Chapter 5

Grabbing the reins of Juniper from the young groom, Tom, Michael thanked him and led the horse out of the stables. It had been a week since the assembly and this was the first time since he had been home two weeks that he was able to take Juniper out. His father had been keeping him busy around the estate, helping his brother John. Most of the time he was glad he was the younger son, but once in a while it would hit him that he was soldier. Not much money to support a wife and family in the way he wanted to.

Thoughts of finding a wife brought the pretty image of Mary Bennet. After their dance that night, he had stayed close to her side, even though he had seen the older matrons looking in their direction and whispering behind their fans. Swinging into the saddle, he settled himself and gave his trusty mount a pat on the shoulder.

Michael knew that they were talking about his marked attentions to Mary, but it did not bother him. They had been childhood friends, but that friendship for him had grown into something deeper. Images of her fiery blue eyes brought a smile to his face. Kicking his mount into a trot, he steered the horse towards Meryton. Reaching up he patted his jacket pocket where the letter to his commanding officer waited to be mailed. He needed to learn fast where his next post was and when he needed to be there. He was given three months leave for holiday, but that could always change in an instance. Too much was riding on his commanding officers answer.

He had seen more on the battlefield than most men his age did. His father had always wanted him to go into the church; it was safer he had claimed. Then he would be able to always know where his son was and not sitting at home worrying if he had been injured or worse. Smiling he shook his head. The day before he had left for the militia, Michael and his father had gotten into an argument. His mind was made up and he was leaving for a calling he felt he needed to do, but Sir Lucas did not see it that way. Sir Lucas felt his son was leaving for something he thought was an adventure, but he would wake up real fast and realize it was real life.

Spurring Juniper faster around the bend, he was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard a shout come from somewhere to his left. Pulling up on the reins to bring Juniper to a trot, Michael turned his head in the direction of the shout and watched Bingley and Darcy trot their horses up to him.

"Lieutenant Lucas! Good morning!" Bingley jovially shouted and Michael winced slightly.

That man has way too much energy for this early in the morning. He thought as the two men pulled their horses up next to his. Glancing at Bingley's companion, Michael thought he saw the slightest smile grace Darcy's face. "Good morning gentleman. Are you heading into Meryton?"

Darcy turned his attention to Michael when he realized that Bingley's attention was on the flowers gracing the side of the road. He is probably going to pick some and give to Jane Bennet. His head has been in the clouds all week.

"Bingley here wanted to see what Meryton has to offer, since he will be leasing Netherfield. I would like to have the opportunity to visit the bookstore, if you have one."

Nodding his head, Michael replied, "Mr. Hawkins has a small bookshop, but he does try and carry all of the newest novels. Is there a particular novel you are looking for?"

Rubbing his hand along his mounts neck, Darcy gave Michael a grin. "It will be my sister's birthday in a week and I would like to send her a gift. She loves reading those dime novels." Leaning slightly closer to Michael, he whispered, "I'm not supposed to know, but I found one a few weeks back."

Michael chuckled and thought about his own sisters. "I will not tell a soul that you know. My sisters also enjoy those novels." Glancing at Bingley, he noticed that the young man was daydreaming. Tilting his head slightly, he asked Darcy, "Does he do that often?"

Turning his head in the direction, Michael was indicating, Darcy sighed. "I am sorry about my friend. He seems to have had his head in the clouds the last few days. But to answer your question, he does. I have only known Bingley for a few years, but I have noticed that he falls in and out of love." Darcy was not quite sure why he was giving all of this information to a man he had only be introduced to a week ago, but he felt he could trust him.

As they neared the village, Bingley spurred his horse forward when he saw the Bennet ladies outside of the bookstore. Glimpsing Jane Bennet in the huddle, Michael turned to Darcy. "I need to know if Jane Bennet has the chance of getting her heart broken. I grew up with the Bennet girls and I feel like an older brother to them. If any of them are hurt, you will be answering to me." He stated and gave Darcy a pointed look when he saw his eyes travel to Elizabeth.

Shifting his gaze back to the man beside him Darcy asked with a slight smile, "But not to Mary Bennet."

"What?"

Chuckling at his startled look, Darcy clarified, "you do not see yourself as an older brother to Miss Mary Bennet. I saw the way you looked at her at the assembly. I have learned about silently observing those around you from my cousin. He is a military man such as yourself, Lieutenant."

"Call me Lucas," he said and chuckled, "it's easier to say than Lieutenant Lucas all the time. May I ask what rank is your cousin."

"His name is Colonel Fitzwilliam," Darcy replied and left Michael and his horse as he spurred his mount forward when he noticed Bingley waving to him.

Watching him ride away, Michael's hand went to his jacket pocket where his letter sit waiting to be posted. A letter to his commanding officer Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

000000

Mary tried to listen intently to her elder sister's as they chatted with Mr. Bingley, but her mind could not focus on the words. When Mr. Bingley had rode up to their party, her attention had drifted from him to the other two men riding horseback further down the road. Pushing her spectacles further up her nose, she squinted slightly and thought she could make out Mr. Darcy and Michael Lucas.

As they came closer to join their little group, a slight smile graced her lips when Michael caught her eye. She did not want him to affect her the way he did, but Mary's heart had other plans. He rode up to her and dismounted, holding the reins loosely in his hands.

"Good morning Miss Mary."

Lightly running her hand along Juniper's nose, Mary turned her head slightly to greet him. "Good Morning Mr. Lucas," she replied quietly before turning her attention back to the black beast. "how is Mr. Juniper this fine morning?" she asked and Michael thought he heard a quiet giggle escape the young lady's lips when the horse tossed his head and nuzzled her hand.

"He has missed you, Miss Mary."

Turning her head to look at him when she heard some emotion in his voice she did not recognize, she found herself gazing in to his eyes. His horse may have missed me, but his owner may have missed me more.

The moment was broken when she heard Jane call her name. Pulling her gaze away from Michael's, she found both of her elder sister's looking at her expectantly. "Pardon?"

"Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley would like a tour of Meryton and then Mr. Darcy would like to stop at the bookstore," Jane said and raised a brow slightly at her sister.

Blushing slightly at the look her sister was giving her, Mary nodded. "We will join you."

"I need to stop and post a letter, but Miss Mary and I could meet you at the bookstore when we are finished." Michael suggested as he looked at Jane. She was the only sister who knew how he felt about Mary.

Giving Michael a small nod, Jane smiled and led the party down the road. Turning to Mary, Michael held out his arm for her to take, but frowned slightly when she hesitated. "You can trust me Mary. I promise that I am not going to let anything happen to you. We are only venturing to post my letter. Tongues will not start wagging if I have anything to say about it," he smirked slightly when her eyes grew wide.

Mary stared at him a moment and realized that she could trust him with her life if it depended on it. Taking the arm he offered, Michael turned them towards the post office; Juniper following quietly behind. As they walked quietly down the dusty street, Mary took a moment to take in the man standing next to her. Today he was dressed in civilian's clothes instead of his military uniform, but she had to admit that he was still just as handsome. Glancing up to gaze at his face, she found that a small smile was playing about his lips, but his brows were slightly drawn together.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Mary asked after a few more moments of silence.

Drawing his attention from watching his surroundings, Michael looked at his companion. "I was thinking about what my next post might be in a few months. That is why I am posting this letter." He said and briefly touched his coat pocket.

"When does your leave end?"

"In two months," was all he said as they reached the post.

Tell me what you think. You may have noticed that I decided to make Darcy more open in this story. I am not sure yet if Bingley/Jane will end up together, but I do plan on having Elizabeth/Darcy together.