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Althia and Nicholas have had their first fight. While he cleans up from the tea poured on his head, she takes off on her horse to help clear her thoughts.
Althia drank in the sea air as it whipped against her face and filled her lungs with the taste of salt and spray. She allowed the cool morning to wash away the memory of her exchange with Nicholas and any unresolved feelings. It was just her and her horse cascading down the shoreline, leaving behind the world and all its problems.
She rode to a familiar spot marked by a dilapidated dock. Althia descended the horse and casually tossed the reigns over one of the splintered posts still sticking up out of the ground. Cider began munching on some of the grasses nearby as Althia picked up a number of rocks in her hands. She stood on the shore and tossed the rocks as far as she could out into the waters.
"I understand you had a fight with Hannah again," Lord Shevington announced as he walked up behind his ten-year-old daughter throwing rocks into the water, standing next to a dilapidated dock.
"She is always mean to me," young Althia scowled as she threw another rock. "She told Rose not to give me any dinner until I had completed my lessons."
"And why did you not complete your lessons?" the older man causally asked as he stood next to his daughter.
"I had already completed my French lessons," she explained, "But she still would not let me eat until I had finished my math and geography." Another rock was heaved into the choppy waters.
Lord Shevington squatted down and picked up a few rocks. He stood and asked, "Do you not believe your school work to be important?" He tossed a rock into the water.
"Yes, it is important, but John was showing me how to shoe the horses. I explained to Mother that I would finish my lessons after dinner, but she called me an 'ungrateful fox' and said I was lazy and that I was not to eat until all of my lessons were finished."
"I see," her father commented unemotionally. "You must understand, Althia, that--at times--your concept of 'explaining' sounds very similar to demanding and yelling." He sent another rock airborne.
Althia stood there looking out into the waters, crashing and churning much like she felt inside.
"I hope you realize that Hannah has your best interests at heart. She does not mean to always seem so cross. Things have just been a bit difficult for her. We must try to help her and not be so unyielding."
The young girl looked up at the man she adored most in the world. "Am I really an ungrateful fox, Father?"
"No, my dear Althia," he assured her as he brushed his hands of sand and dust. "You are a bright, charming, sometimes forceful," he smiled at her as he cupped her face in his hands, "but always intelligent young lady who had better finish her lessons if she wishes to have any of Rose's shepherd's pie."
"Shepherd's pie?" Althia excitedly asked. "I will race you back, Father," she yelled as she ran to get her horse's reigns.
"I will see you there," he teased as he headed to the hill behind them where his horse waited.
A much older Althia looked back at that hill, half-expecting, half hoping to see her father's horse there and his tall, strong figure coming down toward the dock. Turning, she found only a gust of wind greeting her. She would have to find a way to solve this problem on her own. Maybe she had been too strong with Nicholas, taking her fears and insecurities out on him. He had been trying to be pleasant and she had bristled at him. Why was he so insistent on being pleasant with her anyway? That is a silly thought, she mused. He was simply being kind and you misconstrued his intentions and your reactions. She knew she must return to the house and apologize for her behavior. Gloomily, she gathered the reigns and climbed aboard Cider for the long ride home.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lifetimes seem to pass for Nicholas as he waited for Althia to return. He found it difficult to concentrate on reading, but his injury did not allow for pacing the room. So he mostly sat, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair and waited. Randolph entered the room and walked up to Nicholas, giving him a questioning look.
"I do not intend to take all the blame for your mistress' behavior," Nicholas attempted to explain to the dog. "She holds just as much responsibility." Randolph simply walked up to the side of the chair, sat down, and looked at the man. Nicholas stopped trying to defend himself and petted the large dog's head. "You're right, you know. It was my own bloody fault. I walked right into it, guns firing, not stopping to think about what I was doing." He looked down at Randolph. "We shall just have to find a way to fix it. You'll give me an idea, won't you boy?" Randolph replied by lying down in front of Nicholas' feet and rolling onto his back in hopes that his stomach might be scratched.
"Roll over and surrender?" Nicholas asked, as he obliged the dog with his foot. "Never, my friend. Navy men never give up without a fight. I just hope this is not a fight to the death," Nicholas mused as he sat waiting for Althia to return.
Soon enough, he heard someone coming through the dining room and then stop. Nicholas straightened up in his chair and Randolph raised his head in curiosity. Nicholas strained to hear what was going on and held his breath, anticipating her entrance and trying to decide on what he would say to her.
