Chapter Twenty-two
Lizzy tooled the pony cart into the stableyard at Netherfield Park. The head groom moved forward himself to take hold of the gray, Welsh mountain pony’s bridle.
“Good day, Mr. Pearce,” Lizzy said in a sunny voice. The head groom was a wizened, strapping man of about fifty years. He had come with the house when Mr. Bingley leased it, along with the gardeners, and several maids.
“Good day t’ye, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Pearce said, lifting the brim of his flat cap. “We coulda come t’the front fer ye.”
Lizzy accepted help from a younger groom, whom she did not know, in descending through a door at the back of the tub-shaped cart body.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Coming around to the front of Apple, she addressed Mr. Pearce once more. “I have not come visiting. I am here at my sister’s request to meet the new mare Mr. Bingley purchased.”
Mr. Pearce looked knowingly at her, but did not mention a possible alliance between Mr. Bingley and Jane.
“The mare’s a fine thoroughbred, she is, miss,” Mr. Pearce claimed.
He gestured to the same groom who had assisted Lizzy.
He hurried to take hold of the pony’s bridle. “Take care of him, Samuel.”
“Aye, sir,” Samuel said, leading the pony and cart away.
“What is the mare’s name?”
“Rosalind of Ballyhigh,” Mr. Pearce said. “Though she answers to Rosy.”
“Irish bred?”
“Yes, miss.”
“Has she carried females before?” Lizzy asked, walking beside him into the cool stables.
“She has, miss. Trained to a sidesaddle from when she was four. She’s six, now.”
“What have you observed about her?” Lizzy asked.
“Rosy has a fine, sensible attitude, miss. She’s light-to-the-hand, too.”
“Her stride?”
“Relaxed and smooth, miss,” Mr. Pearce said. He led her to a box and knickered. The horse within replied and ambled over to the opening. She stuck her head out and stood still for the head groom’s caress. “This here is Rosy, miss. She’s fourteen and a half hands.”
“What a fine girl you are,” Lizzy said, holding out the flat of her hand where a small chunk of apple sat. She had brought the chunks with her and put them in the reticule she used just for that purpose. Rosy readily lipped up the apple. “Will you take her out of the stall for me?”
“Yes, miss,” Mr. Pearce said. Rosy stood patiently while he slipped a bridle over her head.
“Did you assist Mr. Bingley in choosing Rosy?”
“I did, miss.”
Lizzy nodded. “Then I am expecting good things from her. Your equine knowledge is exceptional.”
He appeared gratified. “Thank you, miss.”
“Miss Elizabeth.”
Lizzy turned her head and spied Mr. Darcy striding toward her wearing dark brown riding togs. Goodness, I can scarcely breathe. Just the sight of him makes my heart race. “Sir?”
He arrived at her side, tall and handsome. He removed his beaver hat and bowed slightly. “Have you come just to see Rosy?”
Lizzy curtsied and smiled up at him. “I have. Jane asked me to meet her. I understand Bingley acquired Rosy for Jane to ride.”
“That is what he told me,” Mr. Darcy said. “Bingley introduced her to me yesterday.”
They both stood aside while Mr. Pearce opened the box door and led the mare out into the stable aisle. Lizzy cooed soothingly as she smoothed her hands over the horse’s withers.
“What a beauty you are,” she praised as she felt Rosy’s muscles quiver.
“I rode your father’s hack here,” Darcy informed her.
“Oh?” she asked, looking up from her examination of Rosy’s legs.
How accomplished she is in animal husbandry, Darcy thought, admiring her handling of the horse.
And how fetching she looks today. How wonderful would it be to have her by my side for all the remainder of my days?
Darcy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, praying he could calm his racing heart.
Darcy shifted his position in order to continue watching her as she circled around to Rosy’s other side.
“Bingley and I took my curricle to Longbourn for his interview with your father. I will leave it to your sister to tell you her news.” Miss Elizabeth nodded, her eyes twinkling.
Darcy’s eyebrows bounced once in response.
Then, he said, “After the interview, Bingley expressed the wish to bring Miss Bennet here to meet Rosy. Your father lent me his bay so they could drive the curricle back to Netherfield.”
“Skookum is a very fine all-around hunter and hacking animal,” Miss Elizabeth stated. “He endures female riders as well, bless him. You must have ridden across the fields to arrive here before the curricle.”
“I did,” Darcy admitted. “Your head groom told me you had taken the pony cart here. We did not pass you on the road.”
“I took a lane that circles around Meryton,” Miss Elizabeth explained. “Now, Rosy, show me your teeth, if you please.”
To Darcy’s amazement, Rosy immediately opened her mouth.
