“I could, but there is no one waiting below to catch me.”
“That is not how Romeo and Juliet goes,” he said, smiling. “Speaking of that play, did you know that a real Lady Montague used to live in Cavendish Square?”
“Ah! So, you do not think me fanciful, then. Do the Capulets live in Berkeley Square?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “If that is not being fanciful, I do not know the meaning of the word.”
She grinned. He was captivated by the way her whole face lit up, the way her dark eyes glowed like sapphires.
He caught himself staring and cleared his throat. What was it about Miss Bennet that caught him so off guard? “This is neither here nor there,” he said, to cover his lapse. “We were talking about Tattersall’s.”
“Then I will repeat what I said earlier. It is not worth acquiring a horse for me. I am not staying long enough. Besides,” she added, her eyes dancing, “I have a confession to make. You will be shocked.”
He was already shocked – by his own reaction to her. “Is it very terrible?”
“It is.”
Her smile was infectious, and he found himself grinning in a most foolish way. “You are keeping me in suspense. Out with it.”
“I do not ride.”
He stopped walking to stare at her. “You do not? Or cannot? I seem to remember your eldest sister mentioning riding when I was there. Did I mishear her?”
“Jane is a very fine horsewoman. I, alas, never took to it.” She glanced sideways at Darcy’s horse. “Hush, do not let him hear me, but I am afraid of horses.”
Darcy immediately felt a strong urge to protect her. “That is probably because you did not have a good teacher. I know just the person who can help you. I will arrange for lessons, and you will soon let go of your fear.”
“It is very kind of you, but there is no need. I have managed very well so far without them. I prefer to walk on my own two feet. They are more reliable than four.”
“I am not being kind, I am being practical. If you learn how to ride, you could ride with my sister.” She could also ride with him, but he did not mention that.
“As I mentioned earlier. Even if I wanted to take lessons – which I am not at all certain I do— I will not be here long enough to be useful. You may as well forget the idea.”
A cloud blocked the sun, and the park around them grew darker. He felt suddenly cold. She seemed to take pleasure in reminding him that her days with them were numbered. Darcy had no idea why he was being so insistent about teaching her to ride. It was true. Miss Bennet would not be able to ride with his sister. She was leaving. There was no point to it at all.
They fell into silence.
“It is the convention for people who are walking together to engage in conversation,” she said, playfully.
“It is, now? I was not aware of such a thing. However, I will do my best to oblige,” he said. “Having said that, I am now off the hook. I have just engaged in conversation by saying this.”
“Conversation involves an exchange, Mr. Darcy. What you have done is make astatement. That is not conversation.”
The quickness of her mind delighted him. It challenged him to meet like with like.
“Does replying to you now, as I am doing, mean I have fulfilled my duty?”
Her eyes danced. “It does, so now we can remain silent until we part.”
There it was again, the reminder that they would be parting. It was two months from now. Why did the word ‘part’ invoke a sense of dread inside him? It was absurd. She had not even meantthatparting. She was simply referring to their respective residences.
What was wrong with him?
He had to distract himself from these unwelcome questions.
“So, Miss Bennet, do you enjoy Hyde Park?” He kicked himself. It was the most inane comment on earth. Could he not have come up with something better?
She gave him a sidelong glance. Although she did not raise her eyebrow, he could feel her amusement at his faltering attempt.
