MOR | CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN NOT HEARD

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



A polite little smile curved on the thirteen year old’s lips as she looked at the woman in front of her. Though her gaze was captivated by the governess, Annie’s ears had been tuned out to another one of her daydreams. This one included one of her father’s prized thoroughbreds, the feisty one with the star on its forehead. She was riding astride, like she’d seen the fancy men that went around in breeches and boots. The wind was flying through her wispy locks, and a velvety black helmet protected her petite little head. Two jumps the size of the London Bridge cleared under the animal’s front hooves and Annie was fearless.

“Lady Annie, darling, are you listening?” The woman’s red face showed slight frustration, but more confusion as she watched the obviously lost child. In her hands was the dress Annie had appeared with the day before; a perfectly made rip detaching the skirt from the bodice. Upon asking the stable boys, she’d been playing in the hayloft before falling and snagging her dress. Now the only evidence of it was the rip and the large bruise on the girl’s forehand. Annie had made sure to hide it under a cardigan, and was for once, thankful for the cold weather so she didn’t have to stand heat.

Already far too lost in her daydreams of high jumps and thundering hoof beats, the girl couldn’t even manage a nod to satisfy the governess’s words. Snapping her fingers in front of the girl’s wide blue eyes, the woman frowned. “Lady Annie, are you daydreaming again?” Annie jumped slightly at the loud sound and her sweet face grew guilty. She tilted her head slightly and laid a porcelain like hand on the woman’s arm. “Oh! Please do forgive me. I just had this amazing dream. I must tell you about it! I was riding one of Father’s best steeds and we flew over the London Bridge. Oh, it was so ama-“

Annie’s excited words were stopped by the cutting tone of the woman. “Lady Annabelle Penrose! You are a lady! You do not ride ‘magnificent steeds’ over the London Bridge! Never mind that even, just look at this dress. Your mother shall be angry if you rip another one. I shall have to take this to the tailor to get it fixed. Stop acting like a boy, young lady. You are almost fourteen, act like a lady!” The girl’s hair flew in front of her face as she looked at the ground. Quirking her lips, her voice came out soft and gentle as usual. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” The governess nodded at this before sighing and looking a bit guilty at the child’s big blue orbs. “Oh it’s alright darling.” Pushing Annie’s hair into place, she continued. “Now go on and practice your sewing. I will take this to the tailor now.”

Smiling since she was forgiven, the girl nodded quickly and moved toward the grounds to the house. As she walked past the barn, the obvious smell of horses caught in her nostrils. Annie stopped short. Her route changed towards the stables and before she knew it, her scampering feet were walking to the barn. Looking around quickly with a guilty face, Annie snuck in through the door and offered all the stable boys and grooms polite smiles. Her feet brought her to the mares section of the barns, where she came up to the gentle carriage horse she had a soft spot for. Her hand held out a little offering of sugar, in which the horse licked up immediately. “Here you are darling.” She whispered softly and stroked the mare’s muzzle.

[/center]

[Morrigan]

It was a glorious day.

Sun streamed encouragingly through the panes of Lady Elizabeth's bedroom window and enticed her gaze away from the tedious blocks of Latin text spread out before her at her writing-desk. She sighed. Leaning her chin on her clasped hands she allowed her pen to roll away, a little trail of ink betraying her distraction. There was only so much of the classics she could take. Elizabeth knew the air would be chilly, and the morning had laid a silvery frost over the lawns at Kingsgate, but she could not help but yearn to be outside with her horse instead of cooped up with her books. It was not that she did not like to study. It was just that she liked not studying more. She smiled to herself wryly, and impulsively made her decision.

Rising to her feet, she hastily shut the book, stowed away the pen and snatched up the required items for a ride. Yes, she could just imagine that Sultan, her favourite horse, was itching for a ride as much as she was. Poking her head out her bedroom door, she looked left and right for signs of governesses and guardians patrolling the corridors like prison wardens. Smiling in satisfaction when she saw there were none, she hurried out and slipped round the corner, hoping her father would be busily working in the library, and that her mother was still retired to her room, as ever she was in recent weeks.

Sensing the coast was clear, Elizabeth dashed for the door and nearly collided with the butler, who eyed her with raised eyebrows. She grimaced. "I was..." she began, but the butler held up a hand.

