To those who have been following this story: first of all, thank you so much for your support and for your comments that I wish I could reply to. Second, since Lady Caroline's mare is becoming a more important character in this story than I had anticipated, I have decided that she needs a name. And so, without further ado, I have christened her Regina for no other reason than that I like the name Regina. Also, Regina is a dapple grey, if you haven't noticed her in the movie.
Just in the nick of time, Caroline checked her sigh of impatience and, slowly, very slowly, shifted in her chair. The room was silent except for the soft snores of the Dowager Queen who sat reclining in her armchair, head leaning back and mouth wide open. Caroline lifted her hand to hide her smile for the old queen's position was so undignified. But one simply cannot amuse themselves for hours at a time by watching an old lady snore. Again keeping back a regretful sigh, she turned her eyes wistfully towards the open window. The sun was casting a golden glow onto the landscape beneath, the wind was blowing softly, and the song of birds seemed to be calling to her, calling to come out of the dreary, dim rooms of the palace to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her face. Her wish, however, must indeed have been heard for at that moment, the door opened softly and the younger Queen entered, shadowed by Lady Susan, her favorite attendant. Caroline rose and curtseyed, murmuring the appropriate greeting to her aunt.
"Caroline, dear," the Queen swept forward gracefully. "You have been long in attendance here. Perhaps you would enjoy a few hours to yourself?"
"Indeed, I would be most grateful, Aunt Elinor," Caroline spoke politely but a smile lit her face. "I had been so longing for a ride through yonder meadow, if that would be permissible?"
"Queen Elinor pursed her lips and frowned.
"I am sorry, my dear, but I am afraid you cannot leave the palace grounds without a proper escort."
"But surely an escort could be found?" Caroline protested eagerly.
"Well, now that I think of it, perhaps…" the Queen paused a moment. "Edward is at his studies just now and is not in need of his companion. Perhaps John could accompany you. I'll send for him straightaway."
Just a quarter of an hour later found Caroline out at the stables, dressed in her riding habit, eager for a good hour's ride. John led Regina from the stables and presented her with a bow.
"Your horse, Lady Caroline." He helped her mount, then turned to his own chestnut gelding. "I'm afraid we must ride rather slowly until we pass the palace gates," he informed her. "But once we get out into the meadow, you can ride fast as the wind!"
Caroline laughed as she reined Regina around to follow him. She had certainly never ridden fast as the wind. But perhaps a dignified canter…
She changed her mind, however, as they reached the edge of the grassy plain and John urged his horse faster and faster. Bending her head low over Regina's neck, she tried to match his pace. Once he turned back, shouting over his shoulder to her.
"Have you ever galloped, milady?"
"No," she called back.
"Would you like to try?"
"Yes!" she cried eagerly. "But my name is Caroline!"
He made no reply as his horse swept far ahead. Throwing up her head with a whinny, Caroline's mare followed and the girl hung on for dear life as the horses sped along the meadow till they seemed to fly. The wind swept past, tossing her hair wildly about her face as a few golden strands slipped from her carefully neat style. She was thankful that she had pinned her hat on securely for she certainly would have left it far behind. Never had she spent such an exhilarating few minutes and her eyes fairly shone as she at last drew up beside John, breathing hard with exertion and laughing with the sheer joy of the flight.
"You liked it?" he grinned.
"Very much!" she gasped. "I've never felt anything like that!" She dropped the reins and sat back in her saddle, weary from the run. "I suppose I must go back now," she added regretfully. "The queen will be cross if she wakes up and I am not there."
Reaching over, John caught up Regina's bridle and led her along as he turned back to the palace.
"Perhaps we could ride again, sometime?" Caroline ventured, hopefully as she twisted her fingers in Regina's silvery mane.
"Perhaps," he turned back to smile at her and her heart suddenly seemed to beat faster for a moment though why it would do that, she could not imagine. Perhaps she was just overly tired.