Page 25 of Her Affections and Wishes

“Well, Darcy,” she emphasised, “I am moving more assertively. But if I shove someone, they might call me out, and I cannot load a pistol.”

He laughed to himself. “I will be your second, but I doubt it will come to that. How do you like moving around in breeches?”

“I think I prefer them. Crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles, and springing over puddles would be far easier in trousers or breeches.” After a silence, she added, “Did you know I have never been alone outside of a country lane? Not in public, I mean. Even in Meryton, I have a sister with me. But in a place like this, I would always have male protection.”

He was thoughtful for a while. “This must be a fascinating experience for you. No wonder you wished to come alone, although I fault Mrs Tessier for not sending someone with you. She ought to know better how crowded and rowdy a race meeting can be.”

She did not mention how Lady Metcalfe, her supposed chaperon, encouraged her to go alone. Perhaps she wanted her out of the way for when Darcy returned, so Julia could have time with him.

“Are you shocked and ashamed of me,” she asked hesitantly, “for coming alone when Julia refused to join me and no man accompanied me?”

“I had never thought of what it meant for a woman to have the experience of being unattended in public. I have no issue with women being alone if they are intelligent and cautious enough, which you are,” he added. “It is the unscrupulous men who cannot be trusted that give me pause. So, through no fault of your own, I am afraid your experience of being a man alone at a race meeting is at an end, for I am not leaving your side.”

Heat rushed into her cheeks. “I do not mind.”

They were now near enough to where the bookmakers had set up their posts. Darcy explained the methods as she read the odds on the various chalkboards. “The astute betters hedge by backing a horse at generous odds, and they lay by betting against it as the odds shorten.”

“So they profit no matter the result?”

“Correct. But leading owners will often manipulate the odds by keeping secret their horse’s form or laying their own horses and nobbling other ones. Some confederacies tour racecourses deciding by prearrangement who is to be the winner, by which thousands are taken in.”

“Then why do all these people waste their money if so many races can be fixed, or at the least you cannot know which ones are arranged and which are genuine?”

“Some see it as a hobbyhorse, but others hope it will be fortune-changing. There is blind excitement, but for others they employ a strategic approach with expert knowledge, or so they tell themselves.”

“Can I not pick one because I like the colour of their silks?”

Darcy laughed. “That is as good a method as any.”

When the odds were three to two on a jockey Darcy said would run in grass green, she made her choice. “Let me do it,” he said, “because you must give your name, and you would not wish to be a dishonourable sportsman and misrepresent yourself.”

Whilst Darcy’s wager was noted with one bookmaker, Elizabeth noticed Mr Travers talking to another who furiously recorded his wagers in a betting book. She knew Mr Travers was a racing man, but how much did he wager?

“Is he an expert?” she asked when Darcy returned, pointing to where Mr Travers was now talking to another bookmaker. “Or does he only want to demonstrate his wealth, or does he think he is changing his fortune?”

“Perhaps it is all of those,” he said with a sigh. “Maybe he found someone to fund his week after all? His father keeps him on a tight allowance.”

“Fund his week?”

“Earlier, he asked me if I wanted to ‘invest’ in him and his racing knowledge. The sums amassed this week are incredible. Between the Derby and the Oaks alone, there will be over one hundred thousand pounds at the Epsom betting market.”

“For only those two races?” she cried.

“Well, Bennet,” Darcy said, “you are a part of that market now. You have wagered two guineas, so if you win, you will return home five guineas richer.”

Elizabeth gasped, and if anyone nearby heard her, they would know she was a woman. “Darcy, you will wait a long time for me to repay two guineas.” Refusing to repay a loan or reneging on a bet was a disgrace. It was a matter of personal honour for all loans and wagers to be paid.

“I am showing you how to act like the men here. Men think they can afford risk and like to show off their knowledge.” He dropped his mock seriousness and smiled. “I am only fitting in, and you need not repay me. I am happy to add to your amusement.”

“Darcy, I have to repay you.” It was two whole guineas. “I insist,” she added.

“Then you may repay me at your leisure.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “I would extend those terms to any male friend, Bennet.”

If he was going to treat her like a man and find amusement from it, then she would act the part. “Then since we have time before the second stakes, I need an ale to tide me over.”

His eyes went wide, and she added, “What is the matter? Men drink in public, do they not?”

Darcy recovered, but he almost held out an arm for her to let him guide her toward the publican booths. The way he tried to treat her as she wanted to be seen today was endearing, even though it meant drinking beer in the public’s eye.