I wake up to my alarm and get up, walking to my bathroom to take a quick shower. I dress into a warm chocolate brown sweater, tucked into a dark burgundy and brown plaid skirt and slip-on nude leggings to keep the chill off my legs. I tie my leather ankle boots and brush out my hair before going downstairs to the kitchen.
Chef Louis places a plate of pancakes in front of me and greets me before going off to fetch groceries. I silently eat my food and decide to go explore outside. I walk around the house and find the stables, where Luke is busy leading a beautiful chestnut mare out to clean her.
'Good Morning, Miss Claire,' he says and I smile as I walk up to him. I stroke the mare's neck gently and smile as she huffs happily.
'Seem Ladybug likes you. She's a great judge of character, but I doubt you've hurt a fly in your life,' Luke says and I chuckle.
'She's beautiful. How old is she?' I ask and Luke gently brushes her mane.
'This old lass is turning eight in August. She's the only one that Anubis likes around him,' he says pointing to a large pure black Friesian stallion standing to the far left paddock, and I stare into his dark alluring eyes.
'How so?' I ask and Luke, sighs and shrugs.
'He was Lord Wanton's horse. Crazy since he was born but seemed to love him and Master Dominic. He doesn't let any other people touch him and hates the other horses. He's got a real mean streak,' Luke says as he walks Ladybug out to the grazing yard and I carefully walk closer to Anubis' stable.
'Anubis,' I say softly and his head lifts to watch me cautiously.
'Guardian of the underworld. You were named after a god who guided souls through the Egyptian underworld,' I say and he makes a noise of agreement, bowing his head towards me.
'Would you mind if I call you Guardian instead?' I whisper and he shakes his head and seems to reach for my slightly out-stretched hand.
'I wonder if you'd let me ride you someday, Guardian,' I voice to myself and don't realise I had taken a step towards him until I felt his nose nudge my palm. He huffs his approval and I giggle at his playful nose bumps. He moves back a bit and paws the ground with his right hoof.
'You are quite a character, Guardian,' I say and he neighs, trotting on one spot.
'Shall I ride you?' I ask and he neighs softly, bowing to me. I chuckle as I look around for a bridle that would fit him and find one made of black leather and silver buckles. I gently offer him the bit and he lowers his head for me to place the bridle on completely, which is a task as his shoulders reach above my stature of 1.6 meters. I lead him out by the reins up to set of steps and guide him to stand next to them. I stand on the top step and caress his back, making sure he knows I'm about to mount. I settle on his back and giggle as he stakes his head, huffing.
'Show me around, Guardian,' I gently nudge his sides with my heels and he walks towards the paddock where Luke was filling a barrel with hay. Anubis whinnies to Ladybug, Drawing Luke's attention and his jaw drop as I steer Anubis towards him.
'Miss Claire…how?' he trails off and I gently pat Anubis' neck.
'He's a misunderstood beast,' I say and allow him to carry me away from a dumbfounded Luke. I encourage him to start trotting and he starts to gallop until we reach the estate gates. I chortle as Anubis neighs happily whilst we gallop up the road, not noticing the black SUV driving behind us.
'Woah, guardian. I think we should slow down,' I say as I gently pull the reins and lean back and he slows to a stop in front of the stable doors. I slide off his back and giggle as he snorts at me.
'That was thrilling. Thank you,' I pat his neck gently and his ears perk up as slow steps approach behind me. I turn to see a large brooding man walking towards us and I bump into Anubis as I take a step back. The man stops three feet from me, moving his gaze from me to Anubis before settling back on me. I lick my bottom lip nervously and he lets out a breathe, crossing his arms over his chest, before speaking.
'I assume you are my ward, Claire Willows,' he states and I give a small nod, watching him carefully. His thick yet shaped brows furrow as he watches Anubis nudge my arm gently and tickles my arm with his lips. I chuckle at the horse's antics and caress his neck in response.
'He seems to like you. Take him back to his space. Clean him. Be ready for dinner at eight,' he orders and then turns, walking back to the manor. I watch him until he disappears and shakes my head.
'He's quite the brooding general,' I comment and Anubis huffs as I lead him to his stable pen. I take my time brushing him and hum softly as I do my work. By the time I finish giving him some oats, it's already dark and I pat Anubis goodnight after putting his blanket on. I shiver at the cold and quickly make my way towards the kitchen entrance. Chef Louis gasps as he sees me and rushes me closer to the warm oven that he just opened to take out freshly baked golden sponge cakes.
'Mon Cher, what are you doing out so late? You missed most of the dinner. He doesn't like to be kept waiting,' he ushers me out into the dining hall where I see the brooding man sitting at the head of the table, silently eating some steak and he stops as I clear my throat.
'Sorry for being late. I lost track of time and Anubis-,' his stern glare stops me from speaking any further and I gulp.
'This house does not tolerate tardiness. You will go to your room without diner,' he snaps, and I stare at him in shock. He raises an eyebrow and I bow my head slightly as I walk past him to the stairs. I stop by his chair, but he doesn't look at me and I encourage myself to hug his shoulders.
'Goodnight,' I say as I pull away and rush up to my room, afraid of his reaction. I dress into silk PJs after taking a warm shower and brush out my hair at my dresser. I jump at a knock by my door and I quickly wrap my robe around me and open my door to reveal no one. I look to both sides and then notice the tray of fruit and two of Chef's golden sponge cakes with a glass of milk. I kneel and wonder what I should do. I decide to take the tray inside and place it on my dresser before sitting on my bed, to write in my journal until sleep takes me into its soft embrace.