A/N: In honor of my 5th anniversary with my very own Sir Percy, I am sharing this little fluffy one-shot. I wrote this after a particularly nice date in 2018 - he had just purchased a soft-top convertible, manual transmission Miata and we had taken it to downtown Annapolis, enjoying ourselves immensely - and as I sat, all dreamy with love, I couldn't help but compare my day to something Percy and Margot might have shared. The following is what resulted from my daydreaming comparisons. This could be set during their courtship, or it could occur between Percy's rescue missions after their reconciliation. It doesn't really matter. I've left it vague and up to your imagination. Enjoy!
It was the most perfect April she had ever seen. Instead of the usual unpredictable cold spells and even less predictable rain showers that intruded wantonly upon one's fondest plans for outdoor amusements, the air had warmed gradually. The rains moved through in occasional swathes of several days, followed by days of the most beautiful sunshine companioned with playful, crisp breezes. These breezes stirred the trees, whispering and murmuring through leaves of brightest green so freshly unfolded to the glorious season embracing them. Every flowering plant rejoiced and put forth twice as many fragrant blossoms as in spring-times past. The common deer moving through the thicket seemed nobler, surrounded as they were by such glimpses of heaven. The birds seemed brighter, full of cheer and hope as they found mates and began work on their hidden nests.
Or, perhaps, this April seemed so perfect simply because love had found a place in her heart, and it was growing at a rate threatening to overtake even the most glorious tree or field of blossoms.
She acknowledged this thought with a smile as she traipsed down the stairs to wait at the gravel driveway. Even winter had not been quite so drear as she used to recall it, but still, this April could be rivaled by no other. Of that she was certain. Her attire had been much deliberated, seeking to balance beauty with practicality, for today she was to take a carriage ride with him – and one could not always reliably predict the destinations, nor the activities that might be inspired of a playful moment or a spontaneous whim. She wanted to be ready so that she might savor everything and that no opportunity would be lost. Her dress reflected the simplicity of a spring flower but was of a color that she knew would not be easily overcome with road dust. Her shoes were dainty, but also sturdy, and ready for a prolonged stroll. Her hat was small and well-fit, in anticipation not only of the wind to be generated by the carriage ride, but also of the wind that had been whipping up and cavorting around since early this morning. To this end as well, she had selected a snug wrap for her shoulders and neck. Yes. M'lady was ready.
And she had not long to wait.
Within moments, the sound of hoof-beats and carriage wheels reaching the gravel surface of the drive alerted her to the arrival of her love and less than a moment later he had pulled up alongside her in a shiny new phaeton. It was constructed in the best of modern sporting style with light and curving box mounted upon four large wheels and pulled by a sleek pair of greys.
An involuntary exclamation of delight escaped her at the sight of this new equipage. Here was promised great sport indeed. It also pleased her to see the personality of the owner reflected in simple details. A taste for quality. A love for fun. Yet an absence of gaudy show. Such were qualities in him that she held dear and so could not help immediately loving his new purchase even if many might consider it a foolish extravagance.
In an instant he had secured the reins and sprang lightly from the seat to reach her side. It was evident in his smile that there was no doubt he knew his real prize was not a fine pair of steeds or a sporting carriage and a twinkle in the corner of his eye bespoke of his anticipation for the day's outing.
What did m'lady think of the phaeton and pair?
Oh they were marvelous! Did they drive well?
Did they drive well? They drove with the speed and strength of mythical creatures yet so gentle, even a lady could take them in hand and they would obey her every command.
A lady indeed?
Would m'lady like to drive them herself?
Would she? But of course! Though, she would much rather he take the reins first until they were out of sight of the servants, lest she blunder and drive over the flower garden.
With a laugh and an understanding smile he acquiesced the point and helped her to her seat. Alighting beside her, a nimble flick of the reins was all he needed to send the graceful creatures springing forward in perfect unison, drawing their passengers along as though on the wings of the wind.
The thrill she experienced made itself evident in a little murmur of enchantment – an approbation which he heard and acknowledged with a boyish grin. Proudly he demonstrated how the perfectly balanced suspension of the phaeton could take any sharp turn in stride and how the horses could surge from an easy pace to a bounding canter at the slightest encouragement. He drew rein in a small meadow on the outskirts of town. Now it was her turn.
