I hold this opinion"
"Did you say Eddington, as in William Eddington? Three time in a row winner of the Epsom Derby?" Buffy replied her eyes wide in admiration.
"No, his son, William jr., affectionately called Spike. Anyway your salary will consist of room and board in addition to a 450 $ weekly paycheck. Of course if you're as skilled as my associate has told me, you will be racing in no time and will gain race fees and prize money as well. You're room is the second on the right, right side of the stairs, on the second floor. Any questions?", Giles asked her.
"Where do I sign and when do I start?", Buffy replied a bit astonished. It all sounded to good to be true. Giles chuckled at her enthusiasm. "How about you gear up and we head over to the stables. We can still catch the one o'clock lot.", Giles said. Buffy glowed in eagerness and happiness and ran off to get changed. She came down the stairs five minutes later fully equipped with jeans, short-chaps, security vest and her hair tucked underneath her helmet. She would look like a boy as soon as she put on the goggles, her security vest hiding her feminine form.
They headed over to the stables and Buffy soon found herself mounted on a huge, bay gelding with white socks named Unprecedented. Giles was mounted on a quarter horse to be lead for her until she reached the dirt track. "Now look, we're a bit late. The other's are just about finished warming up, but no worries warm him up, hit the dirt and see if you can catch the gray stallion over there. I want you to give my dear nephew a bit of a scare. Crowd him."
With that Giles released her horse and it immediately reared on her and started to buck. 'Oh no you don't. I'm not kissing dirt my first day', Buffy thought as she managed to calm Unprecedented to a calm trot. After ten minutes of warming up she hit the track. She spotted the gray horse half a lap in front of her and gently nudged her horse to fasten his pace. She soon had him in a fresh gallop and was gaining on William. 30 seconds later she was side by side with him and started raining her horse so it would go right and squeeze the gray horse in-between her horse and the rail that bordered the track. Successful at doing this, the other rider was soon forced to pull up his pace to let Unprecedented pass. Buffy looked back and grinned as she saw the angry look of the man riding the gray stallion. She finished her second lap and exited the track, heading back to the stable.
"Splendid job" Giles cheered her as she dismounted. Behind her came William. He dismounted his horse, left it to be taken care of by one of the stable boys. He tore his helmet off, revealing his peroxide blonde hair and threw the helmet across the courtyard as he angrily stepped up to his uncle and the menace he had encountered on the track.
"What the bloody hell was that about? Were ya tryin' to off me or even us? Because you bloody well came close. Are you completely off your knockers? Do you even." His voice trailed off as what he had assumed to be a boy, took off his goggles and helmet to let his long golden locks come cascading down his shoulders, to reveal a girl. SHE, was a very beautiful, hot looking girl. He swallowed before he continued softly. "You're a girl", he said making it sound almost like a question.
Buffy took in the view she was offered. She had never seen a better-looking guy, even though he was fuming. She looked into his sapphire eyes as they turned from blazing with anger, to wide-eyed shock, to darkening with desire.
"William! Meet Buffy Summers, she'll be working with us from now on." Giles announced.
"Aaah I see. You're Hank Summers girl aren't you? And my dear uncle was the one that put you up to that stunt wasn't he?" Spike asked his eyes narrowing, biting his lower lip to give her one of his trademark smirks.
"Yes and yup. Enjoyed it though", Buffy replied, still high on the adrenaline giving her the edge to be smart with him, while smiling seductively.
Spike reached out his hand to greet her properly; "By the way I'm." he started only to be interrupted by the call of a brunette coming out of the stables "Spike! Baby, did you see me out there? I was smoking" the brunette called heading towards them
'Baby?', Buffy thought disappointed. "No, pet, I didn't. Seeing as I was busy fending off for my life an' all that rot", Spike replied obviously not too happy with the brunette's presence.
"Faith! Say hello to our newest household member and teammate, Buffy Summers. Buffy meet Faith Jackson", Giles introduced them. Buffy gave her polite hi while Faith replied with; "What's up B?"
"Now that introductions are in order, might I suggest a bite to eat and a cup of tea, or coffee if that's you preference?" Giles asked turning towards the main house. "Coffee sounds of the good", Buffy replied and they all followed Giles into the house.