"I sense I do not wish to know, my lady, and so we shall pretend I have not seen you," he said in his rich, measured voice, the words laced with irony. Elizabeth grinned thankfully.

"Oh, Smith, you are wonderful!" she exclaimed as she hurried past him, and was finally out in the brisk cold air. She took a deep breath, sighing with happiness at the sight of the open blue sky and the wintry sunshine. Almost a perfect day. She turned left and hurried as fast as her skirts would allow towards the stables, clasping her tall hat to her side as she went.

Upon reaching the stables she felt much more confident, since none of the stable boys would dare question her being there. As if they would know she was technically supposed to be tied up with a chunk of Virgil, anyway. She breathed in the sharp smell of the stables, which was one she rather enjoyed, despite its forceful tang. Spotting the groom, she smiled and called his attention, approaching him swiftly.

"Ah, there you are. I'd like Sultan tacked up, if you would be so kind. I think I shall take a brief ride this morning," she said lightly, and the groom dipped his head respectfully in assent. While she waited, Elizabeth wandered through the stables, looking at some of her father's more volatile and jumpy animals with a cautious eye, then moved on to the docile, stocky animals preferred for the carriages. She raised her eyebrows at the sight of a little blonde head already there with the mares.

"Tut tut, Annie, darling, you're not absenting yourself from your wonderfully exciting embroidery lessons, are you?" she said teasingly as she approached her youngest sister, affectionately reaching out to ruffle her hair. "I'm sure Papa would be quite appalled to know his youngest daughter was spending all her time feeding stolen sugar to his horses instead of learning to be a proper lady," she said, eyes twinkling at the hypocrisy of her own words. Both of them knew all too well that in reality, Elizabeth fully approved of her little sister's skipping on the duller side of education to sneak into the stables. After all, hadn't she just done exactly the same?

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



One what to do Annie wasn’t quite sure, though thoughts on going back to the house and completing her embroidery lessons had flown out the window. The girl never really meant harm, though she was easily captivated by the distractions around the Kingsgate house. Horses, by far, were a huge distraction. Still, her guilty conscience played up as she leaned against the wooden stall door. Her figure was slightly taller as she stood on tip toes to reach lady’s muzzle in order for her to lick up the sugar, though finally the mare lowered her head so the girl could stand properly.

The sun was streaming through the bared trees, causing many to go blind for a few seconds when the reflection of the ball of fire shined off the ice on the ground. Everything seemed to have a glow of white in it, and despite the goose bumps Annie had, she quite enjoyed the beauty of it. Her blue eyes switched from the outside back to her horse, where she finally decided to go for a ride. Her daydreams were calling her away from her usual good girl thoughts and Annie was quite eager to ride. She pondered over Lady, the large horse was most used for carriages, but Annie supposed she hadn’t been ridden in a while.

The girl’s gaze went down to her attire, a simple thing, something she’d thrown on in haste for breakfast. Her mother hadn’t noticed as she’d worn her little cardigan on top, but Annie figured her skirts would allow her ride well enough. The little white gloves she used to ride she had kept in the hay loft the last time she’d snuck up to the stables and her little boots were always in good shape. Looking up to find a groom, she called out “Good morning! It is a lovely day today. Could you please tack up Lady for me? I’m going for a quick morning ride.” The groom raised a curious eyebrow, but dipped his head and went to do as asked.

Before Annie could move out of the way for him to grab the large mare, a familiar voice and tap of the heels came into the stables. A bright smile spread across the blonde’s lips as her beloved older sister came into view. The thought of Elizabeth skipping caused the younger girl’s eyes to twinkle in a sense of amusement. “Why Elizabeth, I do think my fingers are incapable of doing such a lesson, for I’ve poked them far too many times to count.” she giggled slightly at her excuse, though it might as well be a valid one.

At the Elizabeth’s next statement, Annie let out another little laugh. She knew her older sister didn’t mind her lack of obedience, rather, she approved of it. Placing a pale finger to her wide, smiling lips, the little girl shook her head “Oh dear Papa won’t be if he does not find out; it’s just a too beautiful day to be a lady. And Elizabeth dear, it wasn’t stolen. I simply borrowed it.” She grinned at the last sentence, knowing fully well this “borrowed sugar” wouldn’t be returned. Looking at where the groom had gone to go get Elizabeth’s favorite horse, a little excited grin came onto Annie’s sweet face. “Care to take a ride with me Elizabeth?” Annie pushed back the escaping wisps of hair from her braid back into her hat.

