“Yes, ma’am,” I said, as Ashley and I perused the goodies.
There were beautiful pieces of hand made furniture, cool barn things, books, paintings, and weekend trips for sale. We bid liberally on lots of things, the festive mood infectious. A tack trailer was parked nearby and, of course, it drew me in like a magnet. Mother rolled her eyes but acquiesced.
With little encouragement, she let me purchase a new set of crochet-backed leather gloves for today. I had noticed no one else was wearing black gloves but me, so I replaced them with my new pair. I also picked up a real stock tie and Ashley purchased a tie and proper stock pin to finish her look. We excused ourselves to the house to make our improvements.
“Perfect,” she said as she finished putting the last fluff on her stock tie.
“How did you do that?” I asked, jealous because mine looked ridiculous.
“Here, I’ll fix it,” she said.
“Thanks.”
Outside the announcer said it was time for the riders to get their horses and gather with their respective field masters. I was so glad that Christopher and Ben were there to help us. I would have been pretty intimidated without them. Ashley, too, I’m sure, but she’d never admit it.
Viva was glad to see us but had untied her rope and was, thankfully, grazing next to Bonfire. Robin was nowhere in sight, but we mounted the horses and moved where we could see everyone assembling. Ben and Christopher looked so gallant – thank goodness Christopher was not slouching today – and the four of us found our places.
Several gentlemen smiled in appreciation when Ashley and I made our way into the crowd. What gorgeous scenery. Just being here made me feel so elegant, and Viva was prancing perfectly in place. Bonfire was giving Ashley a little fuss, but nothing she couldn’t handle. Blazer and Sonny were stolidly looking the part of gentlemen’s mounts.
During the Blessing of the Hounds, the priest drew a brilliant analogy of the horses and hounds following the cry of their Master, like we follow the cry of our Maker to determine our purpose in life. Tears filled my eyes, for his words moved me like few sermons had in all my well-churched life. His words sent my mind on its own path, and I drifted away, reflecting.
I was following the paths laid before me, but where was I going? Was I going where I was supposed to go? How was I sure? I had such great parents, sisters, and I certainly knew all about God, after all, I was raised in the South.
This new sport was not only elevating my spirits, it laid bare all my life questions that were so now for a high school senior. As the priest read the beautiful poem, I wondered if the right person was out there waiting or if I was destined to be an old maid. All these boys around showed so much interest, yet nothing stirred my soul like riding Viva. And now, this! My eyes are appreciative, but my heart is with the horses and these amazing hounds.
As if reading my thoughts, Ben gave it another try.
“You look nice this morning, Elliott,” he said. “Having fun?”
“Thank you, Ben,” I said. “Yes. This is spectacular.”
“Just wait,” he said.
Ben’s confident tone made me turn to look at him. “What do you mean by that?” I asked. How could there be anything better than this?
“You’ll see,” he smiled, and his eyes did that sparkle thing again.
Ashley noticed, too, and stiffened. Bonfire leapt in place and kicked both back feet in protest from having to stand so still and quiet with braided mane and tail through the long service. He was not being nearly the manageable spirited mount that Viva was so thankfully being. Ashley and Christopher were using all their skills to keep him from causing a ruckus. Robin had joined us late and was doing her part as well, much to Ashley’s chagrin. She would much rather have had Ben’s assistance than hers and Christopher’s.
The huntsman paraded the hounds by the spectators and us. What a sight he was on his magnificent bay! Even Viva appreciated it and pranced for effect. He went by at a trot and winked at Ashley and me. Thankfully, Bonfire had settled, for the moment. Ladies’ day for eye-candy – might as well return the favor – and we beamed at him.
The hounds were cast, or released, as I recently learned, nearby where the landowner “cared” for a brace, meaning two, I also had learned, of gray foxes. They were not released for the hunt, or chase; they just were regulars. I felt a little better thinking that these must be hunted often; therefore, not killed. I wasn’t ready for bloodshed.
