November 26th, 1892 - Wintertide Hunt, Early Afternoon
Anthony Alderton

Torie's uncharacteristic melancholy this morning had not lasted very long. She had wallowed in her self pity for only a while before she pep talked herself back into her usual, personable self. Basil had been right, she shouldn't let one man's reaction dictate her weekend and she was determined to enjoy herself. It might be difficult to avoid Mr. Alderton, but Torie still found that she didn't exactly want to. Perhaps he had been preoccupied or honestly needed to speak to his sister at breakfast, Torie was still unsure, but she was going to do her best to put it from her mind and enjoy the time she had here at the Dashwood estate.

Her riding habit was a beautiful deep purple, her hat perched perfectly on her head and from her gloves to her boots, Torie looked the part of one who enjoyed a ride. It wasn't the same without her own mare to ride, but the chestnut beauty she current sat astride was well-behaved enough. He was a bit precocious, but she could handle that. She and Geary were trotting along the trails of the estate, enjoying the peace and quiet now that everyone else had gone off on the hunt. The break for a midday meal would happen soon, but Torie was too focused on enjoying the crisp autumn air and afternoon sunshine to be ready to stop yet.

She was determined not to dwell on the events of this morning, but still had opted to ride independently (with her trusty lady's maid of course) instead of joining the other ladies who had set out for their own adventure. Torie felt like she was being terrible company today so thought it better to try and puzzle herself out solo than to subject her friends to her sour mood. Geary was used to it, so that was not a problem, but it still had Torie feeling all out of sorts.

Casting a knowing look over her shoulder at her lady's maid, Torie urged the stallion into a canter, that quickly evolved into a gallop. The cold air stung her cheeks, flushing her pale skin with excitement as the trees whipped by and the rest of the world faded away.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony’s conversation with Lucy earlier that day did little to yield the results he’d anticipated. In fact, it hadn’t yielded much of anything because he hadn’t managed to bring up Ms. Victoire Malfoy at all. Cat got your tongue, and all that. It just felt too soon, almost, to bring up the notion of a woman he didn’t even really know that well. They’d met once, and she’d been gracious in her thanks of his actions which, in retrospect, any proper gentleman ought to have done. He was getting rather ahead of himself in trying to dig into other people’s affairs. It didn’t matter that her pretty face had been on his mind for weeks; if Basil was barking up that tree, Anthony needn’t ruin it without cause.

It was with this mindset that the brunette joined his family in the hunt. If given the opportunity to get to know Ms. Torie better, he would take it. It was his responsibility as the eldest anyhow to vet any potential friends or new relatives, wasn’t it? For now, he was determined to enjoy the feeling of freedom that riding through the familiar English countryside enabled. There was something just so about England that in all his travels Anthony had been unable to forget. He quite liked Portugal and France, and a number of other locales on the great wide continent, but England was… home. It always would be, despite his wandering. As of late, Anthony had been feeling the need for it, more and more.

His hunt for a wife was… serious at this stage, he supposed. Though ‘hunt’ implied he was out on the prowl, actively searching and interviewing. In reality, Anthony had just started flirting with the idea of settling down if he met the right person. He was determined to marry for love, and love alone, even if it did make Mama roll her eyes fondly. Hers had been a love match however, so she really had no leg to stand on against his wanting the same. He just hoped to find someone that both inspired something within him and complimented his future plans and aspirations. That couldn’t be so terribly difficult, right?

Lost in his own thoughts, Anthony didn’t even realize as he became separated from the larger group. He’d started with Basil, Atticus, Reggie and the others, but somewhere along the line he must have lost them. He urged his cantankerous gelding into a canter and laughed as the bay pinned his ears in irritation. Sam was perfectly happy to continue trotting along, sightseeing thank you very much. None of this effort nonsense. Anthony gave the gelding a small pat which did nothing to ease the creatures annoyance, but they moved off against Sam’s will anyhow. (With this much brute on one’s back, there really was no choice.) Anthony was used to the gelding's antics however, so he held Sam softly in the mouth even as he spotted someone streaking out of the trees ahead. That looked fun. Urging the gelding into a lope, he hoped to either catch up to the other or for them to notice him and slow. Sam likely was not about to be enticed to spur on full-tilt from this distance.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

Torie adjust felt better for having left her room to enjoy the afternoon. She would have never felt better hiding away in her room fit the remainder of the day. The forest became a blur as she and Geary galloped down the trail. The wind was a little bitter, but she didn't mind in the warm sunshine streaming between the trees.

