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…
Chapter 6
"So he only received three months!" Winifred shouted out in disbelief.
"Yes. Why are you so angry?" Joe said leaning to the side as he looked at Winifred confused.
"That seems so… little." She felt defeated. "I know I said not to expect any miracles... but still."
"No Winnie, it was good. This was a miracle. Some people never get any form of punishment at all. When I stepped out of the court I feel a sudden determination. A purpose." Joe looked in real high spirits. Winifred smiled as she rubbed the apple between her hands. "What is your purpose?"
"To stop animal mistreatment. I will not stand there and watch such things done. Once people see a small thing like me stand up, others will too."
Winifred and Joe were sitting in the field under an apple tree as they chatted loudly about the trial. It had been more than three weeks since Winifred had fell off Ginger. A lot of problems came to the surface including how she was found wearing pants. At first everyone was worried that the fall would cause Winifred to never walk again but thankfully that did not happen. She was bedridden for a week and slowly was able to walk again. Right after recovery she was sent to have a serious talk with her parents that led to yelling and some ear pulling.
Joe was not saved for being scolded at either. Even now he can still feel the sting on his ear every time a breeze passed by and the pain on his bum when he sat down. Winifred was forbidden from stepping outside and her riding with Ginger was to be delayed until Winifred learned responsibility. Joe was in a similar punishment where he was supposed to be in his room right after chores.
But today was a special day. Not because of anything in particular but because of the number of events. One of the daughters of the cooks who did cleaning around the house was giving birth, Winifred's mother was at the hospital with the squire. So Winifred was put under the watchful eye of Alfred who can care less what his sister was up to since he was far too busy grooming his horse to death and Joe was suppose to be under Senaida's watch who was far too busy helping bring a life into the world to be baby sitting a 14 year old who had just turned 15.
"Little. Why you're 15 now."
"Right, I am almost your age."
"I will be turning 17 soon so there will always be that two year difference."
Joe stood up and extended his hand out to Winifred. Winifred took it and walked down to where the horses were.
[A/N: I decided not to put their conversation in italics because it is hard to read]
"I still can not forgive myself Beauty! It is because of me and my foolishness!"
"Ginger, my dearest friend, stop tormenting yourself." Beauty said in a soft comforting voice. "Winifred knew it was a mistake."
"A mistake that almost killed her!"
"We all make mistakes. You wanted to give her a little bit of joy. You know how melancholy she is over marrying a man she does not love, her mother's illness and her confusion on what she feels for Joe. She tells us and the horses every day. She already lost her oldest brother four years ago and she knows her mother is next. You wanted for her to be happy."
"By the time I came, Master George had recently died. I heard James say the horse involved in the accident was your brother. Winifred would come to the fields and just cry. I never understood human emotions but I did feel sad whenever she cried so I knew what it meant."
"Yes. Rob Roy." He dropped his head down to his knees. "Mother said he was a good horse. I did not know he was my brother until I came to Birtwick Park. Yes, you start learning human emotion the longer you spend time with them. It was many years ago, maybe four. It was sad.. to lose someone because I was still a foal."
"It is sad to lose someone! I did not see her for so many days! I was sure she was dead and no one was telling me. Happiness should not come with that price. Oooh! I will not be surprise if she never wants to ride me ever again!"
"Ginger you are far too hard on yourself." Beauty went close to her and nuzzled. He started to breathe a little heavier and Ginger did the same. The two of them sharing the same breath calmed down Ginger.
"Thank you Beauty."
Beauty let out a low soft nickering sound.
Ginger felt warm inside. Beauty and Merrylegs were her dearest friends. Still, she was worried what Winifred thought. They have not spoken about the incident and as soon as Winifred was better, she acted on as if nothing happened. Ginger was filled with high spirits that morning she saw Winifred and knew that her friend was still in this world.
"You two love birds."
Ginger turned to see Winifred with an affectionate smile.
There they spend the day relaxing, talking and chasing the horses and each other.
It was almost time to round out the horses so Joe went to Beauty first. Beauty though bended his knees and crouched down.
"What are you doing?" Joe asked and turned to Winifred in hopes she may have the answer. Since she did not, he looked back at Beauty.
I want you and Joe to ride together
"Bareback?" Winifred said shocked to which Joe turned to her. "What?"
"I… think Beauty wants you to ride him."
Joe went up to Beauty and hopped on him. Beauty stood up and walked a few steps before bending his knees again before Winifred which caused Joe to fall over.
Joe rolled on his stomach and smiled at Winifred. "I think he wants you to ride too."
Winifred knew that but decided to act oblivious. "Bareback… and we are not exactly light."
