Page 7
“I genuinely have no desire to attend the assembly. I would rather spend the evening here with Ben. I find his company far more delightful than I would that of those in attendance at a crowded public ballroom. In light of my situation, I am not certain it would be advantageous for me to attend. I am sure my presence would not be well received by the young ladies present and their matchmaking mamas.”
“Lizzy, you are engaged, not dead. After all, Mr. Collins is not to return to Longbourn until Christmas. Surely, he does not intend you should sit at home every evening.”
“Perhaps you are right. If that is what it takes to get you to agree to go, then I shall go as well. However, I must warn you. My mother may have ceased her matchmaking attempts, but I certainly shall not. I shall do all I can in seeing that you are admired by Mr. Bingley.”
“Dearest Lizzy, the last thing in the world I want is to get my hopes up for this evening.”
“Jane, do not be disheartened.” Elizabeth thought surely her eldest sister’s time was nigh. “Trust me. I really do have a very good feeling about tonight’s assembly.”
“Then, that is even more reason for you to attend, my dear Lizzy. It seems you have enough confidence for the both of us.”
Ben had awakened rather early that morning. He was very eager to see King Arthur. For two days in a row, Ben waited in the same spot as where he had first encountered his new acquaintance. Both days, the pangs of hunger prompted him to abandon his faithful watch.
That day, not only did he eat his breakfast, as his mother had insisted, but he also had stayed behind in the kitchen upon his mother’s quitting the room to pack extra provisions. He was intent upon waiting as long as was necessary for King Arthur’s return.
Ben raced past his mother on his way out the door.
Elizabeth followed him outside and stood at the top of the porch steps. She called out to him, “Please wait just one minute, young sir. Where are you off to with such a heavy load?”
Ben paused and reluctantly retraced his steps back to his mother’s side. “I am off for an adventure with King Arthur, Mama!”
She examined his stuffed satchel. It was weighted heavily with ripe, green apples. She smiled at the thought of how faithfully he kept to his story. “Is that the reason you have so much food?”
“Yes, it is. I have not seen him for a few days, so he must have been on a journey. I suppose he might be famished upon his return.”
Elizabeth kissed her son on his temple and tousled his thick dark curls. “Have fun this morning, Sir Lancelot. Remember not to venture off too far away from our castle.”
The past couple of days, Darcy had remained secluded at Netherfield Park. It had taken a while longer than he might have hoped for his bruised shoulder to heal enough to allow for a vigorous horseback ride without undue comfort. The one advantage he attributed to his malady was the excuse it had provided him in not having to meet any of the Bingleys’ local callers.
He was grateful to enjoy the solace of a solitary jaunt throughout the countryside once more. Mindful of the near collision with the fanciful young lad the last time he was on that path, Darcy approached that same spot with caution.
Ben spotted him from a distance and quickly climbed down from the fence to await his approach. Genuine enthusiasm beamed brightly on Ben’s face.
Darcy, who had been in a rather sour mood after having been trapped at Netherfield Park with Bingley’s annoying sister Caroline, immediately sensed a lightening in his mood. It was clear the little fellow had been waiting for him. Darcy could only wonder how long that might have been.
He climbed down from his stallion as Ben ran to him.
“Good morning, young man.”
“Good morning to you, too, King Arthur! Have you been on a great journey? I have awaited your return for days.”
Darcy smiled in recollection of their little game. “I am sorry, young sir. I had no awareness you were awaiting my return.”
“There is no need for you to apologise to me, my King.”
“I feel I must. I do not like that I might have been a cause for disappointment. How can I make amends?”
“I shall be quite satisfied to enjoy a ride on your magnificent stallion this day. You promised I might have a ride the next time we met. You do remember, do you not?”
“Yes, of course, I did promise you that. Have you ever ridden a horse on your own before?”
“Yes, I rode my own horse this morning!”
“You did! I would love to meet your horse. Where is it?” Darcy asked as he looked about, in search of a pony. He wondered how he could have missed it.
“He is right here!” Ben exclaimed as he ran towards the fence and pointed to his makeshift wooden horse.
Darcy smiled as widely as he had since his arrival in Hertfordshire. “Indeed, it is a fitting horse for a young knight. However, since you will be riding a king’s mount, it is better I maintain a tight hold over the reins, in spite of your unquestionable bravery. Are there any objections to this arrangement?”