[/center]

[Morrigan]

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Well, I daresay you're right, and I imagine even if Papa knew he'd still let you get away with it. Lord only knows how you manage to have him so wrapped around your little finger." Elizabeth reached out to pat the pretty mare whose stall they stood beside on the neck, absently stroking her velvety nose. "If only I could manage the same, then we wouldn't have to worry about what on Earth he's planning for my birthday. I imagine it will involve as many rich and eligible young men as he can possibly find," said Elizabeth wryly. She looked over at her daydreamer little sister, and smiled wistfully.

Annie would probably never face the same pressure to marry well as she and Edward would. She had three elder siblings to go through it all first and reassure their father that the Penrose line and Kingsgate estate would continue safely. By the time little Annie was even old enough to marry, the other three would probably have used up their father's exhaustive abilities to seek out suitors, and as the youngest she would be something of a wildcard anyway, probably with more freedom than any of them could aspire to. Besides, Lord Carmarthen was so fond of his youngest child that he would probably be pleased to have her in the house as long as possible, and would never wish for her to marry unhappily.

"Ah, Annie, my little dreamer," Elizabeth sighed. "I do so wish I could see the world through your eyes sometimes. You do so have a marvellous way of making things seem quite beautiful," she said, smiling affectionately at her as she banished her melancholic thoughts about her impending birthday fiasco. "Yes, I'd love to. Let's sneak off and pretend there's no such thing as embroidery or Latin verse," she chuckled. "I daresay the governess will have a fit, and I shall get the blame spectacularly for leading my sweet sister astray, but never mind. I shan't deprive Sultan of a chance to run about for anything!"

The groom reappeared as if on cue with Sultan , a sleek black Arabian mix, in tow. Elizabeth smiled her thanks and allowed the groom to aid her into the saddle, settling elegantly with her legs to one side and the skirts of her long, dark green riding habit artfully folded about them. She smiled happily at the sensation of being back in the saddle, realising with a pang that it had been a while - too long - since she had ridden. Sultan must, she thought dryly, be growing impatient and tetchy with her. Perhaps he thought she had forgotten him. She reached down to pat his neck again and twirl a silky strand of his mane. He was a lovely horse, her favourite since he arrived, with his cheeky but reliable temperament. He was quite young, but sturdy and fast when he got going, and Elizabeth was very fond of him.

"Where shall we go today then, favourite sister of mine?" she asked as they waited for Lady to be brought out. "The pond? I'm told it's frozen over completely after all the cold weather. But you must promise not to do anything silly like fall in. The butcher's boy did that, and didn't stop shivering for a week!"

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



Annie held affection for her father as she did almost every living thing. While the man was certainly quite formidable at times, she seemed to be able to bring the best out of him. A grin slipped onto the blonde’s face at her elder sister’s words. While she was correct, Annie was somewhat oblivious to it all. “Oh Elizabeth! Papa’s just trying to do what he thinks is best.” Always the one to try and find the optimistic side of things, Annie spoke cheerily even as she added the next words “Even if he does things wrong sometimes.” Annie tried her best to understand her father’s meanings with things, though the way he was trying to find a suitor her sister didn’t sit well with her usual happiness.

One of her main fears was losing her older sister, and with each day coming to a close the threat loomed closer. The possibility of Elizabeth leaving came faster as well and Annie in all honesty was quite terrified. Despite her usual way of showing her feelings, she’d kept this thought in; afraid it would hurt Elizabeth’s feelings. She certainly didn’t want her dislike of her sister finding a suitor to rub her in the wrong way. Biting her lip slightly as she commented on the birthday part, Annie slowly let her mind wander to her imagination of the night.

Swirling suitors, beautiful champagne flutes and lovely dishes made from the kitchen collided together in her head heading out to the grand finally of her sister Elizabeth appearing in a beautiful gown. Just the image of it pushed Annie to stare off into the distance for a bit before coming back to the present. “Oh Elizabeth darling, never mind the suitors! You will look lovely; I can just imagine it… The swirling dancers and beautiful lights…” The girl’s thoughts darkened as she went onto to think of the young man that would potentially take her older sister away.

