Disclaimer: Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a horse belongs to Anna Sewell and I am not making any profit with my fan fiction.
Horses speak softly to me
By: MovieDreamer
Summary: Based on Sewell's Black Beauty, Winifred Gordon is a 16-year old girl who has the gift of speaking to horses living in the 1800's living the tragedy of her mother's sickness, her arranged marriage, her friendship with Ginger and her love for a young stable boy…
Author's note: In this fanfiction I decided to use both elements from the novel and the 1994 motion picture.
Review responses:
Giggles85: I'm glad you like the characters and find it funny and entertaining
Anonymous: Thanks, I'll put in more excitement but I want it to involve the horses and human characters
Grrr...: I'll try to update more frequently :)
Lady Eleanor Boleyn: I will like I told Grrr, I even have the storyline already done lol
TeaGreenMoonHorse: Thank you, I put in mind to stick to the past tense but if you see many errors here please tell me. I'll also keep in mind to place who speaks, I am guilty of writing one person's action and in that same line have someone else talking. Sorry but thanks, I love constructive criticism because it helps me improve. :)
Eric123: I'm glad you like it! I'm working on improving
Chapter 4
Joe would visit Black Beauty every day at a paddock where he was placed to recuperate. Winifred had come to see how Beauty was coming along but when she saw Joe playing with Beauty she decided to watch from afar leaning on the fence. The two were too distracted with each other to notice her presence. Joe's laughter was heard loudly as Beauty's neighs were heard. "Catch me if you can Beauty!"
As they played tagged she heard Beauty shout. I'll get you Joe!
Joe hid inside the bark of a tree as Beauty tried to stick his head in. I can not fit in there! That is not fair! Come down! Come down Joe!
Joe climbed up sticking his head out from the top opening of the bark. "Can't you get up here?" He teased as Beauty neighed back at him.
How am I supposed to get up there?"
Winifred smiled and decided to walk back to the stables. She was still angry at how daring he was but she started to grow fond of him. When she would visit Beauty, he had stories to tell of how he looked forward to Joe's daily visits. As she walked back she saw her family getting ready for a riding party. She went to greet her governess who was giving her piano lessons that day.
Coming back from the paddock, Joe went to work whistling a happy tune as always. He started off by cleaning the harness. Joe wrinkled his nose as he scooped up excrement from the horse's stables. His uncle had come a few moments ago to take out the horses as the Gordon family were going to go to a riding party. As Joe held the shovel upright leaning on it, he watched from afar as the family settled.
He watched as Squire Gordon sat on his faithful horse Sir Oliver, the Mistress on Roger since Beauty was still recuperating, The two girls on Merrylegs while having their nurse keep a close eye and Alfred on Nancy, who was the training horse for when Gordon's children were learning how to ride. Joe watched them as the perfect family. They seem so unreal to him at times, as if they were a family painting rather than real people. The women dolled up and the men with their elegant suits.
That is when he noticed Dr. Blomefield on his horse. Joe rolled his eyes. Maybe it was envy that he felt towards the Doctor, but he did not care. He was not very kind to Joe and would at times come to the stables to order the boy around as to, as the Doctor said "avoid any further serious harm to the rest of the horses." He loved to act like the place was his when the squire was not in sight and no matter how expensive his clothes were, to Joe that man smelled worst then any horses' dropping.
As he watched the family ride away, he wondered if he could one day after much hard work, own a place like the Gordon's, have his stable of elegant horses and maybe if it is not too late, Winifred would notice him. "Right," He said turning to the horses in their boxes. "Like that is ever going to happen. Look at my Uncle John, been here since before I was born and why, I do not think he even has a place to drop dead." He breathed in. "But no need to be pessimistic that is my Uncle's life, not mine."
He wondered where Winifred was since she was nowhere in sight. That is when he noticed that Ginger was still in her box.
As he was bringing hay, he saw Winifred with her governess. Dropping it off at the stables, he saw that the governess had left and Winifred was walking around the estate a bit bored as she tapped her closed fan on her palm. As he grabbed his cleaning supplies to start cleaning the carriages, he decided he had an excuse to have small talk. He grinned as he noticed she had been avoiding him ever since he had stolen a kiss from her.