"It would not hurt him, as long as we are not on him for long. I just wonder why he would want that. Never question a horse. Come on Winnie."
Winifred mounted Beauty first with her skirt hitched up to which Joe decided to look in the other direction. She tucked her skirt under and tucked them on the back sitting on her skirt. She looked at Ginger. She smiled and said. "I will ride you next." Joe mounted Beauty next.
Ginger's ears perked up as she let out a soft neigh. Beauty was right!
Why do you want them to ride on you Beauty?
I want Sir John to see how happy they look together. He is always scolding Joe for being friends with her
As soon as Joe was fully mounted, Beauty galloped off towards the stables. It was the first time Winifred and Joe have been rid a horse bareback just how they both felt like they would slip off.
Winifred was terrified as Joe let out a loud laughter with a loud "Woah, woah" sound whenever he felt he would slip right off. Winifred let out a scream, a combination of laughter and horror while she shut her eyes tightly when she heard Joe shout. "No, no! Not the sheets!"
They passed through two rows of sheets. Senaida would be furious, one sheet was enough but two?
"Sorry!" Joe shouted. It was now worst because they were riding without seeing where they were going but his only made Joe's laughter strong. Beauty made an abrupt stop which caused Joe to slip off first followed by Winifred with the sheets covering them.
As they fell with the sheets wrapped around them, Joe fell holding Winnie tightly so she would not hit the ground. As she lifted her head with the sheets over her, she turned. On top of Joe, she let out a loud laugh. Joe placed his hand behind her ear as he let out a strong laughter too. Joe watched as her face was pink and flushed with tears coming from the edge of her eyes. He gave a soft genuine smile as he said.
"Winifred, I really like you."
As Winifred tried to collect her breath she let out a cracked "What?" before Joe lifted his head up and brushed his lips against hers, with his hand he gently guided her down with him. Breaking the kiss, they looked at each other, pink at the cheeks before feeling someone pull up the sheets that were covering them.
Winifred looked up to see John standing there with a surprised look which quickly turned furious at the sight of the two adolescents on top of each other. Winifred stood straight up dusting herself.
"Joe!" He said turning to his nephew before looking at Winifred. "Miss Winifred."
Joe stood up in a split second. "Uncle, I can explain."
"What would your parents say? Your fiancé?" John ignored Joe as he looked at Winifred.
Winifred nodded. "I apologize Sir John, I was just riding with Joe—"
John turned to see Beauty. "Without a side saddle?"
Winifred cleared her throat. "Yes and Beauty went through where Senaida was…"
"Winifred just go back to the estate and we will pretend this ordeal never happened." John did not want to hear any further. He was not born yesterday and knew what was going on between the two of them.
Winifred nodded before turning to Joe. "Have a good afternoon Joe… you too Sir John."
Later that evening, Joe had finished his chores. He dare not touch his ear, it felt raw and the extra ear pulling from an already sore ear did not help. Sir John had a good talk with him followed by yet another beating. After that Sir John told him his father would know about this and it was followed by a cold shoulder the rest of the day.
Great. Another beating tomorrow. He was on his way to his room to have a small nap before supper when he was stopped by Alfred who was on Autumn's wind.
"Get changed, saddle up on Beauty and meet me by the fields. I need to have a word with you." Alfred did not wait for Joe to respond.
As Joe was in his room, he contemplated whether he should meet with Alfred. After the events earlier today, it was obvious what Alfred wanted to speak about. He did not want to look like a coward so he changed, went to saddle up Beauty and met up with Alfred who was waiting for him.
"Follow me."
Alfred was stern which was unusual from the happy-go-lucky personality he usually had. They reached an area by the river.
"We will leave the horses here."
Joe started to feel nervous but complied. He did not know what Alfred's plan was. He started to feel a bad feeling in his gut but it was too late to run. He followed Alfred who came to a resting spot by a tall tree who had yet not harvested apples. Taking a seat, he motioned for Joe to do the same.
Joe took a seat and looked out as the horse drank water.
"They will be fine as long as we keep an eye on them. It is too dark for them to run off. Now, the reason I called you out here was because…" Alfred took out a steel flask. "No one bothered to celebrate your birthday."
Joe looked confused as he stared at the flask. He seen men carry alcohol in them but with Alfred's strange behavior, he did not trust to drink it until he saw Alfred drink first.
Alfred laughed reading Joe's face even with the limited moonlight. "I am not going to hurt you. I wanted to talk and to celebrate your birthday." He paused and looked out into the water. "Sir John told me what happened this morning. I wanted to also tell you how much Winifred means to me."
