With my hands in his, I reached the ground with ease. I schooled my expression; by now I ought to have grown inured to this physical contact, yet that familiar pleasant shiver shot through me again. When he released me, a tingling sensation persisted in my fingers. I fussed with my bonnet to obscure my face in case I wore a telltale flush.
Mr. Darcy took his sister by the arm and introduced her to me. She rose from her curtsey with her shoulders bowed inwards, and her sight lowered to her boots, though she gave me intermittent glances. She must be a timid creature.
I offered her my warmest smile. “Did you have a pleasant journey from town?”
“Yes, I travelled with my companion, Mrs. Annesley, and we stayed overnight at a charming inn near Basingstoke.”
“Will she not ride with us?”
“No, Mrs. Annesley does not share my love for horses and has no interest in riding.”
Tim came to take Thea’s reins from me. He eyed Mr. Darcy. “Sir, the horses are saddled.”
“Thank you, Tim.”
We entered the stables. When Miss Darcy approached a handsome bay horse, I followed her. “Miss Darcy, if you would like to ride Lily, I should be content to mount my grey mare, Thea.” I allowed the bay to sniff my hand, then stroked the steed’s slightly Roman nose.
“Oh no, thank you. As impressed as I am with Lily, I am in no hurry to ride her. My brother explained the exceptional bond you share with her, and I agreed to allow her this time with you for the remainer of our stay.”
“Very well. That is generous of you.” I made a quick turn and stopped short of colliding with Mr. Darcy. He raised his brows in a way I took to mean,I told you so, with an affable connotation.
I greeted Lily with a pat and gave her a piece of carrot. Before long, the three of us set out together with our horses. At Mr. Darcy’s suggestion, Ichose our destination. For a time, we all rode abreast, with Mr. and Miss Darcy on either side of me.
“Miss Bennet.”
Miss Darcy’s soft, silvery voice drew my sight.
“My brother mentioned that you trained Lily yourself.”
“Yes, that is true.” I shot him a quick look. “During the first hour after her birth, I introduced myself to her. Over the next week, I spent time with her each day and gained her trust. After that, she grasped every subsequent lesson with a minimum of strife.”
“That is fascinating.” Miss Darcy beamed at me and gestured to Lily. “I notice that she perks up when you speak, as though she is waiting to hear a command from you.”
“Yes, I believe that is the case. She is more responsive than most horses.”
“I wonder if my brother”—Miss Darcy flashed a smile at Mr. Darcy—“would allow me to train one of the foals at Pemberley in a like manner.”
He nodded. “Yes, as long as you agree to follow my guidance or that of our grooms.”
She beamed at him, then redirected her gaze to me. “I should be obliged if you would further describe the methods you employed with Lily.”
“Yes, of course. In those first weeks, I observed her with the goal of determining her nature.” I continued my account of Lily’s training, including the advice I received from Noah and Joe. Soon, the route narrowed, and Mr. Darcy reined Regal in to ride behind Miss Darcy and me.
My observations of Miss Darcy’s horsemanship provided reassurance; she demonstrated skill and confidence as a rider, guiding her mount with a gentle touch on the reins and subtle leg cues. She would treat Lily well.
Throughout our discourse, I peeked at Mr. Darcy now and again. He appeared content to remain a silent observer to our conversation, in which Miss Darcy gradually grew more enthusiastic in her address. She continued in the same vein when I urged her to describe Majesty, the horse whom Lily resembled. She regaled me with her fond memories of the mare, and Mr.Darcy contributed a couple of his remembrances. By and by, Miss Darcy and I moved on to discuss music and our favourite composers.
I parted from the Darcys and rode home with unsettled emotions. For although I took delight in forming a tentative friendship with Miss Darcy, I missed the verbal exchanges with Mr. Darcy I had come to expect on our unaccompanied rides. What a strange effect that man had upon me!
Chapter 7: Cassie Makes Plans
Saturday, 28 September
Springvale
Darcy
“Ishould like to buy a phaeton for Susan.” Hayward leaned to the left as he reined his horse around a low-hanging branch. “Would you like to accompany me to town within the next se’nnight? I had in mind a short stay of three to five days. Perhaps Tattersall’s will have a steed or hound to tempt you.” He regarded me with a lopsided grin.