"Good afternoon Miss Winifred. I saw your family leave this morning, why did you not go?"
Winifred turned and shot him a rather rude look as if he had carried the stench of the horses' droppings.
"It's lovely to see you too Miss." He said sarcastically.
She scoffed as she slightly scratched her nose. "I did not go because I had piano lessons."
"You're terrible at lying. Is it that or because you're still not allowed to ride Ginger?"
"That is none of your concern!" Her face quickly turned from indifference to anger in a matter of seconds.
Joe crossed his arms satisfied with himself. "Do not get angry because I am right. It is a shame though that your younger sisters are able to ride without a problem."
Winifred started to fan herself. "If you came here to ruin the rest of my day, I ask you to please leave. If you do not I'll tell Sir John about your presumptuous behavior."
"Presumptuous? You say this now. You were not saying it when we sparking those days Beauty was sick." He said and took a step closer to Winifred trying to seem angry and tall.
"Sparking!" She started to fan herself faster. "On both occasion you were the one who hugged and kissed me!"
"You break me up Winnie. I did not see you fight it off." The fanning annoyed him and he grabbed her wrist. "Stop doing that! It is not even that hot out here."
"Let me go you… clodhopper!" She said trying to pull her hand away.
"Clodhopper?" Joe did not understand how this girl made him, someone usually very calm so furious with such small effort.
"Who was the one who almost killed Beauty? You're lucky my father did not send you packing."
"Oh and you are just a crack when it comes to horses? I heard when Ginger first came here, you almost killed her too by over feeding her!" He let go of her wrist.
"Who told you that?" Winifred's face started to flush as she rubbed her wrist.
"Ginger had colic for days! Who in their right mind feeds a horse almost a whole barrel of oats? Some great owner you are."
Joe knew he hit a soft spot because her face changed. The color drained from her face. "You know nothing! She was starving!" With that she turned and left back to her house.
Joe knew she was crying, he heard her voice break. He did not mean to hurt her, but the argument had become rather heated. He tried having a mental argument defending himself but he quickly gave up. He promised himself to apologize to her the first chance he had. He could not follow her. He went off to where the carriages were since he was already behind on his chores.
Winifred went to the living room where the piano was. She could have ran to her room but she decided to let out her hurt and anger on the piano. Either way with her worries about her mother, her governess had told her earlier that she was lacking. She took the music sheet. She decided to play Chopin's work. Her father loved the new genius composer.
As she started to play Prelude in E minor (op.28 no.4), Winifred wondered how she hid it so well that she can understand horses so clearly while her family carried on their own conversation without noticing Winifred's expression and the need to bite her tongue whenever she wanted to respond to something that was said.
Ginger was jealous of her mother's preference for Beauty. See, Winifred had learned not to tug too hard the rein. A light hand was all that was needed and a horse knew what to do, but Ginger's mouth had been spoiled by maltreatment and complete ignorance. That meant that Winifred had to tug a bit harder than her mother had for Beauty, yet Winifred try to keep a light hand as possible hoping that in due time, maybe Ginger's mouth can become well again. Winifred loved her horse dearly and would do anything so Ginger would not feel she was any less of a horse than one that had had the luck of being raised well. Yet for now, her father did not agree with Winifred riding Ginger especially to special gatherings. He was afraid that Ginger might act out and drop Winifred.
Winifred remembered how she became close to Ginger and how it was hard at first but then they truly bonded…
...
"What do you know about me? Just because you are an unusual human who can speak to me does not mean I will trust you!"
"But I do not wish to harm you; I picked you because even though you were thin and your coat dull, I knew you were a beautiful horse. Even if the seller said that you were better off to spend your last days in a carriage and the breeder offered my father young healthy colts, I saw something in you. I want to take care of you." Winifred took a couple of oats in her hand from a barrel. "No one has been able to feed you because you bite everyone, but I am not afraid."
Ginger snapped at Winifred only causing her to pull her hand away slightly. She was afraid but she wanted Ginger to like her. "You should be!" Ginger stamped her foot on the ground.