“Thank you, Rosy. Hmm, your gums are nicely pink, your teeth do not appear cracked at all. No lesions or scaring. Yes, very nice,” Miss Elizabeth said when she finished her inspection.
“You have been handled well.” She rubbed Rosy’s forehead affectionately.
“And you need not worry, Rosy dear. Mr. Pearce is an accomplished groom and my sister has light hands. I am depending on you to look after her.”
Rosy knickered and pawed the ground once.
Darcy cleared his throat. “I hoped I would find you still here.”
“Oh?” she asked, grinning as she glanced his way.
“Georgiana has gone with Miss Mary to meet Mrs. Phillips,” Darcy mentioned.
“My cousin has taken Miss Bingley with him to pick up Mrs. Inwood. However, Miss Bennet and Bingley will be here soon. Would you like to stay for some refreshment, or would you like to ride with me? We can take Bingley’s gig. ”
Miss Elizabeth stepped away from the mare and faced him. “I will be pleased to take a drive with you. Will you return me to my home?”
“It will be my pleasure to do so. One of Bingley’s grooms can return your pony cart. He can tie-up Skookum behind the cart.”
Mr. Pearce coughed and touched his cap when Darcy looked at him. “Sir, I know Skookum and he won’t like that much. No, sir, he won’t. I’ll ride ‘im to Longbourn meself.”
“You are quite correct, Mr. Pearce. Skookum would not like to be towed behind the cart,” Miss Elizabeth said, shaking her head emphatically. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to do this kindness for me. I am pleased with Rosy. I think she will be an excellent hack.”
“Yes, miss,” Mr. Pearce said, touching his cap.
Darcy thanked the head groom by slipping him a yellow boy when Miss Elizabeth turned to walk out of the stables.
“I’ll ‘ave a horse put to harness fer the gig, sir,” Mr. Pearce said smartly. He gestured for a stable boy to attached crossties to Rosy’s halter in preparation for Miss Bennet’s visit. “Tie her up and give her a good brushin’, lad.”
Soon, Darcy handed Miss Elizabeth up into the stylish gig. The well-sprung vehicle swayed as he took his seat. After gathering the reins, he nodded to Mr. Pearce to step away from the horse’s head.
“Now, where shall we go?” he asked, feeling immense pleasure in having her sitting so close beside him.
“I could show you the lane that circles around Meryton if you like?”
“A good notion.”
“The going will be a trifle rough,” she told him.
Good. Perhaps she will grasp my arm to steady herself.
“I am a dab hand at driving,” he replied. “Never fear, I will not get us stuck in a rut.”
“That is a good thing, because Calico will not appreciate being jostled about.”
“The horse?” he asked.
“The horse.” Miss Elizabeth jumped and looked at the space between them. “Goodness. Jeffry. Did you just arrive? Was he in your pocket, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy shook his head. “He likes to get about, does he not?
Miss Elizabeth picked up the guinea pig and nestled him against her chest. She laughed up at Darcy, her gaze sparkling, her mouth wide and grinning, and he caught his breath. I love her. I love her.
“Have you had any hints about whom he belongs to?” Darcy managed to asked.
“None at all,” she said. Glancing around, she indicated a laneway that he should turn into.
Darcy wondered if this was the route Wickham had used to leave Netherfield without anyone knowing how he managed it.
“You are frowning. Is aught amiss?” she asked, stroking Jeffry while looking up at him.
“Did you hear about what happened Monday night at Netherfield?”
Looking puzzled, she said, “I heard nothing.”
Darcy pressed his lips together and marshaled his thoughts. At last, he explained. “While we were at the comet-viewing dinner, George Wickham tried to force his way into Netherfield to see Georgiana.”
Miss Elizabeth gasped in a satisfyingly horrified way.
“Fortunately, my man, Elliot, knew him and refused to let him in to see my sister. He forcibly evicted him. When we arrived home, the house and grounds had been lit up. My cousin and the male servants were out searching the grounds. Georgiana had seen Wickham from behind the banister and was in a state, as you can imagine. Wickham was not found. Just now I was wondering if this is the route he took to escape discovery by my cousin.”
“That is why Elliot now escorts her when you are not with her,” Miss Elizabeth said, shaking her head in concern. “No one is going to attack her when he is with her.”
“My cousin has written Wickham’s colonel. I hope Wickham will be convinced to leave the militia and join the Regulars.”
“Before he has an effect on the local ladies,” she muttered.
“Particularly the impressionable younger ones.” She freed one of her hands from holding Jeffry and placed it on his arm.
“I am truly sorry you and Georgiana have been troubled by this despicable man. I…I…would hate to see you leave, Mr. Darcy, but would it not be better to take Georgiana back to London?”
Darcy’s stomach muscles tightened in reaction to her touch. He drew in a shaky breath and released it slowly.