Then, at last, we heard them. Although I had heard them on the video, heard about them from others, and even heard them in the trailer and around the priest, for the first time, it was a choir.
The most magnificent music ever to enter my ears.
They struck the regulars – or at least one of them – and we were off at a blinding pace. Never before had I felt such a rush of emotion – panic, no, elation, freedom, flying, freedom, and oh, the speed! Ben stayed in front of me acting as, I learned later, a pilot, to ensure the footing and path was clear for Viva and me. At the time, however, we were going so fast with so many other horses, I’m sure that had we encountered anything in the trail it would have either been trampled or leapt. We had wings – and they were widespread.
On and on we galloped – I had no idea where we were going. Ben’s horse’s rump was a comfort, for I’m not sure I could have contained Viva in the simple show-ring snaffle without their assistance. Now I know why Ben insisted upon using his own bridle even for the reliable schooling horse Ashley had chosen for him.
Then – a check. Pause – Viva and I were trembling. Hounds were quiet, and a deathly silence fell over the crowd. Tension was tangible – the huntsman cantered by gazing intently at a spot in the creek we recently passed – and brought the hounds to him. All of them – they followed him as a group. I was astounded. How does he do that?
I looked up to ask Ben a question, but he motioned for me to stay quiet. Everyone is so quiet. How cool is this? And then, a small black and tan hound, a bitch I learned later, the gender, not personality, gave a sharp yip, screech, and then howl. The next hound, large and rangy, boomed in agreement with the rest of the pack, and we shot across the ditch after them.
Flying again, filthy, wondrous mud splashing before and behind us as we crashed through the trails flooded from recent rainstorms. Our beautiful clothes were fabulously nasty. I had never been so delighted to be dirty! Down the hills, across open fields, what a pace!
Sharp turn ahead, riders to my left and right pressed against Viva and me as we negotiated the twists and turns. Elated, although I should have been terrified, we blazed up a hill dodging branches like Indians escaping rivals’ arrows.
At the top of the hill another check.
“Staff, please,” a rider announced, and Ben directed Viva and me to move aside. I glanced up in time to move out of their way and meet the polite gaze of pale green eyes set in a face forever stamped on my heart.
He was in full scarlet – meaning he was staff of some sort – probably what they called a whipper-in. But he…they…were different. He and his imposing black horse were one, but of course not, really. The instant they passed, Viva half-reared – something she’d never done before – and Ben attributed it to them passing too quickly by us.
“Rude,” he muttered under his breath. “You all right, Elliott?”
No air. What happened to the oxygen? Breathe. Takes breath to speak.
“Yes, yes, I’m, we’re…fine,” I said and forced a smile. I felt my face flush and feared Ben would misinterpret. He did.
“Glad you like this so much. It was like this for me my first time, too,” he said, leaning in much too close and looking deeply into my eyes. I could tell where this was going.
“Look, they’re on something again,” I said, quickly changing the subject. Although, how brave could Ben be to approach any closer to me…enter my space…the space…with us both on prancing horses, in front of all these people, and with ungainly velvet headgear strapped to our skulls? My advanta
ge. For now.
A moment later than I would have liked, the faithful little bitch howled, and the pack followed suit. Off again! Back across the ditch and into the woods. Ducking dodging, out in the open now, more speed and oh, my, a river! What do we do with that? No quiet lake this time.
Reading my thoughts, Ben turned to me and spoke softly.
“Nothing to this, Elliott. Just give your mare plenty of rein and she’ll be fine.”
And we were swimming again in November! The icy waters swirled around my knees as I bent my legs backward to avoid the water. My father will kill me if I ruin these custom boots! How cool is this? I thought for the second time today. Viva’s feet could still touch the gravelly bottom, and she negotiated the river like Poseidon’s personal Pegasus.
“Ben, where’s Ashley?” I asked, as we scrambled up the other side.