Outside the room, Althia stood, holding her breath and trying to decide what to say when she saw him. Letting her breath out slowly, she found enough courage to proceed. She paused outside the doorway and knocked on the doorframe.
"Come in," Nicholas entreated her.
She walked in to see him sitting much as he had last night and Randolph at his side. For some reason, the sight calmed her as she made her way to the pair. "Captain Metcalf, I behaved abominably this morning at breakfast. I hope that you will forgive my rash outburst and inexcusable display. I assure you that it will not happen again." She looked down at the ground awaiting his response.
"Lady Shevington, it is I who should be apologizing to you."
Althia looked up at him. This wasn't the response she was expecting. Her stepmother had always tried to make Althia feel even guiltier after she apologized.
"I reacted harshly and in a vulgar manner to you. You are perfectly capable and allowed to have your opinions of my compatriots and myself. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
His eyes never left Althia's face. They were filled with disappointment and hope. It seemed such a strange combination to Althia that she was taken aback. "Uh...of course, Captain Metcalf. I accept your apology."
"Then I accept yours. Would you care to join me for tea?" He motioned for her to sit in the unoccupied chair.
"Actually, I have a few household duties to attend to, but thank you for the invitation. Will you be joining us for dinner?"
"Would that please you?" Nicholas smiled slightly at her.
"Well, I ... I mean..." Once again, she found herself at a loss for words. "You know that you are welcome at my table, Captain Metcalf."
"Then I shall be pleased to join you."
"Very well, then," Althia didn't know what to do next. "I will meet you for dinner at five."
"I shall look forward to it." His smile grew larger. He could sense her wavering.
"Very well, then," she repeated and began exiting the room. "Oh, Captain Metcalf," she turned back to look at him, but from a safer distance, "Is there a particular dish that you would like Jane to fix?"
Nicholas thought for a moment. "I admit that I have not had a decent portion of shepherd's pie in quite some time. Do you feel that would be too much trouble for Jane?"
"Shepherd's pie? I think that can be arranged." Althia smiled slightly at the mention of her favorite dish. She turned back and returned to the kitchen to alert Jane of their guest's wishes. Afterward, she retreated to the study to examine bills and prepare payments.
Five o'clock quickly descended upon the house. Althia nervously fiddled with her necklace as she took one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs. He is just a man, she kept reminding herself. An ordinary man and I am going to have an ordinary dinner with him and hold an ordinary conversation. It sounded simple enough, but it did little to quell her anxious feelings.
In the dining room, Nicholas prided himself on walking to the room unassisted. It had taken almost a half an hour, but he made it and seated himself. A part of him congratulated himself on the accomplishment, but another part reminded him that the quicker he healed, the quicker he would have to leave. He attempted to force both thoughts out of his head as Althia entered the room.
"Good evening, Lady Shevington." Nicholas pushed himself from the table and ever so slowly stood.
Althia watched in respect and amazement as the Captain stood and then proceeded to bow slightly. She could scarcely believe that just a few days ago this man had been at death's doorstep.
"Good evening, Captain Metcalf. It appears that you are on the mend," she replied as she made her way to the table. Nicholas straightened up and pulled out the chair next to him for her to use. She walked over and sat down as he assisted her. He then slowly lowered himself into his own chair.
Jane quickly entered with the main course and the pair eagerly anticipated the evening's meal. Their conversation was light and superficial, both trying to feel the other out and determine what topics were safe to discuss and what were not. Althia admired Nicholas' determination and capability. Despite her intentions, the more she relaxed, the more she found herself enjoying his stories and company.
Nicholas couldn't be happier with the way things were progressing. He respected her fortitude and ability to run a household and manage all of the affairs by herself. What difficulties and troubles must she have gone through in order to reach this place in her life? It is not surprising that she is so wary of men, having accomplished so much on her own, he thought as Althia described having to protect her home from flood one spring.
Eventually the dishes were removed, the teapot emptied, and the evening came to an end. Althia stood and waited for Nicholas to join her. He carried a candelabrum and escorted her to the stairway.
"Good night, Captain Metcalf." Althia turned and climbed the stairs to her room.
"Good night, Lady Shevington," Nicholas returned, and then added silently, "from the one who loves you." He then entered his room and closed the door behind him.
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