"Please Master Alfred, I did not disrespect Miss Winifred in any-"
Alfred let out a soft chuckle. "I know you have not. Even with all the opportunities I have given you to do so."
"What?"
"I have given you and my sister many test to see what you two would do alone. You two are very boring and the most that happened was a kiss, which Winifred had some courage to do."
Joe looked straight forward as he started to breath hard. "You saw?" He started to feel his face burn quickly.
"Of course I saw! I always keep an eye on my sisters, whether they know it or not. I do care about them but the one I care and love the most is Winnie. Poor girl, she really is in love you know."
Joe looked down at his knees. He then saw Alfred drop the flask on his lap. "Take a drink, I bought mines too."
He took out a separate one. Joe looked at it skeptically to which Alfred took it in frustration, opened the cap and took a drink. "See? No poison."
"You drank that like bloody water." Joe said in surprise.
"Practice."
"That is not something to be proud about."
"True but it is not stopping me from gloating so do not waste your time preaching me like some Quaker."
Alfred gave the flask back to Joe. Joe took it and stared at his reflection on the steel. "This is going to be embarrassing but I have never drank before and I have seen the horrible things drunks have done intoxicated. I do not ever want to turn like that. The man that was whipping the horses was not in his right senses. He was a completely different man in the trial."
"All defendants are different in the trials." Alfred took a drink from his flask squinting a bit. "They want your pity in hopes that you would drop those charges. I have drank a decent amount and have never hurt anyone. Hurting an innocent animal has no justification. See Autumn's wind? I love that girl and trust her. She makes sure I get everywhere safe. Why, the other day, there I was riding her when she came to abrupt stop. I told her to carry on but she refused. I kept telling her as I tried to coax her. I did something I will always regret, since she did not listen no matter what I did, I lay a whip on her."
Joe turned to Alfred surprised.
"I had to. I needed to get to that party and she would not listen. Poor girl, still did not move and instead turned back. I laid the whip on her again. By the third time, I stopped. I would speak to Sir John so although I was angry we rode back home. I was cursing worst than a sailor only to find out that there were some thieves in that road who had killed one of the guests on their way there and took all their money. Same road about the time I was there. If I had gone any further, it would have been me." He took another drink.
"I went back to the stables and apologized to her. She was not so thrilled to see me so I asked Winifred for help. She is a crack at horses. It only took a few words and Autumn's wind at least allowed me to touch her again. We are building trust and just yesterday she allowed me to ride her again. I promised her I would never lay a whip on her again. I do not. I do not even carry it with me anymore. I gave it to father, explained my reason and he agreed."
"I noticed that too. About Winifred understanding horses. I wonder where she gets it from."
"Grandmama." He turned to Joe. "I hope I am not going to be here drinking alone."
Joe shook his head and looked at the flask before he took a drink. It was cold and bitter but it made his throat and chest feel warm. How can men consume this in amounts? It was like poison.
"Do not worry mate, after three drinks you do not even feel it anymore."
"Right, so your grandmother understood horses too?"
"Yes, she did. It was strange though…" Joe took another drink and looked at Alfred. "Strange how?"
"It was as if she… spoke to them and they understood her. Then mama started to say strange things on how she understood their language. None of us believed her because Grandpapa had died that year so we thought it had to do with her grief. Since no one believed her she would stay at the stables all day or out in the field. The same like Winnie does. But Grandmama stood there and would sleep there."
He raised his flask and bumped it with Joe's before taking another drink to which Joe followed. "It was horrible. The last straw was when I went to see one of the horses and found Grandmama eating hay."
"Eating hay?" Joe gasped in disbelief.
"Yes." Alfred breathed in as if he was holding back his pain. "Winnie was a child so she does not remember any of this. They took Grandmama away to an institution. Since Grandmama was very close to Winnie, she started to grief so we found a way to bring Grandmama back but we kept her in a room away from the horses until she died." He shook his head. "She found a way to escape and Winnie found her dead in the stables. Winnie, thankfully, does not remember all this."
"I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. Why do you think your grandmother behaved that way?"
"I think because we did not believe her. Maybe if we would have she would not have turned that way. She started to feel like… only horses understood her and even though Winnie believed her, she wanted someone who was not so gullible to believe her. I think Grandpapa believed her but with his death, she was alone."
Joe took a drink before he asked the next question. "Are you afraid Winifred would turn out the same?"
"My mother does. Winnie is too close to them. It is not the grass stains or all the new dresses and shoes mother has to buy every month because of her adventures. It is because Winifred spends so much time with them especially Ginger. It is like she barely spends time with us. I can not stand Flora, it is like having horse excrement on your shoe."
