Driving back to the inn, Fanny has joined Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth in the carriage, because she thinks she has heard something important from Abbey, Lydia's maid.

'She said her mistress is having some sort of religious crisis about losing her baby. The midwife apparently told Mrs Wickham that the baby was deformed, and that such things usually happen as a punishment from above. And ever since then Mrs Wickham goes to church with them on Sundays, though she refuses to talk to the minister, Abbey thinks she dares not, because she is convinced she has led a sinful life and needs to atone first before she can expect to be noticed by their clergyman.'

'And until she has paid for her sins she fears to conceive again, afraid the next baby will be deformed, too.' Elizabeth remembers what Wickham said.

'I need to talk to Abbey, and I need to ask Lydia what it is exactly that she fears so much. She must have a skewed view on religion, but that doesn't surprise me. She never paid much attention to anyone trying to tell her anything. Thank you, Fanny, this will help my sister a lot.'

Another romantic stroll along the beach and a lovely dinner at their guesthouse, and they're back in their turret. It's good to snuggle against her beloved, especially after Wickham's idiocy this morning. Despite her promise to Fitzwilliam just after they were married, she will not tell him about the scene her brother-in-law put her through, there is nothing to be gained from her beloved wanting to murder Wickham all over again. Elizabeth has learned some things from Frederick, and remembers how Charlotte was planning to use Mr Collins' love for her to her advantage: if Wickham truly loves her, Elizabeth must be able to use this to her advantage in dealing with him. Especially if he does turn out to be who she thinks he is. She does not feel guilty about this at all, not towards Wickham, and not towards Fitzwilliam either. She cannot help Wickham's behaviour, the only thing she can do is make sure it doesn't get out of hand, by discouraging Wickham and leaving Fitzwilliam in the dark. They will be hundreds of miles away from Wickham again in a few weeks anyway.

Of course she will never use Fitzwilliam's love for her own good, well, except to enjoy it and return it manifold. But manipulating him to do her wishes would be despicable, she loves him and will never do anything that might hurt him. Snuggling against him she can feel the warmth of his strong body, and she can smell his familiar scent, though there is a tang of salt to that, too. His hair has held out all day, Fanny is a miracle.

Tomorrow he will go hunting on the moor, Elizabeth wishes she could go with him, but that is totally out of the question. She will go hunting for some decent linen and maybe even some furniture for her sister instead, Fitzwilliam has made it clear that her sister's comfort need not depend on her personal savings. He will not hand out money to people who are likely to spend it unwisely, but if Elizabeth wants to spend some in their name, buying her sister essentials she needs to live in a style more fitting for Mrs Darcy's sister, she is very welcome to it. Her musings are soon interrupted by her beloved turning around in her arms to face her.

'I did feel bad about leaving you by yourself with Wickham, my love,' he says, whilst kissing her eagerly. 'But since we came here partly to have him promoted I thought it wouldn't do to go against his ultimate superior's wishes. I hope it wasn't too bad, my love?'

She decides not to tell him everything, but not to lie either.

'It was moderately unpleasant, but Lydia was very pleased to see me, and I did learn some things from Wickham that will help me help her. Besides, I can handle my brother-in-law.'

'I'm sure you can, I bet he's still mooning over you. But you're here with me, lying in my arms, stroking me and kissing me. I love you more than ever, Elizabeth.'

And he proves it to her, until the curious round room starts to spin around her and she has to hold on to his strong arms not to drown in her love for him.

The next morning they take things very easy, again. They linger in their warm bed, admiring the view and taking plenty of time for each other. Then they repeat the dressing, except this time, Fanny goes all out on Elizabeth with accessories, her hair and even a dab of powder.

'Meeting Wickham again?' Fitzwilliam asks with uncharacteristic absence of jealousy. It's as if he finally realises there is but one person whom she can love.

'I hope not! But if he is there I'll deal with him. You know that's actually easier looking like this? Being Mrs Darcy, icon of fashion, makes me naturally arrogant. No, Lydia asked me to look the part, she was afraid to be laughed at by the girls at the camp who are not her friends, if I do not measure up to the Mrs Darcy of the papers.'

'You are the best sister, my love, to do this for her.'