"I will not! I know what you have been through. I want to take care of you. I know of your horrible experience in London but you must trust me, my father is a reputable man who will give you the best treatment but if you keep hurting everyone that tries to help, I'll lose you!"
Ginger noticed as the girl's eyes glistened and slowly started to water. This human emotion was strange to her she had only known anger. "Or worst you will die here of hunger because you do not let anyone feed you." Winifred brought forward her shaken hand filled with oats. "I know what they did in London and I promise I will not let it happen to you. But you have to trust me. Am I not a woman? Had you not had a lady as an owner and even if I was a man, do we not deserve a second chance? Not all horses are alike and neither humans. Look around you, have you seen a horse that is mistreated or malnutrition? Give the Gordons a chance and I promise you, as long as you are with me, no one will do you any harm, they will have to harm me first."
Ginger looked at Winifred. "How do I know these are not just words?"
Winifred smiled as she tasted the saltiness of her tears as it rushed down the side of her lips. "There must be a reason you can understand me, maybe I am close to your kind than what we both may know."
"What's your name?"
"They call me Miss Winifred around here but you can call me Winnie."
"Winnie." Ginger let out a small snort. "I'll try, I'll try to trust you, but if I bite you… I want to apologize ahead of time. I can not help it sometimes; it was the only way they stopped from hurting me."
Those words broke Winifred's heart. "No need to apologize, I'll speak to father and he'll know what to do."
"Thanks Winnie." With that Ginger started to eat out of Winifred's palm. She smiled as she chuckled to herself. The oats were gone in a matter of seconds. "You were hungry, but no need to worry! I brought a whole barrel!"
Winifred smiled at that not too far memory. She stopped playing as she remembered what happened after.
"What do you mean father she is sick?" Winifred said looking up from her dinner plate.
"The horse doctor said she had terrible colic, James knows better than to feed a horse like that. You can kill the animal, but I'll have a talk with him after dinner."
"Douglas, dear, try to keep your thoughts out of that, I am sure the horse will be fine." Winfred's mother said giving him a soft smile. "Otherwise you will get sick from eating."
"Wait, James did not do anything." Winifred put her fork down. She turned to Alfred. "Alfred told me that Ginger was not eating because she was snapping at everyone. They could not even leave hay there"
"She was. It was like the devil was in her. So John suggested we bring in the horse doctor to feed her in the meantime since she was becoming rather ill. When the doctor came he said Ginger did not need any more food, she was ill from eating too much! Looks like James found a way but that was very ignorant of him."
"James did not feed her. I did." Her family quickly stopped eating. Little Jessica had let out a very loud gasp dropping her fork.
Her mother shot her a very stern look. "Winifred, you were at the stables again after I told you."
"I am sorry Mother but I was not going to stay there and watch her starve."
"And you Alfred, what business do you have telling Winifred such things?" Gordon shook his fork in Alfred's direction.
Alfred raised his hands up. "Father, I simply told her that Ginger was not eating. I never used the word starve." He rolled his eyes and continued eating.
...
Winifred had done her mistakes but Ginger was her friend. She had made a promise and was going to stick to it and nothing that stable boy said would make her feel she broke that promise. She decided to write a letter to James since it had been a while.
Joe had finished his cleaning chores and was walking back with a barrel of oats. Settling it down he started to open each stable to let the horses out. As he came to Ginger's box he petted her gently, he was cautious of her bad habit. "I say I will never understand that Winifred…Women." He jumped up the moment Ginger snapped. "Easy there girl!" He opened her door and she trotted by not even acknowledging him as she joined the other horses. "Great, even her horse is mad at me."
After feeding the horses, he guided each horse two by two into the fields for them to run about and drink fresh water. On his way to the stables he noticed Winifred pass by but decided to leave her alone. The rest of the Gordon family had arrived and with his uncle, took in the horses, rubbed them down and took them to the fields to join the others horses. When coming back the Squire asked him if he had seen Winifred. Even though he had he said he did not and continued to clean the stables.
