Chapter 179

Hugo woke up feeling rather confused with the vague memory of his dream, but by the time the horses had been fed the next morning and he'd had his breakfast, the comfortable routine of a busy stables enabled him to dismiss his dream and his feelings of the night before as the after-effect of having to fight after years of quiet living. Of course he was still anxious for Mr Brewer to get in touch with him about the cottage, Caitlin needed that house, and Hugo might still have to convince her to leave a place she'd called home for ten years and all her clients, and throw her lot in with a village full of unknown locals and a gentleman as her landlord. It was rather worrisome, and he had every right to think of her every so often without everybody starting to speculate whether the skirt chaser had finally been conquered. And rejected by the object of his affection.

When most of the work that morning had been done, Hugo was wondering whether he'd dare to seek out Mr Brewer again to ask for information. But he couldn't set himself to intruding in the front of the house again, the steward had promised to arrange everything and he would. Better wait for him to send someone.

And soon after someone did come, and Hugo was a bit sorry to see it looked like Fowler since Mr Brewer wouldn't send another man's servant. Of course Fowler was always excellent company and a little chat would at least make the time go a bit faster, or maybe he wanted some more instruction on how to teach his clever horse some cavalry tricks.

'Jean! I found you!'

That wasn't Fowler talking, it was Ben! He came running from behind Fowler and launched himself at Hugo, apparently a bit upset over something and very glad to see a familiar face. Hugo caught him in his arms, immensely glad himself to see the bright little chap again.

'Mum sent me over to let you know we are safe, and to give you the name of the house of the lady who lets us stay with her in the village, so you can find us if you have news. She told me not to go to the main door but knock on the small one in the back but it's such a huge house, and nobody knew a Jean living here. There were so many people and they all looked at me, I got scared, but then Nick came in and he said it was a French name so it had to be Mr Hugo and he described what you looked like and I said it was you so he said he'd take me to you. And he did. He told me he is from London, and he used to have a little brother but he grew up and now he is bigger than him. Do you think I'll be bigger than you when I grow up?'

Hugo was moved by the boy's trust and obvious affection for him, though he did worry what Fowler would say. He wasn't a notorious gossip but the story of Hugo having a lady friend with a child was undoubtedly already doing the rounds in the back and even a man like Fowler might be tempted to add to it.

'I think you will be, yes. But even if you don't grow to be a tall man it's not a problem, I'm not tall and I've never had a problem with it.'

'Nor I,' Fowler offered, 'I haven't yet discovered anything a taller man can do better than I can.'

'Thank you, Fowler, for bringing Ben here. I suppose he has never seen a manor house before, and he hasn't met too many people in his life. He must have been quite impressed.'

'No problem, I practically raised my younger sisters and brothers, I love children. You make sure Mr Hugo here shows you all the horses, Ben, and the carriages, there are a great many here and they're all very pretty. Enjoy your time together, I'm back to attend to my mistress!'

Hugo was very glad the trip to check out the ponies was tomorrow, or Ben would have missed him, making his first impression of Pemberley even more stressful, and a long journey on foot through a rather fearsome bit of forest in vain.

'You have walked very far to get here, Ben, you must be hungry.'

'It was very far, but mum couldn't come herself, there was a baby due and she had to stay. I had to leave the goats in the pen, I gave them some of the hay but we should really save that for bad weather. But I'm not hungry, the lady who opened the door was very nice, she took me to the kitchen and she gave me some squares of flaky bread with meat that were the best thing I ever ate. I was scared of seeing so many people there, but not too scared to eat those!'

'They're called pastries, and most great families don't let their servants eat them. Mr Darcy takes really good care of his staff. Now, do you want to give me the address first, so we cannot forget it? And then do you indeed want to see the horses and carriages? Or do you want to go look at the hounds and the fowl and maybe the trout in the river?'

'I'd like to see all of them, but I have to walk back all the way, and I don't want to go through that scary forest all by myself in the dark. So I guess just the horses? Since they are your work here and you know my goats and they're my work?'

