Page 57 of The Heart of Bennet Hollow

Each brightly colored jockey balanced in the stirrups, hunched over as they rode for gold and glory.

Jerseys in oranges, reds, blues, and purples brightened the afternoon as the horses thundered along another furlong.

Lady Light and her jockey—both done up in the colors from Lizbeth’s sampler threads—kept pace with them in a smooth silhouette of strength and beauty.

Lizbeth passed the binoculars to William then gripped the handrail so tightly, she nearly toppled a bag of popcorn that belonged to the stranger in front of her.

She cheered, hardly able to contain her excitement, and as the furlongs wound down, she watched her husband’s face grow more and more amazed as both horses and riders barreled toward the finish line.

A horse named Blandy crossed first, immediately crowned the winner with a wreath of flowers.

Lizbeth leaned forward, watching in awe as photographers captured the moment with the pop of camera bulbs, while newspaper reporters scribbled every embellishment they could think of about the spectacle.

After sweeping his top hat off, Callum offered up a toast. “To fifth place! Your best yet, if I’m not mistaken.”

William tipped his own glossy hat. “It certainly is. Maybe it has something to do with the new training style my aunt implemented.”

At his humble words, Lizbeth looped her elbow through his, still amazed that his aunt, Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh, had signed Lady Light over to him as a wedding gift.

The card she’d sent for the wedding had explained the transfer and her best wishes for him and Lizbeth.

While Lizbeth didn’t know the full history there, something about the card had given William cause to read it twice.

It was also the first of the thank-you notes that he’d penned.

“She was a wonder, Lizzy!” Jayne’s blue eyes were bright and the same color as the hat she wore with its ribbon and feathers.

“Will you be expected at the owner’s club?” Callum asked.

William reached for his hat again. “Possibly, but I’d rather head down to the paddock. What do you all think?”

“Please,” Lizbeth answered and the others nodded their agreement.

Already, spectators and owners alike spilled from the stands to glimpse the horses being led to the paddock.

When William took hold of Lizbeth’s gloved hand, she savored the touch that was both steady and comforting. A reminder that they were together and a warmth—a gift—like no other.

“Will we be able to see Lady Light as well?” Lizbeth asked.

“We will indeed.” William wove them carefully to the steps and down to the turf level. Women fluttered fans, describing the majesty they’d just witnessed, and men toasted pints of beers for bets well placed. Overhead, a crisp May sky was the day’s crowning glory.

Walking arm in arm, Lizbeth and Jayne chatted away until they finally reached the paddock where racehorses were being unsaddled.

“I see her.” William pointed toward the tall chestnut mare. The horse’s head lifted at sight of them and her ebony mane caught a rise in the breeze.

Hurrying forward, Lizbeth reached the mare first and smoothed a gloved hand up the thoroughbred’s glistening neck. “Well done, sweet girl.”

William gave a loving pat all his own, looking proud. “I need to go check on the jockey in a few minutes as well. If you and Jayne want to enjoy the sights here, I won’t be long.”

“Of course.”

“Callum, would you like to join me?”

“Certainly.”

Jayne patted Callum’s cheek with her gloved hand and he captured that hand with a smile before starting off with William.

“Isn’t it a wonder, Lizzy? To be standin’ here right now?” Jayne said, holding her hat secure against the lifting breeze. Her beautiful blue dress with its high lace collar fluttered.

“It makes me so glad to see you this happy. And oh! I spoke to Pa recently.”

“Tell me!”

Lizbeth rested her hands on the railing that outlined the paddock and recounted her conversation of Bennet Hollow.

The glory of it and of all that had come to pass.

A glory and goodness that shone in Jayne’s own eyes for these turns of events.

The newness of this life that they’d been blessed with.

Not only to be standing here in New York with their husbands, but in knowing that their family back home was enjoying the comforts of life and the security of hope in so many precious ways.

“And what of Lacey?” Jayne asked at the end of the story.

Lizbeth scrunched her nose. “Oh, Pa assured me she’s been on manure duty. He said she hasn’t stopped complaining since.”

Jayne laughed. “Well, I’d say that sounds good and fair!”

“I agree!” Lizbeth squeezed Jayne’s arm. “I most definitely agree.”

As dusk settled and the track grounds quieted, William stood at the Long Island train terminal, just yards from the grandstand. He watched his bride comb Lady Light for her journey home.

“That’s a good girl,” she whispered. “And I have someone for you to meet. His name is Eugene. He’s just got one ear so he might not hear you comin’, but I think he’d be glad to make a new friend.

I hear he’s gotten good at that lately.” Lizbeth brushed the comb the length of the mare’s neck again.

“You did a rather good job of that yourself today.”

Lady Light flicked her head in agreement.

Laughing, Lizbeth topped off the horse’s bin of oats and stepped to the edge of the stock car.

William watched her, overcome. “What a sight you are, m’lady. With straw in your hair and oats on your dress.”

Several passersby took stock of this woman in their midst at the most prestigious racetrack in the nation, and William’s chest lifted, more proud of her than he could ever describe.

Lizbeth made a show of gently brushing the luxurious fabric of her skirt. “I do try, good sir.”

He grinned. “Now, how about some supper that Cook promised us?”

“Please.” Bending, she placed her hand on his shoulders and he helped her down. Her brown hair, which had been pinned back into place, now tumbled down to her back. A perfect sight.

In the distance, the train whistle blew.

“That’s our cue.” William led her up the steps to the rear balcony of their own car, then followed her inside.

They discarded their hats in their stateroom, washed their hands—laughing all the while as they kept bumping into one another. A danger that he minded not one bit.

“I see we’re bound to dance after all,” he said.

“Oh, you dance now, do you?” she winked.

“Clearly.” He swept her a bow.

“Perfect!”

And the evening was.

As he sat there at their shared dining table, her hand in his as they ate, having the company of Lizbeth—his bride—made his life and heart expand in ways he was only beginning to understand.

Never, in all the miles, would they want for anything to talk of.

“Tell me your favorite part of the day,” he began, wanting more of her voice, of her.

With a breath, she dove in, describing everything from the crowds to the beautiful horses, to time spent with Jayne and Callum.

He soaked in every detail, musing on the adventures yet to come.

Laughter and smiles were nearly as plentiful as the stars out the window.

A joyous sound for their ears alone as the Pemberley rattled down the tracks—this piece of home that now sheltered them together.

With a heart and smiling eyes that captivated his own, Lizbeth was more real to him than any person he’d ever known, and for the first time in his life, he finally had the words to say as much and the grace to show her.

All beneath the shadow of the sampler she’d stitched and he’d been honored to obtain.

A tender reminder that the night was far spent, and a new day was at hand.