11
Cecilia yawned in a ladylike fashion as she fanned herself even though the heat of mid morning was still mild.
"When will you stop reading that book?" She complained to Delilah who was hunched over a book.
"In a minute Cissy, I need to finish this paragraph about evergreens and their ability to-"
Cecilia's head hit the back of the sofa in such an audible manner that Delilah was forced to look up from her book.
"Oh, look, only self flagellation catches your attention," Cecilia muttered blandly.
"Stop being jealous that I am paying more attention to a book," Delilah laughed and settled down in her nook to continue her activity. Before she could immerse herself in the text any further the door leading to their sitting room slammed open. Three of their friends bounded in.
"Pardon us for intruding but-" Isabella paused though she continued to breath heavily, "What are you two doing here looking so underdressed?"
"And you look like you're getting ready for battle... on a horse," Cecilia asked admiring their friend's new attire. All the girls were impeccably dressed in smart riding habits. Their patterned skirts were fitted and the bodice was equally well tailored.
"We're having a picnic," Isabella replied smoothing down her plaid front, "This picnic is also a sporting event. Prince Damian sent word to our dining room to inform us of the day's proceedings. He instructed us to be ready for any wear and tear."
"Well, Cecilia this is what happens when you oversleep and not dine with everyone else. We are so terribly unprepared," Delilah put her book back on the table after firmly placing her bookmark in it and walked out of the room to call the maid.
"Oh, what will I do," Cecilia fretted, "I didn't even curl my hair before I slept."
"Time's awasting while there are eligible men to be caught," Prudence looked cross, "Oh, stop worrying and choose something to wear."
"Yes, hurry, Cecilia, or there won't be any nice horses left for us either," Isabella remarked with great agitation.
"Horses?" Cecilia was confused.
"We have the choice to either ride in a carriage," Mary finally spoke up, "Or take a ride on a horse."
"Of course we shall go with the horses. Best place to see and be seen," Prudence announced looking satisfied.
"You are comfortable with that? I thought you would want to-" Mary asked cautiously hoping that Cecilia would not find the idea repulsive.
"I love horses! Spent hours racing my brother and cousins whereas Delilah, well, she will have a problem," Cecilia's mood suddenly lost its vibrancy.
"She will?" Mary was concerned.
"But she won't tell you, she will smile and never reveal her lifelong scare of horses. She hasn't even admitted it to me," Cecilia smirked, "Maybe now is the time to get it out of her."
Delilah walked back with maid in tow moving at a furious speed. She paused when she noticed the identical smirks on all the girls' faces.
"Oh do hurry up, we're going horse riding," Cecilia announced.
"We are?" Delilah looked panicked stricken for the barest of moments but hid it instantly.
"Yes, now hurry up. I know you had a new dress made for outdoor activities."
"Indeed," Delilah gulped trying to hide her fear.
((()))))
"What kind of sports?" Cecilia asked eagerly as they waited for their mounts. She looked fetching in her braid. She wore a green pleated skirt and stylish leather boots.
"Archery, fencing, horse races," Isabella described.
"They don't sound very womanly," Prudence sniffed, "I doubt many women will take part."
"Drat, I desperately want to take part in the archery competition but I shan't be able to do it if no one competes with me," Cecilia sighed mournfully.
"I don't believe archery is what I am good at," Mary pronounced quietly. Delilah noticed how quiet Mary became in the presence of the blunt Prudence.
"Neither am I; I just want to try it again," Cecilia remarked brushing stray hair out of her face.
"Cecilia is one of the most competitive people I know. Just look at the gleam in her eyes at the thought of competing," Delilah muttered in a sotto voice, mischievously.
"Yes, she does look a bit manic," Isabella spoke loudly playing along.
"Oh, bother," Cecilia crossed her arms, "It's not my fault I like to compete."
They were in the castle's packed courtyard. Women dressed in their finest riding suits and habits were lined up for the carriages. Delilah looked at them dreamily wishing she could join them but was forced towards a line of stinking horses. Many men circled the area on their majestic steeds and Delilah knew she hadn’t an ounce of grace the people around her possessed.
"Get on your horse, you silly mare," Cecilia hissed urgently as she expertly hauled herself on the saddle sideways. She gained applause from the men around her and Cecilia looked radiant with the attention.
Delilah struggled with the saddle feeling ridiculous. She placed her weight on the stirrup but she did not have the practice or upper body strength to fully reach the height required to sit on the horse. Hands around her waist suddenly helped her up. Delilah looked down at her saviour and grinned.
"Mr. Rossi. What a surprise? I expected you to be on your way already."
"I am no early riser and neither is the Prince. That unfortunately made us very tardy," Mr. Rossi smiled pleasantly; "I am pleased you remember me."
"Well, it was only last night when we met. I hope you don't think my memory so poor," Delilah replied.
"Young, beautiful ladies are often inundated with their admirers. I doubt they even remember half of them."
"Such ladies are lucky but I am not quite so young or beautiful. Even if my list of acquaintances were indeed quite so high I would still not forget your great dancing talent."
"I am glad to hear it," Mr. Rossi looked pleased but something in the background distracted him, "Well, I must be off Damian is waving towards me quite impatiently."
"Good luck," She waved as he bowed towards her.