After lunch, Giles retreated to his study for some paperwork, Faith went to her room across the hall from Buffy's "to catch some z's", as she put it. She hated the early hours of this job and used the afternoons to get some sleep.
This left Spike and Buffy alone in the kitchen. Buffy felt awkward in the presence of the staring, gorgeous blond, now that her adrenaline rush was gone. He decided to relieve some of the tension that was building up and spoke
"You were great out there today, you know? I've never seen anyone pull speed like that out of Unprecedented. Contrary to his name he is quite, well precedented. But remember this, a bloody stunt like that in a race will in worst case cost you your life, best case get you disqualified, fined and or banned." While he talked to her he stared deep into her twinkling blue green eyes. He had never seen eyes that shade before. It continuously shifted depending on light or mood.
When they came in, she had changed out of gear, only to reveal that her petite form had luscious curves, and Spike couldn't help himself but glancing over her body appreciatively every now and then.
His effort to relieve tension had failed immensely. She just bottled up even more. First flattered, that he had complimented her on her riding skills. Second a bit scared at the thought of her first official race. He decided to try once more to relieve the tension.
"So. You got a mate back home?", he asked her. Buffy was a bit shocked at the very personal and very direct question and blushed a bit before she answered.
"Mmm. I did, I mean I sort of do. We decided to take a break before I came here", she lied and then mentally slapped herself at what she was about to do. She was going to let a complete stranger into her very personal life.
"Well that's not actually true. I wanted a break and he got all furious and left. You see, he sort of proposed to me 2 days before I left and to be honest I'm not ready for that. I mean, we've been together for 3 years and I should be able to commit, right? But the thing is I don't love him yet. I care about him and all, but love's not in the picture yet, but I believe that this time a part from him, will make me love him."
"Bollocks!", came Spike's response before she could finish.
"I beg you pardon?", Buffy asked incredulously.
"Look. You've been with the bloke for 3 years, right?" she nodded before he continued. "Right and you don't love him yet, then you never will. Love is something consuming, which catches you by surprise. You can't make yourself love anyone, pet. Love isn't brains. It's blood, blood screaming inside of you to work its will. Kind of the same that brought you here, leaving your friends and family behind. Am I right kitten?"
Buffy stared at him disbelievingly, remembering all to well her little speech on blood last night. How was he able to hit the mark so perfectly? Then anger flushed her features at the realization, that he was contradicting her in the matter of her being capable to one day love Riley
"One. That is the biggest BS I've ever heard. Two. Quit calling me pet, kitten or any other affectionate name you can come up with. Three. Why don't you go practice some of that love on your girlfriend instead of gawking at me with those.. Those stupid eyes. Four. You don't know the first thing about my capabilities." Buffy angrily spat out before stomping off to the stairs.
Spike sat stunned for a second before realization hit him. "What girlfriend, pet? And I'd love to find out what your capabilities are" He had reached the staircase by then and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively to her, at his last statement. She just growled at him and continued to enter her room and slam her door. Hard.
"What on earth is going on here?", Giles asked coming out of his study to see what all the racket was about.
"Nothing really. Think it's PMS", Spike answered a grin at his lips.
Spike practically bounced up the stairs to his room. Feeling quite satisfied with himself, being able to make Buffy all hot and bothered like that. 'Cor. She's beautiful when she's like that. I should tease her more often'
Chapter 2 Training Grounds
Buffy said her goodbyes to Willow letting her know she would call the first chance she got. Getting out of Willow's car, Buffy started her walk towards the huge, three-story main house. She looked over to the training grounds and spotted a few horses, going at a warm up pace in a slow canter. She smiled, happily thinking it would soon be her out there riding those horses. Her father would have loved it.
She noticed the green pastures that were filled with herds of yearlings, thinking this would be a great place to bring up Gypsy Lovers' foal. As she came closer she saw the huge barn that had to be where they kept the horses. A barn like that had to be able to hold 100 or even 150 horses.
Outside the main entrance of the stable she saw riders mounting up, getting ready to go at it. She practically couldn't wait for her to be one of them. As she arrived at the main house's entrance she rang the doorbell. Soon a man in his 40 s arrived behind the screen door. He had glasses low on the bridge of his nose and wore a tweed suit. 'He has to be British, it must be Mr. Giles', Buffy thought taking in his appearance.
