The First Ride
It had been a week since Katherine's arrival in Port Royale, and already she had been quite the stir. People of all over the town were wondering who this fine young woman was. Norrington had personally escorted her around every part of the area he deemed appropriate, though Katherine made plans to investigate the less glorious areas at one point or another.
It was a bright Saturday morning. James was enjoying early tea as he read through one or two letters that he had received. One came from his mother in London, while the other was from an old Navy friend who was currently stationed in Virginia. Katherine also had a letter from England, and it lay on the table awaiting its recipient to wake up. James read through both and made some quick mental notes before setting down his cup and gathering his hat. The mission this morning was to assess Katherine's gift.
James stepped outside into the garden before turning and looking up at the second story balcony. Katherine was most likely still asleep, as the two of them had a late night at Governor Swann's dinner. I don't think I've ever met a man so much in love with the sound of his own voice, James thought of the Governor. Damn well talked me into a coma last night…Indeed, the Governor was up in arms about usual government news and had used his trusted Commodore as an outlet. Norrington rolled his eyes at the thought, then smirked as he continued on toward the stables.
Darby greeted James with a soft nicker as he walked in the fine stone building. He pulled a piece of corn from his pocket as he approached the stunning young animal. Darby's beautiful dapple-grey coat caught James's eye. It is a bloody shame they never stay that color, he noted to himself. He chuckled as the soft grey muzzle searched his pockets for more hints of food. "Well I think I know what the quickest way to your heart is," James joked of the horse's insatiable appetite. He reached up and gently patted the horse's neck before heading off to gather his tack.
James took great care saddling the young gelding as he made notes as to how the animal reacted to him. He took his gold-trimmed blue saddlecloth and practically threw it at the horse's side to test him. Darby jumped forward slightly in surprise, but rightly stood fast. Norrington was pleased. He repeated the practice around the horse's flanks and head, each time Darby giving only minimal reaction. "Good man," James approved and rubbed the horse's neck. He placed the cloth on the horse's back and put the saddle on top. Things were going beautifully until he discovered that the girth he had picked out did not quite extend far enough to reach the saddle. "I've waited an entire week for this, so you cannot tell me this does not fit…" James huffed in frustration. After a good minute of pulling and readjusting to no avail, he turned around and rummaged through older tack trunks, finally finding equipment large enough for the solid Irish horse. "If this does not fit, you're going straight back to Ireland," James stated sarcastically as Darby looked at him curiously. Once the saddle was finally secure, James gathered the bridle and threw the reins over the horse's head. Darby promptly threw his head in the air in one last desperate attempt to avoid work. James grabbed the horse by the nose and quickly bridled him as he offered another bit of corn as a reward. They were off.
James led Darby out into the enclosed paddock to assure they would be able to work in peace. He quickly brushed off his riding boots before checking the girth and letting down the stirrup irons. James mounted with care. Darby moved off immediately, perhaps before his rider was ready. "Patience there, sir…" James soothed as he held the horse back. Darby's attitude changed immediately once he had stepped outside. He raised his head and snorted quite loudly at the soft breeze. One week of daily turnout had still not quite expelled all of his collected energy. James merely shook his head and smiled slightly at the horse's awaiting exuberance. "Let me just establish a few basic rules first, seeing that this is our first ride…no biting, no rearing, no kicking other expensive animals or people, no throwing me into fences unless I honestly deserve it, and no flipping over." James nodded as he asked the horse forward. Darby's energy welled up and finally exploded at his rider's request, and he lifted his front end off the ground into a relatively shallow rear. Norrington instinctively thrust his hands forward to give Darby more rein and pushed the horse onward with his legs. The grey gelding responded by stepping right off into a bright canter. James smiled and shook his head as he allowed the horse to gallop off the energy. "Bad Darby…what did I say about 'no rearing?' Ireland is only a two month trip away, my friend."
Meanwhile, Katherine had just woken up to the sound of the breeze blowing through her window and …a horse snorting? Katherine quickly rose and threw on a robe as she opened the doors to her balcony. From there she could see the paddock where the magnificent grey was galloping about, undoubtedly with her brother aboard. What is he doing out there, riding alone? What, is he afraid someone will see him? Katherine laughed to herself as she retreated back to her room to dress and surprise James at the barn with her presence.
James was finding Darby to be a wonderful mount, once the explosiveness was reduced. He was large at 17 hands and solidly built like most Irish horses. But despite his size he was perfectly light in the bridle and responsive to all of his rider's aids. The suspension in his gaits surprised James, as did the level of training. For an imported six year old, Darby was exceptionally talented. James was putting him through some drills when Katherine showed up by the fence.
"Throw him Darby! Land him on the ground!" she yelled. Katherine burst out laughing at her brother's expression.
"He already has quite the handle on that, and doesn't need any encouragement from you!" James declared. He reined Darby to a quick halt before pivoting him around on his haunches to face Katherine.
"Well you're smiling so he can be all that bad, James," she jested.
"Impeccably well balanced," James noted. "We had a minor disagreement in the beginning, but we've since moved on. Would you like to have a go?" he asked as he swung down from the horse.
"No, thank you. It looks as if he's had quite enough already. I was planning meeting Matthieu today for lunch."
Norrington paused and looked at Katherine. "You're meeting Lievtenant Gillette for lunch, are you?" His tone was matter-of-fact and short.
Katherine sighed. "Yes James, I am. If you should like to come, you're most welcome."
James turned to her and flashed a sarcastic smile. "If you believe me to be overbearing, than inviting me to lunch is not the best way to get rid of me."
"You're not overbearing, just…You know what? I'm not having this conversation with you right now," Katherine declared. She did not know if she should smack James one or laugh at him. "I'm going to meet Lievtenant Gillette for a quiet lunch and perhaps a short stroll afterward. If you feel like you need to keep a leash on me, than you're welcome to join us. If not than I expect you'll be busying yourself with ships or horses or whatever it is that you do in your spare time," she finished with a smile.
"And when did the two of you decide upon this?" asked James as he loosened Darby's girth and ran up the stirrup irons.
"When we saw him two days ago while we were touring the Dauntless. Did he not ask you if he may take me out?"
James looked back at Katherine with his eyebrows raised. "Of course not. I would expect that a gentleman such as Gillette would be kind enough to seek me out first."
"Well perhaps he was busy and forgot. Or was too nervous to ask you. Personally I do not think I could put either past him," said Katherine with a sweet smile.
James sighed. "Matthieu is a fine man to have around. I just wish that if you pursue anything, that you do it slowly. You have a letter, by the way. It's on the table in the parlor."
Katherine looked back at James and smiled. "It's lunch James, he's not proposing. So may I call him 'Matthieu' or shall I call him by his full rank and duty number?" She grinned broadly as she taunted her brother.
James let out a slow breath and shook his head at Katherine. "Unbelievable," he said in his most sarcastic tone. "Do enjoy yourself. But I expect you to be back by two o'clock. Otherwise Darby and I will have to hunt the both of you down."
Katherine returned her brother's sarcastic grin. "Aye, Commodore!" And with that, Katherine turned on her heel and headed back inside to prepare for her rendezvous with Lievtenant Gillette, leaving James standing outside with Darby. He looked at the grey gelding and rested his hand on the horse's neck as he looked him in the eye.
"And I thought you were the rogue." James smirked once more before leading Darby back to the stable.