She took the reins into her own little gloved hands and took a breath to steady herself. Most men, she understood, would rather lose many great and otherwise important things than suffer a scratch or injury to a prized team and carriage. Did he really trust her with this treasure? Did she trust he would be as kind with her as he evidently was with these noble creatures? Murmuring promises she would make reparation if anything went terribly wrong, she gingerly urged the horses forward.
True to the boasts of their master, the horses responded readily and picked up their hooves in a brisk walk. And though it was evident they yearned to take to the wind, they did not so much as pull the reins an inch out of her hands. She tried turning them, first this way and then that, finding that they were just as receptive to this as to their command to start. A smile lit her face. This was to be fun indeed. She lightly flicked the reins and sent the pair into a lively trot.
He smiled at her increasing confidence and settled back into the seat, clearly enjoying the fact that she was indulging her own spirit of adventure.
The wind now in her face blew the stray hairs back and fanned her spirit of adventure further. She urged the horses yet faster. This was almost like flying! Oh, mon Dieu! Why did lumbering old farm wagons have to take up so much space on these charming country roads? The flying canter was reduced to a subdued crawl as the cumbrous cart jolted and creaked its way across their path. Once more the open road beckoned and once more she wanted to fly, but having been shaken up slightly by the previous moments, she clumsily urged the horses at a moment they were not anticipating and the result was a disorganized scramble that she had to rein in and restart when they were once more in unison and could bound forward as one. She felt a slight flush mount in her cheeks at this display of ineptitude with such an easy pair, but there was no condemnation in his voice when he spoke, nor did he snatch the reins away.
The pair still wanted for learning that perfect focus which only the most seasoned teams acquire and were more prone to distraction at slower speeds that did not hold their interest. M'lady could look for clues that they wanted a gesture of redirection – the position of their heads, the turn of their ears, a shoulder pointing one direction or another. He acknowledged that he was still perfecting himself that innate communication betwixt horse and driver which must be overcome any time one took an unfamiliar team in hand.
Thus encouraged, she took a more confident grip on the reins and gave the team freedom to run, grateful to the heavens above that neither horse had lamed itself in the earlier scramble though she knew he would have been no less gentle or patient with her if such a thing had occurred.
The remainder of the drive was pure bliss. No other equipage yet invented by man so perfectly enabled one to have an unbroken view of one's surroundings, leaving one feeling as though suspended in air as did the phaeton. They could pull the roof up if need be, should the weather take a turn for the worse, but on such a day as this to do so would have been a crime. Indeed, they found cause to laugh and make expressions of consternation as they passed others on the road who had left the covers up on their own carriages. Such people did not understand how to properly savor a ride through the country.
The destination was a port town on the coast which they reached all too quickly in her opinion. But, there was more than one way to enjoy such a day as today, and so she could not be truly saddened. They pulled up to one of the well-equipped inns and he saw to the care of the horses before taking her in for an afternoon luncheon.
Everything was a delight to them. With playfulness they selected a bottle of a wine neither had tried before. With good-natured banter they selected their respective meals. Pleasant conversation ensued over the wine and excellent comestibles, and the two discoursed over anything two people in love can think to talk of, ranging from plays seen to childhood antics to daily trials and events.
The repast over, he suggested a stroll along the docks to which she readily agreed. It was crowded today. Many were taking advantage of the excellent weather to make an outing, seeming to be of the same mind that a seaside stroll was the perfect means to enjoy it. With his long fingers wrapped securely around her comparatively small ones, he guided her through the crowds to where they might stroll comfortably.
The sun glistened on the waves of the waters. The small craft moored at the piers bobbed energetically in the waves brought on by the wind into the otherwise quiet little bay. The wind also threatened m'lady's skirts more than once, but she found a way to gracefully drape her shawl so weight was applied in all the right places to keep within the bounds of propriety.
He however remarked he shouldn't mind if her skirts were to break ever so slightly with modesty.
She feigned consternation, and reminded him that it wouldn't do for an entire wharf of people on holiday to be treated to such a spectacle.
He acceded her point with a mischievous sparkle in his eye.
Laughter and good spirits accompanied them all along the promenade. She found that despite the brisk wind, she kept quite warm, partly from the cheery sun and partly from the warmth of his hand holding her own. Perhaps there was also a glow from within, as evidenced by the slight blush which graced her cheeks so becomingly. All too quickly they ran out of dockside to walk upon, and as they turned back, he suggested a charming park nearby where they might also be afforded a seaside view. This was not to be refused and she rejoiced in her selection of footwear for the day.