Hugo just couldn't help himself, he had to see Caitlin again, however unwise it might be. And if he spent an hour with Ben and took him home after that, the steward might have some news to tell Caitlin by the time they would have to leave.

'Let's start with the horses then, and we'll see how much time is left afterwards. And you don't have to walk back, I'll take you back on horseback, you can ride double with me. We'll take one of the cobs, they're not fast but very strong and calm. You'll like it.'

The little face shone with excitement, and the next hour was a real pleasure for both man and boy. Ben met all the other stable hands, and Hugo showed him the spirited hunters, Mr and Mrs Manners' beautiful greys and of course the famous thoroughbreds, though Ben had only ever seen rough farm horses.

'They're beautiful, Jean. Have you always worked with horses?'

'I have, yes. Even in France, and even as a boy. I never wanted anything else.'

'I like animals, but I like books best of all. But you cannot work with books, they're just for pleasure.'

'Books have to be written, Ben, and not everyone can read and write. Some people write letters for other people, and Mr Brewer here at Pemberley writes letters of business and keeps track of Mr Darcy's money for a living. You'd have to move to a town to learn that, though. And most people would find it boring.'

Somehow, it seemed Ben wouldn't find that boring, and he asked a question his mother would have been shocked to hear.

'Do you think my father reads books? And does he have someone to keep track of his money?'

Hugo decided to just answer the questions.

'From what your mother has told me I think he reads book, yes. And at least his father will have a steward to mind his estate and his fortune.'

Ben just nodded and changed the subject, but Hugo felt that wasn't a bad thing, just a boy's way of finding things out.

'Now I want to see the carriages, if I may.'

They spent half an hour admiring the rich carriages in the large barn, and Ben thought Mr Darcy's formal carriage was the most beautiful one. Mr Darcy had used it a lot until he married Mrs Darcy, and it was rather ostentatious, exactly what an impressionable boy would like with all the gold leaf and the rich fabrics. Hugo preferred Mrs Darcy's little carriage, it was of a much more subtle beauty and lighter for the horses to pull, especially the slim thoroughbreds. But Hugo didn't say that, he just enjoyed Ben's company and wondered how he'd ever thought children a nuisance. Or maybe most children were, just not a bright little chap like Ben.

By the time Hugo wanted to go back outside and maybe look at some special fowl Mrs Reynolds kept in a large aviary, Peter called out for him.

'Mr Hugo, Mr Brewer is here to see you!'

A feeling of excitement welled up in him, maybe he would be able to bring Caitlin good news as well as return her son.

'That is important, Ben, and it concerns you and your mum. Let's go see him, he is a very nice man.'

'That was the name of the man who writes letters, wasn't it?'

'Yes, you remembered that well. And he knows who rents which house, and decides who gets a house on Mr Darcy's property. He has news about a cottage he thinks your mother might like, in a village on Mr Darcy's grounds, where you will be safe.'

By now they had reached the entrance of the barn, where Peter was talking to Mr Brewer. When the former saw his superior approaching, he took leave and disappeared towards the paddocks.

'Mr Hugo, I see you have a visitor!'

'I do, Mr Brewer, this is Ben, the boy whose mother I hoped to find a house for.'

'Well hello there, Ben, nice to meet you. I have two sons about your age. Did you walk all the way here?'

Ben was surprisingly confident.

'I did, Mr Brewer, my mum asked me to tell Mr Hugo where we live now, in case he had news for us. And of course to stop him from worrying, he told her to leave our own house and she did, immediately. She said a farmer had threatened her, some people don't like the Irish, you see. Fortunately Mrs Kinley does, she'll miss mum when we leave but mum doesn't want to be dependent on anyone.'

'I can imagine that, Ben, and I have good news for you and your mum. The cottage I thought might be suitable for you is in very good condition. It's old, but very snug, and the neighbours are elderly and kind. There is a large tree in the yard to climb in, and a stable and a few small fields to keep your goats. And it's very safe because Mr Darcy protects all his tenants.'