"You're Elisabeth Summers I presume?", the British man asked.
"Please, call me Buffy. And you're Mr. Giles?" Buffy asked tentatively, hoping she was speaking to the right man.
"That I am, but you can call me Giles. Please, do come in", Giles said as he stepped away gesturing for her to enter.
"I'm truly sorry to hear about your father. He was a great man. I remember he once won a race for my father. It was one of the Ascot races if I remember correctly." Giles said as he proceeded down the enormous marble covered hall to enter a study. Buffy couldn't keep her mouth close as she marveled at her beautiful surroundings. "Thanks", she managed to reply in between her awes.
They took a seat "You will be quartered in this house with Faith, one of my other riders, my nephew William Eddington and me. I don't think it's appropriate for a young girl like your self to be quartered in the barracks with the rest of the help. I think you'll find out soon enough why I hold this opinion"
"Did you say Eddington, as in William Eddington? Three time in a row winner of the Epsom Derby?" Buffy replied her eyes wide in admiration.
"No, his son, William jr., affectionately called Spike. Anyway your salary will consist of room and board in addition to a 450 $ weekly paycheck. Of course if you're as skilled as my associate has told me, you will be racing in no time and will gain race fees and prize money as well. You're room is the second on the right, right side of the stairs, on the second floor. Any questions?", Giles asked her.
"Where do I sign and when do I start?", Buffy replied a bit astonished. It all sounded to good to be true. Giles chuckled at her enthusiasm. "How about you gear up and we head over to the stables. We can still catch the one o'clock lot.", Giles said. Buffy glowed in eagerness and happiness and ran off to get changed. She came down the stairs five minutes later fully equipped with jeans, short-chaps, security vest and her hair tucked underneath her helmet. She would look like a boy as soon as she put on the goggles, her security vest hiding her feminine form.
They headed over to the stables and Buffy soon found herself mounted on a huge, bay gelding with white socks named Unprecedented. Giles was mounted on a quarter horse to be lead for her until she reached the dirt track. "Now look, we're a bit late. The other's are just about finished warming up, but no worries warm him up, hit the dirt and see if you can catch the gray stallion over there. I want you to give my dear nephew a bit of a scare. Crowd him."
With that Giles released her horse and it immediately reared on her and started to buck. 'Oh no you don't. I'm not kissing dirt my first day', Buffy thought as she managed to calm Unprecedented to a calm trot. After ten minutes of warming up she hit the track. She spotted the gray horse half a lap in front of her and gently nudged her horse to fasten his pace. She soon had him in a fresh gallop and was gaining on William. 30 seconds later she was side by side with him and started raining her horse so it would go right and squeeze the gray horse in-between her horse and the rail that bordered the track. Successful at doing this, the other rider was soon forced to pull up his pace to let Unprecedented pass. Buffy looked back and grinned as she saw the angry look of the man riding the gray stallion. She finished her second lap and exited the track, heading back to the stable.
"Splendid job" Giles cheered her as she dismounted. Behind her came William. He dismounted his horse, left it to be taken care of by one of the stable boys. He tore his helmet off, revealing his peroxide blonde hair and threw the helmet across the courtyard as he angrily stepped up to his uncle and the menace he had encountered on the track.
"What the bloody hell was that about? Were ya tryin' to off me or even us? Because you bloody well came close. Are you completely off your knockers? Do you even." His voice trailed off as what he had assumed to be a boy, took off his goggles and helmet to let his long golden locks come cascading down his shoulders, to reveal a girl. SHE, was a very beautiful, hot looking girl. He swallowed before he continued softly. "You're a girl", he said making it sound almost like a question.
Buffy took in the view she was offered. She had never seen a better-looking guy, even though he was fuming. She looked into his sapphire eyes as they turned from blazing with anger, to wide-eyed shock, to darkening with desire.
"William! Meet Buffy Summers, she'll be working with us from now on." Giles announced.
"Aaah I see. You're Hank Summers girl aren't you? And my dear uncle was the one that put you up to that stunt wasn't he?" Spike asked his eyes narrowing, biting his lower lip to give her one of his trademark smirks.
