Longstride

Chapter 2: Ruby Jane

  The next night I could not sleep. Why was it that I had this feeling something was going to happen? Was it good or bad? Tomorrow morning me and Ginny would be going somewhere I did not know. To be honest, I was a bit excited. I read until it was about 2 am and then I decided it was no use trying to go back to sleep. I threw myself into a gown, put on my boots, grabbed my journal, and snuck outside. I sat down next to a beautiful willow tree and closed my eyes to soak in the beauty of Richmond. Richmond wasn't all that bad. It was actually quite beautiful. I grabbed my journal and wrote about how beautiful a place Richmond was. I wrote about the tall green grass, the beautiful sunrise, and the pretty trees that grew in a circle form. I was broken by my trance when I realized it was sunrise and I should get inside, get dressed, and eat breakfast before my coach arrived. Ginny helped me get into a more suitable dress and pinned my hair up. By the time I was ready my coach was already outside waiting for me and Ginny. I kissed my parents goodbye, rustled my brothers hair, and went to the carriage.

   It was fun riding up to Longstride and seeing the beautiful scenery past by. Our coaches name was Mr. Ansley and he was very fun to talk to and he seemed to know all the answers to my questions about Longstride. "Does Mrs. Smith have any children?" I asked him, "Why yes ma'am, Harvey, Charles, Henry, and Marriane". He paused and smiled when he said Harvey and I wondered why. Maybe Harvey was just as annoying as my brothers and full of himself. If only there were gentleman that were like the ones in my book. Don't think that way Ruby, don't judge a man by what others think. And who said Mr. Ansley thought of Mr. Smith like that? I decided to stop thinking of him because I had no clue who he was.

   "Here we are Ms. Jane", said Mr. Ansley. "Thank you very much, you have been so kind", I politely said. "No problem Miss" he nodded and drove off into the road. Longstride really was beautiful. I was sure Mrs. Smith hadn't lied about that. There was a beautiful meadow of flowers, a pathway of green exhilerent trees, and of course a bright baby blue sky.  When I turned around there was Mrs. Smith behind me, so close she startled me. I gasped, "Nice to have finally met you Mrs. Smith, I have heard wonderful things from my parents", I half lied. "Very nice to see you too darling come inside, you must have had a long ride here", she said. I hadn't realized it before she said it but I really was tired. As we walked arm and arm, Mrs. Smith said in a high yet sweet voice, "Why, it is so nice to have you here earlier than the others", "Oh,  it is nice to finally be here", I replied. We got inside and she showed me my room and said, "Marianne is in London right now until May and the boys have gone hunting but they should be home around dinner, "You must rest until then" she said. "Yes I think I shall do just that", I said. She then excused herself and left. When she did I let out a breath of relief and unelegantly plopped on my bed. Ginny started to unpack and I pulled out my journal and wrote. When it was almost time for dinner I got up and let Ginny get me ready for dinner. She had me wear a simple lace dress that was pastel yellow and pinned my hair up. When I walked down stairs to meet in the dining room I bumped into a young man my age with bright blue eyes and brown hair. I politely said, "Pardon me sir", and curtsied. He looked at me like he was going to say something but his expression turned into something quite rude and turned and walked way. Why how could he have been so extremely rude? I furiously followed him and tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around in shock. I started, " I don't know who you think you are but my, I have never seen someone act so cruel and rude in my life when I have asked for my pardon!", he looked at me in shock still and my face grew hot. I then turned on my heel and walked to the dining room.