Chapter 3

"Please Miss Bennet, I beseech you to reconsider." Lord Michael Farnsworth implored the lady, his eyes full of sorrow and pain.

Mary Bennet knew what was required of her and she refused to allow him to catch her eyes. "My decision is final."

Mary turned her back on the gentleman so he would not see the wetness of her eyes and how much of a sacrifice this was for her.

Lord Farnsworth saw the slight shaking of her shoulders, "I know your feelings are equal to mine, so why are you attempting to compel me to leave." His voice shook with grief, "Miss Bennet, please..."

Mary slowly turned to face the man she loved and tried to explain, "All of my sisters are gone and Mama has no one but me to look after her. She has taken to her bed with her nerves this morning just because she found out you were calling on me. It is my duty to look after her, I cannot abandon her."

"I am not asking you to abandon your mother." Lord Farnsworth's eyes softened with the depth of his feelings, "I understand your duty and would never seek to discourage your loyalty. I took care of my ailing mother until last year when she passed away."

Mary shook her head, "I cannot allow you to call on me. I am sorry, but please take your leave."

Lord Farnsworth reluctantly left when he realized there would be no resolution this morning.

Lydia felt restless and decided it would be a good idea to take a ride through the countryside to clear her head. It had been a few days since the Meryton Assembly and found she had a great deal on her mind.

She had the gentle mare Darcy bought for Elizabeth, saddled for her to ride. Lydia knew Darcy had been disappointed because Elizabeth still refused to ride with him. Elizabeth had loved her present and adored the little mare whom she called Honey because of her beautiful golden colour. This affection for the young animal did nothing to induce Elizabeth to ride with her husband. Darcy was still hopeful one day her would persuade his wife to ride. Until that day, Lydia would continue to enjoy her solitary rides on the little mare.

When she was out of sight of Netherfield, Lydia brought Honey to a gallop. Lydia loved to go fast and it was exhilarating as she flew with the mare across the fields. She pulled the horse up as she saw the big bay stallion galloping in from the west.

"Miss Bennet," Captain Worthing tipped his hat, "What a pleasant coincidence which finds out both riding this morning." He pulled up the bay to a walk next to Lydia, matching his horses gait to Honey's pace.

"I do not believe in coincidence." Lydia narrowed her eyes at the gentleman, "How is it you actually come to be here now?"

Worthing chuckled, "I bribed the stable boy at Netherfield to tell me the normal time and route you ride." He reached over and pulled her horse and his to a stop, "I have been riding everyday just hoping I would meet you." He slid his leg over the horse, jumped to the ground and offered Lydia his assistance.

He placed his hands around her waist and lifted her down off the mare. Worthing set Lydia on the ground and bowed with a flourish.

"Captain Worthing, I have explained to you in exhaustive detail that I have no interest in garnering the attentions of any man at this time." Lydia walked toward a tree stump but Worthing arrived first and placed his great coat down for her to sit.

"Miss Bennet," Captain Worthing winked at her with a mischievous grin, "I am certainly aware of your wishes as you are aware of mine." He lowered himself to his knees in front of her, "I am only asking for the pleasure of your company, I require no more and no less."

Lydia shook her head, "Captain, my concern is not only for me but my sister as well." She tried to regulate her breathing. Having the gentleman this close was wreaking havoc with her composure, "You know I also have to think of what is best for Mr. and Mrs. Darcy."

"There is no issue between the Darcy's and myself." Worthing protested.

Lydia shook her head, "It is not you I was thinking about but Mr. Ashcombe." Lydia looked him in the eyes, "You are a guest in his home and if you were to call on Netherfield he would too. Do I have to tell you how obsessed with my sister he has become?"

"No." Worthing answered. "You do not."

"You see, even if I were to want to encourage you, our path would be fraught with peril."

Captain Worthing picked up Lydia's hand and with his fingertips traced a path along the back of her hand. Lydia trembled at the contact. "A solution will present itself, of that I have no doubt. Until then..."

"There will be no until then." Lydia hopped off the stump and raced back to the mare. Captain Worthing followed and lifted her back into the saddle.

He took her hand and brought it to his lips for the briefest of touches, "You are wrong, Miss Bennet. There is always an 'until then'."

Lydia turned the mare sharply and galloped away from the gentleman's presence. Her heart pounded and she rode as if the devil were chasing her. When she saw the outline of Netherfield, she brought the mare to a walk. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts as she returned the mare to the stable and made her way to the house.

Elizabeth was in the nursery with Bennet when her maid approached her, "Lord Farnsworth is calling upon you, madam."

"Please inform the gentleman, I shall be down shortly." Elizabeth smiled at the girl as she ran through the residents of Netherfield in her mind. Her husband and Mr. Bingley were meeting with Netherfield's steward going over estate matters, Georgiana had taken the carriage to Longbourn to visit with Mary, Lydia was out riding and the Hursts had returned to London after the Meryton Assembly, "Would you please see if Mrs. Bingley is well enough to come downstairs to join me."