'Why would Mr Darcy let us live there just like that, sir? My mum is very afraid of gentlemen, she says people never do anything for nothing.'

Wasn't he a brave lad! But Mr Brewer was so kind he did invite questions, and he took his time answering this one in a way a smart ten year old could understand.

'Last winter a lot of people died of an illness, Ben, and though not even your mum can cure a bad pneumonia, she might have saved a few of them by helping them fight their illness. And I have heard she is very good in delivering babies. The villagers cannot pay her much for her help, so Mr Darcy wants her to have a safe home in return for keeping his tenants healthier. Also, if he can do good for someone, like your mother, he will do it, just because he is a good Christian.'

'So she pays with her work. She will be relieved to know.'

'And will you be pleased to live in a village? Or will you miss your home?'

'I have never had a different home, but I'm sure I will not miss it, it's cold and mum was often alone. Adults need other adults. Will you come more often when we live on Mr Darcy's land, Jean? Or should I call you Mr Hugo here?'

Such a smart lad, Hugo couldn't bear telling him the truth, that if he got married to Rose he wouldn't come at all anymore. But Caitlin would find a friend in the village, wouldn't she?

'You may call me Jean whenever you want, Ben. And if your mother wants me to visit I'll come. She has to decide for herself.'

'That is why she likes you. I hope she admits that she wants you to come more often, she is very proud. And very brave, but it is safer for her in a village.'

What had the boy heard from his tiny bedroom in the back? How helpless a child was to influence his own life!

'Well, I'm going back to the house. You can move in whenever you like, I'll leave the keys and the address with Mr Hugo. He can help you move as well, you will need to make a sturdy fence for the goats for they must not stray into the village. I suppose you will take Ben home to tell his mother the good news?'

He was planning to, but shouldn't he wait until after feeding time?

'Just do it, Mr Hugo. Mr Darcy wouldn't want a young boy to roam through the black forest at dusk. And you may need to explain Mr Darcy's terms to your friend if she is a bit distrustful of land owners. We've all been in your situation, he will understand.'

Whatever was happening to him to give Mr Brewer the impression that he didn't have enough confidence to take an hour or two for private business without asking permission? He was merely worried about the impression it would make on his staff. But they would be gossiping away happily anyway, having witnessed their superior trying to entertain a young lad they would undoubtedly find out was the son of one of his lovers..

Frankly, Hugo didn't care, as long as they respected him and obeyed him, which they would.

Until Hugo laid the saddle on the calmest of the two cobs, Ben had helped him with everything. But Hugo could see him getting nervous, he was a bit afraid to ride such a large, strong creature, hopefully he trusted his mother's friend to keep him safe.

'This is a very calm horse, Ben, and I will keep a good hold on you until you have found your seat. My father did that for me when I couldn't ride yet, but of course I was much younger.'

'I wish I had a father to teach me things. But you lost your mum when you were small, didn't you? I guess I love my mum too much to do without her, even if I had the best father in the world. I'll ride the horse, but I may be afraid at first.'

'Most people are afraid when they first ride a horse, but you will soon get used to it. Now if you hand me the bridle, I'll show you how to put it on the horse.'

Horse ready, Hugo told Peter where he was going, and to keep an eye on the others until he returned. If Peter was going to help his wife lead the family stables he needed to gain experience as soon as possible.

Since Ben was not a baby anymore he wouldn't appreciate being lifted into the saddle, so Hugo explained how to mount and helped him do it. Then he mounted behind him, one hand on the rein and the other arm firmly around the boy's waist. When it felt as if Ben had found his balance, Hugo set the horse to a walk.

'That feels funny!' the boy exclaimed, 'I'm not afraid at all!'

'Do you want me to release you?' Hugo asked.

'Maybe later? I do feel safer with you holding me.'

They rode through the pine forest, and forded a little stream. When they passed the mill, the dog ran towards them barking, and the cob showed some sign of nerves, though he did not balk. Hugo wasn't worried, but apparently Ben was, for he clutched the arm holding him and said, 'Is that dog going to attack the horse? I didn't see it when I came here by myself.'

