Clara's POV

After talking to Jane last night I was pretty much told to keep my mouth shut. I didn't mean to get anyone in trouble which she said I didn't but it also seemed that now Mr. Plumtree was now a bit less eager to talk to Fanny rather than myself. That was all I needed. I just sigh as I put a petty coat on now leaving my hair down, I didn't care if the people here liked it or not. I walked out of my room and started to the stables.

I was taught how to ride at a young age and it calmed me down most of the time. It felt like true freedom when I was riding on the back of such a majestic creature. Once finally at the barn I saw an elder African American gentleman brushing a black horse. He looked up at me a bit startled. I smiled and walked over to him.

"Hello there. What is your name?" I ask him trying to be as friendly as possible, the last thing I needed here was enemies.

"Tom my lady. I heard you be the guest of Miss Austen from America right?" he asks me as he looks up at me.

"That's right, my name is Clara and it is a pleasure to meet you Tom." I tell him as I stroke the horse. "A beautiful animal you have here."

"Aye this is Achilles, just bought the other day very well trained though." He tells me as Achilles turns him head my way almost as if he were watching me. "Has an eye for the ladies too."

"I can see that, is there anyway perhaps I would be allowed to ride him?" I ask Tom hoping that he would help me with my freedom for just a little while.

"He seems to like ya, so I don't see why not. I'll get him ready for ya if you give me about ten minutes just wait out by the door for me." He tells me as he pulls Achilles away from my hand.

Thank goodness Achilles took a liking to me, I really just wanted to feel a taste of freedom. I walk up to the stable doors just like Tom told me to and I look outside to see Fanny and Mr. Plumtree walking and talking. I roll my eyes at the sight, that man is a pain in the butt. No matter how much Fanny may like him he was already on my "Ignore as much as possible" list. As I watch them I can see Fanny doing most of the talking and him almost acting as if he were not listening. Typical male especially in this time period.

"Here ya go Miss Clara." Tom says as he hands me the reins to Achilles. "Ya need any help getting on? He is a big fella."

Before Tom knows what to do I mount Achilles and smile down at him. Tom smiles back at me and opens the stables doors a bit more as I motion for Achilles to start. He didn't need anymore encouragement either, he took off and I made sure we went to the left to avoid Fanny and Plumtree. Finally I felt that feeling of freedom returning to me. The wind blowing through my hair and the sunshine on my back. I couldn't help but smile as Achilles continued to move forward.

Plumtrees POV

"There will be a ball at my house in two days, you are still coming are you not?" Fanny asks me yet another question.

"Of course, nothing would prevent me from coming after all I gave you and your aunt my word. I never go back of my word." I tell her earning a smile on her face.

"I am so happy to hear it. There will be much dancing and talking to the new people who are coming from America as well." She tells me as we continue to walk but something bolts to the right of me.

I barely have time to look over as I see a red haired maiden riding a black stallion take off onto the ground of the estate. Once I look closer I realize that is it none of then Miss Clara. I had not figured her to be one to ride yet alone ride alone. Did she not think that she could fall off and become hurt? Then I also notice her hair is down. Her long red hair flows in the wind and I can see a smile upon her face.

"Is something the matter?" I hear Fanny's voice ask as I look back over to her.

"Your new guest, what do you know about her?" I ask Fanny wondering if she knows much about Clara.

"Not very much to be honest, Auntie says she is still learning her manners and that she prefers to do things the American way instead of our refine ways." She tells me as we stop at a bench just outside of the gardens.

"Are you saying you do not agree with her ways?"

"Well she is a bit different, my aunt says she is near her twenty third year and yet still unmarried with no prospects either. Almost as if she prefers to be alone." Fanny admits as she sits down on the bench and motions for me to join her.

"Is that why you think for unkindly to her? That perhaps she does not want to marry?"

"What woman in her right mind does not want to marry I ask you?" she says as she stands up and notices Clara riding our way. "And she wears her hair down to ride horses! Oh what kind of woman is she?"

A clever one, I had seen the stable man Tom try to ride Achilles once and the horse was not having any of it but now that Clara was the one on top of him he seemed to have no problems at all. Before I have a chance to stop Fanny she walks up their way and Clara is forced to pull back on the reins making Achilles stop and try to buck. Somehow Clara calms him down though but once that is done she glares at Fanny.

"What do you think you were doing?! Trying to get yourself killed by a horse?!" Clara yells at Fanny in a very un lady like manner.

"Why is your hair down? Not to mention why are you riding Achilles? Tom won't let anyone ride him!" Fanny yells back at her like a child being scolded.

"I was the one who connected with Achilles, do not blame me if the horse prefers one human to another." Clara says as I walk up to them.

Sensing my presence behind her Fanny stands up straight and then turns back to look at me almost as if she were asking me for help. I kept still though there was no way I was going to involve myself in such an argument.

"You little boyfriend won't help ya, why don't you stand up for yourself like a real woman?" Clara asks as she dismounts Achilles.

"How dare you!" Fanny scolds as she turns and walks up to Clara. "You owe your life to my family, we found you nearly dead and if Plumtree had not carried you back to my aunts house then you would have died."

"I never asked any of you for help now did I?" Clara asks making a point as well.

"You were in no condition to ask for help." I decide to speak up now.

Fanny turns around and walks to my side as Clara just glares at me. An almost evil glare that sends shivers down my back. Achilles nudges her almost as if he was telling her to calm down. This woman did have a gift with animals. Clara smiles as she pets his head.

"Thank you Mr. Plumtree for carrying met to safety I believe I owe you my life now." Clara tells me being sincere.

"I am glad you are well now, you owe no debt to me." I tell her as I see her smile at me.

"You are very kind sir, if you will excuse Achilles and I now I believe I should continue my ride before your dear girlfriend decides to try and attack me again." She tells us and before I can say another word Clara is on Achilles and takes off again.

I sigh as I watch her take off into the distance. That woman looked like Aphrodite on a horse. I did not care that her hair was down in fact I think I prefer it that way. Fanny then comes to stand in front of my vision and I can clearly see that she is upset with me. Oh bother will I ever learn to stay out of such matters?