She attempted a broken laugh. “I suppose you need to return me safely now before my state undoes all reputation.”
“Unless you mean to pass the night out here.” I helped her to stand, keeping her hand warmly clasped in mine.
“I can think of worse places to sleep. Under the stars on a summer night? Far away from the demands of duty and the chagrined looks that inform me of what I ‘ought’ to do? It sounds like heaven to me.”
“Yes, until I have Mr. Westing pounding on my door, asking what has become of the young lady currently living under his roof. Come along.” Before she grasped my intention, I had swept her up securely against my chest and started striding for my horse.
Elizabeth yelped, wriggling in instinctive protest. “Mr. Darcy! Fitzwilliam! Put me down this instant!”
I merely tightened my hold, striding toward my grazing mount. “Not a chance. You will only do further damage trotting about on one heel. Had you no thought for ankles or reputation staggering this far alone?”
“And had you no thought I might object being hauled about like a sack of flour?” she shot back. But a smile tugged reluctantly at her lips even as she swatted ineffectually at my shoulder.
I laughed outright as I positioned her sideways on the saddle, then swung up behind, encircling her securely. “Admit it—you would object more if I left you limping all the long miles home.” I felt her lean tentatively back against me. “Now, shall I play the gallant rescuer or unforgivable rogue stealing you away?”
She glanced sideways, eyes dancing. “Neither, if you remain determined to shock Aunt Gardiner into palpitations, arriving with me bosting both ruined boots and gown.” Her brow arched challengingly. “But as long as you have compromised my reputation beyond salvaging, we may as well ride to Farthingdale with no further harm done.”
I grinned at this incorrigible maiden nestled willingly in my embrace. I touched my heels lightly to Claudius’s sides. “Hold tight, then. Stray neither left nor right, and trust me to keep you steady.” Laughing softly, she obeyed, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
We rode for some minutes in companionable silence, the evening air rushing sweetly past. My mount’s smooth gait soon reassured any lingering tension from Elizabeth. I felt her gradually relax, weariness replacing rigid alarm. Careful not to encroach, I nonetheless shifted position, granting her slighter frame more support.
“Comfortable?” I murmured near her ear.
She startled slightly, shivering as she turned to look me in the face. “Oh! Forgive me, I must make a poor armrest flopping about—”
“Nonsense. You endure this journey quite valiantly.” I meant to soothe, but she twisted again to survey me skeptically.
“Valiantly enduring would suggest some trial or hardship in progress.” Humor danced in her eyes. “Do you imply discomfort in my present situation, Mr. Darcy?”
I cleared my throat, avoiding that arch look. “My meaning was only, I cannot imagine it is an easy seat for you, sitting sideways before me, almost on the horse’s neck. And after such an emotional ordeal—”
“Ordeal!” She bubbled with laughter. “As though you rescuing me was a burdensome duty and not theatrical whimsy on your part. Confess, you mimic knight errant tales sweeping damsels onto noble steeds in desperate flight.”
I chuckled, inclining my head in defeat. “Well, I cannot claim it is a chore, playing the gallant hero for once. Although...” I slanted her a sly look. “The role becomes less rewarding if certain damsels insist on puncturing illusion with mockery.”
She nudged my shoulder reproachfully. “I do no such thing! Why, my gown is even dirtied already to better fit the part.” Her grin held a silent challenge. “You take liberties, accusing me of ingratitude before I have even had time to tender my thanks.”
I met her sparkling eyes, pulse quickening at this new facet emerging. Had Lizzy always possessed such readiness to parry and return teasing in kind? Strange that I had never noted it before. Strange, also, how delightful the discovery proved.
“Shall I furnish proof of my sincerest dedication as rescuer then?” Impulse seized me. Before she guessed my intent, I wrapped both arms snugly round her and touched heel to Claudius’s sides, urging him into a long trot that made her grasp my neck with a startled stranglehold. “What think you? Shall you finish the ride bound captive as insurance against further mockery?” I held my breath, praying she read playfulness, not impropriety, in my daring gesture.
To my vast relief, she took a deep breath and relaxed. “I suppose that convinces me thoroughly.” Her glance turned rueful. “You are a fearful tease, fancying yourself to be a Cassanova or some nonsense like that.”
I blinked. “Cassanova? I should hope not. And I have never teased anyone in my life, Miss Elizabeth.”
She waved her hand airily. “That I know for a perfect falsehood, for what was that little stunt you just did but a tease? You would like me to admit how terrified I was and how desperately I needed your help.”
I raised a brow and met her gaze. “I was not aware any of that was up for a debate.”
“Anything can be a subject for debate.” She tipped her head yet closer to mine, her breath tickling my cheek as those speaking eyes locked with mine. “Bothmy fathers taught me well in that regard.”
I cleared my throat because it seemed suddenly difficult to draw air.Get off,my better sense urged me.Get off now and walk beside the horse the rest of the way to Farthingdale. Instead, I ventured—hopefully neutrally, “Mr. Bennet encouraged the improvement of your mind, did he? And here I feared you had not known good society.”
Her eyes glinted impishly. “Sir! I shall have you know ‘society’ nearly expired attempting to tame me before surrendering all hope.” She tilted her head pensively. “But yes, Mr. Bennet did teach me chess and philosophy, thus tempering youthful fancies with wisdom.”
I chuckled, intrigued. “Well, so long as you have not turned complete bluestocking on me.”
“Shall we find out?” Elizabeth shifted slightly, and my breath caught as something… rathersoftpressed against my arm.