Winifred had decided to go out in the fields where the horses were let out to write her letter. She knew her mother would have a fit when she sees the grass stains on Winifred's long skirt but for now she did not care. She liked the peacefulness the area brought. She looked at the apple tree and how some apples fell when the strong wind blew on them. The horses will soon notice after their long drink once they pass by. She got up and grabbed an apple before sitting down on her previous spot. She started to write to James about Beauty's great rescue, Joe's mishap and Beauty's recovery. Once she was done she started to fold her letter into an envelope when...
"Your mother will not be pleased when she sees you here. Where are you supposed to be?"
Winifred looked up and noticed Joe with his equipment ready to reel in the horses. "Why do you care?" She took a bite of her apple.
"Rude are we? Very well, I guess next time your father asked if I have seen you, I will not lie and laugh when he disciplines you." Joe squinted his eyes as a gush of sunlight came over him.
"Are you always this much a nuisance?"
"Coming from you, I will take that as a flattering remark." He gave his signature smile that Winifred simply rolled her eyes to even though inside she felt her stomach flutter. Getting up she saw Alfred coming from the distance with a letter in his hand.
Once Alfred had reached them, he gave Joe the letter. "Father wants you to take this letter to Sir Charles. He said to saddle up Beauty and head there as soon as you are done reeling the horses in." When Joe took the letter, Alfred gave Winifred a mischievous smile. "Why Winnie, what are we doing here? Alone. With the stable boy."
"Spare me your naughty thoughts please." Winifred said as she stood up and passed Joe and Alfred.
Alfred chuckled as he turned to Joe. "She's nicer than she appears."
Joe shook his head. "Could have fooled me."
"Ah, but with beauty we tend to forget all the nasty flaws, are I not right Joe?" Alfred cocked an eyebrow as Joe started to turn the color of apples.
Clearing his throat he put the letter in his pocket. "I have to reel in the horses and take this letter to Sir Charles. Nice talking to you Master Alfred." With that he turned and walked quickly.
Alfred smiled wider as he went off to stalk Winifred to bother her some more.
Joe was coming back from delivering the letter, going at the pace his uncle told him to go at. The road was lonely so he decided to have a small talk with Black Beauty.
"That Alfred likes to tease much doesn't he? I mean it; they are like the perfect English family. Never having to work a day in their lives except for the Squire but the rest get to live in lap of luxury." Joe sighed. "I really do not know what I see in Winifred. She's always so nasty to me when I never did anything to her. Yet, that day you were being treated, the way she treated me, it was like seeing a new side of her. I think there's more to learn about her."
Winifred is like Ginger. Mean spirited and vicious but beautiful and kind.
Passing by the brick field, his thoughts were still on Winifred when he heard the sound of painful neighing. As he came closer he saw where the sound was coming from. What Joe saw broke his heart and Beauty's as well.
There was a man whipping his horse merciless as the horses tried to move the cart that was so filled with bricks, that Joe did not know whether to be sad or amazed that the horses were still standing. Getting off Beauty he patted his neck as he whispered. "Stay here."
Racing up to the man he said. "Hold hard!" He watched as the horses strained, he watched as each of the horses muscle was so tense and the coat filled with sweat, for such a chilled day. "Do not go flogging the horses like that! The cart is way too heavy, I can help you unload."
The man stopped only to look at the small boy just to grunt at him. "Stay out of my way boy!"
Joe pulled back and noticed that the cart was stuck in mud making it impossible for the cart to move. "I pray stop! The wheels! They are stuck, if you only let me help you—"
The man jumped off the cart and without giving Joe a chance to back away; he grabbed him by the collar pulling him up. "Listen here you impudent young rascal!" Joe closed his eyes as he smelled the stench of whiskey coming out the man's mouth. "Mind your business and I'll mind mine. If you do not, you'll be the next one to feel the lash of my whip." With that he threw Joe to the ground, getting back on his cart and with towering passion whipped the horses mercilessly.