'He often barks at passers-by but he never does anything but bark. Which is why I always take the young horses here, first they are very afraid and then they get used to the noise and they learn to ignore it.'

By now, the horse had noticed nothing bad was happening and it relaxed. Ben also stopped squeezing Hugo's arm, and even rested his head against his chest. Looking up he said, 'I heard mum crying tonight. We share a bed at the widow's place and she thought I was asleep.'

Hugo didn't know what to say or think, but he couldn't ignore such a confidential remark from such a young boy. He needed to say something comforting, but what?

'Did she tell you why she was sad?'

'I didn't ask. I though she wouldn't like being caught crying, she's usually very strong, you see. But I do wish I knew, it was hard to pretend to sleep.'

'I know she is very brave and strong, but someone was very mean to her the night before. Which is why you are staying with the widow now. Maybe she remembered that night.'

Why did Caitlin cry? She couldn't possibly regret the loss of that horrible hut. Maybe she'd miss this lady friend? She should never return to Ripley to visit or tell her where she was moving, the friendship would be lost.

Or maybe she was afraid to lose Hugo. When he married someone else. But whilst Hugo had plenty of self-confidence, it didn't go far enough for him to imagine Caitlin ruing him. She had likely been upset about what had happened with the young farmer, and the insecurity resulting from it. Her life would be in total upheaval for who knew how long, and she didn't trust that many people, let alone the kind of person she would deliver her independence to by becoming a tenant. She probably couldn't imagine a gentleman caring about a poor Irish woman, and yet Hugo was convinced Mr Darcy really did care. Sadly there was nothing he could do to convince her, he would try but if she didn´t believe him she'd be afraid until nothing bad had happened for maybe as much as six months.

'I think it was because she had a fight with you. I'm sorry, I heard. I can't always go to sleep right away, I couldn't make out the words but she was angry with you.'

'And she was right to be angry. But we more or less made up, she let me stay the night. I still think it was shock, Ben, that farmer was really nasty and he threatened to involve his friends.'

'She told me you beat him easily, though he was much larger. I think she loves you. I wish you loved her, too, then you could get married and I would have a father.'

The way in which Ben said that was so honest and so innocent that Hugo felt his heart in his throat, beating wildly. If Ben was right then all might not be lost. But… he wasn't in love with Caitlin, was he? And it was more sensible to marry Rose, who was English and a respected local woman.

They didn't speak much during the rest of their journey, Hugo was a bit lost in thought and Ben may have thought he'd gone too far. Ben showed Hugo the back way into Ripley, using a ford to cross the river instead of the bridge, thus approaching the village from the back, making much less of an entrance than they would have otherwise.

When they approached a quaint little cottage with an impressive garden filled with early flowers and a huge apple tree in full bloom, Ben said, 'That is the widow's house, I think mum's already seen us. She's coming this way.'

And indeed she was, her dress practical rather than fine, as always, and yet she looked different in a village among real houses. Her hair was the same ruddy blonde but pinned back much more tightly in a prim bun, exposing her face and a number of endearing freckles he had missed in the low light in her hut and the surrounding forest. People might call her skinny and lacking colour, but to Hugo she was like a fairy queen, stunningly beautiful in an unearthly way.

As he slid down the saddle of the patient cob, he expected her to hold out her arms to him or at least offer him a kiss, but though she was glad to see them, her words were like an ice-cold hand slapping his face.

'Mr Hugo, thank you so much for returning Ben yourself!'

More hurt by her formality than he liked to admit to himself, Hugo didn't know how to reply, he didn't even know her last name to return the greeting as she might wish him to. So he merely tried to save his dignity by saving Ben's, keeping her from lifting the boy from the horse's back.

'Let me show you how to dismount safely, Ben.'

And to her, 'It was no trouble, Miss, I have some news from Mr Darcy's steward that I wanted to tell you straight away.'

Now Hugo explained to Ben how he could dismount, and Caitlin, watching her son swing his right leg over the saddle and let his body drop to both feet, stood right behind Hugo and spoke softly.

