James was released only moments later, disappearing into the neighbouring passage before the sound of Harriet's footsteps had faded.
A cheer rose from the ladies, quickly answered by the gentlemen. Elizabeth turned towards Darcy and found himwatching the two openings through which the runners had vanished. There was determination in his expression, but none of the severity with which he had regarded her at the beginning of the week.
He glanced at her. "A narrow lead."
"Still a lead," she shot back.
"So it is," he said, tracing one finger lightly down her cheek. "Though I find I am considerably less troubled by the prospect of losing than I ought to be."
They both looked towards the distant lawn as another roar rose from the spectators beyond the maze. Elizabeth wanted the ladies to win. She wanted it fiercely enough that her hands had curled into fists at her sides. But when Darcy met her eyes again, the possibility of losing to him no longer seemed quite the calamity it once had.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The moment James disappeared into the neighbouring passage, both teams began moving.
The footmen directed them towards a third path leading from the clearing by a shorter route, and the company hurried into it with very little concern for order. Amelia remained between Jane and Lady Frances, but even she urged them to go faster, while Harriet's aunt could be heard calling her niece's name from somewhere beyond the outer hedge.
Elizabeth kept near the front beside Clara and Miss Drummond. Behind them came the gentlemen, their voices rising whenever the distant noise from the lawn grew louder. The path twisted twice before beginning to widen, and through the yew Elizabeth caught brief flashes of sunlight and movement beyond.
A cheer rose from the spectators and everyone quickened their pace. "That sounded favourable," Clara said breathlessly.
"It sounded loud," Elizabeth replied. "I cannot yet say for whom."
Another roar sounded, stronger than the first. Elizabeth thought she heard Harriet's name within it, followed almost at once by a shout for Blackwood. The path bent sharply, forcing the company into a narrower line. Darcy moved ahead to hold back a low branch while Amelia passed beneath it, then remained beside Elizabeth as the others continued.
They emerged from the final turn almost together. Ahead, the passage opened onto the lawn, though the runners themselves were still hidden by the outer wall of the maze. The spectators stood beyond the ropes, all attention fixed upon two separate exits farther along the hedge.
Harriet appeared first.
She burst from the purple-marked opening with her hair streaming in the wind, her pins clearly having accepted defeat, and the silk band bright against her sleeve. A heartbeat later James Blackwood came through the second entrance, close enough that the cheering rose into a single deafening sound.
Both runners saw the white post at once. Harriet gathered her skirts and drove forwards. James's longer stride began to close the distance between them, but the lead she had gained within the maze held. She reached the post scarcely half a pace before him, tore the crimson ribbon free and raised it above her head.
For a moment she appeared too astonished to understand what she had done. Then the ladies' side of the lawn erupted.Clara cried out, Miss Grey threw both hands into the air and Amelia nearly stepped upon her injured foot before Jane caught her. Elizabeth laughed as the ladies surged towards Harriet, all attempts at composure abandoned.
The gentlemen were hardly silent. Colonel Fitzwilliam applauded at once, while Thomas Hadley gave a cheer every bit as loud as the ladies'. The Blackwood brothers descended upon James, congratulating him upon having come so near while taking evident pleasure in his defeat.
"Well run, Miss Harriet!" Henry called.
James bent forwards, his hands upon his knees as he recovered his breath. When Harriet looked towards him, still clutching the crimson ribbon, he straightened and bowed.
"Fairly won."
Harriet's face brightened. "Thank you."
Captain Fanshawe joined in the applause, and even Sir Geoffrey managed a stiff nod. Only Mr Ashcombe remained openly displeased and he was roundly ignored by the company.
Mr Pritchard stepped forwards once the noise had subsided enough for him to be heard. Harriet carried the ribbon to Lady Hortensia, who accepted it with shining eyes before beckoning Elizabeth and Darcy to stand beside her.
"The ladies have taken the final five points," she announced. "The Challenge therefore concludes at fifteen points to thirteen."
Another cheer followed. Most of the gentlemen accepted the result with bows, laughter and several promises of revenge should Lady Hortensia be persuaded to revive the contest again. Colonel Fitzwilliam shook Elizabeth's hand with great ceremony, while Thomas Hadley declared that the gentlemen had been undone by superior planning and one exceptionally swift pair of feet. Mr Ashcombe remained apart from the congratulations, but nobody appeared inclined to seek his opinion.
Darcy waited until the others had offered theirs before approaching her. Elizabeth attempted to adopt the gravity suitable to a captain receiving the surrender of her rival, but the effort was hopeless. "I believe you have lost, Mr Darcy," she said with a grin.
"So I have." He hesitated, then lowered his voice. "But must I continue to be Mr Darcy, even in defeat? Will you not call me Fitzwilliam?"
The request sent a small rush of warmth through her. "You bear your defeat with suspicious composure, Fitzwilliam."
