I Will Wait for You

“Ellie, are you sure?” Albert asked apprehensively as he heard his friend ramble about wanting to show that Captain what she was perfectly capable of doing.

“Of course I’m sure Albie! He misjudges me because I am woman. I cannot let that go, I am sick of having men doubt me. First my father, then Andrew and now that Captain.” Elizabeth replied stubbornly as she prepped Percy Blue for ridding.

It had been a week since Elizabeth met the Captain and she had not seen him again. She appeared normal but on the inside she had been waiting for him to come, she felt a bit bad about her behavior but since he didn’t show up, she had decided to do something about it so she had spent the week practicing horseback riding on Percy Blue.

She wasn’t planning on chasing the man. No. She was simply planning on going with Percy on a ride and if, by chance they saw the troops, it would be her chance to prove him wrong. That’s all she wanted, nothing more.

“Have you seen the troops?” Elizabeth asks as Albert observed her a bit reluctantly before replying.

“Yes, they practice a few miles from here every day.” He informed her as she nodded her head and looked behind to make sure that her mother didn’t see what she was about to do “W-wow! What is that?!” Albert asked widening his eyes.

“An old pair of Andrew’s pants.” Elizabeth informed him “Riding with a dress brings many discomforts but if I have pants under my dress, there is no problem. No one will see anything they shouldn’t.” She justified as Albert turned around while she put the pants on and then let the dress rest over them.

He sighed heavily, obviously showing his concern about what his friend was planning to do “Are you really sure about this? You have never taken Percy Blue in a long ride.”

“I’ll have to at some point, right?” She asked with a smile as she caressed Percy’s head and then caught balance to settle on the horse’s back, gripping the reigns tightly in her hands.

She smiled over at her friend as he sighed and motioned for her to go first. Seeing that the whole family was busy, Elizabeth knew that nobody would be there to question her before she went so she left without a second thought.

She loved riding, it gave her a sense of freedom she had never experienced before and she wasn’t afraid of Percy Blue at all. She had chemistry with the horse, and they seemed to be one when they rode. Albert and Joey kept up to their pace as Elizabeth laughed and kept encouraging Percy Blue to go faster when she began to spot lots of other horses and noises.

She pulled the reigns softly and Percy Blue slowed down as they stopped at the top of the hill. Albert and Joey were beside them and Albert was confused.

“What is it?” He asked.

“The troops.” Elizabeth replied, butterflies flying in her stomach.

She had gotten distracted with the direction they had taken and she didn’t realize that they had gone towards the hills the Army had occupied for their training. She was unsure about what to do but this was the chance she had been wishing for.

She looked at Albert and he was visibly nervous and tense, both he and her brother seemed to have an immense respect towards those men and also a kind of adoration. Elizabeth did not judge them. They were boys and the army was ‘painted’ to them as a magnificent honor and war as a glorious duty, it was normal for them to, at a certain point, wish to join them.

“You don’t need to come with me Albie.” Elizabeth said as she watched her friend smile and glance at her.

“I’ll race you to that tree.” He said, pointing at a tree on the opposite side of the hill. The only way there was between the army and she couldn’t help but to grin at her friend’s challenge.

Captain James Nicholls sat proudly on his horse, wearing his favorite deep blue uniform while observing the other men around him. Today it wasn’t a very serious training day and he felt that the Major was there only to tease with them all. He was a competitive man and James liked that about him, it kept them all sane during these times. The war was at the brick of starting and James had a bad feeling. For some reason, he knew that he would not be staying in that peaceful village for long and he knew that his return home was even further away.

He had nothing to come back to, though. Only his parents and sister, who watched him leave with a mixture of pride and sadness in their hearts. Pride because he was a Captain but sadness because they did not know what would to him and because according to his mother ‘her heart would be broken, if she never saw her son marry and have a child’. He sighed at the thought. Marriage never seemed to be so away from him and from his life. He had not met someone he would be willing to marry and that was when he remembered Elizabeth. He smiled softly but then he reckoned that he had probably ruined every chance he had with his stupid comment. Having her forgiveness would be difficult and he had no idea of how to achieve such task.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard some soldiers commenting on two horses approaching. James turned on his horse to see two horses galloping down the hill, as they got closer he saw a wave of hair blowing through the hair and he recognized Elizabeth. She looked so different when riding a horse that it made him smile. She was just beautiful.

