Born to Run

Chapter 2: The Boys

Thomas lined up his shot, and exhaled, pulling the trigger. The powder seemed to explode in his ears, and even when he put the gun down the shot was still ringing in his ears. Such a noise was something Thomas Manning was afraid he’d never get used to.

“Well done, brother!” Friendly Fitzpatrick clapped him on the back with a grin. “We’ll make a hunter out of you yet!”

Thomas smiled. As the youngest, he had always felt as though his father expected everything from him. His older brothers were always one step ahead and there was little he could do about it. Mr Manning thought otherwise, of course. He thought Thomas could accomplish everything. “Thank you, thank you,” Thomas gave an elegant bow. “You have seen nothing yet!”His chest puffed with self-pride.

“Now, now, Tom, let’s not get too big-headed,” Peter rolled his eyes. As the oldest, he had to keep things in line. “You’re going to need a head to become a lawyer. I think it’d be best if you didn’t make it explode with pride before dinner.”

The youngest Manning charged Peter, sending him to the grass. They wrestled for a bit, but soon they were both on the grass laughing hard. Fitzpatrick just stood there, staring at the immaturity of his two siblings. “Absolutely ridiculous,” he sighed loudly. “What am I to do with—“

“I’ll tell you what to do with them,” a stern voice said behind them. Thomas and Peter quickly stood, brushing the dirt off their clothes. “You can go and lock them up like the mentally unsound.”

All three Manning sons turned beet red. “Beg your pardon, sir. It was only a bit of rough play,” Peter tried to explain.

Mr Manning was unmoved. “You are grown men! How on earth am I supposed to leave this world knowing that I left my fortune to you hooligans?”

They could only stare at the ground.

“Go. Wash up. The Goldworth girl is supposed to be coming today. Wouldn’t want you three looking like farmers.” He then proceeded to mutter something about stuffed scarecrows, but then he was out of earshot.  

Peter looked at Fitzpatrick, who then looked to Thomas. “Race you to the house?” Thomas challenged.

The three instantly jumped on their horses and made headway for dinner.

(#)

  

Esme had never seen a bigger house in her life. Though raised on a farm, she had seen nobility. The Goldworths were related to nobility, after all. Papa’s cousin was a baron on His Royal Highness’ estate. He was long dead, though… of plague. It seemed as though nobility always died sooner than normal people.

While she was pondering that thought, a maid told her that dinner was ready, and that she was to join the family in the dining hall immediately. Smoothing her gown, she surveyed herself with a careful eye. It just wouldn’t do to have the Manning family thinking that she was a simple farmer’s daughter, because that wasn’t who she was.

The maid guided her through a labyrinth of a corridor, and Esme found herself before the Manning family, waiting for her at the dining table. “Beg your pardon, sir,” she apologized, giving a small curtsy. “I did not mean to keep the family waiting.”