Once Darcy had left, the Colonel considered the situation. An opportunity to raise horses! He had never imagined this particular dream of his could come true. And the timing was extraordinary. Perhaps now he could make an offer to Miss Caroline Bingley.
That thought was quickly followed by another: he had no idea how she felt about him. He had insulted her grievously, but he had also saved her from ruin. Did she love him? Did she evenlikehim? Would she accept an offer from him? He was the son of an Earl, but so was Mr. Lindsay. Lindsay was a man content to live in luxury in London, while Richard wanted to have an occupation. Also, Lindsay was several years younger than Richard, far closer to Miss Bingley’s age. Curse the man!
He went to his room and startled his valet, Carstairs, by telling him that he was going courting and needed to be attired accordingly.
***
At Bingley House, the Colonel was irritated to find Mr. Lindsay already in the drawing room with Miss Bingley. The two were laughing together about something, which irritated him even further. Mrs. Bingley was with them, head bent over some embroidery project.
“Mrs. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. Lindsay.” The Colonel bowed.
“Colonel, how nice to see you,” Miss Bingley said. Mrs. Bingley echoed her.
Mr. Lindsay merely inclined his head, eyes narrowing. Ah, the man knew him to be a rival! Good, the Colonel, thought. Let the battle begin.
“How are you this fine day, Miss Bingley?”
“Quite well; and you?”
“Very well. I am glad that the weather has taken a small turn; I had hoped we might go for a walk.”
“Or a drive,” Mr. Lindsay put in. “My curricle is just outside.”
The Colonel winced. Of course Mr. Lindsay would have a fine equipage, while the Colonel did not. At least, not yet. “I believe I have seen your horses, Mr. Lindsay. Were they not purchased from Elmstree Stables?”
“I got them at Tattersalls, of course, but they were raised at Elmstree. The finest horseflesh in the country is to be found there.” Mr. Lindsay looked quite pleased with himself.
“You are right about that, and I will ensure that its excellent reputation continues.”
“You?”
“I am the new manager of the Stables; my cousin Darcy purchased it, and I will act in his stead.”
The Colonel felt, rather than saw, Miss Bingley’s eyes widen.
“You will resign your commission?” she asked.
“I will, soon enough. Elmstree is a fine estate just an hour outside London. There is a large house and a home farm, though of course the stables are the main focus of the enterprise. My cousin will sell it to me as soon as my savings permit it.” He turned now to Mr. Lindsay. “And you, Mr. Lindsay? Where is your estate?”
“I – well, I live with my father, the Earl of Lindsay, though I am quite sure he will purchase a townhouse for me when I marry. As for selling horses, is it not – well, like being in trade? I hope you will forgive my indelicacy in bringing that up,” Mr. Lindsay glanced at Miss Bingley, well aware of her fears.
The Colonel parried. “In trade? Considering that Darcy purchased it from the Earl of Huntingdon, I hardly think so. Unless you believe that the Earl is a tradesman?”
“No, of course not,” Mr. Lindsay protested quickly.
“Owning stables and selling horses is no different from owning sheep and selling the wool,” Colonel Fitzwilliam continued, pressing his advantage. “I have long been considered an expert on horseflesh, and am delighted at the idea of leaving the Army to immerse myself in bloodlines. All I need now…” and here he paused for effect… “is a wife to share these delights.”
He watched Miss Bingley from the corner of his eye and saw that her attention was riveted on him.
“Few young ladies are interested in such things, I imagine,” Mr. Lindsay said.
“Perhaps you are right; time will tell,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, settling back in his chair. “Mrs. Bingley, the Darcys will travel with me to visit Elmstree tomorrow. I had hoped that you, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley would join our party.”
“We should be delighted,” Mrs. Bingley said at once.
“We thought to leave tomorrow at noon, and have a picnic there,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“There will not be room for all of us in one carriage, so we will travel behind you,” Mrs. Bingley said.