Every men stared in awe as the young woman galloped fast towards them. They dispersed as she went straight towards James and stood a little on Percy Blue to steal his fancy hat. She laughed as she galloped towards the assigned tree and waited there for Albert.

James felt his face heat up as everyone stared at him and the Major approached with a wide smirk.

“Who is that young woman Captain Nicholls?” He inquires as James’s heart almost drives him deaf.

“A local Sir,” James replies staring at Elizabeth “And what a woman.” He sighs feeling something rather strange take over his chest. He felt his heart beginning to feel faster as he heard mumbles and laughter around him. Elizabeth had just humiliated him but he was not mad, he was somehow pleased. This meant a challenge and he loved challenges.

“Elizabeth, have you gone mad?!” Albert yelled as he watches his friend stare at the Captain, with a bright smile on her face while holding his hat carefully.

“I’m returning it, don’t worry.” She replied calmly as Albert shook his head while she urged Percy Blue forward and went up to meet James.

All the men stopped talking and stared in silence as she approached and stopped right in front of James’s horse. He hadn’t moved an inch and he didn’t seem to be mad, which surprised her. She looked into his light blue eyes and found nothing but softness accompanied by a true smile on his lips. He looked pleased and calm. The shock was plastered on the face of the man next to him, though.

“I believe that this is yours, Captain.” Elizabeth said as James nodded his head. She extended her hand and he extended his, their fingers touching for a mere second while he observed her closely. She looked dazzling. Her hair had been brushed by the wind so it was a bit messy but a mess he’d love to untangle with his hands, her cheeks where slightly flushed, her skin was pale and it looked so soft, her lips were plump and pink and her eyes were dark blue, matching her dress.

“Thank you Ms. Davis.” He said as he put his cap back on, aware that he was being watched by every single male around them.

“Young lady, allow me to compliment your horse riding skills.” The Major intervened as Elizabeth glanced at him and smiled softly, bowing her head.

“Thank you, Sir. That is very kind of you.” She replied “Was this enough to prove you my point, Captain?” She asks, addressing James again and leaving perfectly clear that he was the only reason she was there.

“I never doubted you Miss but you are indeed very impressive. I have surrendered.” He replied still smiling as he watched her blush softly but do her best to hide it.

The Major observed the interaction and cleared his throat to gain their attentions.

“I am very sorry to do this but I must borrow the Captain from you Miss.” He said with a smile as Elizabeth nodded her head “I am still to compete with him today.” He added with a grin as James smirked.

“Compete?” Elizabeth asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

“Yes, we are going very small training today. Actually we are more like competing and I’ve meaning to see if my boy is quicker than his.” The Major explained as he petted his horse, his tone clearly challenging.

“With all due respect Major, I’m in for the win.” James retorts with a clear grin.

Elizabeth observes him and her hear flutters. What is this feeling?

“Let’s see Captain. Would you like to stay and watch Miss?” The Major asked as Elizabeth hesitated and shook her head.

“Forgive me, Sir, but I must head home.” She said softly.

“Isn’t there really a chance for you to stay Miss Davis?” James asked immediately. He wanted for her to stay and see him do what he did best, that would be a good way to impress her. “It would be wonderful if you stayed and saw me win.”

She chuckled and glanced at the Major “Does he have any chance?” She asked as the Major smirked at her.

“Not in a million years, Miss.”

“I am curious but I really cannot stay…” She frowned slightly.

“I have a proposal then so you’re not left in curiosity.” James said, feeling his chest heaving up with nerves, he couldn’t believe what he was about to say “If I win, I would like to visit you tomorrow Miss Davis.”

“What?!” She blurted harshly, widening her eyes. James kept looking at her calmly, he knew what his proposal would do but the Major looked beyond speechless “What do you mean Captain?”

“I’m asking for your permission and it is also something to motivate me to really strive to win.” He clarified with a bright smile as he saw her blush and felt amazing. “May I?”

“Y-yes.” She stuttered, nodding her head as the Major grinned.

“Do not worry Miss. He will lose.” He laughed as James glanced briefly at him while he bowed politely at Elizabeth and proceed to go get his sword.

“I will win. I promise.” James flashed a smile towards her and grew surprised when he saw a smile grow in her own lips as she moved Percy Blue and leaned slightly to whisper to him.

“I cannot wait.”