Annie loved romantic little things, but of course, she wasn’t particularly interested in anyone yet. Her sister however, the young girl simply wanted her to be happy if she had to leave the house and her youngest sibling. Not wanting to dote on the thought any longer, Annie looked up to hear Elizabeth’s affectionate words. Smiling softly, she shook her head “Oh dear sister, I do wish there was a way to share my happiness with you. Besides, Elizabeth, you are so beautiful yourself, you radiate it around you.” she smiled sweetly. Annie thought her sister was the prettiest woman in the world. In her little dreams, she wished she looked like her.

Giggling at Elizabeth’s agree to go on a ride with her, she shook her head fiercely. “No, no. I shall tell her it was my fault. She will understand. And you are leading me in the right direction!” she laughed and turned as clip clops hit her ears. There Lady stood tacked and at the ready. Annie smiled softly at the groom, ready for him to practically place her on the horse. Lady was a large animal, a draft no doubt, and Annie was a tiny human. After she was swung on, the girl thanked the groom and moved to try and follow her sister’s example of arranging her rather casual dress. It didn’t work as nicely as the riding habit, but it was good enough. Annie didn’t look at things the “proper” way.

Nodding as her sister suggested the pond, Annie quickly agreed. The pond sounded fantastic, an adventure of sorts was bound to happen. Excited now, she frowned as her sister continued her sentence. “Oh he did? That poor child! I hope he’s all right. But yes, I promise I’ll try not to fall.” she giggled at this, knowing fully well how clumsy she could be at times. Nodding forward, she gave her horse a tap of the heel and Lady began at a normal pace; her large hooves making a loud sound.

[/center]

[Morrigan]

Elizabeth smiled but said nothing, listening to Annie's dreamy voice as she spoke of all these beautiful things that could happen on her birthday, but that Elizabeth privately knew never would. Annie was a wonderful idealist, and her world was far more lovely than the one that most people tended to inhabit, Elizabeth included. She almost wished she could share in her little sister's belief that the party would be all flowing gowns and laughter, but her pragmatic mind pointed out quite bluntly that the reality was it would be a stifling, overbearing meal with her house full of cocky young men each flaunting their wealth, status and personal merits like peacocks parading on the lawn. And then there would be the snubbing, the offence and the arguments with her father.

Elizabeth sighed.

No, there wouldn't be a striking grand entrance or a romantic night of falling in love. But Annie, in all her goodwill and her happy notions, didn't need to know that. Elizabeth did not let her smile slip as she turned Sultan and urged him into a brisk walk out of the stable. "Well, you're very sweet, Annie, but I don't doubt our charming other sister will be doing her utmost to make me look like a limp dishrag next to whatever extravagance she forces Mama's maid into creating for her," she said dryly, looking over her shoulder to grin at Annie. Kate... she was a character, that was for sure, and not one for whom Elizabeth had much patience.

"Still, with the way you're growing up, darling, you'll be rivalling Kate for beauty before she knows what's hit her," Elizabeth smirked, looking Annie up and down, taking in her eager eyes, pale blonde hair and sweet face. "I do believe you've grown again. At least, Lady looks a little less enormous for you," she chuckled, amused by her little sister's refusal to take the docile little ponies their father had obtained for her, and her choice to take one of the biggest horses in the stable instead. Elizabeth pushed Sultan into a trot and they set off through the grounds towards the pond, Elizabeth doing her best to look nonchalant as they trotted past the house, hoping no beady-eyed governess was spying through the window looking for her lost charges.

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



Of course Annie had been to many different parties in her lifetime, though with each experience, the girl couldn’t shake her imagination away. There were simply too many amazing things to dream and think about, and Annie lived in her own little world at times. As she had her own world, the girl couldn’t see past the smile her older sister kept on, and grinned happily back at her. She could understand why her sister wasn’t quite excited, though Annie wished she could make it better for her. As much as Papa adored her, she couldn’t get him to change anything with Elizabeth’s things.

The girl supposed this was because these plans had been made after Elizabeth was born as it seemed to be the way of adulthood. She didn’t quite want to accept the fact most marriages weren’t as happy as the romantic books and plays; though if she had to, Elizabeth wouldn’t be the one in such a marriage. Biting her lip slightly at the mention of Kate, Annie chuckled softly. Certainly, her other sister was extravagant, but she was also cruel to the younger girl which caused Annie to fear her. Shaking her head fiercely, the blonde looked at her sister. “Natural beauty is always the most attractive.”