'I don't mind so much anymore, I've gotten used to it. And it gives me an excuse to bring Fanny, to keep me looking splendid despite the wind and the salt. At least I'll have someone sensible to talk to, and since Fanny here still adores Wickham as her hero, she puts him in a very good mood.'

The girl is nodding all this time, in her eyes Wickham can do nothing wrong, she probably still sees the image of him flooring Grenfell right before her mind's eye.

'I feel more sorry for you, my love, you're the one who has to entertain someone entirely unconnected to you all day.'

'The colonel is all right, and I'm looking forward to riding his prize stallion. I have quite the reputation for being a connoisseur of horses, apparently. His wife will expect you to look the part as well, love, I'm afraid she'd also be devastated to have her friends ridicule her if the famous Mrs Darcy turns up with blowsy hair and without her renowned accessories and blushing cheeks.'

She did not bring enough jewellery and hats to wear something different every day of their visit, but by now, Fanny is a force to be reckoned with where fashion is concerned. Who knows what her maid may find, shopping in a totally different city. Talented designers can be found everywhere, not just in London, and the best ones often hide out in the slightly less affluent commercial areas, where they will be going today to find Lydia suitable furnishings for her little apartment.

This day, Bob will be at Elizabeth's disposal, and they all start out at the camp, having picked up Lydia at her home. Fortunately, Wickham is already off to work by the time they arrive, even ten minutes is too much time to spend in his presence, seeing him ogle Elizabeth with undisguised yearning. It will only make Darcy jealous and to no purpose at all, Elizabeth loves only him, and he trusts her to keep Wickham at a proper distance.

Once at the camp they separate, Lydia will show her sister around, whilst Darcy will tell Wickham the good news, then have his own tour of the camp with the colonel, who by now will have recovered from the little sprint Bob allowed the team yesterday after lunch, on a straight and deserted stretch of road he had scouted out on their way out to lunch. It was Bob's suggestion they entertain the colonel with a little burst of speed on their way back, and the colonel accepted wholeheartedly, but arrived back at the camp bleach-white and with his knees shaking. Good to know a colonel of the army can be frightened by something his cousin Anne thought great fun.

'Damn it, Darcy, that was the ride of my life! I suppose I'll let you ride my new stallion tomorrow, I may be able to look an enemy into the whites of his eyes, but this clearly requires a whole different kind of courage.'

And when he took leave of Darcy, he went to the box and shook hands with a totally startled Bob.

'You may be braver than a lot of my soldiers, my good man. Thank you for the experience.'

But today Bob will have to control himself and the horses, for he will be driving Elizabeth and her sister through town. They have dropped off Darcy at the same inconspicuous barracks as yesterday, where the colonel receives him with obvious pleasure.

'Darcy, my boy! My aide has sent for Ensign Wickham as soon as he saw your team coming, he'll be here in five minutes. What do you say we await him in my study? Keep him standing?'

That is a fine idea, especially since the colonel has offered a lieutenancy in the rifles for Wickham instead of the ensignship Darcy was originally aiming for. And if Darcy has to suffer indignities to attain Wickham's new position, like being addressed as 'Darcy, my boy,' Wickham, as beneficiary of Darcy's efforts, can endure some, too.

And so Wickham is kept standing, as Colonel Drummond lectures his ensign about the dangers and responsibilities involved in leading a party of expert marksmen into the thick of battle without the protection of a set formation, to bring confusion to the enemy, but at the risk of friendly fire and exposure to the enemy.

Wickham stands proud and as tall as a medium-sized man can, and replies respectfully whenever that is called for. Then it is Darcy's turn to speak, and he tries to make the occasion count, telling his hated brother-in-law that from this day on he will be Lieutenant Wickham of the first ever Rifle Corps in the service of His Majesty King George the Third of Great Britain and Ireland. Though Wickham is stunned, he manages not to show his joy beyond a smile and a 'thank you' to both gentlemen that comes right from the heart. They congratulate him, then send him on his way to pack his gear, take leave of his men and move to the other side of the camp. For now, for it is not clear, yet, where the Rifle Corps will be stationed in the near future.