It appeared like she wasn't the only one who fancied a fast ride. Torie noticed someone of to her side, on a trail that would soon merge with hers. A wicked grin graced her lips as Torie urged her mount to pick up speed. The sprint wouldn't last long, but she was competitive enough to want to win the not-race.

She out-stripped Geary by a long shot now, her lady's maid keeping the quick pace, so as to keep Torie in sight, but had given up on keeping up. Laughing to herself, Torie felt the thrill in her veins and the exhilaration in her heartbeat as she neared the joining of the trails. There was just a short stretch left to see who would come out on top...

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony could still see the streaking, wild form of whomever was riding parallel to him through the trees. As their paths made to converge, and he neared, he noticed it was in fact a woman. How clever! He could see Sam eyeing the approaching figure and the horse tensed, ready to spring forward or pull back. Anthony decided to take advantage of the unusual energy and gave the bay a hard nudge. Sam leapt under his touch and flung forward, dropping his head, ears pinned again. He shook his head once and that was all it took to light the fire in his belly.

Anthony moved into a two-point, easing himself up off the gelding’s back to make it easier for Sam to maneuver. He had a springy step when he wanted to (so, never) but it had never amounted to much when he’d been on the track. Today, as they whipped closer to the flying form, Anthony could see and feel the potential in the cantankerous thoroughbred. It was too bad he didn’t quite have the personality for it. Sam much preferred strolling along for trail rides and the occasional fence than he did racing full-tilt.

Eventually, even with Sam’s extra push, Anthony realized he was not about to catch the spitfire in front of him and he pulled up back to a canter. Sam heaved a little bit, bobbing his head as Anthony settled back in the saddle. Eventually she had to pull up; he’d catch up to her then.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

A race it was then! Torie grinned to herself, seeing the gentleman across from her putting in an effort to keep up which had her urging the horse on and he seemed fairly apt to oblige. The stablemaster had warned her that he could be a bit headstrong, but she was a seasoned rider, she could handle it.

Until she couldn't.

Torie came up on the merging of the paths with a triumphant smirk. She tried to coax her steed to slow down but he wasn't having any of it. Perhaps encouraged by the other pair coming up behind them, but her efforts to get him to relent were unsuccessful. Looking over her shoulder caused her hat to fly off, red hair escaping it's chignon as the wind whipped by.

At this point she was holding on for the ride, hoping the chestnut would run out of steam sooner rather than later. They approached more of a field, which gave her more breathing room than the narrow paths, but Torie looked back again to see if she was alone again or not. Panicked eyes searched the greenery for an exit, but Geary was far behind now. At this point Torie was wondering if she should just abandon ship, but a third look back over her other shoulder had her seeing that she hadn't lost her race companion, hopefully he could help?

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

As they slowed in pace, Anthony watched the rider ahead. He saw her flying still, ground practically levitating under that horse’s hooves. He saw her glance back, once, twice, and still the creature didn’t slow. Something in the pit of Anthony’s gut urged him to investigate. It seemed vaguely odd that the rider still hadn’t slowed. He gave Sam a small hustle and ignored the gelding as he snorted, ears flat. “C’mon bud,” the eldest muttered under his breath. He softened his hands and Sam, reluctantly, surged forward.

Anthony frowned as the distance between himself and the other rider grew smaller. He saw her hat whip off suddenly and that was when he knew something had to be wrong. No lady was quite so careless unless something was amiss, either with her horse or with her emotions. Either way, it was too big a risk to leave her to her own devices. Urging Sam forward again and lifting himself out of the saddle, he put the former racehorse through his paces. Sam’s lope stretched out, closing the distance with more urgency.

As he neared, Anthony thought he recognized the chestnut tail in front of him. He tried to come up sidelong but one throw of Sam’s head told him this was going to be trickier than he imagined. He tried again, this time giving Sam a wider berth of the other horse’s back hooves. Ears pinned flat against the gelding’s head and held, but Sam didn’t snap, thankfully. He could feel his rider’s tension as Anthony reached for the chestnut’s reins. Then, grabbing them with a small flick, he pulled up quickly. Sam nearly threw a fit as he slowed, tossing his head higher than before and lifting his front hooves a touch. The chestnut beside them pinned his ears in response but luckily, they managed to come down to a walk shortly thereafter.

