Chapter 1

"Is it not delightful?" Lucy Bingley asked as the carriage rattled along the road to Netherfield. "Oh Charles, I am so glad that we have decided to stay in the country. Will there be many fields? Shall I be able to go riding? What is Netherfield like?"

Charles smiled at his youngest sister. His decision to sign the lease of Netherfield had been to ensure Lucy's happiness. Living in the city had made her quiet and withdrawn. She did not have her beloved horses there, and spent many hours alone in her room. Both Caroline and Louisa had expressed a concern for Lucy's health, although they did not agree that moving to the country was the best solution. "You shall certainly be able to ride, Lucy. I have had the horses sent there and I am told that there is an excellent groom to care for them. Mr. Darcy and I have already explored some of the vast fields."

Lucy beamed. "Oh Charles, this is so wonderful. I do not believe I have ever been more excited in my life!"

Caroline spoke up with a frown. "Yes, that is all very well, but what of the society? Will there be any balls? I hardly think that the uneducated country manners are a good influence for our impressionable young sister, Charles."

"Oh Caroline, I am not a child!" Lucy replied haughtily. "I will not be influenced by anyone with displeasing manners. I have no intention of interacting with the society at all. I shall spend my time riding and enjoying the nature."

"If that is not worse!" exclaimed Caroline. "Charles, you cannot mean to allow your sister to go scampering about the countryside on horseback. What a thing to do, when her time is better spent in the city finding herself a good husband! I shall not allow it."

Charles smiled at both his sisters indulgingly. "Lucy, you know that Caroline means well. All the same, I do think that we shall have a most delightful stay at Netherfield. Perhaps seeing the house itself will change your mind, Caroline, I assure you that it is most satisfactory."

Caroline frowned, but as the carriage made a turn and Netherfield came into view, she could not deny that the estate was indeed very satisfactory. The Bingley's descended from their carriage, followed by the Hursts who were close behind them in another. Servants moved to unload the luggage and Lucy stared at the sight around her, eyes wide and cheeks flushed with delight. "Oh, it's wonderful! Charles, I knew you had excellent taste. Where are the stables?"

Charles laughed. "Come sister, do not be so hasty. It is too late to visit the stables now. We shall all have dinner and retire. I assure you, your horse will be there in the morning."

Lucy's smile faltered but she nodded and followed her sisters inside, listening as they passed their remarks on each of the rooms. After a meal the entire company retired to bed early. Lucy found her rooms wonderful and was tired from the journey, but she could not sit still. After pacing repeatedly for over half an hour, she finally put on her dressing gown and quietly went downstairs.

Lucy avoided the servants and slipped outside through a small side door. It was not very late; the sky had only just gone dark and she could easily find her way over the grounds. The sound of horses neighing caused her to pick up her pace and before long she had pushed open the wooden door and entered the stables.

"Duchess!" Lucy cried, immediately spotting her beloved horse. She was a beautiful creature; black as night and she neighed at the sight of her owner. Lucy ran to embrace the horse and stroked it gently. Her coat had been recently brushed and she was as healthy as ever. "Oh, Duchess, how I have missed you. I hope you've been well taken care of!"

"Indeed she has."

The voice startled Lucy and she let out a squeak of surprise. Standing near the other side of the stables beside Charles' horse was a tall man. His clothes were a little muddy but his gait was confident and graceful as he approached her. Lucy's heartbeat slowed down when she realized that he must be one of the grooms. She unconsciously pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself.

"I apologize, my lady, I did not mean to startle you," the man insisted, bowing respectfully. As he came closer Lucy realized that he was not much older than her; while he was tall and well-built, his face had a rather youthful look to it. He smiled kindly. "I assure you that every possible care has been taken of your horse."

Lucy nodded, swallowing. "Of course. Thank you. May I know your name, sir?"