“No way to know, Elliott. I am sure she and Robin have everything under control. It’s easy to get separated from the group in this sport,” he added, albeit a little too hopefully.
Oh my. I sure had no idea where we were. I did take some consolation knowing this was his first time here at least, so perhaps he would not be brave enough to try the so obvious “we’re lost” line at a fox hunt to arrange some alone time with him.
We had gorged ourselves earlier at the hunt breakfast, but already I was wishing I had brought something to drink. The excitement and action had me wanting more food than I usually ate in a week. Now I understood why so many rode with the little leather boxes and flasks on their saddles.
Hounds struck again, and we galloped to who knows where for about thirty minutes. Viva’s pulling was making my arms tired, but I was too exhilarated to care. Ben stopped us in a clearing surrounded by golden hickory trees. The rest of the group was quiet, listening for the hounds. Somehow, we had been separated from the other group.
Our field master heard something and trotted off. We cantered behind all bunched up in a wad as we crossed the meadow. Once we reached the woods, Ben held Viva and me back so others could get ahead. I was not sure what he was planning but kept Viva behind him as best as I could. When the last person trotted by, we joined them in the end. It was much easier to ride without everyone crowding us, and I appreciated his strategy.
We galloped at a blinding pace down steep paths and through winding trails ducking and bobbing every few feet to dodge branches. This was wonderful, and I couldn’t believe how fast and how far we were going. Did this land go on and on forever? My arms and legs were aching and my stomach growling, but I felt like I could ride like this for the rest of my life.
Just in time we arrived at checkpoint, which was another spread of food, drink, and spectators overlooking a beautiful lake. They were really turning up the cameras toward the now filthy beautifully clad horses and riders. There were jumps set up all around for larking, or playing, something typically discouraged in the normal course of events, but this was, after all, a fundraiser for the hunt.
“Elliott!” Ashley called from a mule-drawn hay wagon. Christopher was sitting right beside her, and I saw Robin behind them.
“Where’s Bonfire and the other horses?” I asked, fear of the worst gripping my stomach.
“Oh, they’re fine. Bonfire’s just not the foxhunt type, I think,” Ashley said with some disdain no doubt taking in the state of my disrepair.
Christopher was still working hard to win Ashley’s attention along with a few other hopeful boys. So far, no good. Her blue eyes were fixed on Ben. He had not returned her gaze. She, too, was making her intentions far too obvious to me, but as she has reminded me earlier, what did I know about boys?
“Elliott, don’t jump Viva today, please,” Robin called. “I’d rather you bring her home in one piece. We’ve had enough disasters for the day. Ben, you can ride Blazer wherever you like. He’s a gem.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said without too much regret. The day was magnificent on its own, and I certainly did not want to break any rules. I planned to come back. Whatever it takes.
“I’m staying with Elliott,” Ben said to Robin, “just in case Viva tries to take after Bonfire.”
“I appreciate that,” Robin said. “Sorry I can’t be any more help!”
The huntsman beckoned his pack, and they reluctantly left sandwich handouts to return to their mission. He cast, or directed, them into the woods behind the lake. For a while, they muddled around looking like so many soldiers intent on their mission.
Ben had moved us up to the front of second flight in hopes to see a little more hound work. Most everyone around us seemed to be having fun and were chatting among themselves in low tones.
As guests, Ben had initially positioned us at the rear of the field. Most members, however, were eager for me see the hounds and allowed us front row seats. Ben said it was because they knew it was my first foxhunt. They could already tell I was hooked.
The field master had us lined up along a road where we could see the hounds working in the woods to our left. A small white hound gave animated yips and, amazingly, the others rushed to her side. Then the whole chorus of the Woodland Hounds erupted right beside us sending chills up my spine. I shivered with pleasure as Viva surged forward with the field.