When he is gone from the room the colonel states, 'I find it hard to believe he did all those debauched things you told me about yesterday, and I know you well enough by now, Darcy, that you didn't tell me all. He is an exemplary soldier, but of course I know good soldiers aren't always good civilians. Which I suppose proves it's better this way, though he has chosen a dangerous path for himself. Well, that's obviously his own choice, he will be even better placed in the Rifle Corps, we've done our share, now it's his own turn to prove himself to his captain and to his men. Let's have some coffee, then explore the camp. Maybe we'll run into your little missus and her sister, since they were planning to do the same.'

Elizabeth is enjoying herself with Lydia and Janet, Lydia's best friend. In her company, Elizabeth barely recognises her youngest sister, Lydia loses the entitlement that has always characterised her, as if she has a right to amusement and all the other shallow expectations she seems to hold of life. With Janet, Lydia seems almost adult. They talk about the news, about finances, those of small things like groceries, but nonetheless things that never used to occupy any space in Lydia's mind. Though Lydia is still very pleased to see Mrs Darcy dressed up as if she's going to the opera in Milan, especially when she can hail a few ladies also in the camp and introduce Elizabeth to them as her sister. Her not-friends, Elizabeth guesses.

But Janet greets Elizabeth with true interest and more than a little joy.

'I'm so glad you decided to pay Lydia a visit, Mrs Darcy, she has been through so much heartbreak the last few weeks.' Her eyes give Elizabeth another message: I need to speak to you in private and it is important. Elizabeth nods in acknowledgement and replies, 'I've wanted to meet you since Lydia first told me about you. It was clear you've managed to teach her what our sister Jane and myself never seemed able to get her to actually listen to.'

They will get a moment together, and if not, Elizabeth will pay her a visit one of these days.

But as it turns out there is no need, for when they arrive at the watering place, Lydia sees one of her favourite officers and she runs off to greet him. Some things will never change, Elizabeth thinks, and then she turns to Janet to hear what Lydia's friend has to say.

'Mrs Darcy, I need to tell you, just after the birth of Lydia's poor baby boy, the midwife said it was deformed, and suggested that usually happened as a kind of punishment for sins. Lydia must have heard that, for she has been in agony since, fearing she caused her baby's death by living in sin with Wickham for a few weeks, and not going to church regularly. I advised her to talk to a minister, but I don't think she has done that, for I asked Mr Blaze and he hasn't seen her yet. Maybe you can get her to go, or if she doesn't listen to you maybe your husband can? Lydia respects him above anyone else, if he tells her to go she certainly will.'

'Won't you call me Elizabeth, Janet?'

The woman is not certain she heard right, but she's older than Elizabeth and clearly very respectable.

'Please? I'm not yet of age, Janet, I'm just a girl like Lydia, really.'

'All right, Elizabeth, I'll try. Will you ask Lydia?'

'Her maid says Lydia is going to church with her family, but dares not speak to the minister because she needs to make amends first. I'll talk to my sister, do you think it would be best if she goes to the camp minister?'

'I do think so, yes. If something were to happen to Wickham he will be much more understanding towards his wife than a normal clergyman. Mr Blaze was a soldier himself, he knows what drives a man into the army and what he is likely to experience on a battlefield. He has saved many a marriage by helping wives understand what their husbands have been through in France or the colonies.'

'You are right, she needs to go to Mr Blaze. I'll talk to her and we'll join this Sunday's service, if it's permitted.'

'I'm sure you'll be very welcome at Mr Blaze's chapel, he is a very superior creature, though he looks a little haunted himself sometimes.'

It's just incredible how easy Janet is to talk to, but Lydia is coming back towards them, dragging a young, blushing officer along with her.

'I'd like to talk to you some more, Elizabeth, but I suppose we'll have little time together this week?'

'We're leaving next Friday, and I suppose my husband will have no further obligations after today, except in the evenings. We've promised to have dinner with the colonel's family, and I suspect we may get a few other invitations there, but I guess there is not as much social activity here as in London?'

Her voice must have sounded hopeful, and Janet's face shows how wrong Elizabeth is.

'I'm sorry, Elizabeth, but in your husband's and Colonel Drummond's circle there is something going on practically every day of the week. Card-parties, hunting-parties, music-parties, the usual, but there is a rather good theatre in Newcastle as well, the Theatre Royale. It's run by Mr Kemble, a very well-known actor, and he is a good friend of the colonel's. I'm afraid you may get very busy the next week or so. Too bad Wickham's just an ensign, a few nights' entertainment would probably do wonders for Lydia. There's a lot less action for officers and their wives, though we often meet in private, at one of our apartments. Still, I suppose there will be plenty of time for the two of us to meet by day, Mr Darcy will be asked to hunt with the colonel, he is reputed to be something of a sportsman and he is very fond of company.'