"Yes, Madam." The young woman bowed and exited quickly.

Elizabeth joined the gentleman in the sitting room, "Lord Farnsworth, what a pleasant surprise, I wasn't expecting you today."

"Mrs. Darcy, please forgive the intrusion upon your privacy but I have an urgent matter on which I have to speak to you."

"There is nothing to forgive, Lord Farnsworth." Elizabeth indicated for the gentleman to have a seat and took one herself, "How may I be of assistance?"

"Mrs. Darcy," Lord Farnsworth sighed deeply, "Miss Mary Bennet has refused to allow me to call on her in the future."

A crease appeared between Elizabeth's eyebrows, "I do not see how I can be of assistance with this problem as my sister Mary is entitled to allow callers as she deems fit."

"Mrs. Darcy, Miss Bennet does not deny my calling for herself but for your mother." Lord Farnsworth explained, "Mrs. Bennet has had an attack of nerves upon my every visit for the last few weeks." Elizabeth saw clearly the pain on the man's face, "Miss Bennet is of the opinion that Mrs. Bennet is fearful of losing the only daughter who remains at Longbourn to care for her."

Elizabeth smiled, "That is a problem."

"Mrs. Darcy, you must understand." Lord Farnsworth pleaded, "I have no intention of removing your sister from her mother at this time. I just wish to be a part of her life too."

"I believe I may have a solution but it is a bit unorthodox." Elizabeth informed the gentleman.

"I would welcome anything you have to say."

"When my husband and I first met we began courting secretly." Elizabeth's eyes glittered with amusement, "We would each take a walk and would meet at a prearranged location. If my mother did not know of your meetings, I believe her fits of nerves would disappear."

Comprehension dawned on Lord Farnsworth's face, "I am no expert but you may be right. It would certainly be worth a try." His face was full of hope, "Would you talk to Miss Bennet for me."

"Of course." Elizabeth agreed.

Lord Farnsworth had just taken his leave when Jane appeared in the sitting room.

"Elizabeth..." Jane's eyebrows rose with a silent query.

Elizabeth explained what she had just learned from Lord Farnsworth and her solution to the problem.

Jane smiled, "I normally would not condone that sort of behaviour but I believe this calls for drastic action."

"I think we should call on Longbourn tomorrow morning, if you have no objections." Elizabeth told her sister.

"I am much better today and I am in agreement with you. We need to help Mary." Jane said, "Mama has such a strong personality, she will take advantage of Mary's good nature unless we stop it."

When Georgiana arrived at Longbourn, she found Mary in the sitting at the pianoforte with tears in her eyes.

"Miss Mary, what has happened?" Georgiana's heart broke for her friend.

"I...I...told... Mr. Farnsworth... not to... call on me... anymore." Mary said between hiccupping sobs.

"Why would you do that?" Georgiana asked with disbelief, "I know how much you care about him."

"Mama..." Mary cried, "She is distraught... over the thought... of my leaving... her... and has taken to... to her... to her... her bed... for her nerves."

Georgiana sat beside Mary and took her hands, "I am sure it would be distressing for her to lose the last daughter who remains at home but Mrs. Bennet loves you and I am sure she would want you to be happy."

The two young ladies sat and talked as the whole story came out. Georgiana was able to calm Mary down but the other woman was still grieving.

After all Mary had told Georgiana about Mrs. Bennet's health, she was surprised when the lady bounced into the sitting room full of boundless energy.

"Mary, I am feeling so well this afternoon, I am going to take the carriage to visit my sister Phillips."

"Mama, are you sure you are well enough to be out of bed."

Mrs. Bennet scolded her middle daughter, "Mary, I am perfectly fit, do not fuss over me."

Shortly thereafter, Georgiana took her leave of Longbourn. When she arrived at Netherfield, she found Jane, Lydia and Elizabeth and explained what she had seen with Mrs. Bennet and Mary. "We have to do something." Georgiana cried as the emotion washed over her.

"We agree." Jane told the young lady, "We have a plan in place and will be making a visit to Longbourn tomorrow morning."

"You are not to worry about this, Georgiana." Elizabeth smiled at Jane, "We know how to take care of Mama."

Later that night, Elizabeth slid into bed beside her husband and snuggled close to him. He caught her lips and explored the depths of her mouth. "I missed you so much today."

"I missed you too." Elizabeth said as she arched her body against his.

He lowered his head to take a nipple in his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the hardened bud as he heard Elizabeth sigh with pleasure. His hands explored the curves he loved as he moulded her body to his.

She ran her hands lovingly through his hair before exploring his strong muscled back. She loved the feel of his body beneath her fingers. When she reached his rear end, he was groaning with delight as he felt her caressing hands.

They slowly pleasured each other until late in the night before bringing each other to the ultimate culmination of their love with an explosive release.

Afterwards, they lay wrapped in each other's arms until they drifted off to sleep.