Victorian Nocturne

( An American lady at an English dinner party? )

( It could only have ended in scandal! )

The stables were freshly mucked out, clean hay put down for the animals, and Joachim inspected a mended stall door with a critical eye as he waited for James Thomas to appear. He'd scheduled this meeting for an early time, as the day was promising to be hot and he wished to spend most of it indoors, but at the moment he was quietly enjoying the smell of alfalfa as he lingered near the entryway. The cane was held loosely in his left hand, but he was limping less today. The physician he'd visited had offered a good prognosis and words of encouragement. He'd also provided a bottle of laudanum to assist with the sleeplessness, for which the major was grateful.

Still, it seemed as if he'd require a horse while he was in the city, as the injured limb still twinged far too often to be relied upon for long periods of walking. It was difficult not to become impatient with himself over it, this infirmity. He was assuaging his annoyance with the reminder of how much he'd missed riding since being put on leave. He'd trained Stormdancer, the animal who had died during the attack on his party, on his own, and although it would not be the same with a new mount, at this point even an echo of better times would suffice.

Joachim adjusted the cuff of his shirtsleeve, glanced at his pocket watch. He kept waiting for the point when he would get used to civilian clothes again.

At the end of the stables, there was a fuss as two people entered. A female voice admonished, "Honestly, Jacob, had I known James would be gone for the week, I would've brought my things. These little emergencies of his are ridiculous!" Elspeth's riding habit was long and brown, the skirt reaching her ankles, so that just her boots showed beneath the hem. Underneath, she wore a starched petticoat and little breeches. The end result was that she was quite warm, even at this ungodly hour. A hat with an ostrich feather was pinned to her hair.

( A Little Outburst )

( The Chestnut )

[Immediately after I Love You, I Hate You.]

( So it's good that you're here. )