'Lizzy, Lizzy, meet Thomas! He's an ensign, like Wickham, and I just adore him! Isn't he handsome? I thought Kitty might like him but papa wouldn't let her go, and then she married that French fellow, what's his name again?'

'Lascelles, Lydia, and you know he is very rich.'

'But he can't be as nice as Thomas, nor as handsome.'

The officer, now blushing even more at Lydia's impetuousness towards what seems at first sight a very fine lady, is indeed very handsome. But Elizabeth has always thought Lascelles is, too, and he is not just very respectable and rich, he is also supernaturally smart. But Elizabeth feels obliged to save the poor lad from his discomfort, and offers him her hand in the army-style, to shake it.

'Pleased to meet you, Ensign Thomas, I'm Lydia's second eldest sister, Elizabeth Darcy.'

Her informal greeting belies her appearance, and the poor chap soon finds his feet and frames a nice reply.

'Pleased to meet you, too, Mrs Darcy. My last name is Howard, we're quite informal here but I do have one, if you were wondering. I was devastated that Lydia's sister got married, she promised her to me.'

The last is said with a wink and Elizabeth feels kind of reassured; in a place like this Lydia will never have to feel lonely, even if Wickham was not very warm towards her yesterday.

They talk about army life with Ensign Howard, until suddenly Wickham turns up out of nowhere. He is not a welcome sight to Elizabeth, though she is in no danger of finding herself alone with him here and she really isn't scared of him. His appearance is just a little smudge on an otherwise pleasant day.

She has never seen him so glad before, Fitzwilliam did say he got the promotion, they must have told him just now. His happiness becomes him, he looks even more handsome than usual, as he scoops up Lydia where she is standing, turns her around full circle and says, 'I'm in, Lydia, Darcy got me into the Rifle Corps. And guess what?'

Lydia of course does not look altogether happy. She is pleased to get such loving attention from the man she adores, but his message is not nearly as welcome to her as it is to him. Still she manages to look interested. Wickham is going to make his announcement in style.

'Ladies and gentlemen, well, gentleman actually, you see here before you a newly made lieutenant! Lieutenant Wickham of the first Rifle Corps, doesn't that sound like music in your ears? I've been hoping to get this chance, and now it's real.'

Even to Lydia, lieutenant has a magical sound, and she hugs and kisses her husband eagerly.

'I'm sorry to say, my dear, that this means I will be wearing a green coat from now on. Alas, no more becoming red coats for me.'

'Hmpf, it'll be a lot safer if you ask me.' Janet also hugs Wickham and kisses him soundly on both cheeks. 'Congratulations, dear friend. Does this mean you will be moving to another camp?'

'It may, dear Janet, I understand the Core is all very new still. I'm to meet my new commander tomorrow, I guess we'll know more then.'

'We'll miss both of you if you have to move.'

And that is a certainty: Lydia will not find friends like this again very quickly.

Ensign Howard shakes his friend's hand with energy. 'Congratulations, my man. You deserve it, you will do really well. The men all love you, they'd die for you. And you're the best marksman even with a damned musket, imagine what you'll be able to do with a rifle.'

Of course Wickham now stands right in front of Elizabeth, and she is not going to be missish about this, not in front of Lydia's sympathetic friends. He is waiting for her reaction, expecting nothing more than a prim curtsey and a carefully phrased formal congratulation, but he's going to get a lot more. Like Janet, she hugs him firmly, then kisses him on both cheeks. 'Well done, George, you deserve it.'

It's a bit of Frederick's smartness seizing an opportunity: if he really loves her, he'll be flustered by her spontaneous touch. Watching his reaction, she realises this kind of smartness sometimes carries its own punishment, as he blushes hotly and stammers, 'Thank you, Mrs Darcy. But you already knew, didn't you? Mr Darcy must have told you?'

'He did tell me about the rifles, but I suspect he didn't even know about the lieutenancy. Your superiors must have recommended you highly, Lieutenant Wickham, to let you make this huge step. Congratulations!'

