“You are very fortunate to have had an excellent teacher.” Mr. Darcy glanced across the room, and she followed the movement. Mr. Bingley watched her again. “I begin to see what you mean,” he whispered. “Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“I hardly know. I cannot help but think he is looking for something, though I cannot imagine what it is. But, please, let us discuss something else. I would rather ask you about your estate than discuss your friend’s peculiar behavior.”
Mr. Darcy obliged her and spent the next few minutes telling her everything he could about his estate, Pemberley. She learned that it was in the North near the Peaks, a place she had longed to go for many years.
“The park is ten miles around,” he said conversationally. “I ride the acreage at least thrice a week. Some of my tenants are over three miles from the house.”
“Are there phaeton paths?” she asked.
“There are a few, but it is easier to reach places on horseback.”
She made a face. “I prefer to walk,” she clarified when he gave her a questioning look. “Mr. Bennet keeps only one horse for riding. The others work the farm and pull the carriages. Nellie is an old nag and goes slower than I can tolerate. In the time it takes her to go a mile, I could walk two miles in the same time!”
“I suspect you are exaggerating. Perhaps you are only in want of a decent mount to enjoy the exercise. I have a particularly fine stallion called Thor. He is a dapple gray and stands seventeen hands high.” Darcy grinned, his gaze distant. No doubt, he pictured the horse in his mind.
“That is such a large beast!” she said in dismay. “If I fell off an animal that tall, I would surely die.”
He laughed. “It would hurt, to be certain. For you, I would pick a docile mare of maybe fourteen or fifteen hands.” He turned and focused on her, frowning in concentration. “Dark brown or red coat, I think, with white socks and a white blaze on her muzzle.”
Her heart sped, and she felt hot.I wish I had a fan,she thought. “She sounds lovely,” Elizabeth said aloud. “I can almost picture her.”
“Georgiana has a mount very similar to the one I just described.” He grinned. “She claims Daisy is too docile for her, but I am reluctant to give her a more spirited horse. Maybe a gelding would do in a few years.”
“Daisy?”
He laughed. “Do not judge her. She was but ten years old when she named the beast. And everyone knows you cannot change a horse’s name once it is bestowed.”
“A true tale if I ever heard one.”
The call came to an end soon thereafter, and Elizabeth felt regret watching the amiable gentleman leave. She never would have guessed from his arrival at the assembly that he would become a friend. His dour appearance had at first put her off, but now he was all ease and friendliness.Not at all difficult to converse with,she reasoned.
Jane was all smiles after meeting Mr. Bingley’s sister. “I do think Mrs. Hurst likes me,” she said happily. “That is a good sign, is it not?”
“It is!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Though do not mind so much what Mr. Bingley’s relations think. You are marrying him, not his sister. As long as you and he are in love, you will be able to withstand any ill feelings or disapproval thrown in your path.”
“Your mother speaks the truth,” Mr. Bennet said, chiming in over the top of his paper. “I like the gentleman. His company I can tolerate with equanimity. His friend I have not had much of an opportunity to speak with. No matter, though. Both gentlemen are welcome in Longbourn’s drawing room.” The paper rustled as he turned a page.
“I have asked Bingley to go shooting tomorrow,” Thomas piped up. “He says he is a crack shot. I have my doubts and so we shall have a contest.” He grinned arrogantly, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Her brother was the least proud man she knew, but he liked the challenge that competition presented.
“Do be careful,” Mrs. Bennet cautioned. “No need to play with danger.”
“I always am, dear Mama.” Thomas patted his mother’s hand and grinned. “It will be easy sport. Darcy is from the North and has a country estate. Perhaps he will give me a challenge.”
“Mrs. Hurst says her husband is an excellent shot,” Jane offered. “Will you attempt to best him as well?”
“If he puts up a challenge, all the better. It has been some time since I had anyone to go up against. All the lads around here know they cannot best me.”
“Your arrogance will be your downfall, dear brother,” Elizabeth teased. “You had best sight your gun before you go out or you will lose the game for sure.”
“Ha!” cried Thomas. “I shall bring you five pheasants, Mama, merely to prove Elizabeth wrong.”
Elizabeth smiled, shaking her head at her brother. As silly as he was, she would not trade him for the world.
Chapter Twelve
November 12, 1811
Longbourn
