Kindred Spirits: Waiting for Valerie
(Follows Daniel's Afternoon)
It's nearly nine before Daniel has a chance to take a break. He's been at work since dawn, cleaning out stalls and feeding the horses, turning some out to the paddocks, grooming others because they'll be taken out later for riding. He goes outside to draw water from the well and washes his hands and forearms. The bowl of porridge he ate in the pre-dawn quiet of his cottage is long burned off, but he has an apple in his pocket. He pulls out the piece of fruit as he walks back to the stables.
Mia whickers at him, ever on the alert for extra food. He shakes his head at her and walks on, finally stopping in front of the last stall. Molly is a beautiful dapple gray with a long, silky mane and darker gray stockings. Intelligence gleams in her big dark eyes. He bites off a piece of apple and holds it out on his palm for her. Her soft lips tickle his palm as she delicately lifts the morsel. "You like that, don’t you?" he croons to her. Her ears turn attentively at his voice. "I know someone who will love you," he tells her, gently smoothing his hand along her jaw.
"Daniel, there's someone here to see you!" Innis calls from the doorway.
Daniel's heart leaps. Could it be Valerie this early? Surely she's not back from the Fergusons' estate already. He gives Molly the rest of the apple and hurriedly wipes his hands on his trousers as he runs to the doorway. He's grinning widely, sure he'll see…
Old Bob, the ragman. Not Valerie with her warm, open smile, but Bob, idly scratching his chest with one callused hand. His other hand holds the bridle of Betsy, his ancient mare. The man's broken-down cart is hitched behind Betsy's hindquarters and piled with all manner of items. Bob makes the rounds every other week, selling cast-off clothes and shoes, old dishes, pots, and pans, books and maps and any other curiosity he finds in his travels.
"Youn' Dan'l," Bob calls, gap-toothed grin stretching wide. "I have some books you might like."
Daniel keeps his smile in place as he walks over to the cart. He's disappointed that his visitor is not the young woman who has filled his thoughts all morning, but Bob has always been kind to him. "How are you, sir?" he asks as he strokes Betsy's shoulder.
"Got a touch of ache in me back, but I'm fair," Bob informs him. "Lookit them books, Dan'l. They're in the back in that box."
Daniel obeys and sifts through the small cache of crumbling books. He fishes out a thin volume of short stories and examines it. Bob sidles up and pokes his elbow.
"Lookit," Bob mutters, reaching for a much smaller box tossed in among the books. He lifts the lid and tilts the box toward Daniel. Daniel blinks at the somewhat blurry photograph imposed on what looks like a large playing card. The woman's open bodice bares her breasts, and her skirts are tossed up around her waist. A man kneels between her open knees, and it looks as though he's pressing his mouth to her…
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" Daniel blurts, laughing in spite of his shock. "What have you got here, Bob?"
"Naughty pictures," Bob cackles. "Bought 'em for tuppence from Crowley over at th' Wardens estate." Bob pokes his elbow again. "Me old dick don't work like it used to, but I figured a youn' feller like you could have a grand time wankin' over these."
Daniel feels himself flushing all the way to his ears. "Erm," he hedges, but Bob is already pushing the box into his hands. "I can't---" he begins weakly.
"Take 'em as payment for lookin' at Betsy's hoof t'other week," Bob tells him.
"It was just a small stone lodged in there," Daniel protests.
"Aye, but my poor eyes couldn't see it, and she was gettin' lame."
Daniel sighs. There's no use arguing with Old Bob when he gets an idea in his head. He starts to back away from the cart when he catches a glimpse of dark brown leather amidst the tumble of old shirts and dresses. Reaching in, Daniel pulls out a riding boot. The leather is scuffed and dull, but the boot is still in decent enough shape. He can tell by the small size that it's a woman's boot. "Do you have its mate?" Daniel asks Bob.
Bob's wild gray eyebrows rise. "Tha's a bit small for yer big feet," he comments dryly.
"Not for me," Daniel replies. "They're for a friend."
"A lady friend?" Bob cackles and starts digging in the pile. "Oh ho! Youn' Dan'l finally found another girl. About time, lad. Well, let's see…ah! Here!" He triumphantly waves the other boot at Daniel.