Breath coming in short, fast pants, Anthony nudged Sam a small distance away from the other horse not trusting him. The big bay could easily have swung his head around to bite, even as Anthony pulled up to a halt and slid of the creature’s back. Sam snorted again and bobbed in irritation but quickly dropped his head to graze. Lazy arse, Anthony thought fondly. Then, full attention turned to the other rider as he lifted a hand to hold the chestnut horse by the cheekstrap. He was surprised to find none other than Ms. Torie in the saddle. “Are you alright?” He breathed, still somewhat laboriously. “That seemed… a little less controlled than anyone might have liked.” He chuckled, breathily.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

The following 1 user Likes Anthony Alderton's post:1 user Likes Anthony Alderton's post
   Victoire Malfoy

The sound of thundering hooves being her gave Torie a little bit of hope. She still wasn't making any progress getting her brute of a mount to slow down now and so all she could do was hold on for dear life. Another glance over her shoulder had her cheering silently as the gentleman she'd been racing was catching up.

Only, Torie recognized who it was as he drew closer and her stomach dropped as her heart soared; this was certainly not how she wanted to find Anthony Alderton again! Was she cursed to look incompetent in front of him in perpetuity? How in the name of Merlin's beard was she ever going to make a good impression at this rate? Three times she had somehow made a fool of herself. He must think her utterly incapable of anything worthwhile!

She's could not fight the overwhelming sense of relief as he caught the reins and used his own horse to slow hers, however and so she tried to focus on how grateful she was for his help yet again. Her hands were shaking on the reins, breathing rapid and shallow, her heart was hammering in her chest. She wasn't going to swoon but the whole ordeal had left her entirely winded.

"I will be," she managed weakly, a small smile gracing her otherwise frantic features. She was sure her hair was a mess and she looked as frightful as she felt. "Thanks yet again to your gallantry." That she could not fault him for. Torie took a few deep breaths just in time for Geary to come strutting up with her hat. What timing.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony tried to catch his breath as he gazed up towards the pretty redhead he’d come to rescue once before. It would seem this was a trend he was beginning to perpetuate; the thought was not altogether disagreeable. He rather liked being the one she could rely on, even if nothing else. A nasty little thought crawled into the back of Anthony’s brain, however, prompting that he ought to keep his distance. He did not want to ruin his cousin’s chances, even if Basil was not around in this instance when he might otherwise be needed.

“Think nothing of it,” he replied. Then, giving the chestnut a pat on the neck, satisfied he wouldn’t bolt again, Anthony stepped closer and offered her a hand. “Do you need assistance?” He asked, gently. It would be natural for her to want to stand on solid ground again and he could see now the dismount causing her to tumble if she was shaken (as she had every right to be!) Hoping to spare them both the embarrassment, Anthony stood there, and tossed her a lopsided little smile.

It was at that moment that someone else approached them, a chaperone Anthony could only assume by the look of her. He gave the woman a small nod as she dismounted and made her way over to her charge.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

Torie would think a whole lot about this as she tried to suffocate herself with her pillow out of embarrassment, of that she was sure. Geary dismounted and approached, but with one look from Torie halted and returned to standing by her horse, looking in a different direction, but still paying attention. Torie was going to have to gift her lady's maid an extra day off or a bonus after this weekend.

"I'm afraid I'll be quite shaky on my feet." Torie admitted with a sheepish smile. His hand down would be lovely, but she could feel her legs shaking from the effort of holding on and a hand down probably wouldn't cut it. Merlin she hate appearing this way! She really was not some helpless damsel! Torie had done for herself her entire life. Of course her mama had be there when she was younger, but once Torie had hit Hogwarts, she had made the friends she wanted to, she had put effort into her studies, her year in the Pendergast garden had gone splendidly, was almost pointless. Torie knew exactly what kind of woman she wanted to be and she worked for it; this was not it!

Sighing softly, Torie took Mr. Alderton's offered hand and slid down from the horse, determined to stand on her own two feet despite her shaking knees. She leaned on the horse for support and gave Mr. Alderton's hand a brief squeeze before letting go gently. She attempted to smooth down her hair, but it had come completely undone and fell in loose waves around her shoulders now. "I promise I am not this helpless all of the time." She joked halfheartedly, trying to appear more like herself despite her embarrassment.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony’s lopsided little grin only flashed brighter as he waited, patiently, for Ms. Torie to accept his hand and slide down to the ground. He was braced, and ready to gently ease her by the waist should she need it. She did not, which he was remiss in admitting to himself that he was sad of, and the gentleman stepped back politely. (The small squeeze of her fingers on his tickled something in Anthony’s gut that he had rather not dwell upon at present.)