The girl smiled softly, even in a dishrag, Elizabeth would look beautiful. Giggling softly at her next comment on growing pretty, Annie shook her head slightly. She’d be teased and picked on even more by Kate if that were to happen. Her grin grew slightly larger at the girl’s next words on her growing. Annie liked the thought of growing up in the way she was, though the restrictions of becoming a lady didn’t quite make it into her head. “I’m happy to be growing up! Perhaps, one day, I might get as tall as Edward.” she let out a chuckle at the thought.

Annie knew fully well that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Following Elizabeth’s lovely mount with Lady’s loud trot, the blonde was quite oblivious to behaving inconspicuous as she passed the windows of the Kingsgate House. As the seconds passed however, it soon hit the younger girl. Body stiffening, Annie tried to be as “normal” looking as she could when they rode passed. Lady’s loud hoof beats didn’t help. Whispering softly to Elizabeth, Annie voice had a hint of excitement “Do you think they’ll catch us Elizabeth?” Annie hoped not. Surely, no governess would be able to catch them now they were heading away on horseback. When they came back would be the issue.

[/center]

[Morrigan]

"I fear you have too high an opinion of my looks, Annie," Elizabeth commented as she leaned easily in the saddle to speak to her sister. Sultan, not a large horse, was actually smaller than Lady, and so Annie was currently taller than Elizabeth from her vantage point on Lady's great back. It was a thought that amused her, though she realised, mildly, that Annie would probably soon shoot up in height and soon look back at her eye to eye. It was a strange thought, really, imagining a grown up Annie, but Elizabeth thought with some wistfulness that already baby Annie was no longer thus, and there would not be all that many months left where she was an innocent child.

But, Elizabeth mused, it may be that little Annie always keeps that sweetness and never becomes a terrible, moody adolescent. She couldn't quite picture her youngest sister throwing a violent tantrum in the way Kate was so accustomed to doing, or, she thought somewhat ruefully, how she herself was also occasionally pushed to behave. "Oh well," she said lightly. "I should think we'll be able to cajole Papa into buying new dresses for us both if he's planning on making a great fuss for my birthday. Perhaps I should find something appallingly scandalous to wear, and put off every pompous prat who comes here wanting to marry me?" she said, grinning wickedly. She would not, of course, go through with it, no matter how little patience she had with propriety. Daring though she may occasionally be, she would never put the family name at risk of great scandal, for Edward and Annie's sakes if no one else's.

At least no one had seen them pass the house, Elizabeth thought, brightening as Sultan trotted past the last set of windows in the great house. Smiling and turning to share her pleased relief that they had passed unnoticed with Annie, Elizabeth was about to speak when suddenly-

"Lady Elizabeth Penrose!

[/i]" Came a screech from a distance. Elizabeth pulled Sultan up short and twisted in the saddle, scanning the windows. She winced. Their governess was staring, somewhat bug-eyed with shock and horror, from a window she had thrown open at the two sisters perched on their mounts. They were caught. Elizabeth glanced at Annie, her lips parted slightly, and then an impish grin lit up her face.

"Oh, quick, Annie, let's go," she called, clicking her tongue and laughing as Sultan sped up to a canter, and, trusting Annie to follow suit, Elizabeth sighed as the wind rushed over her face and promptly dislodged the tall hat which she had not bothered to secure to her hair. She did not even look back as it went flying somewhere, only to be retrieved by a disapproving gardener from a flowerbed some hours later, and she just let her hair fly into disarray with the rhythm of Sultan's gait.

There was nothing the poor, harried governess could do now, for Elizabeth and Annie would be well into the woods before she had hitched up her skirts to race after them. There would of course be repurcussions when they returned later, but Elizabeth found it hard to care when freedom was beckoning them so temptingly. Annie would be fine, anyway, Elizabeth was quite sure. She disliked the idea of getting her youngest sister into trouble and knew she would quite cheerfully take all the blame, and the governess would believe her because Annie had always been so sweet and kind, whereas Elizabeth had always been somewhat more unruly and prone to talking back.