So he was telling the truth, which pleases her for him, but for herself she'd rather had him lie about his affection for her. Now she even feels a bit sorry for him, not too much, he did it to himself, she is still very much convinced he did not love her at that time when she almost loved him. Or loved him, she cannot even be certain, for she knew they would never be able to make a match of it and therefore didn't allow herself to be carried away by her feelings.

But fortunately the embarrassing moment passes quickly, and they resume their walk through the camp, Wickham now joining them but walking with his wife, Ensign Howard having gone back to his duties. Janet throws Elizabeth a significant look, and Elizabeth catches her eye and shrugs, she can't help it if Wickham allows himself all kinds of fantasies. Smart woman, though, to spot it. Talking to Janet, Elizabeth finds out all kinds of interesting facts about the worthy woman's husband, another officer in this camp but a little older, more Colonel Fitzwilliam's age. She has two small children, both currently being minded by her mother, who lives with them. Elizabeth hopes she will have the opportunity to introduce Fitzwilliam to this remarkable woman, maybe after church this Sunday.

After a disappointing tour in which he doesn't meet Elizabeth, as he had hoped a tiny bit, Darcy finds himself enjoying the colonel's company nonetheless. They drive to his nearby estate in the colonel's ornate carriage with beautifully matched but average quality horses. There they have lunch with Mrs Drummond, a stately looking slim lady of the colonel's age. The couple obviously love each other, this cannot have been an arranged marriage, and again Darcy misses Elizabeth tremendously. This was supposed to be their second honeymoon, and now they are separated more often and longer than they are at home!

But after lunch they go out to the stables, and the colonel's new stallion is indeed a prize, a magnificent animal with plenty of spirit. Darcy can see, or is it a matter of feeling?, that this horse is even more sensitive than his own black, he will be a real challenge to ride in an exciting hunt, with beaters making noises all over the moors they are hunting, and dogs and helpers underfoot. Darcy can't wait to try him under the saddle. And he watches as the high-strung stallion is indeed saddled, a rather young boy hoisting a heavy contraption with a high cantle and pommel on the poor horse's back. Darcy can't ride that! It's obviously bothering the horse and he'll be unable to move in that thing. He addresses the stablehand politely.

'Is he always ridden with that saddle? It looks very uncomfortable for both rider and horse.'

Checking the way the saddle lies on the horse's back Darcy is certain it doesn't even fit properly.

The boy looks about him, spies his master and all the other stablehands busy elsewhere, then remarks in a very low voice, 'I think it actually hurts him where you checked it extra carefully, but I spoke up once and was reprimanded severely for being meddlesome and disrespectful. Since then I've been keeping my mouth shut but mark my words, someone is going to get hurt. He's going to fight it and injure or even kill his rider, or it's going to destroy his back and kill him.'

'Well, I'm not going to ride on this antiquity. Do you have another saddle in mind?'

'Yes, sir, but could you please order me to get it so I won't get scolded or worse?'

'Certainly. Boy!' That last is said for all to hear, and the boy replies as audibly.

'Yes sir?'

'I can't ride this horse with this saddle: it's too narrow and pinches him right here in the small of the back. Please get me another saddle, a lower one so we can both move freely.'

The boy is off before anyone can comment.

'Are you sure you want to ride such a spirited horse with no more support than just the stirrups, Darcy?'

'If he is truly dangerous, Colonel, I will not ride him at all. I've a very devoted wife, I can't risk breaking my neck. I'll try him with a normal saddle, and if I don't trust him I will beg you to find me another horse. This saddle is damaging your horse, and the pain is making him angry. Such a saddle is not a solution to a horse being fractious. He may need some extra training by a professional, they can work miracles. I have Mrs Darcy's first hunter in training with a very able lady as we speak.'

'Your wife hunts?'

'She is certainly planning to, this fall. First she needs to learn how to shoot and how to handle her hunter, jump obstacles, get used to the speed. We'll have such fun this summer!'

The boy is back with an old saddle, supple and well-maintained, exactly what Hugo would use on a young and green horse. He removes the castle-like object from the stallion's back, placing it on a sturdy railing to free his hands. Then he quickly but gently lowers the old saddle to the hunter's back, leaving the girth loose for Darcy to inspect the fit of this replacement. It's perfect, this lad has an eye for horses. He may want to consider a change of employer.