"How much?" Daniel asks.
"For you, lad, eight pence. Lady Warden scuffed these up proper while rolling around the hedges with her husband's cousin, she did. Refused to wear 'em again even though all they need is a good rubbin'." He drops one eyelid in a wink. "Kind of like her…all she needed was a good rubbin'."
Daniel snorts and hands over the coins. "Thank you, sir."
"Aye, lad, thank you. C'mon Betsy. Let's go see who else wants our wares."
Daniel tucks the boots under his arm and watches Bob and Betsy make their way down the lane. He glances down at the box of cards in his hand and shakes his head. He'll have to hide these from the other stable boys or nothing will get done the rest of the day.
It takes him only a few minutes to slip the box of cards into one boot and tuck the boots into an old wooden box under the table he uses when he's cleaning and oiling tack.
He has no idea if the boots will fit Valerie, but it's worth a try. He has some old trousers and a shirt she can borrow for her riding lessons until he can find some proper ladies' riding clothes for her. He knows the trousers will be too big for her, but he can fashion a belt out of an old leather strap.
He tries hard not to think of that tantalizing picture on the card, or about what Valerie will look like in his clothes. He's had a hard enough time all morning concentrating on his duties. His thoughts have been filled with her; he's replayed every kiss, every touch. Twice, he's wandered out to the lane to see if Jonah is nearby. Sighing, he gathers a bridle, bit, and lead rein. He needs to take Dair, one of the geldings, out to see if his new shoes fit correctly. He's not looking forward to this; Dair is restless by nature and has a tendency to fight the bit.
"Right," Daniel says, halting in front of Dair's stall. "You're going to behave for me, yes?"
The big horse snorts and kicks the back wall with one newly-shod hoof.
**
When Daniel returns to the stables with Dair in tow, he's still marveling over the strange, unexpected meeting with Walker. It's only as he's slipping the slimy bit out of Dair's mouth that he remembers Walker's borrowed shirt. The American is no doubt gone by now. He'll have to remember to get the shirt to Valerie.
Daniel pauses, the bit dripping onto his boot. Walker's intimate comments about Valerie had made him feel uncomfortable at first, but it soon became apparent that Walker was concerned about Valerie's well-being more than anything else. Still, Daniel can't help but remember Valerie's comments from the night before. Hadn't she called Walker a kindred spirit? And she'd gone swimming with him… Jesus. No wonder Walker had described Valerie's body so vividly.
"Jaysus, that's a mean glare you've got," Innis remarks as he walks by with a bale of hay on his shoulder. "Did someone take a piss in your boots this mornin', Daniel?"
"No," Daniel replies a little more curtly than he intended. "Sorry," he adds. "Just wool-gathering." He tosses the bit into the bucket of water outside the stall and picks up a dandy brush. Dair tries to nip him, but Daniel gently elbows his muzzle aside and begins to groom the horse.
He knows he shouldn't be jealous of Valerie's friendship with Walker. He knows she likes him. She must, or she wouldn't have let him kiss her, touch her, hold her so intimately.
Yet unbidden and unwelcome, Mrs. Bolton's comments surface in his memory. "I thought at one time that Valerie had feelings for both men, particularly Mr. Walker. He's rather affectionate with her, and she with him."
Daniel's efficient movements slow. What if Valerie has feelings for Walker and is only dallying with him until Walker comes around? The minute he thinks that, he feels ashamed. Valerie wouldn't behave in such a manner. She couldn't. Not after what she's been through.
Still, even Daniel could see that Walker was handsome and confident. He didn't have huge feet or gangly long legs; he had a man's solid body and, no doubt, a man's experience with women.
"Bloody hell," Daniel mutters to Dair.
"Let me know if he starts talkin' to ya," a voice pipes from the stall doorway. Jonah stands there, casually eating a biscuit. "Have you got anymore food here?" he asks, rubbing one bare foot on top of the other.
"No," Daniel replies, "but I have an errand for you."
"Awww, geez, not another errand," Jonah whines. "I'm hungry, Daniel."
"Go on this errand and I'll feed you," Daniel promises him.
"You just told me you don't have any food!"