'I'm sorry for being so formal, Jean, but this is a village, there is always someone watching or listening. I can't risk my reputation here, who knows what kind of trash that young farmer is talking about me. Do you want to come inside? Mrs Kinley is very correct, I beg you to be very careful. She is also very curious about my benefactor.'

Of course they couldn't kiss right here! He felt immense relief, but he could not profess great curiosity to meet the widow.

'I can't leave the horse out here, and I doubt your friend would want me to put it in her magnificent garden. Is there anywhere else we can talk? Without causing gossip?'

Caitlin looked at Ben, who was stroking the horse to stay out of the conversation, then obviously ruled out leaving him in charge. A horse was no goat after all, Ben couldn't be expected to mind such a strong, possibly wilful creature just like that.

'Let me fetch a lead rope, mum, and you can sit on that pretty bench on the path towards the ford and let the horse graze while you talk.'

That was a great idea, and soon they were sitting on a wooden bench set on a grassy hill just outside the village. The cob cropped the grass with enthusiasm and Hugo found himself drinking in the sight of Caitlin opposite him on the bench as eagerly. It was getting harder and harder to deny, he wasn't trembling with love, yet, but it seemed he certainly had some feelings for her that might be called thus. But she didn't want him, she had made that perfectly clear. Besides, her safety was more important right now and he had such good news!

'Mr Darcy and his steward have found a house for you, a cottage in the village of Witham with a large shed and enough grassland to keep your goats and even a cow, should you want one. It's old and small but Mr Brewer had it checked and it's sound. Mr Darcy wants you to have it because you are a healer and a midwife, a lot of people died of pneumonia last winter and he feels a healer could have prevented some losses.

If you want it, it's yours, and he promised he'd keep the rent very reasonable as compensation for his tenants not being able to pay a lot for your service as a healer. Mr Brewer said the neighbours might want to let you have some more fields in the future, they're getting older and farming is hard work. If Ben wants to try his luck farming in a few years he can, and Mr Brewer also offered to see to his education along with his own sons. They're much the same age.

You'd be safe there, and wanted for your skills. They were very concerned and very kind. Ben met Mr Brewer just now, you can ask him.'

Caitlin didn't look very happy, but she admitted to feeling relieved.

'Mrs Kinley is kind and wants me to stay with her, but I'm used to doing whatever pleases me, I don´t want to ask her permission for anything I do. If I take Mr Darcy´s offer I don´t have to, I´ll have a place of my own. I'll have to scrub my doorstep and wash my curtains, but at least I'll have windows to keep those curtains dry. And a lock on my door.'

'This cottage is on the edge of the village, I understand, and as private as one can be in a village. And you are permitted to gather herbs in Mr Darcy's woods, but you'll have to keep your goats in your own yard. Apparently they can be quite destructive.'

'Jean, I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. Will you still be able to visit, or is it too far?'

'I´m merely very glad you agreed to let me help, Caitlin, I have wanted to see you safe and more comfortable for some time. For Ben as well, he is a lovely lad, we spent quite some time together. I'll gladly visit you there, and I want to help you move, though people will talk.'

'Let them talk, it will keep me safe: they'll not risk your displeasure and through you, their landlord's. Ben really likes you, I can tell. I'm sorry I got so angry with you, Jean, you have always been honest with me and I value our connection as it is. I'd be very glad to have you help me to move my belongings to this cottage.'

That hurt even more! It had only seemed as if she cared for him, and Ben was wrong as well. Of course the boy wished to have a father figure, and Hugo was the only man he knew.

Twenty minutes were enough to make a few practical plans on how to proceed. Since Caitlin wasn't keen on staying with the widow, Hugo promised to move her few belongings the day after the next.

'I'd come tomorrow but I already have a commitment to check out a new team for Mr Darcy and I don't know how long that will take.'

'The day after tomorrow is fine, I never expected things to move so fast. I´ll be glad to have a day to get used to the idea of leaving my whole life of the last ten years.'

