The Artful Dodger

1.01 How Did You Know

I buttoned the last button on my purple riding jacket. This should do. I prefer my blue one, it is better fitting and overall is just my favorite jodhpurs -- but they are in the wash, so they are not an option. "You're all set m'lady" Charlotte said with a curtsy. She then left my room. I looked to where she had been to see that my dress perfectly on hangers, laid carefully over the chair. I let out a sigh knowing I would have to put the darn dress back on and go out for show. I hate suiters being here.

I left my room and made my way out of the building. A large smile took over my face as I saw Bell standing there with the horses already settled. "You got the stable boy to help you? I thought you like tacking up your own horses" I teased her. "I did, he did yours. Poor thing has a little crush on you" she teased back. I rolled my eyes at her. Of course she would mention his crush.

The stable boy -- Elijah -- is honestly a sweet boy. He's a few years younger than Fanny, 17. He started working with us when he was 15. His mother was a maid for us. She passed away a couple years ago, due to some complication of a surgery the professor had to perform. Because she was so loyal to our family -- having been with us since before, in London -- mother let him stay in one of the servers quarters and told him, but now that he is more of age, he can stay with us as long as he works for us. he was simple and Sweet. He has incredibly red hair that is curly. I would be lying if I said that he's not handsome. He's just... not what I'm looking for and he's relatively young compared to my 23 years.

"I know he does Belle, but you know why I can't" I argued as I took my horses reigns. I have a pure black friesian horse. He is truly handsome, and well behaved. I have named him midnight because his jet black coat reminds me of the pitch black of night. "More like you won't" she replied. I let out a huff. She isn't wrong. I climbed onto midnight, impatient for the ride to start.

I watched closely as Belle got into her horse -- Gem. She named him that because 'his eyes glimmer like gems' she says. A load of rubbish, how does a horses eyes glimmer at all. Once she was seated, we started a slow walk. Our bodies moved in a natural sway with the movements of our horses. The familiar sense of the ride bringing a euphoric feeling.

That euphoric feeling turning to dread as I catch a glimpse of Smales watching me. "Belle?" I asked. I looked to her as she hummed. That was all I got in reply so I figured it meant I should continue. "How did you know Michael was the one?" I asked. Belle slowed Gem, so I did the same with Midnight. I looked back at the 'road' ahead. The trees coming closer to sight. "He and I... we clicked right away. It took some time, but before I knew it, I was craving for those moments where we would lock eyes in the morning. Where he would be the one detailed outside dad's library so I could sit there and read with him -- even if he wasn't reading. I craved for the way that his words made me feel and how his touch electrified my skin" she told me.

Craving moments. Craving stolen touches. Craving company. Clicking. We have to click? "Does it have to be right away? The clicking I mean?" I asked her. She pulled Gem to a halt. I made it only a few steps before I noticed and halted Midnight. Gem moved to stand right next to us. "No, I suppose it doesn't" she answered. "Ok" I whispered. Belle laughed. "Come on, enough of this talk. Lets really ride" she said before making Gem run. "No fair!" I called after her, Midnight going into an immediate dash.

We rode for an hour before it was time to call it quits. Elijah stood at the fields fence. Belle and I made our way to him to hand over the horses. "Did you have a good ride Lady Kimberley?" he asked. I gave him a polite smile. "I did, thank you" I replied. I slid off the horse before handing the reigns over. "Thank you, Elijah" I said. "Yes, thank you Elijah" Belle teased. "I-It's no problem, M'ladies" he stuttered.

Belle grabbed my arm and dragged me away. I looked back to make sure we were far enough away only to see that Elijah was watching us. I looked back to face forward, catching Belle's eyes in the process. I instantly broke out in a fit of giggles, Belle following suit.

We made our way into the house, separating so we could go re-dress into our dresses. I only got half way through getting my gown on when my mother entered my room. I rolled my eyes at the fact that she didn't even bother to knock. "You are going to miss lunch with Mr.Smales" she stated. She seems upset and angered. "I don't want to go to this lunch" I argued. Mother let out a sigh at my words. "Leave us" she ordered Charlotte.

The woman gave a brief curtsy to the both of us before walking out, closing the door. I stepped into my skirt, pulling it up. Mother walked behind me and tied it. "What is the matter, putting?" she asked making me laugh. Putting. I had a deep love for putting and gelatin as a child. Mother has called me it ever since -- especially whenever she wants something information wise. It always works.

"He doesn't interest me. He doesn't want to further the world in any aspect. And... I don't know" I told her. Mother began to tighten my corset. "Ow!" I snapped. She pulled it far too tight. "Sorry" she said, although it did not sound sincere. "I do not wish to spend time with him. Or any other suiter for that matter" I sighed. Mother turned me and pulled me into a hug. "I know, Kimberley" she began before pulling back. "But, you haven't found anyone to marry. You haven't found anyone to love. And you will. You just have to find the one. But for now, at least get to know Smales while he is here. Who knows, maybe he is the one but you just don't know it yet" she told me.

She cupped my cheek and patted it softly. I gave her a small smile. Perhaps she is right. Now, I already know this man -- Smales -- is not anywhere near what I want, but I will sit with him for her. To amuse her, I guess. But the moment he starts doing trash poetry about me again, I may just shoot him with an arrow.