Page 27 of Her Affections and Wishes

When Elizabeth lifted her gaze, Darcy looked absolutely furious as he watched Sir John fade into the crowd. This was mortifying, but she would have to put Darcy at ease and assure him she was not irreparably affronted.

“Perhaps women ought not to be alone amongst men after all,” she said archly.

“That man is an ostentatious, chattering coxcomb.” He heaved a sigh, shaking his head. “Shall we watch the race and pretend this entire conversation never happened?”

The course was open and not enclosed, but with clear starting, finishing, and distance posts marked with flags. Epsom was a U-shaped course with people on all sides of it. Darcy said this colt race would be only half a mile, the last six furlongs, but her height and the unruly crowd made it difficult to see much. They could not get closer than four people deep, with many people, horses, carriages, and dogs moving into the way where the horses would soon run.

“Epsom employs a sufficient number of persons to keep the course clear,” he answered her when she asked. He had to raise his voice to be heard. “Everyone is ordered not to ride across the course nor to stand in it with carriages.”

“Do people truly run into the field?”

“Turf,” he corrected. “And, yes, people will often run out after the horses have gone by for a better view of the finish. It is terrible when a dog gets loose and runs onto the course and is trampled.”

That was horrifying. It would be simpler to use ropes and poles to keep the crowd at bay. “How will they know when to start?” It was too loud for the jockeys to hear a cry for them to get ready.

“Some races use a musket, drums, or a bugle, but others give the word to go. Epsom uses a flag,” he said, pointing.

There was a building energy as the horses gathered at the starting post. The crowd did not grow quieter, but Elizabeth felt the attention shift. Everyone craned their necks, stood on toes, and jumped to see as soon as the signal was given. Their spirits built, and the cheering intensified as the horses were urged on. Elizabeth felt herself drawn into the energy and cheered for her horse with the jockey in green.

The shared enthusiasm was enthralling, and Elizabeth grinned the entire time. Darcy stood beside her, watching and cheering with all the rest. There was a shared, joyous energy in these brief moments whilst the horses galloped past. These large racehorses were unlike the carriage horses and even the hunters she was used to. Their visual lines were more refined, they were speedier, and had more endurance.

In an instant, they passed the finishing post, and it was over. The crowd surged around her as many ran toward the finishing post to see who won. There was a starting chair for the officials, but it was far too noisy to hear him from where she was. Darcy dropped the pretence that she was a man and held on to her arm, carefully guiding her out of the throng hurtling to see the winner.

“I am sorry to say your horse was in the distance,” he said. “I do not think it even made second.”

Elizabeth grinned. “I do not care. It was thrilling to watch!” It made her curious to learn how to ride herself. There seemed to be so much freedom and energy in riding that she had never appreciated before.

“Did you enjoy your day, Bennet?”

“It was marvellous!” Not even coarse Sir John could have spoiled it. She got to wear breeches and drink ale and wager on a horse race. And she spent the entire day with Darcy. She was extremely happy to have so much time with him, and equally as happy that he seemed to enjoy her company just as much.

It was almost enough to allow her to hope his affections and wishes from April were still unshaken.

By tacit agreement, they left, having seen the amusements around the course. They were leaving Epsom Downs when a voice called after them.

“Heyday, Mr Darcy!” Henry trotted to catch up to them, then stopped short at the sight of her. “Miss Bennet! So you made use of the clothes, after all?”

“Do I have you to thank for my clothes? Mrs Tessier did not say where she found them for me and Miss Metcalfe.”

She could tell it was a superior suit of clothes. Henry dressed in a rather showy way. He was a sharp contrast to Darcy, whose style seemed to focus more on tailoring than parade. Darcy’s clothes showed his body. Henry’s body showed his clothes.

“Indeed. I was about to compliment Mr Darcy’s friend on his fine waistcoat and say I had one of the same cloth two years ago. Did Miss Metcalfe join you?”

His voice lifted, and she wished Henry had no hopes there. “No, and she has missed out. A masquerade could not have been more enjoyable.” How strange that worldly Sir John had not recognised her even when they had a conversation and naïve Henry noticed her from ten yards away. Or perhaps his eye was purely drawn to fashionable clothes.

“Shall you continue the ruse? Do you need to borrow my evening dress?” he asked with a laugh. “I have grown in the last year, but I might have black breeches that fit you. They are from Weston’s,” he said with an eye to Darcy for his approval.

“I am afraid it is time for me to return to gowns, although I will miss being able to run about so easily.”

Darcy and Henry talked conversationally about tailors on the walk back, and it occurred to Elizabeth that once she was wearing a gown again, she could not so easily be alone with Darcy. It was a delightful day, and being with Darcy had more to do with it than the clothes or the crowds. It would be difficult to look Sir John in the eye, but losing Darcy’s exclusive company would be harder to bear.

At dinner, Mrs Tessier announced she had invited a large party to spend the evening with them. Such was the social interaction common during a race meeting, but Elizabeth felt weary of it. They would gamble high, or play more games where Darcy would avoid kissing her. The hope that he considered kissing her someday should have consoled her, but it could not comfort a woman who wanted to be thoroughly kissed now.

“What a good thing to have more company—for some of us,” said Julia Metcalfe after the first remove. “More men with us in the evening would be a good thing for Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Her friends are rather desperate to see her wed.”

Elizabeth paused in bringing her glass to her lips. “I have no complaints about the company at Woodcote.”

“But you have been wanting to get a husband. That is why Lady Catherine sent you amongst noble company. And there are thousands of men here at Epsom, so even you have a chance.” Turning to Darcy, she said, “Your aunt is a kind woman.” To Elizabeth, she added, “Evidently no one has wanted you before, and your lack of fortune and connexions must hurt you. Perhaps someone at Epsom will humble themselves to take you. I wish you luck.”