Lacing his fingers behind his back, the brunette inclined his head teasingly at her and raised a brow. “I should imagine not,” he replied indulgently. “Else I’m sure you would not look half so well now.” It was a little bit brazen, as far as compliments went. Honest, too. But Anthony had never been one to hide his emotions like his cousins often did. She did look alright, after such a scare, and the red curls cascading gently across her shoulders only added to the beautifully wild effect.

His expression softened then. “Would you care to sit or walk it off?” Anthony prompted, a tad bit hopefully. They could most easily managed to walk, arm in arm, towards the meeting point for luncheon. She would be wobbly, anyway, and if it took awhile for her to recover, that was no problem at all.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

If Torie were the kind to actually blush in full force, she would have been as red as her hair! He was quite charming, in addition to chivalrous. His words did soothe her ruffled feathers a little bit, though she still felt utterly ridiculous, she could more easily push down the embarrassment in an effort to be her normal, effervescent self.

The invitation to walk or take a respite was a tough one. They would be due at the luncheon break soon, but honestly she wasn't so sure she could make it more than a few steps without wobbling herself right back into the dirt. The walk would give her a good excuse to hold onto him, and she supposed it would have to happen eventually, but perhaps, if Geary was feeling generous, she might be able to monopolize Mr. Alderton's company for a few moments longer, if only to prove to him she was not a hopeless cause.

"Would you mind terribly if we sat for a few moments, just until I get my knees to stop shaking?" Torie passed him a sheepish smile. Surely there had to be a log or a rock they could sit upon? At this point Torie would plop herself on the ground for a little while, if only to give herself enough time to recover and to be charming at the same time. She was determined to flirt to the best of her abilities and refresh his opinion of her (which didn't seem to be all that bad?) Besides, Geary was right there, it wasn't as if they were unaccompanied this time! "I am uncertain I would make it too far on such unsteady legs." She chuckled, a playful warning she might give out on him again.

---

The following 1 user Likes Victoire Malfoy's post:1 user Likes Victoire Malfoy's post
   Anthony Alderton

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony wasn’t disappointed per say at the lady’s wanting to catch her breath on her own - for what kind of man would he be if he wished only for her to be a damsel in his arms all the time? - but he was at least glad they had this private little moment to themselves. (Even if he was for all intents and purposes stealing Basil’s thunder. He really had to sort this one out, didn’t he…)

Offering Ms. Torie a charismatic smile, Anthony gave her horse a pat on the neck. “Not at all,” he replied. “Please, take as long as you need. There’s a erm—“ he looked about quickly “Ah, there’s a fallen tree just over there.” The brunette gestured vaguely to their left. Then, taking her horses’ reins over its head, he offered the lady his arm to walk the few paces. He didn’t trust this horse not to bolt (unlike Sam who was grazing away on his own, lazy as can be) so he kept a firm hand even as he made to escort Ms. Malfoy.

“So, I understand you know my cousin Basil?” He asked, looking for something new to talk about. Clever, Anthony, go right for the jugular… The brunette almost flinched at his own callousness. He didn’t know where that had come from! Clearing his throat a touch, he tried to soften the inquiry. “He doesn’t take to ladies easily, you must have really made an impression on that bookish instinct of his.”

Well… there was always perpetual bachelorhood he supposed.

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

Relieved that Mr. Alderton was not put out by her request, Torie took his arm gently, glad for the steadying pressure of it as she wrapped her arm around his. "Your patience is most appreciated. I do feel as though all I do is keep making a fool of myself in your company." She passed him a wry smile. It was the last thing she wanted to, as she would very much like to make a good impression, not just an unfortunately memorable one.

The question about Basil took her by surprise, but Torie swallowed that, taking a moment to take her seat on the aforementioned fallen log Mr. Alderton had so expertly spotted, arranging her skirts while she thought of the best way to answer. "Professor Foxwood and I have an unusual friendship," She decided upon, a mirror of the truth, and some of the reality of it. "In my failed attempts to catch the elder Mr. Foxwood's eye, we became unlikely allies in the season." It was nice to have a friendly face and somebody to find respite in when things were either too much or simply to take a break.