'You can't expect Mr Darcy of Pemberley to ride on an old castoff like that, Smith! You should know better by now, go fetch a decent saddle instantly!'

The boy looks at Darcy in hopeless entreaty, he is not a happy servant, he doesn't look like a servant at all, frankly, and no-one seems to understand that this boy knows his job better than the higher-ranked stablemen.

'I will have this saddle, Colonel. It's a young horse, he needs a supple and well-worn saddle and this one is a perfect fit. Young Smith here seems to have an eye for horses.'

And to the boy, loud enough to be heard by everyone present, 'This will do fine, Smith. You wait until you see my team tomorrow. You'll love them. If you want to, you can help my own man care for them. Who do I need to tell?'

Smith points at an elderly man holding the colonel's hunter.

'I'll take care of it, you check the girth once I'm on. I want this saddle to lie absolutely still.'

It's dangerous, Darcy's glad Elizabeth has no clue what he is doing here or she'd have a fit, but it's so exciting. The young horse sidles as it feels Darcy's weight settle, but he is not afraid and he follows the movement perfectly. Now back to Peter's instructions, they have become second nature for the most part since Darcy generally rides his super-sensitive black, but in the case of this nervous horse it's best to go back to the absolute beginnings.

'Do you have a paddock, Smith?'

The boy nods.

'Will you lead me to it, no, don't take the reins, just walk in front of me, I'll not let him walk right over you, trust me. He likes you, he'll follow you and calm down, until he is used to my scent and seat. Do you ride him to exercise him? Oh, one moment please.'

Darcy now addresses the colonel, 'I'll be in your paddock for ten minutes, getting a feel for the horse, Colonel!'

Then back to the boy, 'Now, where were we..'

The boy looks over his shoulder and says sadly, 'I can ride really well, my father and the other stablehands at home taught me, but here they say I'm too young to trust with the valuable horses. I only get to exercise the old plugs the mistress uses.'

'That is a very responsible task, Smith, I hope you do it well so your lady is safe. Have you ever ridden a lady's saddle?'

The boy looks as if Darcy's gone mad.

'The best rider in my stables has, repeatedly. It's a real challenge, and it keeps him aware of the special problems a lady faces when riding. I haven't dared, yet, I admire my wife for riding one in town. At Pemberley she rides astride, I've just bought her a real hunter as a surprise.'

By now they have reached a sizeable paddock, and Smith opens the gate to let Darcy in, then closes up.

'I'll try, sir, if I dare. The others will make fun of me.'

'Be brave Smith! As I'm going to be now.'

And he runs the horse through every exercise he can remember from Peter's lessons, using his seat to direct the horse, making it bunch itself up then lengthen again, trying its paces riding circles, eights and zigzags. Changing direction in as tight a circle as the horse can manage, it's a bit stiff, no wonder with such a saddle poking in its tender back. This one is just perfect, firm enough but not stiff, and he can feel the horse relax under him. A canter, several halts, the horse gives him everything he asks for, Peter has taught Darcy to ask in a way a horse can understand, and this one has been trained very well. If it doesn't do what it's asked for, the rider is not making himself clear.

When he is done and back into the now, he can hear applause.

'You're the best horseman I've ever seen, Darcy! That's a whole new horse!'

'It's a very well-trained animal, Colonel, but very sensitive. Any movement you make, he reacts to, even if you don't notice it yourself. One of my stablehands has taught me to be aware of every little movement my body makes, and see how the horse reacts. That is what I was doing just now, check how much he knows, and how much he feels. The answer is everything, on both counts. I'm ready to go out.'

The moors are very beautiful but rather inhospitable at this time of the year. Contrary to what Darcy expected, the colonel is a very proficient rider, he just doesn't seem to match with this high-strung stallion. Too bad, for it's even better than his black, it's a fabulous athlete and an excellent choice to use as a stallion, provided one doesn't mind getting high-strung foals. Which the colonel may not appreciate.

There is not much game to hunt, the hounds do not give voice even once and all the game the riders can spot are a few fowl in the distance. But Darcy doesn't care at all, riding this magnificent animal is enough of a thrill for him. He gets to try a full-blown gallop on a drier stretch of land, and the huntsman tells him a lot about staying safe in a moor. Darcy prefers to follow this chap around, then go out alone on his own grounds, though sadly not on this horse. Oh well, maybe Hugo will find him a hunter like this some day, it would be a waste to geld him anyway, and Darcy has no mares to put him to.

