“Goodbye, Mr. Darcy.”
As they walked toward the horses, Darcy remarked on how pleasant Mrs. Glendale and her daughter were.
“Yes, they are. And it is just like her to refuse the meal and ask that it be given to someone else. She is always so gracious."
Darcy noticed Matthew standing near the horses, speaking with a man. The man’s hair seemed to be the same color as the ladies of the house, so he assumed this was Tom Glendale.
When they approached, Miss Elizabeth smiled and said, “Mr. Glendale, how do you do?”
He smiled back and said, “I do just fine, Miss Elizabeth, and yourself?
She chuckled. “Just fine.” She then turned to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, this is Mr. Tom Glendale. Mr. Glendale, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy gave a nod. “Mr. Glendale.”
“Mr. Darcy,” Tom Glendale replied with a nod.
Miss Elizabeth continued toward her horse, and Darcy followed.
Once she stood beside the mare, Darcy raised his brow to question if she was ready for his assistance. She gave him a nod. He put his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the saddle. He did not remove his hands until she indicated that she was steady. Darcy then untied her horse and gave her the reins.
As Darcy untied and mounted his horse, he listened to the conversation between Miss Elizabeth and Tom Glendale.
“Mr. Glendale, your mother assures me you all came through the storm extremely well, except for some loose boards in the stables that you have practically repaired already. Do I have your word that is all? Because our fathers were long-time friends, Papa never fails to ask me if I am sure that you do not need anything.”
He chuckled. “I give you my word. Please tell your father that we are fine.”
“Very well. Goodbye,” Miss Elizabeth said with another smile for Tom Glendale as she turned her horse and urged it forward.
Darcy could see that Tom Glendale had trouble looking away from Miss Elizabeth, so he intervened.
“Mr. Glendale.”
When Tom Glendale’s eyes flew to his, Darcy raised a brow, letting the man know he saw it all. Darcy then gave him a curt nod.
“Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy heard Matthew and Tom Glendale say goodbye behind him as he rode off. He kept his steady pace until he caught up with Miss Elizabeth, who was waiting for them up ahead.
Darcy rode up beside her and Matthew a minute later.
“Shall we eat?” she asked them.
They agreed to the plan and dug into the sliced ham, sliced apples, cheese, and ginger cake. They washed it all down with cool water from their canteens.
“Whatever they had for luncheon in our absence could not possibly top what we just ate. This was very good,” Darcy said, taking another drink.
Matthew nodded his agreement as he finished his meal.
“I agree,” Miss Elizabeth said.
She finished the last few bites of her food, then they rode towards the next tenant farm.
As they traveled, they passed several felled trees and lots of debris. When they reached the Quimby farm, it was easy to see the Quimbys had a narrow escape.
The storm winds had felled an old oak that was only three feet shy of crashing into the house. After introductions were made, Mr. Quimby told them of the storm and how loud the crash of the tree was when it hit the ground. As they listened to the story, they stood around looking at the enormous tree.
“That was a close shave, Mr. Quimby,” Darcy said.
