Horses speak softly to me

Disclaimer: Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a horse belongs to Anna Sewell and I am not making any profit with my fan fiction.

Horses speak softly to me
By: MovieDreamer

Summary: Based on Sewell’s Black Beauty, Winifred Gordon is a 16-year old girl who has the gift of speaking to horses living in the 1800’s living the tragedy of her mother’s sickness, her arranged marriage, her friendship with Ginger and her love for a young stable boy…

Chapter 2

“What happened Merry legs?” Winifred said looking at Merry legs in the box. Winifred wore a rather hefty white hat with a large bow surrounding it and a white dress making her look like sophisticated young lady. Holding a fan with her white-gloved covered hands she said. “John is furious!”

“It’s not my fault miss,” Merrylegs said shifting his head left and right. Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving those young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, nor when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; that was the only thing they could understand."

"What!" said the Black Beauty, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know better than that!”

I entered in panic. “Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?"

He looked very much offended, and said.
"Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies as the master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back
I go as smooth and as quiet as old cat when she is after a bird; and when they are all right I go on again faster, you see, just to use them to it; so don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the best riding-master those children have.

It is not them, it is the boys; boys," said he, shaking his mane, "are quite different. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two hours, and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and I was quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, up and down the fields and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They had each cut a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a little too hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we had had enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. Boys, you see, think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine, and can go on as long and as fast as they please; they never think that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as the one who was whipping me could not understand I just raised up on my hind legs and let him slip off behind -- that was all.”

He saw Winifred turn around and left. He turned to the other two horses and continued his story. “He mounted me again, and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon as he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, till they were able to understand -- that was all. They are not bad boys; they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see I had to give them a lesson. When they brought me to John and told him I think he was very angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit for drovers or gypsies, and not for young gentlemen."

"If I had been you," Ginger who has been listening said, "I would have given those boys a good kick, and that would have given them a lesson."

"No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such a fool. Begging your pardon as to anger our master or make John ashamed of me. Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; I tell you they are in trusted to me.

Why, only the other day I heard our master say to Mrs. Blomefield, `My dear madam, you need not be anxious about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think I am such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! You never had a good place where they were kind to you, and so you don't know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you good places make good horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; I love them, I do," said Merrylegs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho!" through his nose.

"Besides," he went on, "if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, sold off in a jiffy, and I might find myself slaved about under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, or be flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in before I came here; no," said he, shaking his head, "I hope I shall never come to that."

He saw Winifred return with corn in her hand. She caressed the horse and gave him corn.
“There, there.”

There she saw James with bags on his hand. “Miss Winifred.”

Winifred turned and smiled. “James,” she saw the bags and her expression changed. “You are to leave now?”

“Yes but they already have a new groomer so the horses will be fine. It’s a young boy name Joe Green. He’s far too young, for I think he’s your age. Fourteen years and a half to be exact. John’s nephew. They are giving the boy six weeks, I believe that’s far too little time, that boy needs a good six months. John is going to have to out do himself.”

Winifred nodded still sadden to see the young man go. James smiled. “Don’t be sad Miss Winifred, I promise to write when possible.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles gently. “Either way Miss Winifred, Joe is a handsome chap, you won’t miss me long.”

Winifred felt her cheeks burn at that comment. She saw James put on his hat. “Good day to you Miss Winifred we shall see each other soon.” She saw James turn around and leave. “Good day to you Sir James and good luck.”

Walking back to the estate she saw a small boy walk to up her—well he wasn’t smaller than her, on contrary she was just about his height, which made him much smaller than the boys his age. He finally reached her and said. “Miss, where may I find—“ He paused as he saw the young miss before him. Her beauty just left him speechless. Joe wasn’t one to see young misses daily, his job was mostly to work, so when he saw a beautiful girl like the miss before him, he couldn’t help but stare.

Winifred saw as the boy stared at her. She opened her fan and said quite annoyed. “Yes, may I help you?”

The boy blinked and scratched his nose. “I’m looking for… eh,” He chuckled. He had completely forgotten what he was looking for exactly.

