Chapter Two
(The Trial Begins)
Two weeks later.
Emma was tired. She had just spent the whole morning schooling some horses, and since there was a bug going around the barn staff, she had helped clean some stalls too. Beamer still needed to be ridden and there was that new horse her trainer wanted her to try out. Emma wasn't sure about the new horse as he was very expensive and Beamer was still cleaning up in their division. Just because her mother didn't worry about money didn't mean that Emma never thought about it.
Dropping her bag next to the door, Emma snuck into the kitchen and got a glass of water. On her way out the door she snagged a cookie too. There would be time for lunch after her Spanish lesson. As it was she only had 15 minutes to get cleaned up before hand. Taking a short cut through the formal dining room, she heard voices coming from the parlor. "That's weird." Emma thought looking at her watch. "Seems like we are starting early today. I hope he isn't telling her about last weeks horrid lesson." She winced and crept closer to the closed door hoping to hear what was going on. Her mothers voice was easy enough to pick out but the guys voice wasn't right for her Spanish teacher and there was another girls voice in there too. Strange. Just then the pocket door slid open to reveal Letty, the housekeeper and cook with an empty tea tray.
"Ah!" Letty exclaimed quickly shutting the door behind her. "Get changed quickly. We have guests asking for you." Letty turned Emma around and pushed her towards the back stairway. "Hurry hurry! Mustn't keep them waiting."
"Okay. Who are they?" Emma asked looking at the closed door like she could see through it.
"Never mind that now!" Letty said exasperated. "Get changed and for pity's sake wash your hands and face!"
Emma quickly ran up the stairs and headed to her room. Grabbing whatever was on top of the pile (she would put those clothes away sometime) she went into the bathroom and changed her clothes. After quickly washing her hands and face she darted back downstairs and went around to the main parlor doors. Letty did a quick once over and then knocked on the doors before poking her head inside. "The miss is here now Madam. I'll send her in now."
"Yes Letty. That's very good. Bring some more tea would you."
Letty closed the doors and walked to the side table that had another tea tray on it ready to go. You had to hand it to Letty, she was prepared. She grabbed the tray and shoved it into Emma's arms. "Take this in now. And for pity's sake behave yourself and hold your tongue."
"Yes Letty." Emma replied as Letty opened the parlor doors and Emma went inside. She almost dropped the tray when she saw who was inside. It was Professor Xavier. This time another woman was with him and Hotness was missing. Emma was beginning to think that everyone who was with the Professor had to be a model or something because the red headed lady with him was stunning. She almost disliked her on site for that but she could see that her mother already felt threatened by the lady. Her mother tried to be the prettiest one in the room whenever possible.
"Good afternoon Professor." Emma said politely. "Would anyone like some more tea?"
"No thank you Miss Carter." The Professor answered. Pointing to the red head he added. "Miss Carter this is Doctor Jean Grey. She works with me at my school."
"Nice to meet you." Emma said while shaking Jean's hand. "I hope you weren't waiting long?"
"Not long. I'm sure you're wonder why I am here Miss Carter, may I call you Emilyne?"
"You can call me Emma…" Emma started to say before her mother cut her off with a sharp look. "…lyne would be fine Professor."
"Good; now as I said to your mother earlier. You made quite the impression two weeks ago and after some further enquiries we've learned you are quite the horsewomen."
"Thank you Professor." Emma said while trying not to blush. "I work hard at it."
"I'm sure you do. Now I happen to have an opening at my school for someone of your talents."
"But my grades suck!" Emma blurted out before clamping a hand over her mouth.
"Emilyne!" Her mother barked while managing to look like a bird with ruffled feathers. "Your grades are just fine. In fact your teachers were impressed with your grades last term."
"Impressed that I passed you mean." Emma grumbled softly. It seemed that the professor and Dr. Grey had heard her however. They seemed to be doing a good job of holding back their laughter. Schoolwork had never been her strong suit and riding did take up a lot of her time and energy. Emma figured she had just blown the chance of a lifetime with her big mouth. Letty had warned her to keep her mouth shut too. She would never hear the end of this one now.
"Yes, well." The Professor began still trying not to laugh. "We will be looking at your grades but we have found that out students grades normally improve when they're with us. We are a small school so the students get more one on one time that seems to help the less academically inclined students. In fact, we were wondering when you would be able to show us some more of your riding skills. Perhaps today?"
Emma glanced at her mother, who was giving a look that said you better say yes, and thought for a minute. She could use Beamer, which would be good as she could do a lot with her. If they wanted to watch her ride an unfamiliar horse she could always ride the new one. There would be other people riding today but the lessons were all beginners so there were no worries there. "Today would be fine. We could leave as soon as I change if you would like?"
The Professor smiled. "That would be acceptable. We can all ride in my car, Jean can drive and Emilyne can give directions."
"That sounds good. I'll just go change and be right down." Emma left the parlor and once she was out of hearing range, bolted up the stairs to change back into her riding clothes.
Just under an hour later they pulled into the stables parking area. Lucky for Emma, the Professors visit had meant her Spanish lesson was canceled this week. That in itself was a reason to celebrate. Turning in her seat so she could see both the Professor and Dr Jean, she said, "Just a few things before we get out of the car. Don't be afraid of King, he won't hurt you. Stay out of the stalls as some of the horses will bite and a couple of them will kick at you when they are in a bad mood. Since its beginners day, they'll be in a bad mood." Emma paused to make sure they understood so far. "Other then that you can just stick with me and watch I guess."
"That is why we are here Emilyne." The Professor interjected. "Just go about your normal routine and we will observe."
"Ok."
They climbed out of the car and then assisted the Professor into his chair before heading into the stables. They were almost inside when several sharp barks where heard and a massive black animal came running at them. Jean stepped in front of the Professor and put out her hand, ready to stop the dog in its tracks. 'No Jean. Just watch.' He said placing his hand on her arm. Trusting the Professor, Jean waited ready to react should she need too. It seemed that she didn't need to. When the dog was almost to them Emma called to him. "King. Stop that racket and come here!" The dog stopped barking and slid to a stop at Emma's feet. "Is that anyway to greet my guests? I don't think so. Now, how about you be a gentleman and sit quietly while I introduce you." The dog planted his butt in the dirt and quietly waited; staring at the newcomers as if to ask their names and what they were doing at his place. "That's better." Emma said patting the dog on the head. "King this is the Professor and Dr. Jean. Professor and Dr. Jean met King. The resident security force here at the stables. Don't worry he won't hurt you. He's really very sweet once he knows you."
"I'll take your word for it." Jean replied watching the dog that looked anything but friendly. "How about we head inside now?"
The Professor had seen all he needed to after the display with King but they continued the evaluation for another hour to keep up appearances. Returning back to the house, they dropped Emilyne off at her door saying they would be in touch in the next week or two with their decision. Happy that it was over, Emma went inside to scrounge up some food. She was famished after all that work and she had missed lunch.