Up hills, down slippery slides, around and through the trails we crashed, forty plus riders and a pack of eager hounds. The sounds, thrills, and uncertainty filled my soul to bursting. I wanted this run to last forever. Soon, all was quiet, for the scent had been lost. After trying in vain to find their quarry, the huntsman was ready to move to a new location. The Master of Foxhounds, however, decided to call it a day since all hounds were accounted for, and we had been hunting nearly four hours.
The huntsman blew another long wavering sound, mournful this time, on his horn.
"That means we’re going in,” Ben said.
The steam rising from the horses’ backs as we rode quietly though the November mist was a perfect end to an unforgettable day. Viva had settled into her job – not too close, but not too far from the other horses, and I loosened the reins. She lowered her long neck down and out, stretching and lifting her back. Her walking stretch felt good to me, too.
We walked through a small field towards the clubhouse, and in the distance I could see a rider – another whipper-in I supposed – backlit in the mist.
What a regal sight. He was looking over our field and standing motionless, both rider and horse too still to be real. Mist swirled around them – a vision I was sure.
My emotions were so rattled with all I had experienced I was certain they were part of my vivid imagination. But then I blushed, and Viva started – for we felt, more than we saw, his eyes bearing down…on me.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chapter 6 - The Party
At the sound, Viva’s heart pounded beneath me. I could feel her pulse as completely as my own. Her ears twitched as she took in the new surroundings. My head spun in anticipation of another breathtaking gallop – oh the speed, the freedom, the glory, and the sound – always the sound – my personal orchestra ringing in my mind.
Ashley, Robin, and Christopher had long since left by the time we returned to the trailers. Ben and I had ridden home in silence, a comfortable silence, so my mind drifted back over the beautiful morning. Fortunately, we had brought two vehicles, so the others did not have to wait for our return. Ashley trailered Bonfire in Robin’s rig, while mine remained with room for Ben’s horse.
Ben and I were alone at the trailer, and I had almost forgotten his intentions earlier in the day. Almost. People were passing, politely saying their goodbyes and casually making plans for the next day’s hunt. Next day’s hunt? I wonder if our invitation was for two days?
“Ben, are we allowed to hunt tomorrow, too?” I asked. He was really easy to talk to, even with the impending romantic complications. Hopefully I could step around this without losing a friend.
“I think so, but let me check,” he said. “Had fun, did you?” His eyes were amused and way too interested
in my reaction. So was I, but there was none.
“I’d like that,” I said, wondering again what was wrong with me. Here was finally a guy, a very handsome one as well, versed in something that I loved, that could be the ticket to my coming back, and my heart refused to respond to his gaze. All I could think about was avoiding being alone with him and paving the way for Ashley.
I watched Ben leave and started to untack and brush down both horses. Mother would be so frustrated, and Grand, well, she’d have already taken a strap to me – verbally only, of course. They were great coaches for their Southern girls – the best, even. Mother lived for Daddy and radiated joy and enthusiasm in everything she did – including raising three girls. Her constant attention and affection made everything in our house fun. Unlike most girls my age, I was not longing to leave home next year, but I was ready to spread my own wings.
She talked constantly about boys, and it concerned me much more than her that I had not really had a boyfriend. Was something wrong with me? She assured me that the later the better on having those complications. College was the best time to explore that venue, and after college was even better. But Ben was definitely on her radar screen and had passed social scrutiny with flying colors.
“We’re in – if you’re game,” Ben said.
I looked up, a little embarrassed that I had just been thinking about him. “In? You mean we can hunt tomorrow?” I said, not believing my ears.
“Hunt is at 10:00 since there are so many out-of-town guests,” he said. “But there is one catch.”
“I’m all ears,” I said.
“Let me take you to the hunt party tonight,” he said.
“Party? What party?” Now I was trapped. I did not see that one coming. My mind was racing of a way to get around a real date with Ben. That would expedite the complications, I was sure.
“I’ll pick you up at 7:00,” he said. “That is, if you’ll go with me.”
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