Page 5 of Darcy's Disguise (The Bennet and Darcy Chronicles #3)

5

D arcy had been prepared formany thingsin his disguise as William Dawson.

He had not been prepared for an invitation to Longbourn.

"You have agood eye for horses, Mr. Dawson," Mr. Bennet had remarked casually at the reverend’s home earlier that week. "I hear you impressed old Thomas in Meryton with your advice. Our gelding has been acting up, and if you are willing, I would appreciate your opinion. Come stop by the house if you please."

Darcyhad no choice but to accept.

And now, here he was—standing inthe Bennet family stables, brushing a hand over the flank of arestless bay gelding.

Elizabeth stooda few paces away, arms crossed, her gazesharp and assessing. She had beenwatching him all morning. Sheobviously had questions. Perhaps his manners were too elevated? He had no idea how uncouth a tutor might act, but he was not going to act poorly bred under any circumstance.

For now at least, she remained silent in her suspicions.

"Ah, yes," Darcy murmured, stepping back and observing the horse. "It is not his temperament. It’s his back leg—he’s favoring the left slightly. Likely another issue with the shoeing."

Mr. Bennetchuckled."I believe you are right. John has been saying the same for weeks, but I had to hear it from a fresh perspective."

Darcy inclined his head. "Your stable master is a wise man, then."

"Mm. And what of our mare?"

Darcy turned his attention to thedapple gray standing patiently nearby. "She is sound," he said, running his hand lightly down her shoulder. "She would be an easy ride—steady, well-trained."

Mr. Bennetsmirked suddenly, then glanced at his daughter. “You would know more, surely if you were to ride her.”

Darcy inclined his head. “Certainly.”

"Excellent," he said. "Then you and Elizabeth shall take them out for a ride."

Elizabeth blinked.

Darcy stilled.

"I—pardon?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, yes," her father said withmock indifference, waving a hand. "The best way to work with a horse is toride it, is it not? And I am curious to see if Mr. Dawson rides as well as he observes." His whole face sparked with amusement.

He knows exactly what he is doing. But why would he want his daughter riding with the tutor?

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her father, buthe simply smiled.

Darcy suppresseda smirk of his own. He would not complain. "Shall we, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth exhaleddramatically. "I suppose we must, Mr. Dawson."

And with that, theymounted their horses and set off with servants in tow.

They rode ineasy silence at first, the fieldsstretching wide before them, golden in the late afternoon sun.

Darcy had always foundriding to be a relief—an escape from the rigid expectations of society.

But today,he was more aware of his companion than anything else.

Elizabeth rodewith ease, her posturestraight, confident, her expression contemplative.

After a time, she finally spoke. "You truly know horses well, Mr. Dawson."

Darcy glanced at her. "I was raised around them." Then—with the care of a man treading dangerous waters he continued, "My father taught me everything I know about them."

Elizabeth turned toward him slightly, curiosity in her gaze. "So you said. You speak of your father with great respect."

Darcy nodded, keeping his expressioncarefully neutral. "I do."

Elizabeth hesitated. "My father… well, I respect him a great deal," she admitted. "But I do not always understand him."

Darcy glanced at her again.

She was looking ahead, herbrows slightly furrowed, her tone quieter than usual. She wasletting her guard down.

"How so?"

Elizabeth exhaled. "He is intelligent, one of the most intelligent men I know," she said. "But he spends much of his time avoiding things rather than facing them."

Darcy said nothing.

She glanced at him, then gavea small, wry smile. "Men are fortunate, Mr. Dawson. You can be as independent as you please. You can make your own way in the world. But a woman… a woman’s future is often decided for her, and that is a very difficult thing to accept." She looked away. “And with a father bent on hesitation and distraction and not much concerned with things I may not advocate for myself…” She seemed to regret her words as they trailed off unfinished. “He is a good man, my father.”

Darcy’s fingerstightened slightlyaround the reins. She does not know how much I understand this. How much I have seen this with Georgiana.

Without thinking, he said,"I would wish for my sister to have choices."