She looked at him in a way that made his heart ache.

'I wish we could kiss. Or that you could stay tonight. You still owe me an explanation how you beat a man twice your weight and half your age that easily.'

And she would have it. But now he had to return to Pemberley, where he would decide whether or not to ride over to Witham after the last feeding, to see for himself how much work was needed to keep Caitlin's goats confined to her own yard, and whether her furnace was better than the one the late Mr Jackson's children had undoubtedly left behind.

'I just cannot help myself, just the one. No-one will see us, and if they do I'll be gone from here the day after tomorrow.'

And then she kissed him, and it was different from last time. Then, he had merely enjoyed the intimacy and her delightful body, but now his heart fluttered and he felt like a boy on his first date.

The next day he woke up to the same feelings with which he had gone to bed. Confusion mostly, and surprisingly little sadness considering Caitlin's refusal of his rather informal and entirely unsuitable proposal. She didn't hate him, she wanted him to help her move and to keep visiting her. As long as he didn't marry anyone else he could still be with her and make love with her. That secret kiss just before he returned home, at least she was attracted to him, and he was reasonably certain she wouldn't marry any other man.

The trip to Mr Langley's connection had been planned early in the afternoon, and Mr Darcy had agreed to bring Peter along to improve his driving.

'I'd like you to sit inside the carriage with us, Hugo, we will have a lot to discuss with Mr Langley and between us. Better have Bob along to keep an eye on Peter from the box.'

Hugo had not told him about Mr Langley's intention to take Peter away from Pemberley, but he had mentioned the horse-breeder´s wish to purchase a full four-horse team and comfortable carriage for his own use. And of course his request for Hugo to help with the selection of said team.

'Well, I suppose one good turn deserves another, but I cannot help thinking that Mr Langley and I will both profit but you will be the one doing the hard work and bearing the responsibility. So I guess my only fitting reaction is: do you want to help Mr Langley find a prize team?'

If only Caitlin could hear this, she would have to gain trust in her future landlord, again he showed such consideration for a member of his staff!

'Thank you, sir, I like picking and choosing horses, it's what I do best, and if this pair of ponies is what you are looking for, Mr Langley is saving me quite a lot of trouble.'

'That is settled then, just let someone in the stables know when you are on the road with him. In case that little boy shows up again.'

How did he know about Ben? Had the stable hands gossiped? Or was it Fowler? He was a lot closer to the genteel folk than he let on, always going on rides with his mistress and hanging out on the second floor with Mrs Fielding and the young crowd among the guests.

'He's my friend's son, sir, she sent him over to tell me where she was staying.'

'Oh, I'm sorry, you must have wanted to help her move today. But I really need you to be present, this is not a trader we've known for years and years. And even then you see things even the most trustworthy horse breeder would miss.'

'Thank you for your consideration, sir, but she was happy to take a whole day to say farewell to her old haunt. And her patients, I suppose.'

That was a pleasant surprise, to have Mr Darcy make that connection and more or less let Hugo know he was expected to help with the move. He would have done it anyway, but it felt much better with his employer´s knowledge and permission.

And now they were about to see what was considered a pair of excellent ponies for a lady to drive in this neck of the woods.

Bob and Peter on the box, the thoroughbreds champing at the bit, and Hugo reclining on the comfortable leather seats of Mrs Darcy's little carriage. There were worse ways to spend one's life, Hugo thought, even if his every second thought was still of a slim young woman with reddish blonde hair. And sitting opposite him, Mr Darcy asked, 'Do you think we should let them run? For Mr Langley? Have you ever done it?'

How glad Hugo was then to have faced his fear of doing just that! Imagine how he would have looked before two self-assured men, shaking with fear of the unknown.

'I have, yes, one time when I was exercising the team with Fowler. It was the most frightening thing I ever did, and I have seen some things in France.'

'The only man who was also terrified is a colonel in the army who has seen action five times, Hugo. You're in good company.'

'I used to be in the cavalry in France, sir. Maybe it's an army thing.'

'You were in the French army?'