"I am usually quite charming and witty, when the moment allows." She teased lightly, wishing Mr. Alderton got to see that side of her more often than the wreck she always seemed to be when he was around. Gently, Torie wound her hands through her hair into a quick plait over her shoulder, thinking her completely undone tresses were a little too much for the moment; how would that look upon her return! Fortunately she knew Geary could handle a quick fix with a flick of her wand.

Taking a few deep breaths, Torie could feel her body relaxing after the fright, the strength returning to her limbs now that she had a delightful distraction to focus on.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Anthony couldn’t help the little quirk of his brow in her direction as he passed Ms. Torie a sidelong glance. “Think nothing of it,” he responded, breezily. “I have three siblings and an endless supply of close, ridiculous cousins that consistently find themselves in need of aid. You have not come even close to making a fool of yourself,” he offered with a small laugh. Not in the way some of them had, anyway. Then, unable to help it, he added sheepishly: “I honestly find my use to you refreshing.” He reached up to scratch the back of his head. “I haven’t had much chance to be useful to anyone as of late with so much travel.” And he decided to end that train of thought there.

It was true, in its way, that he had been finding himself more and more absent from home and missing out on the little things. His nephews were growing like weeds, the eldest of the bunch already preparing to go off to Hogwarts next year! Anthony had resolved to change that but every time he wanted to stay a few days, a week longer, he was called to some business that couldn’t wait. Perhaps over the holidays he would finally find some time to set all else aside.

Listening intently then, and helping the lady to her seat, Anthony stared at the ground as Ms. Torie addressed his rather obtuse questioning about Basil. A warmth heated the brunette’s cheeks, one he hoped was not so apparent against his slightly tan skin. What an oaf he could be, sometimes. He was surprised to hear however that Ms. Torie had previously set her sights on Atticus… Now that was something he would certainly have to file away for later contemplation and/or discussion. He didn’t know what exactly to think or say to that in the moment except... damnit, again. “Ah,” came out, most unastutely, instead.

The lady gave him a small out from having to elaborate then as she continued to mention her charm and wit. Anthony’s face softened back into a smile. “I’m sure you are,” he replied. It was probably how she’d ensnared even Basil’s rather obtuse mind when it came to the female charms. The thought instantly sent a pang through his heart. He really did want his cousin to be happy.

Releasing the lady then, Anthony straightened and gave a little stretch himself. It was… perhaps not the most polite thing, but after a ride like that stiff, tense muscles were starting to tighten. He tossed Ms. Torie a sheepish little grin as she too straightened her hair into whatever it was that women tended to do. (He was sad of it actually; she was very pretty with it all undone like that…) “It appears we are both a little worse for wear after that ride,” he commented, idly, hoping to stray into safer waters. “Are you sure you’re not hurt at all?”

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---

  

Torie smiled gratefully at his continued assurances. At least he did not think her a pest, which was a relief. She really wondered what she had done to deserve all of that humiliation, but perhaps it has at least gotten her where she was currently. Getting to spend time with Mr. Alderton certainly was a nice bonus.

Something was off though, she clearly was not being witty and charming and it showed. What happened to her? What was it about him that caused her to be like this? "No, I'm fine. Perhaps we should start making our way back." Her legs no longer felt like jelly and she was not entirely sure what had happened to the conversation, but perhaps it was time they rejoined the group. Torie  stood up, testing her legs to find she was indeed fine.

"Shall we?" She reached for the reigns of her horse to get herself situated while he gathered his.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

The lady’s retort then seemed short, almost off-put and instantly Anthony wondered what he’d done to offend her. Perhaps… it was nothing. Perhaps she really was just feeling better. Or, a nasty little voice perched on his shoulder decided to chirp. She’s realized she’s alone out here with you instead of Basil and wants to make her intentions very clear. Anthony frowned at the thought, guilt settling into his stomach. “Of course,” he replied, offering her the reins she had reached for.

Sam had wandered a little in his grazing and Anthony trotted the few paces to retrieve him. Then, thinking better of it, he turned back to Ms. Torie. “Would you like a hand?” He offered gallantly. She could as easily use the tree stump, but what kind of gentleman would he be if he didn’t at least offer?

---

Victoire Malfoy & Sam on a good day

---