Oh well. In a couple of weeks the schoolroom would be behind her, and she wouldn't have to deal with governesses any longer. [/size] [/blockquote]

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



Annie smiled softly at her sister as she commented on her compliment. Of course she thought highly of Elizabeth’s looks! The blonde looked up to her older sister as somewhat of a hero after defending her from Kate at times and having fun with her as she was. She was certainly the prettiest lady of the land, even mentally to Annie. To the little girl, inner beauty was equally valued and she tried her best to have a lot of it. Beautiful people tended to make others happy and making the people she loved happy (she tended to love a lot of things) was something Annie attempted.

The thirteen year olds personality was quite set as she was far too gentle for normal young teenagers and it seemed to be simply the way she thought. Annie was fragile too, but she tried to take care of those who needed it with her little hands and fingers. Looking at her sister from her mounted place on Lady, Annie was happy to realize she could see her sister’s eyes without tilting her little head up. It was another reason why she loved the draft so. Letting out a laugh at Elizabeth’s thoughts, she shook her head “Oh Elizabeth! How wicked!” she said in amusement instead of scolding.

The thought of such a thing doing bad things to the family name didn’t even grace her head, though if it repelled the suitors that could potentially take away her sister, Annie was good with it. She nodded her head slightly. “As terrible as it is, I do suppose you could.” she said softly, musing for a moment. The young girl seemed to take this quite seriously. If Elizabeth never got married however, it would mean a terrible future for her. Annie frowned, she couldn’t be so selfish! “Of course, you shouldn’t. I don’t doubt Papa would get angry!” Annie chuckled softly.

The girl followed Elizabeth’s look of relief as they made it passed the main windows of the house. Perhaps, they might not actually get into trouble. Annie grinned and pushed Lady a bit faster, too lost in her dreamy world to think about the final row of windows. The shrieking voice that came out of the window however immediately caught the girl’s attention. Shock appeared on her face, and instinctually she looked to Elizabeth on what they should do. Annie laughed as her sister urged her to run.

While she wouldn’t do it while alone, Annie was quite certain it would be fun. Clucking at her own mount, the blonde asked the mare for a fast canter as she was a bit slower than Sultan due to her large frame. She was a heavy horse, but she had long legs. Annie leaned forward a bit, letting the wind rush through her face. Her braid whipped along in the wind, and her hat flying off with Elizabeth’s. Annie giggled in excitement as they thundered through. This was certainly fun! Annie felt as if she was in her dream, flying on Lady’s back.

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[Morrigan]

Once they had been cantering for what felt like a blissfully long time, Elizabeth gently drew Sultan up so they slowed to a trot, then a walk, and began to amble sedately through the foresty pathways that led off the main estate. Elizabeth sighed, and Sultan skittered eagerly, fired up from the speedy escape. She patted his neck.

"Are you all right, Annie?" Elizabeth called swivelling to check on her sister. She had to say, leading her sister on a mad dash to escape their poor governess hadn't exactly been on her agenda that morning, but she wasn't sorry she'd done it. In the end, Elizabeth thought with some bitterness, whether or not they memorised large chunks of French prose or learnt to sew a perfectly lifelike embroidery was irrelevant. It wasn't as if they could do anything with the knowledge, except maybe sew things to put on the walls of their husbands' houses. Elizabeth sighed to herself, her breath clouding the frosty air.

"Let's go this way," she said idly as they came to a fork in the path. "I think this one's quicker to get to the pond. I do hope the governess doesn't try to come running after us. We all know how terrible she is on a horse, and she'd no doubt get dreadfully lost in these woods. Although with any luck, that might mean we wouldn't see her for days!" Elizabeth joked dryly. She doubted the poor woman would actually try to follow them, but would sit, wringing her hands until her errant charges came back. Ah well. What was life if you didn't take a few hours to yourself every now and then?

"Oh look, Annie, there's the pond," said Elizabeth cheerfully, after they had ridden down a few twisting paths and reached a clearing. She turned Sultan and they trotted towards the stretch of frozen water, whose surface had probably once been perfectly smooth and iced over, but now bore the distinct scuff marks of having been charged across by many little feet in the past few days. "Oh dear, it's not very thick at all, is it? Look, you can see where the butcher's boy fell through." Sure enough, several large cracks led up to a section of the ice where a boy-sized hole had broken out, a few pieces of ice floating on the running water which was visible underneath. The temperature outside was cold, but, obviously, not cold enough to make for a proper, thick layer of ice that could be skated upon safely, and so Elizabeth kept a beady eye on her sister.