'I served as a lieutenant for thirteen years, sir. Until the Revolution made it unwise for men of some birth to be in a public function.'

'And you're gentry, too? No wonder you had to flee. I do understand why you never told anyone, it's bad enough to be French these days, sadly.'

'I've recently decided to tell a few people I trust. I was only a second son, as was my father. My uncle still holds our chateau but it's not much, not nearly the size of Pemberley. We still write sometimes.'

'I'm sorry for what you lost, Hugo.'

'Thank you, sir. I'm happy here, life is a lot easier and safer outside the army.'

'And you can still be around horses all day. I suppose one never forgets the training? Since you managed to save your little friend so neatly?'

The way he said that wasn't demeaning towards Caitlin but rather warm, as if he was thinking of his own beloved. So many men adored their wives, why shouldn't Hugo allow himself to fall in love?

By now they had reached the Langley farm, where the owners were waiting together on the drive in front of the house.

'Is that Mrs Langley? You've seen her before, haven't you? She doesn't resemble Mrs Norman very much.'

'The good lady is indeed Mrs Norman´s mother, sir. I thought exactly the same when I first met her the other day. They are both slim and proud, but many other women are.'

'Well, if she is our benefactor´s wife I'd better greet her before we set off. I've never visited, there never was a reason to, they're not my tenants.'

And indeed Mr Darcy took a few moments to introduce himself to the couple, then let Mr Langley precede him into the carriage.

'You may want to take the forward seat, Mr Langley, I've heard you were anticipating riding behind my thoroughbred team and if we are to let them run a little, the experience can be a bit disconcerting from the backward facing seat.

That goes for you as well, Hugo, though if you've driven them yourself at that speed I suppose you're good.'

Hugo decided he'd better change seats, somehow it seemed more fitting for Mr Langley to have to share a carriage bench with a mere stable master than Mr Darcy.

'That sounds very exciting, Mr Darcy! I won't deny I expect to make quite the impression on my acquaintance, arriving behind your famous team. Peter says it would be too much trouble for me to try and emulate it, says I'd as soon manage to train my four best hunters to use as team, not to mention having to hire a driver to handle them. But I've always ridden my own horses, I am not going to let another man drive me unless it's Peter himself. So I guess it's best if I buy myself as good a team as I will be able to enjoy, my missus hasn´t Sarah´s patience with fractious horses.'

'I'm afraid Peter is right, Mr Langley, and I admit keeping a team like this is mostly a sign that I am a rather vain man, though a few years ago I would have denied that vehemently. I like the way it makes people look at me, and of course it gets me around really fast, but those horses took Mr Hugo here a lot of effort to find and get ready, and then he had to train my driver as well or be stuck to my schedule forever. And I used to travel around a lot, until I got married.'

'Ah, my daughter always praises Mrs Darcy's talent with horses. She is a lucky lady to have caught a man who allows her to be the person she was meant to be. Like my daughter Sarah, some women are not meant to be sitting at home, doing needlework.'

Mr Darcy laughed and observed, 'Elizabeth is very fond of needlework, but not all day and she certainly expects to decide for herself what she will spend her time doing. But I count myself the lucky one, Mr Langley, I had a rough time convincing her to marry me.'

And he described how he had fallen in love with a young woman who turned out not to reciprocate his feelings at all, and had spent months in the agonising knowledge that she hated him. Thinking back, Hugo thought he remembered when his employer had been under the weather for a few months, apparently he had been sick with love. To find out that a person could literally be sick with love was quite a revelation for Hugo, and he listened with great interest. Starting to suspect himself of being in love, he would do well to take it seriously, or as Mr Brewer had warned him, people might get hurt.

'And you, Mr Hugo, are you married?'

Lost in his thoughts, Hugo hadn't been paying attention to Mr Langley's polite comment to Mr Darcy's tale, and missed the older man turning towards himself to ask this rather frank question. It was a farmer's honest frankness though, not prying or condescension, and since Mr Darcy deserved to know Hugo's plans he replied with the plain truth.

