The team of four was the smallest competing that day and it was decided that as Elizabeth and Jane knew the run of events the two other riders would simply follow orders. The pole bending was first and Jane rode up to the start mark. The team would ride one rider per heat; whichever team won the most heats received the best position for the next event. Elizabeth grilled Darcy on his horse's strengths and weaknesses before and after he raced. She was to go third and sixth as that was the maximum participants in a single team. Depending on the outcome of Jane and Darcy's runs the fifth horse would be decided. Jane won, as did the other members of the team.

"Jane, you have to go next." The younger sister said.

"No, I was not fast enough, Hannah will surely beat me." Elizabeth pressed her lips together. Bingley nudged his friend who then spoke up.

"I'll take fifth run, Storm loved the last time through."

"Yes, but he almost knocked the poles." She paused and looked at the horse carefully. "Alright, go line up and remember to keep him steady." Darcy raised his eyebrow at her, a gesture she returned equally before shooing him to the line.

"Did you really have to tease him Lizzy?" Jane asked quietly.

"Yes, he will do better that way." She was right, he beat his own record and the team was ranked number 1 at the end of the first event.

            Miss Bingley was shocked indeed when she arrived later than expected and saw her brother and Mr Darcy holding their horses talking to the Bennet girls in earnest. But what was really extraordinary was that Miss Elizabeth seemed to be giving orders and the others all nodded compliantly. Jane went to talk to the official and the others awaited her return with interest. Miss Bingley approached.

"Caroline! You were supposed to be here almost an hour ago!" Declared her brother. "You didn't get lost did you?"

"Most certainly not, though I can see that I was not missed."

"You most certainly were Miss Bingley, we could have used another player." Elizabeth said honestly.

"For what?"

"Games."

"Games? I never ride in games anymore. So childish." She looked to Darcy and noticed that he wasn't wearing his formal jacket or tie anymore and that the button at his throat had been undone so the collar tips were settled comfortably close to his shoulders.

"Actually they are very taxing Caroline." He said without smiling. "Storm lost the… what was it?"

"Flag-in-the-bucket and off-again-on-again." Supplied the woman.

"Yes. I thought I had him well trained but he won't move until I'm in the stirrups and he hates waving flags next to his head." Darcy had been shocked when an unregistered gelding trounced him in the two heats. It had been all Elizabeth could do not to laugh.

"Well, I think I'll sit over there and watch you make fools of yourselves." With such a perfect parting comment she rode away and settled herself comfortably to watch the last event, the team obstacle course.