Rising her eyebrow, she looked at his attire and sighed waving her fan more furiously. “You must be the new stable boy, Joe Green. They were right about you, not prepared at all.”

Joe’s ear started to burn red as he extended his hand to her. “Joe Green miss, at your orders.”

Winifred was about to say something when she heard someone with a strong accent say. “Is this boy bothering you?”

Winifred turned to the handsome tall man with dark hair who wrinkled his nose at the sight of Joe. Closing her fan she shook her head. “No he is not, he’s looking for the stables.”

“Well the stables are that way boy!” Andrew said pointing violently towards the stables. Joe passed by grunting under his breath. He didn’t appreciate much someone referring to him as a boy. He was fourteen after all, he was practically a man. He shot his nose in the air angrily and walked faster to the stables.

Winifred looked as the teenager walked towards the stables.

“That boy needs to be taught how to act in front of a miss and master. After all soon enough we’ll be the new heirs of this place.”

Winifred turned to Andrew pushing a hair behind her ear. She felt her cheeks burn, Andrew was quite handsome and it made her shiver just to look at him. He was much older than her probably in his mid twenties but to her, he was a beautiful man. Much more he just reminded her that they would be married soon. Andrew got closer to her smiling.

“You are quite beautiful Winifred.” He raised her hand up and kissed her knuckles. “You will be the perfect bride.”

***

Joe broom furiously as he cursed under his breath. “Who does that that bloke think he is? Bloody hell, I’m not a slave, I’m an employer and I deserve respect. Boy, boy, I’m not a boy! That man as he calls him self, why I’m twice the man right now. Why I have more man in this one finger!” Joe said raising his index finger. “Than that bloody bloke has in his entire body!” As he swiped the broom furiously on the front of the stables, he started to pick up dirt and soon the dust was flying everywhere.

“Easy there Joe!” said a rough voice, which caused Joe to snap. Blankly he looked at the direction the voice came from.

“Are you trying to suffocate the horses boy?”

There it goes again. That bloody word.

“No uncle.” Said Joe turning to the horses that had their heads out and looking furiously at him. He chuckled nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

“So, Joe, what has you so angry? I have never seen you this angry in my life, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mad at all!”

“It’s nothing uncle, honestly.” Joe said supporting himself on the broom. “Uncle, do you think I’m a …man?”

John raised his eyebrow high and waved his finger at Joe. “What does this have to do with anything lad?”

Rubbing his neck furiously he said. “It’s nothing it’s just I’m not a child anymore.”

“Course not Joe—“

“I mean I’m quite an adult myself.”

“Well your fourteen and a half chap.”

“Right, so I deserve respect.”

“Of course!”

“Exactly.” Joe said fixing his posture gripping harder the broom. “Joe Green the man.”

When John went up to him and hit him on the head. “Ow! Uncle! What the bloody hell was that for?”

“To wake you up, lad. There is no way that you ever be courting Miss Winifred.”

“Uncle, why would you—“

“Lad I’m old but not blind, you eyed that girl as if you were a horse and she was a barrel of oats.”

Joe lowered his head feeling the sting in his ears. John crossed his arms. “Either way, the miss is older than you and she has a fiancé, so you better hold those hormones of yours. I don’t want to have problems here, for I have served the Master and the Miss for quite a time and have gained their respect. I will not have a blockhead like you ruin our family image.”

“Yes uncle.” Joe said as he continued to sweep.

***
Winifred knew the guest for the dinner party will be here soon so her parents can meet the in-laws. As she went to the pasture, there she saw Black Beauty, Merrylegs and Ginger. Excitement filled her as she saw Black Beauty leap about around Ginger but Ginger gave him the cold shoulder.

Beauty did a turn and started to kick up his legs as though he was a bull, for a colt his animal instincts were finally coming in, causing Winifred to blush. He leaped about with all four hoofs in the air, but Ginger just kept on eating her grass. Beauty walked up to her handsomely but then losing her patience kicked her hind legs back causing him to jump back.