Joe stood on the ground only a moment as he saw the dark whip glistened with what can only be blood. He started to breath hard, shut his eyes and wanted nothing more but to choke the man but he quickly snapped out of it. Joe got up, filled with rage and ran back to Beauty. "Come on Beauty, we're going to the brick maker's house." Getting on Beauty, he could have sworn Beauty had been filled with the same rage and they both rode at a pace that his uncle would surely have his neck for, but he did not care. Reaching the brick maker's house, he jumped off Beauty and raced as he nearly struck against the door.
"Mr. Clay! Hallo! Is anyone home?" He banged the door hard, almost rudely as Mr. Clay opened the door and had the young boy fall into his arms.
"Lad! Is my field on fire? What is wrong? Does the squire need an urgent order?"
Joe stood straight up. "No Mr. Clay, if we do not hurry, two horses are going to die. A man outside is flogging two horses to death. I tried everything, requesting to unload the cart, I told him to please stop but he will not listen! Please, Mr. Clay maybe he'll listen to you."
Mr. Clay ran inside to grab his hat. Placing it on his head he turned to Joe before racing off. "Thank ye young man. Will you give evidence if I should bring this fellow up before a magistrate?"
Joe nodded. "I will and gladly!" With that Mr. Clay ran off. Joe got on Beauty stroking him. "We did good did we not Beauty? Why, did you hear Mr. Clay? He called me a 'young man'."
Because now, you are a man Joe.
As Joe got back home, his uncle came to greet him. "There Joe, were you able to send the – what's the matter? You look angry all over!"
Joe flung himself off the saddle before placing Beauty back in his box. "I am angry all over! On my way back from Sir Charles…" Joe started explaining in a loud and excited voice still with a hint of anger of everything that happened. John listened quietly. Proud of his nephew but John kept it to himself. Beauty nodded his head as if agreeing to his story. Once Joe was done, he looked at John not sure if he had done good or bad.
John patted firmly Joe's shoulder. "Right, Joe! You did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their business to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy. I shall speak to your father when he gets here. That was a noble thing you did lad. I'm proud."
...
"Well you are going to be happy with some news I heard?"
Winifred put her book down as she saw her brother with a wolfish grin. "I am not up to dealing with your schemes Alfred."
Alfred took a seat next to Winifred as he snatched the book off her hands. "Father informed me we are having two special dinner guest tonight. I say you stop reading and go do whatever is it you women do to look pretty. Flora is already beating you to it."
Winifred snatched the book back. "Who is coming that I have to primp myself up for?"
"Why, your secret lover Joe Green."
"Do not even joke in that matter! If father, my mother or Dr. Blomefield heard you-"
"Calm down little sister. I do not joke." Alfred spoke in a rather bored voice. "Looks like Joe is a horse lover just. Like. You." He jabbed Winifred's arm. "Stood up to a man who was flogging two horses to death. I would have just mind my own but not Joe, he stood up to the man. I bet you are so proud." He teased. "He will be awaiting his kiss."
"Excuse me?"
"Why he did a noble thing, you can at least prize him that way." Alfred started laughing.
"You are very cruel Alfred." She stood up placing the book on the shelf. "See you at dinner Alfred."
She continued hearing Alfred's laughter as she shook her head and headed to her room.
When it was close to dinner, Joe and John started to clean up and made sure the horses were covered with enough food and water for the night. As they headed out, the footman came down to the stable to say that Joe and John were wanted.
"The Squire has asked for you two to join him and his family to dinner."
Joe and John washed up quickly and both with very embarrassed faces went to the grand house for dinner. They were greeted and asked to sit down.
As Joe took his seat he looked at Winifred who looked too shy to look anywhere but at her plate.
The Squire cleared his throat to get his children's attention who were in deep conversation. Once they quiet down he said. "Well, you might all be wondering why Joe and John are joining us today. I think I would like to give my children an example as well as thank young Joe here for what he has done. There was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was wanted. See children you should never be afraid to stand up to injustice. If you see a person or animal terribly mistreated you should always say something."
The mistress shook her head as the Squire took her hand. "So Joe, will you be able to go to the court tomorrow morning to give evidence?"
Joe flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. "They shall have it," Joe knew as the Squire was the country's magistrate that something will be done.