Then suddenly he wants to be back with Elizabeth, he has been away from her long enough. Fortunately they are already on their way back, the feeling is so sudden, and so strong, the horse lays back his ears, Darcy's sudden longing affects him. The colonel will never be able to ride this animal properly, the horse is so sensitive he can feel Darcy wanting to go home to Elizabeth. If he hurts his master by shying or bucking he will be destroyed, and that would also be a waste.

When they get back the colonel asks, 'And, what do you think, have I bought myself a good stallion? I thought so, but he is not performing as I expected.'

Darcy decides to be honest, though his host may not be pleased with the message.

'The horse is as perfect as you were told, I've not ridden a better one myself. But...he is so sensitive that he will always feel every twitch in your body, every finger you move, every tightening of your muscles. I thought of my beloved and he felt me tense slightly. It has taken me weeks of lessons and an expert teacher to be able to ride a horse like this. And his foals will also inherit his temperament.

You seem to prefer calm, solid horses, and I wonder whether you will ever be able to trust this fabulous creature. He will always be wondering whether your slight adjusting of your weight means you want to go really fast, or not. You will find him wilful and undependable, when he is merely reflecting your mood and your movements. So, the question is, are you prepared to adapt to this fabulous horse? And do you want offspring like him?'

The colonel nods, he must have been afraid to hear something like this.

'Smith told me, but I'm afraid I silenced him, he's so young and cocksure. I thought the horse was wilful, but you say he cannot help it. You think Smith can handle him? Train him to ignore tiny things and just mind large things?'

'He may, yes. But possibly not entirely, there is no guarantee. But I beg you to give the combination a chance, they are both very talented and special. To dare stand up for an animal like Smith did just now takes courage, and he picked exactly the right saddle. And should either one of them turn out unsuitable for your stable, please let me know. I'll find a spot in mine. Boy or horse, though I'd probably have to geld the horse, I have no time to raise horses. Anyway, Colonel, thank you so much for letting me experience your stallion, and for showing me the moors. Mrs Darcy will be sorry to have missed them.'

The colonel is not insulted, merely thoughtful. He nods, and when they get back to the stables he addresses Smith, 'You, boy, come here.'

The boy approaches, hesitantly, but not humbly. He expects a scolding and is ready to take it.

'Would you like to take him under your wing? To exercise and train a little further?'

'Yes, sir.'

'And maybe train me as well, to ultimately be able to ride him myself?'

'I think riding in the paddock and using a saddle that fits would do wonders, sir. And no oats, sir. They drive him mad with energy.'

'Make it so, boy. And if you still don't like it here in half a year, you can move to Mr Darcy's place. Wait until you see his team, you'll want to. Until you sit behind them when they go all out, then you'll die of fright. I know, because I have been there, and you know I've seen action abroad five times.'

As the colonel drives Darcy all the way to Whitley he is still contemplative. Finally he speaks his thoughts.

'I'm glad you told me the truth, Darcy, I was blaming the horse and thought Smith insolent, when he was merely trying to help. I suspect he's farm-bred, you know, farmers are so proud and self-reliant. You seem to have a way with men and horses, too bad you're not an army man, I've need of a really good captain for my cavalry unit.'

That's where he got his preference for solid, stable horses! The army!

'I suppose you ride a horse when you're in action, Colonel?'

'I do, but not a hunter, of course. I have a very strong, hardy field horse. It's level-headed enough to ignore noise, it won't shy from the smell of blood, and it will even stand firm in the face of other horses dying or routing. Much as I love my hunters, the bond a soldier has with his horse cannot be equalled.'

'Well, that's it, then. I bet your field horse can do anything a hunter can, except maybe make other gentlemen jealous. Why not use it for hunting if you enjoy riding it? I bet an army horse likes a good run as much as any healthy spirited animal does. And if you want to make a name for yourself as breeder of hunters, why not develop a sturdier, cooler kind of hunter? Your field horses as mothers for strength and intelligence, your gorgeous hunter as the father for a little extra speed and good looks. The Drummond Hunter, favourite of the field.'