Their father would throw her out of house and home if she let his favourite fall into a frozen pond, after all.

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



Annie rather liked the feeling of the canter. It was smooth unlike the bouncy trot, especially in Lady’s large, powerful strides. Though she was a good enough rider, the little girl was no match for the physics that came along with it. She was small and therefore bounced with no avail when Lady was at a trot. With faster gaits however, Annie felt as if she was actually flying. It was amazing to her at least and she was tempted to simply close her eyes and imagine she was in the clouds, fluttering above and gracefully. She smiled happily as the two made their way down the path at a rather fast pace.

Her face was a little sad when Elizabeth moved to slow down Sultan, but Annie did the same, easing up on the reins a bit, Lady slowed through the gaits till she hit walk. The young blonde took in a refreshing gulp of air. It had been a while since she’d done anything as exciting as what she was doing now with Elizabeth. She’d certainly been up to her usual antics, but she hadn’t had the same time with her sister as usual. Annie was rather grateful for this time she got and sighed contently as they continued through.

Her bright little grin responded to Elizabeth’s question, still a bit out of breath to make words. “Yes, I am fine, thank you.” Annie eyed her sister from head to toe checking to make sure her sister was alright too. It had been a speedy escape for certain, though as usual, Annie didn’t feel the same adrenaline of getting caught as soon as Lady had gone fast. She knew the governess wouldn’t be able to catch up to them and though she felt bad for putting the poor woman through all that trouble, but she knew the woman would be alright.

Annie nodded simply as Elizabeth motioned to the path in the fork in the road. “That one certainly looks more interesting ride through.” she responded softly before laughing at her sister’s jokes. The thought of the woman a horse however caused the girl to grow a bit worried. “Elizabeth, do you really think she’ll try to get on a horse? Oh poor thing. I do hope she doesn’t or we will have to find her if she doesn’t come back home.” Annie grinned at the end “Though I supposed a few days without her would be quite lovely.”

The blonde turned her attention from Elizabeth to the large area of frozen water which she assumed was the pond. It looked so different from the summer, and though she’d seen it many times through the seasons, she always was quite amazed by it. Quite in awe, the girl dismounted off Lady with a big jump to the ground. Walking cautiously up to the edge, Annie tentatively looked at the boy sized hole “Oh it’s not thick at all is it? That poor boy…” her voice was soft, but the water she could see from the hole was quite interesting. Hesitantly, she tapped the ice with a tip of her toe. “Do you think I could go over there?” she asked quietly, wondering if perhaps the ice would be able to hold her up.

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[Morrigan]

"No, I don't think the governess will try to get on a horse and chase us. Not after that time she tried to stop Kate rushing into the village. The poor woman was picking briers out of her hair for days, and she won't look at a horse the same way again. Still, she should've known better than to take Nutmeg out when she's the one of the most skittish horses in the country." Elizabeth rolled her eyes, not sparing much patience for the horse-fearing governess who had had such misfortune when it came to equine related activity.

Pursing her lips, Elizabeth eyed her sister in scrutiny, then looked over at the ice which Annie was proposing she walk over. "I don't know, Annie, it doesn't look very thick, and I'm certainly not going to let you catch your death of cold. But here, let me test it," Elizabeth said, boldly marching over to the frozen pond's edge and sticking out one booted foot cautiously without much further hesitation. She pressed down on the smooth iced surface, her other foot still securely on dry land, and tested how secure it was, then worked her way carefully a bit further in. The ice was solid, and did not feel unstable underfoot, although she did not dare get any closer to the hole a bit further in.

"Well, I suppose it feels strong enough here if you really want to walk on it, but you must stay towards the edge and not go anywhere near that cracked bit. And you have to hold my hand." Elizabeth said strictly, raising an eyebrow at her sister.

