Page 79 of Her Affections and Wishes

He was wrong, but she would not argue with him. Her father would object if he ever left his library and knew of it, but her mother would not, not once the papers were signed. “Then you ought to stay at Netherfield with Bingley, and then I will walk in the rain hoping to catch a cold so I must stay the night.”

He shook his head with a smile as he led her to the door. “You are getting ahead of yourself. You are to stay here, and in bed, for a fortnight, remember?”

“But being away from Woodcote will be better for us. You must know that.”

She put her hands on his shoulders and Darcy pulled her in close, resting his forehead against hers. “Let us wait until Saturday and see what the surgeon says. If he agrees, we will frustrate my horses and coachman and walk all the way to Longbourn if that is what you want. Meanwhile, I will sit with you every day.”

“Good. You will so often be with me that you will tire of my company.”

Darcy kissed her again. “Elizabeth, that is simply not possible.”

Epilogue

April 1814

Pemberley

The rides across Pemberley’s park were beyond description, and Darcy was proud to see they were no longer beyond the riding skills of his wife. During the events at Epsom, Elizabeth had expressed an interest in riding, but upon arriving at her new home, she said its size, beauty, and varied ground deepened the inclination. Eager to please her, and hopeful of more time alone with her, he encouraged her interest and purchased her a quiet mare best fitted for a beginner.

But Elizabeth was active, fearless, humble, and a quick learner, and Darcy already had to sell that horse and find her one with an energy to match hers.

He clutched the letter from Surrey as he walked along the road that led to the stables. She would return soon, exhilarated and with bright eyes, and this invitation would dampen her spirits. Elizabeth would not want to go, but he would not keep the invitation a secret. He had to give her the choice.

In the distance, his wife raced against his sister, who had fallen behind. He thought Elizabeth’s animal flew with the swiftness of lightning. Before long, Elizabeth pulled the reins and shifted her weight down and waited for Georgiana. They soon crossed the river together and rode up to him, laughing about some private joke, and their happiness in each other made him smile.

“You have such a pure and genuine pleasure in riding,” he said as she sprang down with his help.

“Your attendance and instructions probably added something,” Elizabeth said, smiling at him as he lifted down his sister. “Georgiana also rides well, and she says that you taught her when she was a child.”

“But I think you have surpassed your sex and age in general by your early progress,” said Georgiana. “You did not seem to have a thought of fear when you first learnt.”

“Your brother said horses can sense fear,” she said, giving her horse long strokes along the neck and shoulder. “We are dear friends, are we not? Nothing to fear from you. Besides, he is doing most of the work.”

“I think instead you are gifted by nature with strength and courage,” Darcy said.

“And a patient husband to teach me.”

Her delight in riding was charming, and her early excellence at it was a surprise to everyone but him. Whilst Elizabeth spoke to a groom, Darcy murmured to Georgiana, “Might you give me a moment with Elizabeth?”

He led Elizabeth across the lawn toward the river and handed her the letter. “This is from Henry Tessier to advise me his mother will send you an invitation. Mrs Tessier wishes to invite us to spend a fortnight at Woodcote next month.”

Unspoken was that this visit would include the annual Epsom race meeting. But rather than frown, Elizabeth gave an arch smile. “How remarkable, since Lydia writes that Mrs Tessier had invited her to spend a few months with her and she will be there in May. I think Mrs Tessier wants her there nearly as much as Henry does. She is fond of her future daughter-in-law.”

“We are being summoned to lend credence to the long engagement,” Darcy muttered.

“Or perhaps Mrs Tessier cannot bear not having a full house and she also thought Lydia might like to have family visit at the same time.”

Henry was pursuing his time at Inns of Court keeping commons and had two years remaining to become a lawyer, whereupon his brother would surely help him find a place earning a thousand a year to begin his profession. At that time, Mr Bennet would allow Henry to marry an exceedingly eager Lydia.

Life as a student in London might tempt many a young man to expensive or reckless pursuits, but Henry remained reasonable in everything but his tailoring bill. He studied and read in barrister’s chambers, although Darcy wondered if it was because he wanted to be a successful barrister or because he would be allowed to marry Lydia once he became a barrister.

Darcy narrowed his eyes as he watched Elizabeth smile to herself as she read Henry’s letter. “You cannot want to go back to Epsom?” he asked in a tone of disbelief.

“Why not? I enjoyed the York races last year and cheering on your uncle’s stable.”

He held back any comment about how the York races were, of course, better because no one attempted to murder her.

“When I cheered for jockeys in green at Epsom,” she went on, “did you know green was his lordship’s colours?”