"Yes and yup. Enjoyed it though", Buffy replied, still high on the adrenaline giving her the edge to be smart with him, while smiling seductively.
Spike reached out his hand to greet her properly; "By the way I'm." he started only to be interrupted by the call of a brunette coming out of the stables "Spike! Baby, did you see me out there? I was smoking" the brunette called heading towards them
'Baby?', Buffy thought disappointed. "No, pet, I didn't. Seeing as I was busy fending off for my life an' all that rot", Spike replied obviously not too happy with the brunette's presence.
"Faith! Say hello to our newest household member and teammate, Buffy Summers. Buffy meet Faith Jackson", Giles introduced them. Buffy gave her polite hi while Faith replied with; "What's up B?"
"Now that introductions are in order, might I suggest a bite to eat and a cup of tea, or coffee if that's you preference?" Giles asked turning towards the main house. "Coffee sounds of the good", Buffy replied and they all followed Giles into the house.
After lunch, Giles retreated to his study for some paperwork, Faith went to her room across the hall from Buffy's "to catch some z's", as she put it. She hated the early hours of this job and used the afternoons to get some sleep.
This left Spike and Buffy alone in the kitchen. Buffy felt awkward in the presence of the staring, gorgeous blond, now that her adrenaline rush was gone. He decided to relieve some of the tension that was building up and spoke
"You were great out there today, you know? I've never seen anyone pull speed like that out of Unprecedented. Contrary to his name he is quite, well precedented. But remember this, a bloody stunt like that in a race will in worst case cost you your life, best case get you disqualified, fined and or banned." While he talked to her he stared deep into her twinkling blue green eyes. He had never seen eyes that shade before. It continuously shifted depending on light or mood.
When they came in, she had changed out of gear, only to reveal that her petite form had luscious curves, and Spike couldn't help himself but glancing over her body appreciatively every now and then.
His effort to relieve tension had failed immensely. She just bottled up even more. First flattered, that he had complimented her on her riding skills. Second a bit scared at the thought of her first official race. He decided to try once more to relieve the tension.
"So. You got a mate back home?", he asked her. Buffy was a bit shocked at the very personal and very direct question and blushed a bit before she answered.
"Mmm. I did, I mean I sort of do. We decided to take a break before I came here", she lied and then mentally slapped herself at what she was about to do. She was going to let a complete stranger into her very personal life.
"Well that's not actually true. I wanted a break and he got all furious and left. You see, he sort of proposed to me 2 days before I left and to be honest I'm not ready for that. I mean, we've been together for 3 years and I should be able to commit, right? But the thing is I don't love him yet. I care about him and all, but love's not in the picture yet, but I believe that this time a part from him, will make me love him."
"Bollocks!", came Spike's response before she could finish.
"I beg you pardon?", Buffy asked incredulously.
"Look. You've been with the bloke for 3 years, right?" she nodded before he continued. "Right and you don't love him yet, then you never will. Love is something consuming, which catches you by surprise. You can't make yourself love anyone, pet. Love isn't brains. It's blood, blood screaming inside of you to work its will. Kind of the same that brought you here, leaving your friends and family behind. Am I right kitten?"
Buffy stared at him disbelievingly, remembering all to well her little speech on blood last night. How was he able to hit the mark so perfectly? Then anger flushed her features at the realization, that he was contradicting her in the matter of her being capable to one day love Riley
"One. That is the biggest BS I've ever heard. Two. Quit calling me pet, kitten or any other affectionate name you can come up with. Three. Why don't you go practice some of that love on your girlfriend instead of gawking at me with those.. Those stupid eyes. Four. You don't know the first thing about my capabilities." Buffy angrily spat out before stomping off to the stairs.
Spike sat stunned for a second before realization hit him. "What girlfriend, pet? And I'd love to find out what your capabilities are" He had reached the staircase by then and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively to her, at his last statement. She just growled at him and continued to enter her room and slam her door. Hard.
"What on earth is going on here?", Giles asked coming out of his study to see what all the racket was about.
"Nothing really. Think it's PMS", Spike answered a grin at his lips.
Spike practically bounced up the stairs to his room. Feeling quite satisfied with himself, being able to make Buffy all hot and bothered like that. 'Cor. She's beautiful when she's like that. I should tease her more often'