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Mary Elizabeth MacKenzie (memackenzie) wrote in oldwest_rpg,
@ 2008-05-31 22:38:00

Entry tags:

eli donovan, mary elizabeth mackenzie

Lazy Ride
Who: Lizzie MacKenzie and Eli Donovan
Where: Eli's home and out on the trail
When: May 31, 1867, After Supper
Status: Incomplete
Summary: Lizzie comes to collect on the ride that Eli promised.

Lizzie adjusted the buttons on her riding habit absently as she walked up the road to the Donovan stables, and Eli's home. He'd promised her a ride weeks ago, but as is too often the case, work and other of life's necessities got in the way of her taking him up on his offer. And it would've been improper of her to insist on the promised ride. She didn't want to appear shrewish or confrontational -- no, she didn't want to appear like that at all to Eli. She wanted to appear proper, and friendly, and warm.

She wanted to appear to be everything her mother had instilled in her to be, and everything that she'd disregarded when being relentlessly courted back home in Edinburgh.

Why she wanted to appear as such, she didn't dare consider. After the vast number of suitors she rejected, and after age snuck up and shifted her farther and farther away from the ideal marrying age, she had come to peace with the idea that perhaps she wasn't meant for a man other than her brothers. And while Eli flamed a wee something inside of her, she didn't dare name it for fear that it might not be there when she looked again. She enjoyed the way that he made her feel, but feared that her company might not be as highly regarded to him as his was to her.

Regardless of that, he had sent word earlier, inviting her to take part in that promised ride after dinner this evening, when the sun was off of its peak so that the heat would not be as brutal. After all, it would be a shame for her to have to carry that parasol and lose it again, he'd added with a chuckle. Robert gave her curious stares as she continued to press at the pins in her hair and look over the entire ensemble in the looking glass, but Lizzie wouldn't give him the benefit of a reaction. This was a friendly ride, nothing more. He could look at her and think what he liked, but this was a friendly ride, nothing more. There was nothing suspicious about her pulling out her newest riding outfit, the one lined in the blue that matched her eyes. She wanted to look good for herself, after all.

And that was what she repeated to herself as she stepped onto the Donovans' porch, adjusted her gloves at the wrist and knocked gently on his front door.

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edonovan
2008-06-01 04:51 am UTC (link)

If Eli had put a little extra effort into cleaning himself up before dinner that afternoon, he could blame it on Floyd putting ideas into his head. He had been working too hard lately, and she and the other stablehands were perfectly capable of taking care of things for one evening. He could use the downtime, and he was merely accompanying Lizzie MacKenzie for a short ride. Just because he'd changed into a clean shirt didn't mean he was putting in any undue effort; Lizzie was a respectable, fine lady, and he'd consider it an embarrassment if he didn't at least present himself respectably as he escorted her on her ride.

At least the dishes had been cleared away from dinner, and he'd let Jenny know that he'd be back before it got too late. He finished rolling his sleeves up as the soft knock sounded at the door, and he crossed the main room to pull it open.

Whatever he'd been expecting, it hadn't been Lizzie in full riding habit, divided skirts and all. He blinked at the sight, suddenly wondering just how grubby he was going to look next to her. Most women in New Shelby didn't own such finery; riding habits were generally reserved for wealthy young women with the time and leisure to ride for sport. Obviously Lizzie MacKenzie was quite a bit more than a poor veterinarian's sister.

"Ahh -- hello, Miss MacKenzie," Eli said, recovering quickly and remembering to smile. "Don't you look nice this evening?"

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	memackenzie 2008-06-01 05:02 am UTC (link)
	"Why thank you," Lizzie beamed, feeling her cheeks flush ever so slightly at the compliment. "You look quite nice this evening yourself, Mr. Donovan. I must apologize for being a wee bit tardy -- it seemed that time accidentally slipped away from me. I do hope that you haven't been waiting long." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-06-01 06:46 am UTC (link)

"Oh, not at all," Eli said hastily. He stepped forward to join her out on the porch, and pulled the door shut behind him. "All ready to go, then? There should be a pair of horses saddled and waiting for us in the stables," he added, and gestured for her to precede him. "I asked one of the 'hands take care of it so we could head out straight away, not waste the light."

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memackenzie
2008-06-01 02:27 pm UTC (link)

"You certainly take care to cover all of the details -- I quite appreciate that about you, Mr. Donovan," Lizzie commented as she stepped off of the porch and waited a moment for him to join her at the street before continuing on to his stables. "I have been quite looking forward to this, and I must admit, I was slightly afraid that your busy schedule would not be able to find the time for me and this frivolous outing."