Finally giving it a rest, he went up to Merrylegs, which caused Ginger to kick her hind legs in his direction again. Beauty surprised walked the other direction but she kept kicking her hind legs. Ginger wanted Beauty out of her sight but entirely! Winifred laughed as Alfred went up to her.

“Winifred! Come along!”

***

Winifred was sitting at the table when her brother leaned towards her. “That’s your future husband? Very modest don’t you think?”

Winifred flinched her eyelashes ignoring her brother’s comment. “So, you’re lucky father is allowing you to pick your own mistress.”

Alfred smiled handsomely. “Of course. I wish Father will get here, this man is boring me. I can care about the procedures of how to remove a bullet from a horse.”

Winifred looked at her mother’s expression towards her suitor. It was frozen cold with a fixed smile, but you can see the tears coming out. Mother hates blood.

“Oh dear, Mother looks ill.” Winifred said.

“Well I don’t blame her, this is not the place to talk about gruesome topics. Like how disgusting is to know that a thermometer goes up a horse’s arse. We’re eating.” Alfred said fixing the handkerchief on his lap.

Winifred sighed. “Father is taking far too long. I’m going to go see the horses.” Winifred was about to get up when her brother took her arm. “No you’re not my sister. It’s pouring.”

‘Well let me at least, go to the loo.” Alfred let her hand go, as she stood up. Looking at her guest she smiled modestly. “Excuse me.”

She can feel her mother’s stare. Her mother hated with a passion for any young miss to stand up in the middle of dinner. She continued walking and saw through the windows there was a terrible storm outside. As she continued, walking she started to head towards the place where the employers settled. She wanted to see Senaida, to hear if there was any news of James. Knowing she was lost already continued walking as though she knew perfectly well the route, but her eyes shifting. All the doors looked alike and she not dare bother someone in their rest. When she heard a voice.

‘Miss, do you need help?”

Winifred froze and turned around to see Joe standing in the hallway with a plate of food and a glass of water. Fixing her posture she shook her head. “No, I don’t need help from you. I know where I’m going.”

Joe shrugged his shoulder. “Sure miss, I just saw you a bit lost. What are you doing here?”

“I don’t think that’s your concern.” Winifred said as she continued walking and saw a dead end. “Oh dear.” She said under her breath. Feeling her cheeks burn, she knew he was still standing there. Angered, she turned around shouting. “Would you leave?”

Joe raised his eyebrow. “You’re lost and you know it. What are you doing walking around without a chaperone miss?”

Winifred crossed her arms. “Where is Senaida’s room?”

Joe smiled. “You should have just said that in the beginning. I’ll take you.”

“No, Mister Green, you have the wrong girl if you think you’ll trick me into going to your room.”

“Please miss.” Joe said as he continued walking. “There are far more beautiful girls in this hallway then yourself. I have excellent taste in women and please, I’m about to eat, don’t ruin my appetite.”

Winifred gasped as she stomped in his direction. “How dare you insult me? My father will have your head, if I tell him.”

Joe stopped in front of a door. “Here it is. I must say, for a miss you have far a dirty mind. I hope your fiancé doesn’t notice.”

“Why—“

When she was interrupted by his smile. “Good evening Miss Winifred.” She paused. Did he have a handsome smile; it made her forgive everything he just said. She saw him walk away and go into his room. She heard the door open but she kept staring where he stood seconds ago. James was right, Joe was a handsome boy if you ignored the way he dressed. Far more handsome than her fiancé.

“Miss Winifred…”

He was young, probably far too young for her but he had just left her…in a daydream. When she saw a hand waving in front of her.

“Miss Winifred!”

She blinked and jumped as she saw Senaida in a nightgown looking at her with a worried face. “Are you alright child?”

“I’m—I’m fine.” She felt her cheeks burning furiously.

“Well your face is flushed child. I heard two voice shouting outside my door so I came to see what the problem was.” Senaida said fixing a bit of her gray hair embarrassed by her presence.

“No, it was just that…annoying child Joe.” Winifred said rising her eyebrow. “That lad has some nerves! The things he says. He clearly wasn’t raised as a gentleman.”