Elizabethturned to him sharply. "You have a sister?"

Darcy hesitated—but only for a fraction of a second. "I do," he admitted. "She is young, but she is bright—brighter than many men I know. I only hope she will be given the opportunity to shape her own future."

Elizabethstudied him. "And do you believe she will?"

Darcy was quiet for a moment. There was not much he could say that would not reveal him. "I mean to see that she does."

Elizabeth’s expression softened.

For a brief moment, there wasnothing but the sound of the horses’ hooves against the earth.

Then, unexpectedly, she smiled. "That is a noble thought, Mr. Dawson."

Darcy exhaled,relieved that she did not press him further. "Perhaps," he murmured.

Elizabeth glanced away, seemingly lost in thought.

Her lipsquirked into a smirk. "And yet, I must say, I did not expect to find a horse trainer’s son who speaks so much like a gentleman."

Darcynearly choked on his breath.

He managed to recover, but Elizabeth’seyes were dancing with mischief.

"Miss Bennet," he said dryly. "Is that an insult or a compliment?"

She laughed outright.

"That depends, Mr. Dawson. Would you rather be a gentleman scholar or a refined stable master?"

Darcyshook his head, amused. "If I answer incorrectly, I suspect you will never let me live it down."

Elizabeth grinned. "Correct."

Darcy’s gaze took her in for a moment, his eyes wandering her hairline, her eyes, her cheeks, briefly lining her lips, then his lips wiggled into a reluctant smile. "Then I suppose I must remain a mystery."

Elizabethlaughed again, shaking her head.

They continued ridingin silence for a time, but the air between them had changed.

It waslighter now. Easier. And yet—Elizabeth could not shake the feeling that she was getting dangerously close to something she did not fully understand.

For every truth he shared, there wassomething he was not saying.

And yet, she could not deny that she respected him.

And worse, she liked him.

She did not know what to do with that.

But things were too serious. She turned to him, full of challenge. “Race me?” She leaned forward, ready to spur her horse forward.

“Where to?”

She lifted her chin. “Toward that ridge. First to the top.”

He caught her fire and leaned forward across his horse. “Ready.” He grinned.

“Steady.” She countered.

“Go!” They both shouted and tore out across the meadow.

The servants were hard pressed to keep up.

They raced as fast as their horses would go. Miss Elizabeth rode the mare who was stubbornly determined to beat the gelding, much to her great pleasure. But Darcy was an accomplished horseman and found ways to burst ahead of them.

They arrived at the base of the hill, their horses not giving an inch as the incline grew steep.

“Come on! Come on!” Elizabeth shouted.

They pushed to the top, breaching the ridge at exactly the same moment.

Out of breath, Elizabeth cheered. “Amazing. That was wonderful, Mr. Darcy.”

“You as well. I’ve not seen a woman ride so well.”

Her face felt hot. She grinned over at him. “Thank you. I love to walk but now and then a horse gets you where you want to go so much faster.”

“They certainly do.” He leaned forward and patted his on the flank. “Thanks, old man.”

Darcy dismounted and then reached up to help her down. His hands wrapped around her waist. His heart leapt in his chest to be so near and when she put her hands at his shoulders and slid down to stand in front of him he felt a surge of energy. He grinned down at her. “I feel like you let me catch up to you.”

Breathless, it took her a moment to respond. “What! I didn’t. Your horse just got it in him to beat this old mare once and for all. And of course she was not going to allow it.” She placed a hand at her heart.

He stepped back, allowing her room. “Come, let’s take a look at this view.” He held out his arm for her to take as they walked up to the actual ridge, a line of rocks at the top of the overlook.

“Oh, it’s my favorite in the world. Right there.” She led him toward a tall tree. The view seemed extra brilliant today. The sun caught the tops of trees and glimmered across all the ripples of water and the fields were shimmering as the wind caught the tops of the grass.

“Is it always this glorious?”

She placed both hands on his arm, leaning in to him just a little bit and pointed out over the fields in all directions. “Yes, every kind of weather has a different view. But today it’s fresh and bright and beautiful.”

