Chapter 12
Michael grabbed the missive off his father's desk and frowned when he saw it was from one of his friends he had made while being in the army. Reading through it quickly, he wondered why Jackson Sidle was writing to him until he reached the end of the letter. Jackson's younger sister ran off with an officer and he wanted Michael to keep an eye out for her since they were seen headed towards Hertfordshire.
Throwing the letter on the large oak desk, he leaned back in his father's chair, and ran a hand through his hair. He had met Emily once a few years back when she was just a child, but now she was around the same age as Maria. Michael would need to keep an eye out for an unknown officer, but he knew it would not be easy since the militia had just came to camp in Meryton for a few weeks before heading to winter in Briton.
Racking a hand through his hair again, he wondered if he should make a call to Loughbourn. After he had finished hunting with Fitzwilliam and Darcy on Saturday, it had been four days since he had left Lucas Lodge and he was growing antsy. He wanted to see Mary and have a pleasant conversation with her instead of always having to argue with his father about his choice of career. Taping his fingers on the desk, Michael knew how he could spend some alone time with Mary and still spend some much needed time out of doors before the cold weather hit and snow started to fly.
Jumping to his feet, he made his way to the front door, smiling slightly when he passed the parlor and saw Charlotte and Maria doing embroidery and talking.
"Where are you off too in such a hurry little brother?" Charlotte asked as she looked up.
Michael saw the knowing gleam in his sister's eye and chuckled. She knew exactly where he was headed to. "I decided to take Juniper out for a run before it gets too cold. Would either of you two ladies like to join me?" he asked leaning against the parlor doorframe. Crossing his arms over his chest, he wagged his eyebrows at Maria causing her to giggle.
"We will join you another time, Michael. Enjoy your run," Charlotte said with a chuckle as her and Maria bent their heads back to their work.
Pushing himself off the doorframe, Michael bowed to his sisters. "I will see you lovely ladies at supper tonight." Making his way back to the front door, he grabbed his coat, hat and gloves. Putting on his outer wear quickly, he made his way to the stables. The young stable boy, Jack came over to him to offer assistance, but Michael waved him away. He had learned pretty quickly in the army how to take care of his horse on his own and it was one of the things he enjoyed doing. It gave him time to bond with Juniper and learn everything he needed to know about the horse's personality.
Saddling his horse with ease, he led him out the stall, and tied his reins to the post. Patting him on the neck, Michael made his way down the aisle looking at the rest of the horses, wondering which one would be a perfect fit for Mary. Stopping in front of a stall that housed a beautiful chestnut gelding, he chuckled softy when the horse shook his head up and down, nickering loudly. "Would you like to go for a ride Thunder?"
Thunder neighed again, while Michael grabbed a halter of the hook beside the stall. Walking into the stall, he quickly clipped the halter on and led the horse out of the stall. Putting the saddle on and switching out the halter for a bridal, he led Thunder over to Juniper and fed the both a sugar cube. Swinging into the saddle, he tipped his hat to the young stable boy and made his way down the lane to Loughbourn.
The little estate came into view within a few minutes and Michael wondered if Fitzwilliam or Darcy were visiting as well. He wondered how Mrs. Bennet would react to the news if her three eldest daughters all became engaged around the same time. He knew that Darcy would be able to offer for Elizabeth without hesitation, but Fitzwilliam and he would be a different matter. Neither one of them was ready to tell the woman he admired that they would be stationed in America in a few weeks.
Sighing, Michael pulled the horses to a stop in front of the house and slid to the ground. Handing the reins to a nearby groom, he told the boy to wait there with the horses since he would not be inside for very long. Climbing the stairs, he knocked, and grinned when Mrs. Hill swung the door open. "Good afternoon Mrs. Hill. Is Miss Mary home to visitors?" he asked holding his hat in between his fingers.
Gesturing for Michael Lucas to enter, Mrs. Hill took his hat and coat. "It is good to see you again sir. Miss Mary is in the parlor with her mother and Lydia."
He glanced at the parlor door with a slight frown. Knowing how Mrs. Bennet and Lydia could be, Michael wondered how Mary was faring by herself. "Where are the rest of Miss Mary's sisters?"
Smiling at Michael's concern, Mrs. Hill gestured upstairs. "They are keeping Miss Jane Company in her room." Opening the parlor door, Mrs. Hill announced Michael to the ladies and silently backed away.
Looking around the parlor, he locked eyes with Mary, and smiled when he saw a faint blush creep up her neck. She looked away quickly, returning to the handkerchief she was embroidering.
"What can I do for you Mr. Lucas?" Mrs. Bennet asked as she gestured to one of the vacant chairs in the parlor. "Would you like to take a seat?"
Shaking his head, Michael turned his attention back to Mary, frowning slightly when he saw Miss Lydia staring at him out of the corner of his eye. "I will not be staying long Mrs. Bennet. I came to ask Miss Mary if she will join me on a ride about the countryside. I have the horses waiting outside for us," turning his full attention back to Mary, he found her watching him with an odd expression on her face. "Will you join me, Miss Mary?"
Glancing at her mother, she saw her dip her head slightly. Turning her attention back to Michael, Mary placed her small hand in his larger one and let him pull her to her feet. Lifting her eyes, she gazed into his and wondered what he was thinking. She felt him squeeze her hand gently and quickly pulled it out of his grasp.