'I am not, Mr Langley, though I'm planning to. I've never wanted to settle before now, but I'm approaching forty and feel I'd like a more meaningful relationship with a woman. I do admit it is less simple than I thought.'

'If I'd known you were contemplating marriage I would have suggested finding your friend a house closer to Pemberley, Hugo,' Mr Darcy exclaimed. 'I didn't suspect a thing!'

Mr Darcy usually wasn't this forthcoming, though he had betrayed nothing improper with his remark.

'It's not that simple, sir. My friend doesn't want to marry me. She prefers the arrangements we currently have. I suspect she doesn't trust me, and of course I cannot fault her for that. I've been with many women, even whilst seeing her, and have never kept that knowledge from her or any of the others.'

Both men nodded in understanding, and Hugo didn't doubt their sympathy went out to the woman who didn't want to marry a ladies' man.

'Would you give up your exploits for the woman you love?'

Apparently Hugo had misjudged at least his employer, though the man had supposedly saved himself for ten years until he finally met the lady of his dreams.

'I'd have given them up even if I married without love, sir. Never having been in love before, I was planning to marry one of the women I was seeing here, and I knew I'd be faithful to the one I chose. But Caitlin didn't like being a convenience, she didn't want to become a man's property and certainly not without at least having his love. Rightly so, I admit, and I was planning to just choose another woman to wed because I thought I couldn't ever fall in love, but since then I've found it hard to forget her. Do you suppose I couldn't accept being rejected?'

'More likely you loved her all this time, my son,' Mr Langley said with feeling. 'You don't strike me as a man who would fall in love to save his honour. I think you have managed to fool yourself for months that you weren't capable of love.'

'Or you just never met the right woman before, Hugo. I never knew any woman I respected, let alone could love, and when I finally did meet her she wasn't at all what I'd imagined my future wife to be and I denied my feelings.'

'Well, Caitlin is indeed not the kind of woman I imagined spending the rest of my life with: she has a temper, like myself.'

'And she is Irish, with a son. Maybe you didn't imagine being a parent?'

'Well, I did regard marrying a local woman as preferable since the French aren't particularly popular at the moment. My other friend has three children, though near adulthood. She would be a very sensible choice, if she'd have me.'

Mr Langley shook his head, as did Mr Darcy.

'If there is someone out there whom you love you should not settle for the sensible choice, Mr Hugo. You'd be unhappy and worse, you'd make your wife and your true love unhappy, too.'

'If there is any chance to win her, Hugo, you should take it. Be there for her, be patient. When I asked Elizabeth for her hand the first time she didn't expect it at all, and she didn't really know me. If I had tried to get to know her first I might have been spared a lot of heartache. Show your lady that you can be trusted, be true to her. And maybe you will be rewarded. I think your lady may find it hard to trust anyone, and yet she let you into her life. She doesn't have other lovers, does she?'

'She doesn't. And at times I've thought she seemed attached to me. I will take your advice, gentlemen, and stop seeing the others. You both have a lady you love a lot, and you seem happy. I thank you, and in return I'll give you advice on what I know best: horses.'

Of course that changed the nature of the conversation to the subject most on the other men´s minds at that moment, and they spent the rest of the time on the road talking of horses and carriages. Mr Langley was set on buying himself a barouche for his travels, but Mr Darcy tried to dissuade him from such a purchase.

´If the English weather was more clement I´d own a barouche myself, Mr Langley, but beautiful as our country is, we do get a lot of rain out here and it makes an open carriage virtually useless for long journeys. It isn´t the best choice to drive oneself in any comfort either, the box of a barouche is no place for a lady to sit all day.´

Time flew, as did the thoroughbreds for a few minutes, and when they reached their destination Mr Langley had a much better idea of what kind of carriage was useful for long journeys with luggage and maybe some staff, and where to buy suitable horses and what the whole would set him back.

It had been a very pleasant journey, and though Hugo still thought of Caitlin every few minutes, at least he now knew what he had to do to be certain he didn't get married in haste to possibly regret his choice the rest of his life.