Daniel sighs. "Fine. I'll pay you then; you can buy all the sweets you want."
Jonah's blue-eyed gaze sharpens. "How much?" he challenges.
Daniel fishes in his pockets. "A shilling," he replies. Jonah holds out one grimy hand. "Does that mean you'll do it?" Daniel asks suspiciously.
"Yes."
"Swear it."
"C'mon, Daniel!" Daniel stares him down until Jonah rolls his eyes. "Fine," the boy grumbles. "I swear I'll do it."
Daniel spills the twelve pennies into his grubby hand. "I need you to go to the Fergusons'---" He stops because Jonah erupts into a howl of protest. "Listen to me! I'll give you the pony to ride there and back. Stop that infernal noise!"
"I'll staaaaarve by the time I get back!" Jonah moans.
"Bloody hell," Daniel grits out. "Innis!" he yells over Jonah's head.
"Jaysus, WHAT?" Innis bellows from outside.
"Have you got any sweets with you?"
Two wrapped toffees sail through the door a few seconds later and land neatly at Jonah's feet. The boy scoops them up, unwraps them, and stuffs a toffee in each cheek. "The Fergusons'?" he prompts Daniel around the candies.
"Ask at the front door for a young lady named Miss Valerie," Daniel goes on. "You've probably seen her around the village. She's tall and has curly light brown hair and blue eyes." He stops as Jonah's attention wanders. "Jonah."
"What?"
"Pay attention. Ask for her, and if she's left, try to find out when and where she was going next. Can you remember all that?"
"O'course I can," Jonah scoffs. "I'm not stupid, Daniel."
Daniel eyes him, then takes down the tack for the Shetland pony. "Go bring Trevor in, and I'll get him ready for you."
**
Two hours later, Daniel has paced a path from the stable to the lane and back again. Nervous energy has caused him to sweep out each stall, even those that didn't need it. He's about to start scrubbing the water troughs when he hears Trevor's distinctive whinny just outside the stables. He drops his scouring brush and races out.
"Where the blazes have you----" Daniel begins. Jonah grins smugly at him from atop the pony, his lips wreathed in sticky purplish-red.
"I saw your lady," Jonah informs him, climbing down from Trevor's back. "She's workin' for the Fergusons now. She shared her jam sandwiches with me. Didja know she's from America, Daniel?" Jonah curls his thumbs around his suspenders and sticks out his chest. "She couldn't believe I rode all that way by myself," he goes on. "I told her I ride all over. She has a pretty laugh, don't she?" Jonah adds in what can only be described as a dreamy sigh.
Daniel closes his sagging jaw and gently shakes the boy's shoulder. "Did she say how long she would be at the Fergusons'?" he asked.
"Until four," Jonah replies. "She said she'd have to walk home because she didn't have a way---she rode in an auto, Daniel, can you believe it? I've only seen one. Mama says they're goin' to replace carts and buggies. Do you have anything to eat?"
Daniel thinks longingly of the soup Valerie gave him; he was too nervous to eat it earlier. He sighs and ruffles Jonah's sun-streaked hair. "There's some soup in a pail on the windowsill there," he tells the boy. "It's yours if you want it." The words are barely out of his mouth before Jonah is racing over to grab the pail.
Daniel walks over to Molly's stall. He has only a few more duties left for the day. Barring any unexpected visits from anyone at the big house, he could leave in plenty of time to pick up Valerie at the Fergusons'.
"Feel like a little trip?" Daniel asks Molly, who blinks serenely at him.
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur for Daniel. He tells Innis that he's taking Molly out for a bit, but Innis is too busy flirting with Brianna from the laundry room to do more than nod absently. He retrieves the boots and stuffs them into a soft cloth saddlebag, adds a long, thin leather strap, then swiftly saddles Molly and walks her to his cottage so he can pick up the trousers for Valerie. He bought the trousers from Old Bob months ago for three pennies, and while they're soft and a bit worn, they're at least clean. Daniel stops long enough to splash cold water on his face and hurriedly cleans his teeth.
Somewhat refreshed and definitely nervous and excited all at the same time, Daniel checks to make sure the saddlebag is closed before mounting the patient mare. "C'mon, Molly," he murmurs, stroking her fine long mane. "Let's go surprise Valerie."