The Squire whispered to his wife and Sir John who were on his two sides. "Terrible, from what I hear the horses have marking of the mistreatment."
As Joe turned, he saw Winifred looking at him. As their eyes caught each other for moment, she gave him a warm genuine smile. Joe started to feel his face turn red down to his neck. He returned the smile before quickly looking down. Winifred did the same.
Joe observed the family, Jessica asked a lot of questions some that he really did not know the answer to but made something up because she seemed bothered if he did not know the answer. Flora tried to start conversation with him but he was quickly distracted by Jessica or how she preferred "Miss Jessica." Alfred was clearly a joker but he mostly spoke to Winifred out of everyone else. The Squire, mistress and his Uncle were laughing through nostalgic jokes. His Uncle was here since he was a child and always tells Joe how the Squire had always been good to his family including giving him work and his disabled sister a place to sleep without having to pay.
After dinner the adults went to the sitting room, while the children including Alfred and Winifred were taken to a separate room for their tea. The Squire wanted to speak a few serious things away from the younger children's ear. The nurse went to take Jessica to bed so Joe was freed from her questions. She was adorable though which made it forgivable. As Jessica was taken away Flora came up to him dropping a chocolate truffle on his palm. "Here you go."
Joe looked at the truffle and thanked her.
She took a seat quite close to him. He tried to keep his distance afraid the Squire might slaughter him if he walked in and watched what was going on.
"So are horses your favorite animals? They are mines! I just love them especially ponies!" She said placing her hand on his shoulder.
Winifred watched from afar amused by Flora's advances.
"I have to say our little Flora is quite the whore."
Winifred turned to Alfred who took a seat next to her. "Alfred!"
"Well it is the truth. I mean look at her." Flora's laughter rang loudly in the room. "Her hands are all over him, it is disgusting really." He took a sip of his tea.
"I do not know why you are so resentful towards our sisters."
"I have the right. They get everything yet I do not even get my own horse. I had to take Nancy to a riding party. Can you believe how embarrassing that is? Nancy is like a horse for children who are just learning to ride. They might as well have had me side saddling with Merrylegs wearing ribbons!"
Winifred almost choked on her tea from laughing. "Alfred it is not that—"
"Yes it is. I was the joke to all the gentlemen and not a single lady wanted to speak to me. I will be living here till the age of 40 at this rate!"
"Alfred, that is not true. You have always had luck with the ladies and a horse is not a fashion item. If you can just prove to father that you are not 13 anymore he might consider. He just does not want you to treat a horse like some toy or a steam engine."
"Winifred, you know I will never mistreat a horse."
"Right, Mr. I would have mind my business."
"You know I said that to tease. I think it's noble what Joe has done. Honest. I know you are impressed too. You should have seen your eyes at the dinner table. I do not blame you, but I do not find the point if Father always treats me like a child I will act like one."
"You really love Father." She said in a sad voice.
"You know I do Winifred. I just wish he would love me back. Like he does with you. He takes you with him when he goes riding and even tries to keep you happy by having Ginger here even when she bit half of his employees."
Winifred took a sip of tea. "I will be back. Do not get angry." She hugged Alfred and went to where the adults were. She cleared her throat as they were laughing.
"Excuse me, I apologize. I just need to speak to my father for a bit. I would not take long." She ignored her mother's disapproved face.
The squire stood up. "Excuse me. I will be back." Standing at a corner of the room he looked at Winifred worried. "Is everything okay my love?"
"Yes, it is. I know it sounds silly but I have to say this now. I just… I know you told us at the dinner table if we see an injustice we should speak up."
"Of course, so what is it?"
"Well see, I wish you would be a bit kinder to Alfred. I am sorry if that was too bold but I have to say it. I do not understand why you two would not get along. He really wants to get along with you. He is a lot like you. I can tell from Mother's stories. I think we just forget how it is when we are young. Like I get sometimes annoyed by Jessica's antics but I was probably worst when I was younger."
The squire nodded his head. "But Alfred has not shown me he wants me to respect him, if anything he comes up with something more to cause me headaches."