That is a revelation to the colonel, and his mind is working fast.

'I think you may be right, I do consider hunters in general dumb and overstrung. For me, a horse should be suited to its purpose, whereas you seem to enjoy finding a kind of bond with it. I generally do not like to ride hunters because they waste so much energy fidgeting. I will consider what you said, Darcy, I like hunting but I like my field horse a lot better than any hunter, if I could combine his useful traits with the beauty of a hunter, get rid of the nervousness, I think a lot of men my age and over would be happy to use them for hunting. Will you join me again tomorrow? I'll show you the army stables and my field horse. I like the way you think.'

'As much as I'd like to, Colonel, Mrs Darcy will not accept my spending another whole day away from her, I'm sorry. We were planning to visit some local views, maybe a mine, or a quarry. And we will be joining you for dinner tomorrow.'

'True, I don't want to steal you from your wife. Too bad ladies don't like horses as much as we do, it would save a lot of complaining about being left behind when we go out to hunt.'

'That is why Elizabeth asked me to teach her how to ride, she saw I needed to ride out and wanted to join me. Fortunately she has come to love it.'

'Then by all means, bring her along, Darcy. Why not plan a little hunt on the moors for Monday, and she can use the most spirited of my wife's horses, it's in fact an army horse that didn't quite make the army standard for durability. And after lunch we can visit a stud farm where they breed and train army horses, it's half an hour's drive, just enough to keep your team in shape for their return journey.'

'I like the idea. But Mrs Darcy has the last say. Can we let you know tomorrow evening?'

'Certainly. I'll do some more thinking, I like the idea of breeding more dependable hunters, I may borrow a different stallion to serve my hunter mares.'

Darcy supposes it's not too much to ask that he spends one more day with the colonel, the man has done him an immense favour getting his brother-in-law promoted, and maybe even more so taking Wickham in the first place a little over a year ago. For Wickham seems to have proven his value as an officer by now, or he would not have been selected for the Rifle Corps and promoted as well.

His beloved is already waiting for him when he returns, she is enjoying a stroll along the beach and literally comes running when she sees the carriage arriving. Despite wanting to be alone with her before dressing for dinner, he cannot insult the colonel by not introducing him to his wife, which is done quickly enough. Of course Elizabeth's hair shows she has been walking in the sea wind, but Colonel Drummond still seems rather impressed by the lady he has read so much about in the papers. She receives his gallant greeting with apparent pleasure, and replies politely to his enquiries after her enjoyment of Newcastle.

'It's a beautiful town, colonel, my sister and her friend knew their way around very well, of course, so I saw the prettiest parts, the glassworks, the churches, but of course mostly the shopping areas. My maid found some amazing pieces of jewellery, she has an eye for treasures. I guess you'll get to see them when we dine with you tomorrow, I suspect your lady wife appreciates formal attire?'

The colonel nods and affirms.

'She has invited all her friends, and some of them are very worldly, you may have heard of Mr Stephen Kemble, a famous actor, he and his lovely wife run the Theatre Royale, they're great friends of ours. Mrs Drummond would certainly appreciate it if you look just like the papers say, daring and yet in excellent taste.'

'I will try not to disappoint her, Colonel Drummond.'

The colonel bows, then takes leave.

'I wish the two of you a very pleasant day exploring Newcastle, and please don't forget to ask Mrs Darcy about joining us on an excursion.'

'I will not forget, colonel, please do not worry.'

They part company, and as soon as the carriage is out of sight, Darcy takes his beautiful beloved in his arms and kisses her ardently.

'I've missed you so badly! He wanted me to come again tomorrow, but I need to be with you for one whole day, just you and me. I'll go wherever you want to go, if I may just hold your hand all day.'

'What's this excursion the colonel wants me to join?'

Darcy tells her and she is indeed interested. Then they change, taking a little extra time to spend on each other before letting Fanny attend to Elizabeth's attire. Talking can wait for half an hour, this is what people do on their honeymoon. During dinner they talk, that is an advantage of being separated all day, one certainly has something to discuss in the evening. Elizabeth has had a useful day, learning more about Lydia's well-being, helping her find some things she needs or wants. Admiring the sights of Newcastle.

After another stroll on the beach they are pleased to retreat to the turret room and start their loving all over again.