“I can see why you explore this area like you do. I would never tire of such a view.”

The wind tugged at her hair, freeing much of it from its pins. And for a moment, Darcy was stunned by her beauty. Her hair was magnificent, thick and long and lifting and blowing in the wind. He was filled with a strong desire to gather it in his hands and run his fingers through it.

“Mr. Dawson, are you well?”

He blinked twice. “Pardon?”

“Did you hear what I said? I asked if you have views such as this where you’re from.”

“Oh. My apologies. I was so distracted.” He dipped his head. Don’t speak. Don’t say Darcy. Hold your tongue . “Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth. I must tell you.” Don’t do it, Darcy.

“ Yes? What is it?” Her eyes were wide, searching his face. Hints of concern flashed across her brow.

“I…” He cleared his throat. “This is all so untoward, but I feel you must know. You are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”

Her mouth dropped open for perhaps a few seconds longer than she intended. Then she visibly swallowed. “Thank you, Mr. Dawson.” She tucked a hair behind her ear and searched his face.

He pointed out to the sky. “But in answer to your question, we do have lovely views and rocky vistas but nothing quite like this.” He dipped his head. “You and this remarkable view are deserving of one another.”

She smiled, her face a lovely pink. “Thank you. You have very eloquent words, but I’m certain I don’t make that much of a difference to the view.”

“Oh, but you do. And I know I’m saying too much from someone you don’t know well. But it is true, nonetheless. A woman should know when she’s beautiful.” He felt his words bumbling out of him, and he didn’t know exactly how to explain. “Now, I will stop. We may continue this unusual outing in peace.” He looked away, in such a state of mental disarray he didn’t quite know what to do. She was magnificent and right there in front of him with her hair untethered and her face flushed and enjoying their ride, and he didn’t know how tutors behaved or what he, Darcy would have done with such an opportunity were it gifted to him as himself. But she was beautiful, and she ought to know he thought so.

Instead of responding, she kept her face turned out to the surrounding view. He let her have her peace, and he too enjoyed the breeze and the sun on his face. At length she said, “I think the glories of God’s creations make an impact on us. I have at times felt caught in the moment and felt a need to share my feelings with someone.” She turned to him. “I can relate to what you feel up here.”

And with those simple words, she eased the discomfort he had created. A new sense of camaraderie descended around them. “Thank you.”

They walked together along the whole ridge, commenting about a particular flower or view. She pointed out all the estates they could see from their vantage point. “That over there is Netherfield. It remains empty. We would love a family to move in. Though we dine with forty here, more are always welcome.”

He nodded. It was a lovely situation. His friend Bingley was looking for just such an estate in a community like this one. Perhaps he’d send him notice of it. “We dine with that many at home. Though London always has an inescapable influx of people for the Season, it too calms down at times to fewer than that, depending on who you wish to include in your dinner circles.” He paused. He’d said too much. A tutor would never speak of such things, nor be invited to dine regularly. He held his breath, waiting for her to ask him more.

But she didn’t seem to notice. It was as if she’d forgotten his standing. He’d best be more aware or this experiment to meet and connect with people who weren’t aware of his station and wealth would be sabotaged before it began… and by himself.

Miss Bennet’s servants eventually reached them, just as Darcy was helping her back up on her horse. “I’ve enjoyed myself more than I have in years, Miss Bennet, thank you.”

“I too had a lovely time. Have you discovered any ailments with the horses?” Her eyebrow arched.

And he laughed. “I admit to not giving it as much thought as your father likely hoped. But I stand by my earlier assessment.” He bent down to look at the hooves. “Though.” He ran his hands down the legs of her horse. “I’m not sure a horse with any trouble could have made the climb we did with such ease.”

“Perhaps she just wanted a little attention.” Miss Elizabeth grinned. “If we are admitting beauty, perhaps the horse noticed yours.” She laughed and then nudged her horse forward. “I’ll beat you to the bottom, surely.”

He was stunned at her admission.

And delighted. He laughed into the wind.

And then raced to his horse. “Oh no you don’t.”