"He acts like that because of how you treat him. You should maybe do something; give him some form of responsibility to prove himself to you. All he truly wants is your approval."
The squire smiled. He was just and was willing to give his daughter's idea a try. It was awkward for that era for him to even consider listening to what his daughter had to say, but she was the apple of his eye. "I guess you are right. The boy is eighteen. I think I can give him a chance, what do you suggest we do?"
Winifred let out a sigh of relief and smiled to hear that her father was going along with it. "I say it is time to trust Alfred with a horse." She wondered if she was pushing too hard but when the squire agreed she jumped to his arms to hug him. "Thank you. I promise you will see a change in Alfred."
"Okay my love. I need to get back to my guest. Are you going to sleep?'
"No, I'm going to finish my tea and then go to bed."
"Okay, good night."
"Good night."
With that Winifred almost raced to the next room in hopes of telling Alfred the good news but only found Joe by himself finishing his tea.
"Where Alfred and Flora?'
Joe looked up at Winifred and stood up. "When you left Alfred told Flora it was passed her bedtime. They got in a nasty argument and she went off to her bedroom while Alfred followed."
Winifred sat down. "Those two. Always arguing. I'm sorry you had to see that."
"It is okay. I can see Alfred gets along well with you."
"That is because we are both the oldest so Alfred grew up protecting me. I wanted to say that was very brave of you Joe, what you did."
"I am sure Miss you would have done the same." Joe went to take a seat next to her.
"Miss?" Winifred giggled. "We are always switching formalities. I am sometimes Miss Winifred and other times I am Winnie."
Joe smiled. "Which one do you prefer?"
"I guess we can try to be friends. You can call me Winnie."
"Okay. Winnie. I wanted to apologize for what I told you about Ginger. That was out of line. You are a good owner and I guess I was really angry."
"Do not apologize. I think we were both wrong."
"If you want. I can teach you to ride her so you can go to riding parties with her. I am not the best but I have ridden horses all my life."
"Okay Joe. Thanks, just tell me whenever you are not busy." She cocked her head to the side. "I think you proved yourself today, why I think that is why you look taller!" Winifred started laughing.
"Am I?" Joe said in an excited tone.
"Yes! I say about a good two inches."
Joe stood up. "Hm, you think?"
Winifred stood up standing in front of him to compare heights. "I say you are. You use to be my height and now look you can probably see over my head."
Joe took at the tip of his toes with his chin up as Winifred laughed harder. "That is the height you are going to be when you come back from trial."
Standing normally Joe said. "So I guess you grow an inch for every dignified thing you do."
Winifred nodded. "Of course. I am amazed. You are no longer little Joe Green. I'm just… I'm very impressed." Winifred's face started to flush. "I'm…" She started to glow red as she shook a little.
Joe looked worried getting closer to Winifred. "Are you okay Winnie? Do you need me to get your father?"
"No," Winifred smiled looking up at Joe.
"Are you sure I can—" Joe did not know at what moment Winifred's lips touched his. He was too shocked to do anything when he felt her back away.
"I'm sorry. I should not have done that. Have a good night Joe."
"Winifred…" She rushed out the room as Joe stared at the door. Winifred raced out to the stables in the night. Finally reaching Ginger's box, she cried. "O Ginger! This was not supposed to happen!"
Ginger jumped up. She was having dreams about a certain handsome dark horse but quickly forgot it. After a while of living around Winifred she had learned to understand human emotion. "What is wrong?" She said looking worried.
"Ginger…My mother is terribly sick and wants nothing more but to see me well off and married to the Doctor."
Her cries had woken Beauty up. "Miss Winifred, I do not like Dr. Blomefield much. He is rather nasty to the workers especially Joe."
Winifred wiped her tears but more came out. "It does not matter. I am engaged and suppose to respect him. I can just simply ask for him to treat the others nicer. My father is so proud of me. He would feel so disappointed with the truth. Ginger! Beauty! I do not know what to do."
Ginger shook her head. "What truth?"
"Yes Miss Winifred." Beauty said stretching out his neck.
"I am in love with Joe."