Chuckling softly at her actions, Michael grinned even wider when he saw her eyes flash for a brief moment with anger.
Glancing at Mrs. Bennet, Michael assured her that they would be back before supper was on the table. Mrs. Bennet extended a supper invitation to Michael and smiled when he agreed to join them.
Gesturing for Mary to walk ahead of him, he followed her to the front door. Helping her put on her outerwear, he resisted the urge to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she tied on her bonnet. Leading her to the horses, Michael watched her face to gauge her reaction. Her eyes had widen slightly and he saw her lips form into an o.
"Miss Mary I would like you to meet Thunder. He is the mount you will be riding today if you want."
Reaching up, Mary gently touched Thunders nose and laughed softly when Thunder's warm breath tickled her hand. Running a hand down his neck, she talked softly to the giant, but sweet gelding. "He is beautiful, Michael," she breathed as she turned to look at him, blushing when she realized she had used his Christian name.
Clearing his throat, Michael resisted the urge to kiss those lips that had said his name. "That is the second time you have called me by my Christian name, Miss Mary," he teased, putting the emphasis on the miss.
Putting her hands on her hips, she glared at him, but he could have sworn he saw a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Well, Lieutenant Lucas it will not happen again. It was merely a slip of the tongue I assure you." She turned her attention back to the chestnut gelding and continued to stroke his muzzle.
Throwing his head back, Michael let out a loud laugh, making Mary look over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. Once he finished laughing, he caught her eye, and grinned his lopsided grin. "You never fail to surprise me Miss Mary. Shall we go for a ride now?" he asked, gesturing to their mounts.
Nodding her head, Mary grabbed hold of the reins and prepared to mount when she felt strong hands grasp her waist and hoist her into the saddle. Settling into the saddle, she glanced down at Michael's hands still settled on her waist.
Following her gaze, he slowly withdrew his hands from her waist, and smiled slightly when he saw her eyes widen slightly. Michael knew that with that simple touch he had affected her somehow. Turning to his own horse, he quickly mounted and picked up the reins. Turning his attention to his companion, he asked, "Where shall we ride to first my lady?"
Blushing slightly when he called her my lady, Mary thought for a minute. "Let us just explore the neighborhood. It has been awhile since I have ridden around Hertfordshire. Shall we ride to Oak Mount first?"
Steering Juniper in the direction of Oak Mount, Michael gently urged him forward. Mary soon urged her horse to ride next to his, but a respectable distance apart. Taking in a deep breath of the early December air, he let it out slowly, praying that the next few weeks would be peaceful and he would make progress wooing Mary. He also hoped he would have the courage soon to tell her where he would be stationed.
Scanning the countryside, Mary smiled. Riding around the area where she grew up always made her feel free and alive. She loved spending time with her sisters, but glancing at the man riding beside her, she found herself enjoying her time more and more each time they were together. Riding in silence, they finally reached Oak Mount. Pulling Thunder to a stop, Mary took in the breath taking view and sighed. The creek was fast flowing, but would soon be layered thick with ice and snow. "It's beautiful."
Michael pulled up beside Mary and watched her expressions as she took in the view of the countryside. "You're beautiful," he said quickly and shot her a small grin when she turned her attention to him.
"I am not beautiful Lieutenant Lucas; I'm not even considered pretty by my sisters," she spat at him and he watched as her eyes flashed brightly at him.
"Mary," he said softly as not to spook her.
"No Michael. Nothing you say will change how I see myself and how others have always seen me," she nearly shouted, hot tears streaking down her face. Grabbing hold of Thunder's reins, she wheeled him around, and spurred him back towards home.
Quickly spurring Juniper forward, Michael quickly followed an emotional Mary. Coming up beside her, he quickly grabbed Thunder's reins and pulled them both to a stop. Tying Thunder's reins to the pommel of Juniper's saddle, he quickly jumped out of the saddle, and walked around to stand beside Mary. Hauling her out of the saddle, he ignored her gasp of protest as he settled her on her feet. Gently pulling her into his arms, he rested his chin on her head, as he felt her bury her head into his chest.
As she cried into his jacket letting out all of her built up frustrations and anger, he wondered how anyone could overlook the true gem that this petite young woman was. She must have always been told how much she differed from her sisters; whether in looks or personality all the time. Wrapping his arms around a little tighter, he wanted to be the one to show her true worth. Gently pushing her back a little, Michael lifted up her chin. Running a thumb under her eye, he swiped a few stray tears from her cheek, and gave her a small smile.
Mary tried to give him a wobbly smile, but all she managed was a few more tears. The sensations that were running through her as Michael continued to whip the stray tears from her cheeks, made her want to blush to the bottom of her toes. "I am sorry Michael. I did not mean to soak your jacket," she whispered trying to straighten out his jacket.
Laying a hand over hers, Michael shook his head, chuckling softly. "It is perfectly fine, Mary. How are you holding up?" he asked catching her eye. Pulling her a little closer, he smiled when her eyes widened slightly.
"I….I think I would like to go over a ride, if you do not mind," she asked, blushing slightly as she gazed down at the buttons on his jacket.
Inching his face closer to hers, he gently kissed her nose. Standing up to his full height, he chuckled softly at her facial expression. Bowing low, he gestured, "As you wish my lady."