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The two men continued to speak on the subject for some time until Mr. Bennet noted that his guest’s glass was empty.

After offering refills to all his guests, he returned to stand by Mr. Darcy.

There was a moment of silence while both men sampled the wine but eventually Elizabeth’s father cleared his throat.

“Mr. Darcy, I find myself in an odd position. My daughter shall be spending several weeks at the home of an unmarried gentleman, yet I know very little about him except from… letters.”

Mr. Bennet was rather pleased to see that he had immediately captured the young man’s complete attention.

He also caught a flicker of what might have been amusement in Mr. Bingley’s eye before that man turned back to his conversation with Mr. Gardiner.

Thomas decided to tuck that observation away for future consideration and continue on with his current purpose.

“I wonder if you might like to come riding with me tomorrow morning? Should Mr. Bingley not have a horse for you to use, I’m sure that we could arrange something.”

Mr. Darcy was looking at him with the sort of absolute focus that always made Elizabeth’s father wish to do something entirely improper, such as jump up on his desk and imitate a rooster. Luckily, the other gentleman responded before Thomas gave into the imp whispering in his ear.

“Thank you, sir. I would enjoy seeing more of the area. While I appreciate your offer of a mount, I have my own.”

“You brought Icky? Oh, of course—you shall be riding back to Derbyshire and leaving the carriage here for Miss Darcy…” Bingley’s attention had been caught at the mention of his own name.

It took him a moment to figure out why his comment had been met with a grimace from his friend and bemused curiosity from Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner.

Charles suppressed his natural laughter with mock formality and bowed slightly toward Fitzwilliam. “I beg your pardon, Darcy; of course I meant to inquire about the great Icarus .”

Bingley could no longer quell his chuckles and Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet both turned inquisitive eyes upon the other young man.

After a baleful look at his friend, Darcy rolled his eyes.

“As a colt, he would run madly about the pasture, kicking and bucking as if trying to launch himself into flight… then he would fall to the ground and sleep like the dead until he was rested enough to go at it again. Also, he is a dapple grey and when he sheds in the spring it looks like ash floating away in the wind; I was reading Greek mythology at the time and Icarus seemed an appropriate name. Unfortunately, he also enjoys rolling in mud; once he nuzzled dirt all over my sister’s new frock.

She declared that he would be called “Icky” forevermore. ”

Darcy joined the others in laughter and Mr. Bennet was pleased to see that Elizabeth’s admirer did indeed possess a sense of humor.

After several comments from his other guests, Mr. Bennet contributed; “I had a similar experience many years ago. When Jane turned ten, I decided that we needed a nice, gentle pony for my daughters to learn to ride on. I consulted with Mr. Brady— Netherfield’s former owner— and we found a lovely little chestnut mare with what I considered to be the rather elegant name of ‘Eunomia.’ However, within a week, the girls had nicknamed her Nelly, and Nelly she remains to this day. ”

Mr. Gardiner chuckled— it was a story that he had heard before and he had perfected the accompanying punch line. “Ah, Thomas… did you really believe that you could keep the goddess of good order at Longbourn for any length of time?”

They laughed and when the four gentlemen returned to the ladies some minutes later, all were in an excellent humor.

When Darcy entered the drawing room, he shared a smile with Elizabeth but also saw that Georgiana was fighting fatigue. After a few quiet words with his sister, he signaled Bingley that it was time to depart.

Mr. Bennet was distracted for a minute by Mrs. Gardiner and when his attention was returned to their departing guests, he was somewhat irked to note that Jane and Elizabeth had accompanied the gentlemen outside alone.

He made a mental note to speak to Fanny about chaperoning their daughters properly.

When he joined them, Jane stood with Mr. Bingley by the carriage, her eyes downcast as he spoke to her quietly.

Some yards away, Elizabeth was listening to Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy at her side.

His daughter looked to be equal parts amusement and concern.

When she shot a look at her father, Thomas guessed that her admirer had relayed their plan for the next morning.

He cleared his throat and his two eldest daughters moved obediently to his side.

Gratitude for the Bennets’ hospitality was repeated by the guests and farewells exchanged by all.

When Mr. Bingley’s carriage finally pulled away, Mr. Bennet turned to his second daughter.

“Well, that was an entertaining evening. I suppose that your young man informed you that we are going riding tomorrow morning?”