Delilah began trotting behind Cecilia who was steadily galloping away from her. Even their three other friends were following her lead to a great extent. Delilah tried to call for them but they were long gone before she could begin.
Her horse was slow and to Delilah not very steady on its feet. It huffed a little as it trotted ungainly down the cobbled path and eventually out of the gate nearly at the end of the procession.
"Move, horse, move," Delilah muttered feeling unsteady. She pulled at the reins with brute force.
And it suddenly started moving at a faster pace. It was not instantly alarming but the acceleration was steadily scaring her. Delilah clutched onto her reins in blind panic feeling sick to her core. The dust from the horses and carriages gave her a coughing fit further disorientating her.
"Where are you going this fast?" Cecilia shouted at her and Delilah was astounded to have reached her so quickly.
"I don't exactly know," Delilah called backwards as her horse left her friends in the dust.
It continued to move forward until it reached the very front of the group of travelers. There were many riders in the front but her horse seemed to want to outrun them all. Delilah felt loose strands of hair beat her face with each gallop. Delilah breathed harshly feeling like having a good cry.
"You are a speedy driver," Damian remarked causally as Delilah sidled up next to him completely unaware of her surroundings.
"I am not driving this beast; as a matter of fact I have no control," Delilah gave a panicked reply.
Prince Damian's blue eyes widened.
"Stay calm and don't pull at the reins," He instructed grimly.
Delilah who was pulling at them with all her might let go suddenly but the horse was still speeding away leaving their party behind.
Damian made the decision to pull in close and grab a piece of mane with one hand, and use the other hand to give short, sharp tugs on one rein until she slowed down.
"Oh, thank heavens. I thought I was going to perish in a dreadful horse accident after being stomped on brutally," Delilah felt like her heart was trying to perform a tribal dance. The horse was still moving but with a steadier rhythm.
"Killed by this gentle beast," Damian muttered scornfully. "Well, you should ride in the carriage then."
"I know I should have I just didn't feel like saying no to fresh air," Delilah rubbed her flushed cheek wearily.
"Why don't you share a horse with me," Damian suggested saucily raising an eyebrow.
Delilah's eyes bugged out at the impropriety of the suggestion.
"I should think not. Sharing a horse with a strange man in view of every guest of the castle. That is an outrageous suggestion and you know it, Prince."
"Would you rather we be completely out of sight," Damian couldn't resist getting the rise out of her though his initial thought had been to distract her from her fear.
"Heavens no!" Delilah cringed at the thought. She wished the man would choose some other topic to jest at.
"Oh well, I shall aim to be content to hold onto your reins and lead your horse," Damian finally decided to have sympathy for her.
"Won't that damper your ride with your friends," Delilah eyed the passing group of horsemen waiting for their Prince.
"It will, but I doubt they shall mind. I am certain they will be glad to get away from me."
He held her reins and briskly led them on their continued path. The horse felt steadier and less frantic and Delilah calmed down, grateful to have an experienced rider next to her. They finally stopped at an opening in the rocky, wooded area. There was a large lake on one side and open undulating meadows perfect for a great number of people to sit in.
The lake was an odd shade of green but Delilah thought the colour suited it. It was serene and the reflection of the blue sky against it made it more magical.
"Let me help you down," Damian asked her after he dropped off his horse without any effort.
"No, thank you. I shall have no trouble at all," Delilah announced.
She tumbled down the horse in an ungraceful thump, dirtying her skirt in the process.
"I see," Damian added blandly as he watched her straighten herself up.
Delilah bowed trying to hide her discomfort.
"Thank you, Your Highness for your bravery," Delilah mumbled.
"If you think that's brave then you shall faint if you see me hunting," Damian scoffed and nodded his head curtly. Delilah watched his pale hair reflect the sunlight as he walked away towards his friends. Delilah could spot the two Rossi brothers and other people she didn't recognize waiting for the Prince.
Her friends raced towards her as soon as they dismounted.
"What happened? You seemed intent on leading the pack and that is not the Delilah I know," Cecilia rushed forward gripping Delilah's arms, looking extremely worried.
"I wasn't intent on leading anything. My horse decided to take off on its own."
"Take off! Are you alright!?" Mary checked her for any possible injuries.
"What I want to know is why the Prince was riding with you," Prudence asked sullenly. She crossed her arms and looked in the direction of the Royal party which was disappearing towards a thicker growth of forest.
"He was helping me keep the horse in control. If he hadn't been there I worry that I might have been thrown off," Delilah looked miserable.
"Oh, why didn't I think of that? Rescuing a girl from a runaway horse would be so romantic. I should have tried to pull this one off," Prudence mourned the lost opportunity amidst the cries of sadness of the other girls.
"There, there, you have a ride back home to entrap some poor fellow," Isabella smiled widely.
Prudence snorted but looked eager at the plan.
"Let's do something enjoyable," Isabella said. The meadow was now a scene of immense hustle bustle. Multiple groups were trying to make themselves comfortable over picnic blankets. Fruit and picnic baskets were being carried to and fro by the servants.
"Three legged race," Mary piped and the rest of the girls turned to stare at her.
"The men are probably jumping through fire laden hoops and you want a three legged race. We may be women but we are not soft," Cecilia declared rejecting the idea with Prudence nodding by her side.
"So, what is it do you want to do?" Mary was put out.