Senaida cackled. “Little Joe Green? Why, the boy is the sweetest and polite child I have ever met. Quite handsome too for his age. Maybe he just fancies you.”

Winifred turned her head violently. “Fancy me? Why that…thing shouldn’t even bring his hopes up! By far, he says I’m an ugly duckling compare to the other woman in this house.” She was angered as the elderly woman sighed.

“So what brings you here child? If you don’t like the boy, why would you come here to see him?”

‘I did not come to see that bloke, I came to see miss Senaida to see how Sir James is doing.”

Senaida smiled affectionately. “You and James had a lovely friendship. O, he’s fine, working hard. O dear! I forgot!” The elderly lady started to limp over to her dresser. Taking out a letter, she gave it to Winifred. “It’s for you. O dear, I just don’t have the brains I use to have and my memory is just all washed up.”

Winifred looked at the letter smiling as she saw her name on the envelope in James’s handwriting. When she heard someone shouting. “Miss Winifred!”

She turned to see a young gentleman race up to her. “Miss Winifred! We have been looking for you. It’s Squire Gordon, he has arrived and with Sir John. They had a terrible accident, Sir John, he fell into the water while they were crossing the bridge.”

Winifred gasped. “My father! How is he?”

“Squire Gordon is fine, but-“

Winifred started to run as she heard a door open and soon saw Joe was racing with her. When they reached the front of the house, Winifred saw her father soaked but John was far worst. Her mother was on John pleading for him to come inside. Winifred saw as her siblings and her guest stared at Joe and her who had both come from the same direction. After all she was missing and she had arrived with Joe, it raised suspicions that Winifred did not like.

“No, Miss I have to look after the horses.”

“No you will not!” Her mother pleaded. “You will come inside at once Sir John!”

Joe walked up to them. “I will look after them Uncle John.”

John stared at the boy and nodded. “Very well Joe. Do as I showed you.”

Winifred heard Black Beauty pleading. “No! Not Joe! He does not know what to do!” Winifred raced up to John who was been held up by her parents. “Sir John! You can’t let Joe look after the horses, he’s not prepared!”

Her mother gasped. “Winifred!”

“I’m sorry mother but it’s true.”

“No I have my faith in the boy, his father had come as well to teach him. He’ll do fine Winifred.” He grunted as he felt his bones ache and his muscles sore. As they took him away Winifred sighed and hoped that a simple task like taking care of the horse for one night should be fine. When she heard Flora’s voice.

“Where were you Winnie?”

“I was talking to Senaida.” Winifred said holding up the letter as she smiled at Flora. “Dear do you have a dirty mind.” She blushed remembering what Joe told her. Joe! Why was that bloke on her mind? Shaking him off, she saw Flora playing with her blonde curls. “He’s quite handsome and just my age!”

“Flora! That’s no way a miss should talk.”

“Well, he is. Either way I’m allowed to be with whomever I please, after all that’s why I’m rich. I don’t have to worry about marrying someone with money. I can be with any handsome young man. Joe is perfect!”

Winifred shook her head. ‘You can do much better than Mr. Green.”

Flora raised her eyebrow. “Well you’re not jealous are you?”

Winifred blinked feeling her cheeks burned and prayed that her sister didn’t notice her turning red. “Of-Of course not! I have a very handsome fiancé Miss Flora, and I will not speak inappropriate things with my sister.”

Stomping off she started to head to her bedroom when she heard Andrew’s voice. “My dear Miss Winifred.”

Winifred turned and smiled. “Dr. Blomefield.”

Andrew walked up to her. “Dear call me Andrew, as I wish to call you Winifred.” He pushed a dark curl behind her ear. “Good evening Winifred,” and she felt he was close--far too close. When she heard Alfred’s voice and deep inside her, she felt glad.

“Well she said Good evening.” Alfred walked up to Winifred and pulled her away going up the stairs as if she was Jessie instead of Winnie. Feeling a relief, once they were upstairs she smiled. “Thank you Alfred” and turned around towards her bedroom.