“I am, sir. This is far better than our plough horse.” Elizabeth admitted breathlessly. “I keep expecting to wake up and find this was all a dream.”
“It is no dream.” His eyes held hers. “This is real.”
They reached the lane that led toward Meryton. Trees arched overhead, their leaves still wet from days of rain, creating a tunnel of dappled light. The knot of longing Elizabeth had carried for fifteen years finally began to unravel.
“This is everything I imagined,” she said. “Everything and more.”
“Then we shall do it again tomorrow,” Mr. Darcy said. “And the day after.”
“Are you certain?”
“I never say what I do not mean, Miss Elizabeth.”
They turned before reaching the main road, and Elizabeth felt a pang of disappointment when the stable came into view. She wanted to ride for hours, for days.
“The next ride, we shall go farther,” Mr. Darcy said, as though reading her thoughts. “But not too far, too fast. Restraint is as important as enthusiasm.”
“I shall try to remember,” Elizabeth said. “Though I make no promises.”
When Jacob helped her dismount, she felt gloriously happy. Atlas turned his head to nuzzle her shoulder, and she threw her arms around his neck in an impulsive embrace.
“Thank you,” she said into his mane. “Thank you for being so at ease with me.”
Mr. Darcy grinned beside her. “Miss Elizabeth, you look as though you have been riding for years.”
“Hardly.” Elizabeth said. “But it was wonderful.”
By the time they all had returned to the stable yard and dismounted, Hill had clearly roused the household. They entered to find the drawing room considerably more crowded than when Elizabeth had left.
“There you are!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed from her favorite chair. “Mr. Bingley, how delightful. And Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy—such distinguished company so early in the day.”
Jane sat on the sofa, looking serene and lovely. Lydia, Kitty, and Mary seemed distinctly disgruntled at the early hour.
“We should have been allowed to sleep,” Lydia complained, earning a sharp look from her mother. “Though I suppose if we must be up at this ungodly hour, we can go to Meryton earlier to be in company with the officers.”
“The officers will not be available until afternoon atthe earliest,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said with amusement. “Military discipline requires morning drills, Miss Lydia.”
“Oh.” Lydia’s face fell, then brightened. “Well, perhaps we shall see my favorite today. I do hope Mr. Wickham has returned from whatever important assignment took him from Meryton.”
A look passed between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy—brief but significant.Miss Darcy paled.
“I believe Mr. Wickham has been called away on extended duties,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said smoothly. “One cannot always choose one’s assignments.”
“Oh, how disappointing.” Lydia pouted. “He was so very charming.”
Kitty sighed. “All the officers are handsome, but none so agreeable as Mr. Wick?—”
“I am certain there are many agreeable gentlemen in the neighborhood.” Mrs. Bennet glanced toward Bingley.
Mr. Bingley had moved to stand near Jane, his attention entirely fixed on her despite the surrounding tension. “Miss Bennet, you are looking remarkably well this morning.”
Jane’s cheeks flushed pink. “Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I am much improved.”
“I am glad to hear it. Glad indeed.” He seemed to realize he was staring and turned to include the rest of the room. “And what a beautiful day it has turned out to be! Perfect for riding. Miss Elizabeth, you must be delighted.”
“I am,” Elizabeth said, unable to contain her smile.
“Lizzy has always been passionate about horses,” Jane said. “Even as a child.”