Joe was having his next drink that he almost spit out in laughter. Alfred was right, he barely tasted it this time.
"You know I am right. Jessica antics are at least still adorable. All she has to do is pout," He rolled his eyes and spoke sarcastically. "…and my heart just melts!" He spat out disgustedly. "She knows it too but Flora, help me. All she does is complain and her jealousy towards Winifred is starting to irritate them. I wish my father would marry her off already and make another man's life miserable. Better him then me. Even with all that, I spend time with her. Take her on boat rides because her fragile arms can not row even if I was to put a pistol to her head."
Joe laughed although it was not that funny. He swiped his mouth with his sleeve. He was wondering whether he should stop drinking now that he was ahead. Alfred noticed Joe's change in behavior and gave a sly grin.
"I guess in a way I am envious that Winifred found someone who loves horses as much as she does. Which is why I like you better than that doctor. I can never find the time to spend so much in the field. I like to do other things but Winifred, if she could, would play the piano and spend it with horses all day but that des not mean I do not want to spend time with my sister. She is my only friend and I do not want to see her get hurt."
Joe quickly turned serious at the last words. "I wouldn't hurt her Master Alfred. She is… my only friend too."
"I think at this point she is more than a friend."
"She is still my friend."
"Do you love her?"
Alfred saw the redness in Joe's check in the moonlight and knew it had nothing to do with the liquor.
"I do."
"But you know you can not be giving her false hopes Joe."
Joe looked down at the grass as he started to pluck it.
"You know that she will marry the doctor because she loves her mother and is her mother's last wish before she leaves us."
"Are you saying that Miss Gordon…"
"We all know. Our family motto is we always prepare ourselves for the worst…"
"So then why is she going from doctor to—"
"But hope for the best."
Joe bended his knees and rested his head on them.
"Joe, I just do not want to see her hurt. You have to end this before it gets serious. If it does, what is going to happen is that she will be hurt when she has to marry the doctor. She will be torn."
"Then why did you help her. You brought us together."
"I wanted to give Winifred the chance to be able to love truly for once before she had to be in a loveless marriage forever." Alfred stood up. "With love comes pain which Winifred should know. She read enough books to know the consequences of falling in love. Again, Happy birthday Joe." With that Alfred went back to his horse and rode back to the estate.
"Thank you Master Alfred." Joe went up to Beauty rubbing his down. "You must be cold boy. Let us go back to the stables."
The next morning Winifred was having tea with Alfred who looked like a truck had passed him.
"Are you alright Alfred?"
"I am. Just a minor headache. I know this may sound strange but, do you ever think about George?"
Winifred looked down at her tea. "I rather not. He was good to us but it is too much. The look on father's face will always be recorded in my head. He was his pride and I know how much that ate you alive."
"Don't think I celebrated his death Winnie but I did resent him. He was always trying to impress father, he was never a brother, more like a second father."
"George meant well. Everyone loved him; he was tall, handsome, well-spoken and charming. He was stern and followed father's orders with an iron fist. He looked so much like father when he was younger, or so my mother says."
"Now look, it is as if he never existed."
"You know the reason we do not speak of George is because my mother grew ill the following week."
Alfred finished his tea and poured himself more. "I spoke with Joe yesterday."
"About?"
"Your little love affair."
"Sir John told you?"
"Better me than my parents. Otherwise you would have been married off already. Dr. Thermometer-up-horse's arse is coming today."
"His name is Dr. Blomefield."
"You say it like I care. He really thinks himself something ever since he became a doctor. You should have seen him at that party. You better keep an eye on him, he was talking to Lady Elena a little too friendly."
"Alfred please, do not."
"Then again you are too busy with the stable boy to care. You tell that doctor he will never be nothing but the vicar's son even what he may inherit marrying you."
"Alfred!" Finishing his tea he got up. "Where are you going?"
"Your older brother was invited to a hunting party. They can not get enough of Autumn's wind. She is graceful and fast. I have never felt safer on top of any horse. I do not even look at that bloody Merryleg's way."
Winifred gave an amused smile. Alfred was awful. "To the joy of my little sisters, I can assure you. Alfred, really a hunting party? What joy can you get killing foxes and hares? George's death should remind you-"
"George died for riding a horse like a steam engine, something I would never do. For that reason I ask you not to tell my parents about this. The men have finally accepted me in their group."
"Alfred, I know you want to make friends and-"
"When you start feeling lonely without your horse friends and the stable boy, then speak to me about loneliness. It is a sad world when your only friend is your sister who has been too busy with her romantic interest to pay attention to you." As Alfred started to walk away Winifred stood right up walking after him.
