Page 12 of Midnight at Pemberley

Elizabeth followed his lead and patted the horse’s neck. “Easy, girl,” she said softly.

“She likes you,” Darcy noted.

“And you, Mr. Darcy?” she asked boldly, giving him a sideward glance.

He chuckled. “I like you, too, Miss Elizabeth.” She had charmed him completely.

She whispered, “Thank you for the riding habit. I do not know how you arranged it so quickly or how you knew what to purchase. The experience has quite gone to my head. I have never owned anything so fine.”

“The green brings out the brightness of your eyes,” he murmured. She looked away with a blush. “Permit me to assist you to the saddle,” he said loudly for the ears of the grooms standing around. “We will use the mounting block.”

Elizabeth permitted him to brace her on the steps of the block while the groom held the horse steady. With pleasure he placed her foot in the stirrup, lifting her skirt tail to adjust the straps. She wiggled her seat to adjust her balance as he instructed her on how best to sit upon the sidesaddle.

“Because this particular sidesaddle was designed for another, we will take things slowly, Miss Elizabeth. The groom will lead Ceres, and I will walk beside you to assure you do not slip. Do you trust me?”

She said nothing for a few moments, which Darcy found to be very discomposing. “I trust you, Mr. Darcy,” she said in a low voice.

He placed the reins in her hands and showed her how to hold them. Then they walked in circles in the enclosure. He noted how she bit her lower lip and how her breathing indicated her fear.

“Relax your arms a bit,” he coached her. “The animal can feel your tension. Despite the size of the horse, Ceres will respond with the least flick of your wrist. The bit tells her what to do.” When she made the adjustments, he assured, “Much better.” A few more turns, and he declared her a natural. “Straighten your back, Miss Elizabeth. It will prevent you from bouncing so much.” Darcy moved closer to her. “You are doing well, Miss Elizabeth.”

“This is exciting, Mr. Darcy,” she said with a slight smile. “I cannot believe I am actually sitting on a horse.” Darcy nodded to the groom, and the man stopped by the block. “Is the lesson over?” she asked with some disappointment.

“Not if you do not wish it to be,” he said while reaching for her. “I want the groom to adjust the lead. I thought we might take a short ride together. I will lead your horse behind mine.” She slid into his arms as he assisted her to the ground. Darcy resisted the urge to pull her into his embrace. Instead, he inquired, for the benefit of all within earshot, “Are you adventurous enough for a single ride, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Obviously, Mr. Darcy, you present me with a challenge,” she declared politely.

The grooms scrambled to bring out his horse and to adjust the straps. Darcy moved her from the way as the men worked.

“All will be fine, Elizabeth. If you tire or become frightened, you must inform me immediately. Do you understand? I will not have you injured or afraid simply to prove something to me.”

“I understand.”

At length, he returned her to the block and assisted her up. The straps were adjusted again. “We will stay on the lower path.” She nodded, and Darcy swung easily up into the saddle. He turned to her. “I am proud of you, Miss Elizabeth. Customarily, it would take a person a week or more of lessons to follow along with another rider.”

“Truly, Mr. Darcy?”

“Truly, Miss Elizabeth.”

They rode in silence for nearly ten minutes before he pulled up on his horse near a copse of trees overlooking the estate house. Permitting the reins to loop around a nearby bush, he slid from the saddle and then assisted Miss Elizabeth down. This time, he permitted her body to slide down the length of his, and he did not move away. Instead, he trapped her between him and the horse. Something important existed between them. Of that, he was certain. The corners of his mouth turned upward. “How long have I known you?”

She blinked in surprise. “Less than a month, Sir.”

“Not long enough for you to call me ‘Fitzwilliam’ or ‘William’?”

“Not in public.”

His hands drifted to her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. “In private, then.” He lowered his mouth to hers.

The kiss started innocently enough, tender actually, but within seconds passion swept over them. Elizabeth clung to his lapels, and his arms instinctively tightened around her. “Elizabeth,” he moaned.

At length, he forced his mouth from hers. “Only a month?” he asked hoarsely. He kissed her temple. “Let us talk. Over here.” Claiming her hand, he led her to some felled trees and assisted her to sit. He took a place beside her and then recaptured her hand. “Miss Elizabeth, I assure you, I do not customarily respond to a woman as I have you. Please understand: I am a man of honor. If you wish to marry, I will escort you to Pemberley as my wife.” Will she accept? He choked back the fears she might agree, as well as those she might refuse. Darcy did not know which was more frightening.

Elizabeth appeared shocked. “But you do not love me!” she objected.

“I have never considered love.” He could not admit to her his desire to possess her, to fulfill his uncontrollable need for her.

“Do you wish to marry, Mr. Darcy? If you want a wife you do not love, any woman would suit you. You would not require one such as I.” Elizabeth removed her hand from his. “I do not customarily perform so recklessly. I admit I enjoy our verbal battles more than I should. The majority of the men I encounter lack the acuity to understand my wit. I never set my sights on a man. I have no need to marry. Jane or one of my sisters will make a good match and will see to Mama’s future. Life beyond Longbourn does not depend upon me. In fact, I decided long ago only love would persuade me to do so. I would know contentment with being Aunt Lizzy to my sisters’ broods.” She blushed. “It is, I know, an eccentric stance, yet, it is mine.” He stared at her, astonished by such a declaration, one that no fashionable Society woman would make, unless she were well past the marrying age.