Page 43 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

She looked at him.

His expression did not change, but something in the answer suggested he knew what he had said.

At Elizabeth’s direction, Sarah brought the first three through the gate. The others followed with less argument, though the last made a determined attempt to double behind Darcy. He caught it at the shoulder, held it long enough for Sarah to take position, and released it without losing his balance.

The ewe bounded into the field.

Sarah stopped on Elizabeth’s signal and looked back, tongue showing at one side of her mouth. “Well done.”

The dog came to her and pressed against her skirt. Elizabeth bent to run a hand over her neck.

Darcy stood by the gate, his coat marked with dust where the sheep had struck him. One cuff bore a dark smear that he appeared not to notice.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “You prevented a longer chase.”

“I did little.”

“You stood where you were told. Few people manage it so well.”

A brief change touched his face. It was not the open amusement she had seen once before, but it came near.

“Your dog did not appear to require much direction.”

“She would have managed without us, though she might have taken the flock halfway to Meryton before deciding where they belonged.”

Sarah looked up.

Darcy regarded her with the same attention he had given the broken hedge during their last conversation. “She watches you before each command.”

“Nothing escapes her.”

“She knew the horse took fright.”

“Before I did.”

Darcy glanced toward the bend. The horse had ceased pulling at the branch, though its ears remained turned toward the gate.

“I should see to him.”

Elizabeth nodded and took hold of the gate. The lower rail caught against the earth. She lifted, pushed, and felt the weight drag through her arms.

Darcy returned before she had moved it halfway.

“Allow me.”

“I can manage.”

“I believe you.”

That answer left her no good reason to refuse, so she stepped aside.

He lifted the gate near the hinge, taking the strain from the loose post, and swung it into place. Elizabeth drew the rope around the upright and pulled it tight. The arrangement would hold until someone came with the latch.

Darcy kept one hand beneath the rail until she finished.

“This requires more than rope,” he said.

“Papa will have a latch put on it.”