It's nearly nine before Daniel has a chance to take a break. He's been at work since dawn, cleaning out stalls and feeding the horses, turning some out to the paddocks, grooming others because they'll be taken out later for riding. He goes outside to draw water from the well and washes his hands and forearms. The bowl of porridge he ate in the pre-dawn quiet of his cottage is long burned off, but he has an apple in his pocket. He pulls out the piece of fruit as he walks back to the stables.
Mia whickers at him, ever on the alert for extra food. He shakes his head at her and walks on, finally stopping in front of the last stall. Molly is a beautiful dapple gray with a long, silky mane and darker gray stockings. Intelligence gleams in her big dark eyes. He bites off a piece of apple and holds it out on his palm for her. Her soft lips tickle his palm as she delicately lifts the morsel. "You like that, don’t you?" he croons to her. Her ears turn attentively at his voice. "I know someone who will love you," he tells her, gently smoothing his hand along her jaw.
"Daniel, there's someone here to see you!" Innis calls from the doorway.
Daniel's heart leaps. Could it be Valerie this early? Surely she's not back from the Fergusons' estate already. He gives Molly the rest of the apple and hurriedly wipes his hands on his trousers as he runs to the doorway. He's grinning widely, sure he'll see…
Old Bob, the ragman. Not Valerie with her warm, open smile, but Bob, idly scratching his chest with one callused hand. His other hand holds the bridle of Betsy, his ancient mare. The man's broken-down cart is hitched behind Betsy's hindquarters and piled with all manner of items. Bob makes the rounds every other week, selling cast-off clothes and shoes, old dishes, pots, and pans, books and maps and any other curiosity he finds in his travels.
"Youn' Dan'l," Bob calls, gap-toothed grin stretching wide. "I have some books you might like."
Daniel keeps his smile in place as he walks over to the cart. He's disappointed that his visitor is not the young woman who has filled his thoughts all morning, but Bob has always been kind to him. "How are you, sir?" he asks as he strokes Betsy's shoulder.
"Got a touch of ache in me back, but I'm fair," Bob informs him. "Lookit them books, Dan'l. They're in the back in that box."
Daniel obeys and sifts through the small cache of crumbling books. He fishes out a thin volume of short stories and examines it. Bob sidles up and pokes his elbow.
"Lookit," Bob mutters, reaching for a much smaller box tossed in among the books. He lifts the lid and tilts the box toward Daniel. Daniel blinks at the somewhat blurry photograph imposed on what looks like a large playing card. The woman's open bodice bares her breasts, and her skirts are tossed up around her waist. A man kneels between her open knees, and it looks as though he's pressing his mouth to her…
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" Daniel blurts, laughing in spite of his shock. "What have you got here, Bob?"
"Naughty pictures," Bob cackles. "Bought 'em for tuppence from Crowley over at th' Wardens estate." Bob pokes his elbow again. "Me old dick don't work like it used to, but I figured a youn' feller like you could have a grand time wankin' over these."
Daniel feels himself flushing all the way to his ears. "Erm," he hedges, but Bob is already pushing the box into his hands. "I can't---" he begins weakly.
"Take 'em as payment for lookin' at Betsy's hoof t'other week," Bob tells him.
"It was just a small stone lodged in there," Daniel protests.
"Aye, but my poor eyes couldn't see it, and she was gettin' lame."
Daniel sighs. There's no use arguing with Old Bob when he gets an idea in his head. He starts to back away from the cart when he catches a glimpse of dark brown leather amidst the tumble of old shirts and dresses. Reaching in, Daniel pulls out a riding boot. The leather is scuffed and dull, but the boot is still in decent enough shape. He can tell by the small size that it's a woman's boot. "Do you have its mate?" Daniel asks Bob.
Bob's wild gray eyebrows rise. "Tha's a bit small for yer big feet," he comments dryly.
"Not for me," Daniel replies. "They're for a friend."
"A lady friend?" Bob cackles and starts digging in the pile. "Oh ho! Youn' Dan'l finally found another girl. About time, lad. Well, let's see…ah! Here!" He triumphantly waves the other boot at Daniel.
"How much?" Daniel asks.