"Alfred that is not true! You know you have been busy with your studying and going to those parties. I know you want to fit in, you want to fit in the family and our family friend's children. I feel the same Alfred."
Alfred stopped but still did not face his sister. "No you don't."
"Yes I do. At least you get invited to parties! My only tea parties are with you and mother. My mother tries everything because she believes it is because I am a late bloomer. I know how to behave, I just refuse to do so because it would not make a difference and I would hate to disappoint my mother who is practically loved by those people."
Alfred still did not face her. Regardless of their money, the squire's children have been outcasts. With their love of horses and all animals, country style life and their behavior, no one wanted to socialize with them. "Alfred, I love you."
He turned to Winifred. "I know you do. I love you too Winnie. You are my younger sister, my blood and I would do anything for you."
"Who cares if we do not fit in? I would not like to be with hypocritical people talking behind my back and neither would you. If they are accepting you merely because of the beautiful horse you have, it is not worth the company. You are one of the few people I have in this are…the only person who knows my secret."
"Winifred, the only reason I have kept that a secret is because I do not want to see what happened to Grandmama happen to you."
Winifred was hit with a cruel reality. "So, you do not believe me either…I…always thought you were teasing so others would not know."
"It is not that Winifred I just-"
"I trusted you. You know Grandmama was not mad." She turned around and ran back to the estate.
"Winifred!" Alfred should have ran after her but he decided he would speak to her after the hunting party.
It was late at night and Winifred was writing a letter to Alfred in her room. As she walked to Alfred's room to slip it under his door, a maid went up to her. "Miss Winifred, please come to the sitting room."
The maid's voice was so calm, it brought chill down Winifred's spine. She walked hastily towards the room. Before she reached the place, she saw her father walk out carrying her mother while he shouted. "Take the children to their room please!" His voice cracked. The nurse took out a crying Jessica followed by a quiet Flora. She stared at them hoping for an explanation but not receiving any.
She walked inside the room and saw Sir John, a young gentleman, Joe and Senaida who was crying hysterically.
"Sir John… my mother, is she fine? I just saw-"
Senaida looked at Winifred. "Oh no, child please. Just go upstairs."
"Why? What is going-" That is when she noticed Alfred on the coach. Stiff and pale, almost as if he was sleeping with his clothes muddy.
"Alfred!" She raced to kneel by his side and held him. "Alfred! What happened? Did he fall off his horse?"
As she pulled away she noticed blood mixed with mud on her dress. She started to breath hard.
It was the first time the young man there spoke. "I am sorry Miss. There was nothing we could do. A wrong leap, to catch a hare! We tried to warn him, it was a steep hill before the brook. His neck broke and… we had to shoot the horse. It was the only way to get it out of his misery."
Winifred stood quiet and looked at her brother. It was too much, just a few hours ago they were talking. She shook her head. "No, no no no no no no…" She started to shake him in hopes he would react. "NO NO NO! NO!" She held her brother tightly and cried bitterly. "NO! Alfred PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME! TAKE ME WITH YOU ALFRED!" Her voice softened as tears rushed down her eyes. "I can not do this alone! Please Alfred! ALFRED!"
"Joe please take her." Sir John said feeling impotent to break the siblings apart.
"Uncle John… I can't."
"Joe, do it now."
Joe came close and merely touched her shoulder to which Winifred swung at him letting out a loud shriek.
"Miss…" He could not talk as he started to cry.
"NO! GO AWAY!" She buried her face in Alfred chest. "Alfred…don't go..."
"Miss Winifred…" He touched her shoulder but this time Winifred did not respond. He shook her and felt her limp. "She fainted." Joe turned her enough to lift her with the assistance of the young gentleman who was there.
"I'll show you her room." Senaida said as she guided Joe.
Winifred saw herself riding Autumn's wind. She saw the hare, it went under a thick fence which was far to high to jump over yet Autumn's wind rode faster. The strong horse made the jump but the hare made a quick turn. There was a steep hill and the turn Autumn's wind tried to make was too quick. They could not see where they were going. A snap sound was heard as Autumn fell down the hill. She felt herself fall off the horse onto the brook before she felt an excruciating pain in her neck.
Winifred saw from the water as her body floated that Autumn's wind down looking straight at her. "Alfred!" Legs broken but caring about more about her friend.
Winifred managed to say "Autumn's wind…".
A gun shot was heard and the precious horse life was gone. Winifred felt dizzy as she saw the water around her turn red before she saw black.