"My name is Andrew Felton, Miss Bingley. I am the head groom here at Netherfield,"the man replied, bowing once more. His speech was clear and perfect; there was none of the crudeness or uneducated slang that most of the servants had and Lucy wondered that a groom should speak so well. He certainly did not look like a gentleman. His skin was brown and his hair uncombed and messy.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Felton. I can see that Duchess has been well cared for. I could not resist the urge to her see her before I went to bed, I never imagined that I would be interrupting your duties."

"You are not interrupting them at all, Miss Bingley. I was merely ensuring that the horses were secure before locking up, unless you would wish to spend more time with Duchess?" he asked, glancing towards the horse. "She is a most beautiful creature. I was very surprised to learn that she belonged to you. Such horses are not usually preferred by ladies."

Lucy smiled. Charles had often teased her that all any man needed to do to win Lucy's heart was to compliment Duchess. She tore her gaze away from Andrew Felton and stroked the horse. "I have had her since she was a foal, and I'm afraid no other animal can compare. But I would not wish to delay your locking up of the stables. Do excuse me."

Felton bowed as Lucy exited the stables and he followed her, ensuring that the last horse was secure before stepping away from it. He turned and saw Lucy watching Duchess' stall wistfully. It had been a while since he had seen another human being so passionate about an animal. Felton had heard much about the youngest Miss Bingley, but he had never taken much stock in rumors. "It is quite late, Miss Bingley. May I escort you back inside the manor?"

Lucy flushed when she noticed that Felton was watching her. She wondered briefly why she felt so embarrassed in the presence of a servant. Head groom or not, he was merely in her brother's employment. There was no need to blush as though he was courting her. "No thank you, Felton. I'm afraid that my family is unaware of my coming to the stables. They would surely not appreciate my leaving the house after dark alone so I must return… discreetly."

Felton bowed and smiled. "Of course, Miss Bingley, you have my… discretion."

Lucy said goodbye quickly and hurried back indoors, thinking that life would perhaps be very interesting at Netherfield. She went to bed and dreamed of riding Duchess through the countryside.

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"Ah! Well, here is your horse, Lucy!" Charles Bingley declared as they entered the stables the next day. Mr. Darcy had arrived early that morning and suggested that they explore the nearby countryside before lunch. Caroline and Louisa had declined and Mr. Hurst had yet to get out of bed. Charles was only too eager to show his sister the beauty of Hertfordshire and so the three of them had come down to the stables.

Duchess had been brought out of her stall and saddled, along with the two other horses that belonged to Charles and Mr. Darcy. Charles waved an arm in the direction of Lucy's black horse. "Does she not look well?"

Lucy smiled. Although she had already greeted Duchess the previous night, she moved towards the horse and stroked her gently. The horse pushed her face lovingly into Lucy's hand. "Indeed she looks very well, brother. I can see she has been taken care of."

Andrew Felton was fixing the last strap on Mr. Bingley's horse and he bowed when he noticed the two gentlemen and lady approaching. Mr. Bingley complimented Felton on how excellently the horses were being taken care of and how quickly they had been saddled and made ready to go riding. Then Charles turned to his sister. "Lucy, this is Felton, the head groom. I'm told he's been at Netherfield for some time now, and it is clear that he has quite a way with the horses," Charles declared.

Felton bowed to Lucy politely. When he straightened up, there was a glint of mischief in his brown eyes, which looked straight into Lucy's with no hesitation. She smiled in return. Charles and Mr. Darcy were already mounting their horses. "Indeed. Well, Felton, perhaps you may show us the best places to ride in the vicinity, when time permits," she said.

"It would be my pleasure, Miss Bingley," Felton replied. He waited until Lucy moved around to the side of Duchess before bending down and joining his hands for her to place her foot in. Lucy attempted to hide the blush on her cheeks and allowed him to boost her up with surprising strength and fluidity. Once she was comfortably seated side-saddle, she thanked Felton and followed her brother and Mr. Darcy, who were already a little ahead of her.

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