Against the Stars

Chapter 43

Ginny collasped against the hard street, her knees scratched against the pavement. Her knees stung, but she smiled. Her ankles were bruised, but she smiled. She had waited Christian with minimal injury. An impressive feat considering she jumped out of -slowly- moving carriage.

She almost laughed when she saw Christian panicked face, leaning out the carriage window. He was no doubt both shocked and confused. Ginny heard him yell for his coachman to turn around. Ginny chucked under her breath, she would be long go before Christian could do anything.

Ginny turned and ran. Or she to run. Great ankle had not yet fully recovered from her dating lap from the carriage. She knew she was probably linking at least a little bit, but she could not find the desire, or need, to care. Why should she worry about something that did matter?

Ginny made her way to the meadow, a goal in mind. It was a sly goal, one that would take some skill to achieve, but Ginny wanted to do out nonetheless. She would do it.

Ginny dashed across the meadow as fast as her legs would allow. When she reached her destination, she slammed the door open, starting the horses. Ginny Benny noticed. She was there with the goal to ride.

Alone.

Ginny hadn't been riding alone in nearly four years, not since she was a child in Andover. She couldn't back to those days, but this was the closest she could get. She saddled Maple as fast as she could. She hopped on Maple's back and was out of the stable.

She just wanted to feel free.

She ride Maple through puddles of rainwater and didn't care when the hem of her dress got soaked. She was alone and her mind could wander.

Ginny wished get life could go in a direction she choose. She wished she didn't have to file the rules of her parents; not having a say in her life.  She wanted to choose who are would marry, pick where she lived, so what she wanted. Add the patriots fought from one tyrant Tyler, she fought to be free of another.

Ginny wasn't quite sure where she was heading since Maple was her guide. She wished if Christian had made it to get house yet. If he had, she wondered how her mother had taken the news. She would be furious no doubt. Ginny couldn't even imagine the punishment she receive. She had a feeling she wouldn't be allowed to see Ben or Celia for a while. Not that that would stop her.

Ginny listened to the clack of hooves connecting with the hard ground. She heard the wind in the breeze and stormed the fresh baking bread in the distance. She saw the sky which was a bright blue painted canvas died with splatters of white. She heard birds singing their songs, the gentle notes floating to her ears. She felt the rough leather of the reins clutched in her palms. This was as free as she would get.

Ginny pulled the reins tight and steered Maple back to the stables. Her time with freedom had ended. It was the to go back home and gave reality.

Ginny dismounted with a leap and less Maple to her stall. Maple whined and Ginny laughed. She dug a sugar cube out of her pocket she handed out to Maple. Maple slurped it up eagerly, looking disappointed when there was no more. Maple whined, doing her best to show her disappointment to Ginny. Ginny just shrugged. It wasn't like there was anything she could do about it.

Ginny locked Maple in her stall and left. The sky was slowly getting father and she realized she spent more time riding than she thought. She realized that riding had only made get punishment side, but she could not find it in her to care.

She strolled through the streets, not a care in the world. She wasn't sure what had come over her. She felt light and carefree; a feeling she knew, would not last.

She shoved open the door to to her house with a clatter louder than she expected. It caused get to jump she got to attention of everyone with in earshot.

Including Mother.

"Just what do you think you have been doing young lady?" Came the voice of a sharpened blade.

"What do you think I have being doing?" Ginny asked cautiously. There was no need in getting in any more trouble than she had to.

"Running away from outings, jumping out of carriages, hiding, doing everything that could be conducted unladylike!" Mother cried, her voice riding with anger. Ginny caught a glance of Nelly and Bess snickering. They'll get it later, Ginny thought. She opened her mouth to tell Mother, but Mother want finished.

"What have you even been doing for the past few hours!? Christian was extremely worried."

I assume he was, Ginny thought. "Wandering."

"The woods no doubt. Ginny what were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking."

"No doubt about that! Can you give me one good reason why you jumped out of the carriage?"

"Christian tried to kiss me Mother!" Ginny screamed, all her anger coming out. Bees and Nelly lost all control when they heard that.

"Nelly! Bess! Out!" Mother roared, her face turning red. The two girls scampered away and then Mother turned back to Ginny. "You should have key him!"

"Why, I don't love him!"

"This isn't about love, this is about making an acceptable marriage!"

"Suzanna, go way in the girl! She's only fourteen!" Father called from the kitchen.

"I will not 'go easy on her'. She's responsible for her own choices George!"

"If I'm responsible for my own choices then I should be able to pick my husband!" Ginny cried, running to her room, tears streaming down her face.

"Virginia!" Mother called, but it was too late, Ginny was already gone.