She looked over at the shattered portion of ice warily, not liking to think of the small boy who obviously hadn't had a protective older sibling to stop him from rushing right across, and had fallen straight through the thawing ice into the bitterly cold waters below. On that grim thought, Elizabeth clasped Annie's hand firmly within her own, hoping her little sister wouldn't think her overprotective for demanding she be so cautious. But as the eldest, Elizabeth was well used to looking after her siblings and heaven forbid she ever let anything happen to Annie, who was without a doubt the gentlest and kindest soul of them all.

[grace]

Lady Annabel Penrose



Annie gave her sister a slight nod before making a worried face. Surely, the sight of the poor woman covered in briers had been quite amusing, however, she felt terribly sorry for the whole ordeal. Kate had gotten quite a scolding and as much as she was scared of her older sister, the little blonde had tried to comfort her. Annie had returned crying in her bedroom from one of Kate’s harmless little rude responses. Still, though and unfortunate event for the poor governess, Annie was quickly relieved with the fact that she would not be pursuing them anytime soon. “That’s good. I would feel absolutely terrible if she hurt herself again…”

The teenager peered back up at her older sister with earnest eyes until Elizabeth pronounced she would test it. Annie held her breath, but simply nodded and prayed her sister didn’t slip or anything of the sort. If Elizabeth got hurt, it would be at least a hundred times worse if she herself fell in. Annie didn’t like to be the fault of anything bad happening. She watched tentatively as the older girl stepped back off the ice. At least there didn’t seem to be too much of a problem.

The little blonde wasn’t quite sure what drove her curiosity to walk out on the ice, but the idea of walking on water – even frozen sounded completely awe filled. Annie grinned and clasped her sister’s hand without protest. She knew Elizabeth wanted her to be safe, and this even allowed Annie to make sure Elizabeth was safe as well. The last thing she wanted was for Elizabeth to fall in as well. Annie pawed her way onto the solid ice with bold steps. A silent creak slipped up and she froze, but still had a shining smile on her face.

“Elizabeth! I’m walking on water! I feel like some kind of faerie!” she giggled and scooted a bit more forward. The action allowed her to glide a bit, but she stopped soon as to keep hold onto Elizabeth’s hand. “Oh Elizabeth! Perhaps we can ice skate with our boots? Just to stay away from the hole?” Annie offered the idea softly, but froze again as she heard another soft creak. The girl back away in a different direction. The ice felt solid. “This way doesn’t seem to be too thin…” Annie spoke her little thoughts aloud before turning back to look at her sister and their hold on one another.

[/center]

[Morrigan]

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at her sister's excitable high spirits. She had to admit, there was a childlike happiness to be found in the simple pleasure of feeling one's boots gliding smoothly over a sheet of ice, and she found herself giggling along with her little sister as they moved slowly over the pond. She kept a very tight clasp on Annie's hand, but as they skated gradually faster around the edge some part of her mind told her that she was getting careless in allowing this, and that she should be erring far further on the side of caution. Yet she could not help but indulge Annie, who seemed so at home out here in the freedom of the woods.

"And you look like one too, Miss Graceful Skater," Elizabeth replied, laughing along with her sister as she took a tentative step forwards to skate a little way. Elizabeth quickly glided forwards too, so that Annie could keep going around the smooth edge of the pond. She cast a slightly anxious glance towards the distinctly unstable centre where the hole was, and a slight creaking sound did not go unnoticed by her. She would have to be extremely careful not to let Annie get carried away and head any further in. She opened her mouth briefly to say as much, but the sight of Annie's enraptured expression made her close it again.

Elizabeth told herself briefly to stop being such a worry-wart, and to let little Annie have a good time uninhibited for once in her life. She grimaced, realising that the things she was saying were all things their father would be more than happy to bark at them, and immediately this put her off wanting to criticise or command. Instead Elizabeth smiled at her sister and, perhaps recklessly, speeded up, tugging Annie by the hand so they swirled in a little circle, round and round, and came to a halt by a large old tree.

"All right, Annie, but do be careful," said Elizabeth in reply to her sister's request, keeping her voice light. Then she was distracted temporarily by the sight of a robin on a branch in the enormous tree, and she smiled in delight to see the pretty creature, his red breast a splash of colour amongst the wintry foliage as he fluttered from branch to branch. "Look, Annie, a robin," she said, pointing with one gloved hand at the branch. She took her eye off the ice while she did so, and forgot to pay attention to where the sturdiest bits of ice were, so they drifted ever so slightly closer to the fractured centre of the pond.