"For you, lad, eight pence. Lady Warden scuffed these up proper while rolling around the hedges with her husband's cousin, she did. Refused to wear 'em again even though all they need is a good rubbin'." He drops one eyelid in a wink. "Kind of like her…all she needed was a good rubbin'."
Daniel snorts and hands over the coins. "Thank you, sir."
"Aye, lad, thank you. C'mon Betsy. Let's go see who else wants our wares."
Daniel tucks the boots under his arm and watches Bob and Betsy make their way down the lane. He glances down at the box of cards in his hand and shakes his head. He'll have to hide these from the other stable boys or nothing will get done the rest of the day.
It takes him only a few minutes to slip the box of cards into one boot and tuck the boots into an old wooden box under the table he uses when he's cleaning and oiling tack.
He has no idea if the boots will fit Valerie, but it's worth a try. He has some old trousers and a shirt she can borrow for her riding lessons until he can find some proper ladies' riding clothes for her. He knows the trousers will be too big for her, but he can fashion a belt out of an old leather strap.
He tries hard not to think of that tantalizing picture on the card, or about what Valerie will look like in his clothes. He's had a hard enough time all morning concentrating on his duties. His thoughts have been filled with her; he's replayed every kiss, every touch. Twice, he's wandered out to the lane to see if Jonah is nearby. Sighing, he gathers a bridle, bit, and lead rein. He needs to take Dair, one of the geldings, out to see if his new shoes fit correctly. He's not looking forward to this; Dair is restless by nature and has a tendency to fight the bit.
"Right," Daniel says, halting in front of Dair's stall. "You're going to behave for me, yes?"
The big horse snorts and kicks the back wall with one newly-shod hoof.
**
When Daniel returns to the stables with Dair in tow, he's still marveling over the strange, unexpected meeting with Walker. It's only as he's slipping the slimy bit out of Dair's mouth that he remembers Walker's borrowed shirt. The American is no doubt gone by now. He'll have to remember to get the shirt to Valerie.
Daniel pauses, the bit dripping onto his boot. Walker's intimate comments about Valerie had made him feel uncomfortable at first, but it soon became apparent that Walker was concerned about Valerie's well-being more than anything else. Still, Daniel can't help but remember Valerie's comments from the night before. Hadn't she called Walker a kindred spirit? And she'd gone swimming with him… Jesus. No wonder Walker had described Valerie's body so vividly.
"Jaysus, that's a mean glare you've got," Innis remarks as he walks by with a bale of hay on his shoulder. "Did someone take a piss in your boots this mornin', Daniel?"
"No," Daniel replies a little more curtly than he intended. "Sorry," he adds. "Just wool-gathering." He tosses the bit into the bucket of water outside the stall and picks up a dandy brush. Dair tries to nip him, but Daniel gently elbows his muzzle aside and begins to groom the horse.
He knows he shouldn't be jealous of Valerie's friendship with Walker. He knows she likes him. She must, or she wouldn't have let him kiss her, touch her, hold her so intimately.
Yet unbidden and unwelcome, Mrs. Bolton's comments surface in his memory. "I thought at one time that Valerie had feelings for both men, particularly Mr. Walker. He's rather affectionate with her, and she with him."
Daniel's efficient movements slow. What if Valerie has feelings for Walker and is only dallying with him until Walker comes around? The minute he thinks that, he feels ashamed. Valerie wouldn't behave in such a manner. She couldn't. Not after what she's been through.
Still, even Daniel could see that Walker was handsome and confident. He didn't have huge feet or gangly long legs; he had a man's solid body and, no doubt, a man's experience with women.
"Bloody hell," Daniel mutters to Dair.
"Let me know if he starts talkin' to ya," a voice pipes from the stall doorway. Jonah stands there, casually eating a biscuit. "Have you got anymore food here?" he asks, rubbing one bare foot on top of the other.
"No," Daniel replies, "but I have an errand for you."
"Awww, geez, not another errand," Jonah whines. "I'm hungry, Daniel."
"Go on this errand and I'll feed you," Daniel promises him.
"You just told me you don't have any food!"
Daniel sighs. "Fine. I'll pay you then; you can buy all the sweets you want."