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edonovan
2008-06-02 01:44 am UTC (link)

"Nonsense," Eli laughed. "I've been told of late that I ought to get out and away from the stables a bit more, and I've been itching for a bit of a ride myself -- and I can't think of better company." He grinned as he led the way to the side door, and pulled it open for her. "I'd begun to wonder if you hadn't found someone more suitable to escort you," he told her lightly.

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memackenzie
2008-06-02 02:29 am UTC (link)

"You sell yourself short, Mr. Donovan," Lizzie replied brightly as she preceded him into the stables. "I haven't met a single person here in New Shelby more suitable to serve as my escort. I count myself quite fortunate to be the one to help you get away from the stables."

She laughed, turning around to smile at him as he pulled the door closed behind him. "So what is our evening itinerary to be?" she asked. "Which of these fine animals are you going to trust to my care?"

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edonovan
2008-06-03 01:01 am UTC (link)

"Not a lot out here to be scheduling," Eli admitted with a grin. "There's a few trails heading back away from town; the horses use it for pasturing, but I thought we'd give them a bit more space to roam." His grin widened as he led her back to the stall of a chestnut mare, already saddled. "Since Trixie's not up for a ride just yet, I had Penny saddled for you -- she's a bit more spirited than Trix, but you made it sound like you might enjoy a bit of a run."

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	memackenzie 2008-06-03 01:35 am UTC (link)
	"I am always up for the challenge," Lizzie answered, beaming at the sight of Penny. She approached the horse, hand out and smile bright. "Hello, love, aren't you a bonnie thing," she murmured. She ran a hand down the mare's muzzle and smiled back at Eli. "I think that Penny and I will get along just fine." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-06-03 02:07 am UTC (link)

"I thought she might suit you," Eli said with a smile. He pulled open the door to the stall across from Penny's and led out the young black gelding he found saddled there. "This is Blaze," he told Lizzie, rubbing affectionately at the slash of white across the horse's muzzle that gave him his name. "He gets along with Penny just fine -- betwixt you and me, I think he's gone a bit soft on her," Eli laughed as the gelding snorted and turned his head toward the mare's stall. "He'll be on his very best behavior as long as Penny's watching."

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	memackenzie 2008-06-03 02:18 am UTC (link)
	"Then we'll make sure that Penny keeps a close eye on him, else he decide to act up," Lizzie chuckled, leading Penny out of her stall as well. "After you, Mr. Donovan. We need to make sure that Blaze realizes Penny always has an eye on him. I bet she's gone a bit sweet on him too -- who wouldn't be sweet on such a pretty boy?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	edonovan 2008-06-03 02:37 am UTC (link)
	"Oh, I'm pretty sure Penny's got her eye on the stallion two stalls down," Eli chuckled. "Poor Blaze here just can't compete." He led Blaze through the stables to the rear exit, and pushed both doors wide for Lizzie and Penny to follow them outside. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-06-03 02:44 am UTC (link)
	"Blaze is still a fine horse, and I'm sure that Penny appreciates him," Lizzie assured him, leading Penny outside behind Eli. She offered her hand with a smile. "Will you give me a hand up?" she asked. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	edonovan 2008-06-03 02:59 am UTC (link)
	"Oh, of course." Eli looped his reins over Blaze's saddle horn, and gave the gelding a brief pat on the back of the neck to remind him not to wander. With a smile, he turned and offered his hand to help Lizzie to mount. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

memackenzie
2008-06-03 03:06 am UTC (link)

Lizzie took his hand and, with a smile and a wink, she used his hand for leverage to help swing her leg up and over Penny's back, settling herself on the mare. She hesitated for a moment before releasing Eli's hand and taking the reins instead.

"Good girl," she murmured, giving Penny a rub along her neck. "We're going to have a good ride with Mr. Donovan and Blaze, aren't we?"

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edonovan
2008-06-03 03:13 am UTC (link)

As soon as he made sure Lizzie was safely mounted, Eli pushed the stable doors closed and returned to his own horse. He swung into Blaze's saddle easily, and quieted the gelding as he shifted restlessly. "The trail leads back into the deeper pastures," he explained tilting his head toward the rough cut path that started just beyond the tack shed. "We mainly use it for riding circuit and checking on the horses, but we don't have to stick to the trail if you're feeling adventuresome," he laughed, even as Blaze picked his way across the stableyard toward the trail.

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	memackenzie 2008-06-03 03:28 am UTC (link)
	"If we become too adventurous this first time, there will be no excuse to see something new and ask for a second ride," Lizzie pointed out, Penny falling into stride beside Blaze as they set out on the trail. "And I can already assure you, Mr. Donovan, that I will be attempting to wheedle a second ride from you," she chuckled. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-06-03 03:34 am UTC (link)

"If it gets me out of the house and away from the stables, I don't think you'll have much argument from me," Eli assured her. "Especially if these adventures are a-horseback. As I said before, I've been told I'm working too much, and need to get out more and have a little fun," he said wryly. He stroked one hand down the side of Blaze's neck with a smile. "And I can't say that I'm complaining -- it's been far too long since I've ridden just for a bit of sport."