Elizabeth smirked and, taking Jane’s arm, led them toward the door. Speaking over her shoulder, she called to her father; “He did indeed; I informed him that he was lucky it wasn’t hunting season.”

Chuckling, Thomas followed the pair into the house. It was only later when he was readying himself for bed that he realized his favorite daughter hadn’t protested his reference to Mr. Darcy as ‘hers.’

The next morning, Mr. Bennet sat down to breakfast with three of his daughters.

Lydia was still abed and Elizabeth had departed at dawn for an early morning walk.

He was just reaching for a second cup of tea when she blew into the room with pink cheeks, wind blown hair, and sparkling eyes. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Good morning, Lizzy. Have you been reacquainting yourself with all your favorite trees and rocks?”

She grinned back. “Oh yes, Papa! I walked up to Oakham Mount; there was a beautiful sunrise— all oranges and pinks with mist rising up off the fields… Oh, and I found a patch of wild purple orchids in bloom!”

Mr. Bennet was pleased when Catherine responded to her sister’s enthusiasm. “Oh, that sounds lovely. Are they far? I would love to try to sketch them!”

Elizabeth beamed. “Not far at all—perhaps a fifteen minute walk. They are just beyond the fork in the path to Oakham Mount, the one that leads to those old plum trees near the stream? I would be happy to show you, if you’d like.”

Jane and Mary had just agreed to accompany Kitty and Elizabeth on their walk when Hill announced visitors.

Mr. Darcy had arrived precisely on time and the Master of Longbourn was not terribly surprised to see him accompanied by Mr. Bingley.

Kitty peered beyond the two gentlemen. “But Mr. Darcy; where is your sister? You’ve not left her all alone at Netherfield, have you?”

The gentleman looked slightly embarrassed. “She said that she wished to spend the morning practicing the pianoforte.”

“Hmmm…” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at her sister. “Perhaps Miss Darcy felt that she should not visit us so soon again without a specific invitation?” The look on the gentleman’s face confirmed her guess.

She smiled and turned back to her sister. “Kitty, why don’t you write a note inviting Miss Darcy to spend the day with us; perhaps she might like to join our little expedition this morning?”

The younger Miss Bennet looked her question at the tall, intimidating gentleman. She blinked when he smiled broadly.

“I believe that my sister would appreciate that very much, Miss Catherine.”

Kitty nodded faintly and left the room, thinking that she might need to revise her opinion of Mr. Darcy.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Bingley had seated himself beside Jane during this exchange. As soon as he confirmed that she was planning to walk out, he voiced his enthusiasm to join the ladies.

Just then, shrieks could be heard from another part of the house.

Those who called Longbourn home pieced together the words fairly easily.

“He is here?!? Oh, Hill! Hill! Why didn’t anyone tell me!

?! Where is Jane?!? Lydia—my dear girl! What are you doing still in bed?

!? The gentlemen are here!” Fortunately, Lydia’s response was too low to be distinguished by those in the breakfast room.

Quickly ascertaining that Mr. Darcy had already broken his fast, Elizabeth’s father set aside his teacup and stood. “Well then, sir. Shall we be off?”

Understanding what he was about, Darcy followed suit.

While Mr. Bennet was waiting for the maid to retrieve his coat and sending word to the stable for his horse to be brought around, Elizabeth spoke quietly with her sisters.

After giving Mr. Darcy an encouraging smile (which warmed the young man’s face considerably), she stood, intending to go upstairs and check on the Gardiner children .

However, at that moment Mrs. Bennet swept into the breakfast room.

The matron appeared significantly calmer than her earlier tumult might have suggested (probably due to the presence of her brother just behind her).

Calm or not, she looked like a cat presented with a bowl of cream when she caught sight of Mr. Bingley at Jane’s side.

After a look from Elizabeth, Mary claimed her mother’s attention, offering to prepare her tea just as she liked it.

While Mrs. Bennet was effectively distracted, Lizzy spoke quietly to her uncle.

It was quickly arranged that the Gardiner children would spend the morning with their cousins while he and Mrs. Bennet visited their sister, Mrs. Phillips, allowing Mrs. Gardiner to rest.

When Mr. Bennet finally extracted Mr. Darcy from the breakfast room, the two men made their way to Longbourn’s stables in a companionable silence. While the stableman was saddling Mr. Bennet’s gelding, Elizabeth’s father inspected Darcy’s grey.