Jonah's blue-eyed gaze sharpens. "How much?" he challenges.
Daniel fishes in his pockets. "A shilling," he replies. Jonah holds out one grimy hand. "Does that mean you'll do it?" Daniel asks suspiciously.
"Yes."
"Swear it."
"C'mon, Daniel!" Daniel stares him down until Jonah rolls his eyes. "Fine," the boy grumbles. "I swear I'll do it."
Daniel spills the twelve pennies into his grubby hand. "I need you to go to the Fergusons'---" He stops because Jonah erupts into a howl of protest. "Listen to me! I'll give you the pony to ride there and back. Stop that infernal noise!"
"I'll staaaaarve by the time I get back!" Jonah moans.
"Bloody hell," Daniel grits out. "Innis!" he yells over Jonah's head.
"Jaysus, WHAT?" Innis bellows from outside.
"Have you got any sweets with you?"
Two wrapped toffees sail through the door a few seconds later and land neatly at Jonah's feet. The boy scoops them up, unwraps them, and stuffs a toffee in each cheek. "The Fergusons'?" he prompts Daniel around the candies.
"Ask at the front door for a young lady named Miss Valerie," Daniel goes on. "You've probably seen her around the village. She's tall and has curly light brown hair and blue eyes." He stops as Jonah's attention wanders. "Jonah."
"What?"
"Pay attention. Ask for her, and if she's left, try to find out when and where she was going next. Can you remember all that?"
"O'course I can," Jonah scoffs. "I'm not stupid, Daniel."
Daniel eyes him, then takes down the tack for the Shetland pony. "Go bring Trevor in, and I'll get him ready for you."
**
Two hours later, Daniel has paced a path from the stable to the lane and back again. Nervous energy has caused him to sweep out each stall, even those that didn't need it. He's about to start scrubbing the water troughs when he hears Trevor's distinctive whinny just outside the stables. He drops his scouring brush and races out.
"Where the blazes have you----" Daniel begins. Jonah grins smugly at him from atop the pony, his lips wreathed in sticky purplish-red.
"I saw your lady," Jonah informs him, climbing down from Trevor's back. "She's workin' for the Fergusons now. She shared her jam sandwiches with me. Didja know she's from America, Daniel?" Jonah curls his thumbs around his suspenders and sticks out his chest. "She couldn't believe I rode all that way by myself," he goes on. "I told her I ride all over. She has a pretty laugh, don't she?" Jonah adds in what can only be described as a dreamy sigh.
Daniel closes his sagging jaw and gently shakes the boy's shoulder. "Did she say how long she would be at the Fergusons'?" he asked.
"Until four," Jonah replies. "She said she'd have to walk home because she didn't have a way---she rode in an auto, Daniel, can you believe it? I've only seen one. Mama says they're goin' to replace carts and buggies. Do you have anything to eat?"
Daniel thinks longingly of the soup Valerie gave him; he was too nervous to eat it earlier. He sighs and ruffles Jonah's sun-streaked hair. "There's some soup in a pail on the windowsill there," he tells the boy. "It's yours if you want it." The words are barely out of his mouth before Jonah is racing over to grab the pail.
Daniel walks over to Molly's stall. He has only a few more duties left for the day. Barring any unexpected visits from anyone at the big house, he could leave in plenty of time to pick up Valerie at the Fergusons'.
"Feel like a little trip?" Daniel asks Molly, who blinks serenely at him.
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur for Daniel. He tells Innis that he's taking Molly out for a bit, but Innis is too busy flirting with Brianna from the laundry room to do more than nod absently. He retrieves the boots and stuffs them into a soft cloth saddlebag, adds a long, thin leather strap, then swiftly saddles Molly and walks her to his cottage so he can pick up the trousers for Valerie. He bought the trousers from Old Bob months ago for three pennies, and while they're soft and a bit worn, they're at least clean. Daniel stops long enough to splash cold water on his face and hurriedly cleans his teeth.
Somewhat refreshed and definitely nervous and excited all at the same time, Daniel checks to make sure the saddlebag is closed before mounting the patient mare. "C'mon, Molly," he murmurs, stroking her fine long mane. "Let's go surprise Valerie."