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memackenzie
2008-06-03 03:45 am UTC (link)

"That's quite a shame," Lizzie sighed. "Surrounded by all of these beautiful creatures, I don't know how you resist just taking them out and enjoying this beautiful country our Lord created." She shook her head slightly, the pins in her hair pinching her scalp ever so slightly. She was rarely aware of them after so many years of pinning her hair up ever so properly, but out here, riding again with the warm sun on her face, she wanted nothing more than to pull the pins out, run her fingers through her hair, and let the breeze from the ride release the curls to frame her face. If only it wouldn't be so improper -- she didn't dare even entertain the idea further of letting her hair down like that in front of Eli. She'd spent so much time making sure it was in just the right twist atop her head, that her rouge was just right and her habit clean and pressed, that she dare no ruin the moment just because of a wayward desire to feel the wind in her hair. It wasn't proper, and she'd not dare show herself improper in front of Eli.

Instead, she distracted herself from the breeze by turning and smiling at Eli once more. "So if you don't ride in you free time, what do you do?" she asked.

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edonovan
2008-06-03 04:32 am UTC (link)

"I haven't had a great deal of free time lately, to be honest," Eli admitted. "Or at least not in the last year or so. Seems all my so-called 'free time' just goes back into the stables and the horses these days." He shook his head as he guided Blaze alongside Lizzie and Penny. "I've occasionally gone down to the saloon just to be sociable, but it's been a while." He shrugged. "Most of the time I just stay home of a night -- read the paper, catch up on the news, draw a little -- or chat with Jenny now that she's here." He had the grace to look sheepish, at least. "I'm a right boring individual, aren't I?"

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	memackenzie 2008-06-03 04:38 am UTC (link)
	"Not at all," Lizzie chuckled, her interest piquing. "I'm sure that your sister enjoys the talk, and I'm sure that you enjoy your newfound company. But, I'm afraid you stoked my curiosity. I would've never pegged you for an artist, Mr. Donovan. What do you draw?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-06-03 04:45 am UTC (link)

"Oh, nothing so fancy," Eli said hastily. "Just a bit of charcoal and what spare bits of paper I have lying around. I tend to draw whatever pops into my head without really thinking about it, I suppose." He shrugged, a bit embarrassed at mentioning it, since it had never seemed that big a deal to him. He didn't exactly hide his sketching habit, but he had so little time to indulge it that it wasn't exactly common knowledge, either. "Tried my hand at painting a few years back, but that takes more free time than I've got, and more talent, as well," he added dryly.

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memackenzie
2008-06-03 04:52 am UTC (link)

"I'm sure that it is of much more enviable quality than you give yourself credit for," Lizzie decided. "I'm quite jealous myself -- art was never a skill that I had a great natural talent for, much to my teachers' dismay. I was always fascinated watching the process of someone turning a plain sheet of paper into something so beautiful. And with so much beautiful country out here, I'm certain that you have plenty of inspiration." His quick reply made evident that this talent was not something that he shared with each passerby, but she felt inclined to continue. "And should you ever gain a desire to share this work, I'd be honored to see it, since I am sure to be impressed."

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edonovan
2008-06-03 05:20 am UTC (link)

"Well, now, I kind of wish I was better organized and not so prone to tossing 'em out," Eli lamented, a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm. He'd really never considered his doodling a talent, per se, although he could see where it might be considered a handy thing to know. And if he was perfectly honest with himself, he was kind of flattered that she seemed so interested, since she hadn't seen a single sketch yet. "I reckon I'll have to make sure I don't just toss the lot into the fire for kindling next time I've been scribbling," he added with a laugh.

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	memackenzie 2008-06-03 05:27 am UTC (link)
	"What a horrible thing to say! Tossing them into the fire," Lizzie gasped, still smiling. "I'm certain they should be at least enjoyed by someone else before becoming kindling. And I'm sure, no matter what you say, that you do have a couple of favorites tucked away for your enjoyment. No one throws away everything." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-06-03 04:07 pm UTC (link)

Eli shook his head. "I might have a few drawings I did years ago tucked away somewhere," he admitted, his brow puckering slightly at the thought. "But most of the time I'm just scribbling on the back of something else -- little used scraps of paper I don't need for anything but kindling," he chuckled. It had never occurred to him to keep his drawings in one place -- the only notebook he owned was his ledger book, and that was no place for absent little doodles. "But I'll make sure I don't toss them out next time, if you're really curious," he offered.