He took the reins of the team this time, and in his deft and capable hands, the horses really leaned into the harness and set off in a charge. She would have been frightened but that she knew his expert horsemanship and trusted his skills implicitly, so instead she threw her head back and let the wind grace her neck and fill her lungs. It was not far to the park and before long they were yet again on foot, strolling winding pathways through manicured gardens and well-kept woods. Here it was not so crowded as at the dockside. Only a lone couple here or a small party there chanced to pass them by. The path was theirs, and this pleased them greatly. Easily her hand slipped into his and light conversations laced with savory moments of quiet filled their time.
The path came to the promised view of the sea and here many couples had claimed benches to sit and enjoy the view. The view was quite lovely. Here the waters came into a quiet cove and lapped peacefully at the shoreline. Waterfowl landed in the distance and the occasional small boat navigated the waters. Here they found their own bench and lingered in each other's company.
Who was she to resist his arm drawing her to his side?
To simply rest her head on his shoulder and enjoy the closeness of his person was a cherished indulgence she could never have the heart to deny herself. Here she felt at perfect peace, safe and secure, as though no harm would reach her. That he would always love her as he did now. That he would never leave her.
It was a sweet fantasy. One that she could have prolonged all day without murmur but that he eventually suggested they continue their walk. Reluctantly, she stood but consoled herself that they had not parted ways yet. There was still time to be near each other. He drew her along the path once more. Talk turned to intriguing topics.
Did she have any secrets?
Did he?
Pledging to confide all, each thought up whatever they could confess that might qualify. The disclosures produced were oftentimes light, then at other points, quite deep as they searched each other's hearts, hoping to find a security in knowing that no dreadful treachery or irreconcilable difference lay hidden in wait to threaten their love.
Now they came to a side path leading a little ways to a small cliff overlooking the cove below. Here they were alone and sheltered from prying eyes.
The wind gusted suddenly over the waters glistening in the evening sun and rushed through the surrounding trees, nearly taking her breath away. The sheer wild fury and strength tugged at her heart, inviting her soul to spread wing in freedom. Yet, she was conscious of something else pulling her.
Still holding her hand, he drew her to him, smiling down at her face.
She looked up at him and gazed into his merry eyes, savoring the look he was giving her.
Then, leaning down to her upturned face, he kissed her tenderly.
The wind gusted gloriously on around her but she was only conscious of a wonderful glow and the lingering sensation of his kiss even as he pulled back to once more look into her eyes. Her arm had somehow encircled his back and his was around her shoulder so that they drew to each other's side once more.
This time the pair was disrupted by approaching voices. Reluctantly they slipped apart from each other and contented themselves with the other's hand as before. Again, they returned to the path and began the stroll back to the waiting horses.
Time was moving too quickly for her. After today, she would not see him again for some time as he had to depart on a matter of business. Her only consolation now was one last ride in the phaeton before the day was over.
The ride did not disappoint.
The air was now cool with the approaching evening, warmed gently by the ever slanting rays of light sent as though in farewell from the receding sun. Fields of grass rippled in the breeze now beginning to die away as though t'would also breathe one last parting word before traveling on to some far off land. The light framed his profile in a soft golden glow, and she contented herself to contemplate his face as he drove the team with a strong and secure but adventurous hand. His hair blew in wisps about his head. His gaze was steady and fixed upon the road. His mouth was firmly set but eased at the edges with a devil-may-care smile, traces of which had also brightened his eyes. She let her arm rest out of the carriage at her side, floating and gusting gently upon the breeze as the greys galloped freely on.
Did he suppose that one could fly in heaven? That perhaps humans longed to fly because it was their ultimate destiny? Or perhaps only because we have seen the birds of the air and longed to embrace the same freedom?
He had no answer to this other than that he could not be quite sure that he was not already in heaven, for he could not envision a more perfect moment.
This answer sufficed admirably and could not be argued – least of all by m'lady.
Then only remained the parting of two in love who must await their next moments of shared bliss.
A kiss upon her hand. A brush of fingers across his face. An impassioned kiss that did not want to end.
Of one thing was she certain. It had been a perfect April.