Elizabeth

The next morning dawned clear and crisp. Under normal circumstances, Elizabeth would be beyond excited for her morning walk. However, today she had agreed to meet Mr. Darcy so could teach her to ride because no one would believe that he had suddenly developed an aversion for the sport if she refused. So, she had reluctantly ordered Henry, the young stable boy to have Hector readied for an early morning ride. Thus ensuring there would be few witnesses to her clumsy attempts to make it away from Netherfield in the direction of Oakham Mount.

While Elizabeth was quite well versed in how to ride, she had not been on a horse since she was thrown at age 7. She had spent some weeks with her arm in a wooden splint, drinking chamomile tea and other herbs to reduce the pain due to a nasty fall. Occasionally, her mother would allow her a teaspoon of brandy if the pain became too much for her but her father staunchly refused Laudanum - a fact she hated at the time but had been grateful for in the long-run.

Despite understanding of the methods of riding, Elizabeth was still very anxious. To further complicate matters, she would have to ride astride Hector and not side-saddle. Would that be better or worse? She hoped better.

Gathering her courage, she called for Davies to help her dress. Looking in the mirror, she had to admit that Mr. Darcy cut a fine figure in his riding attire. Davies would clearly not stand for his master to be less than immaculately dressed and so his breeches were of a fine quality that had not been worn often as they had not stretched in the slightest but, rather, fit like new. Additionally, she could not help to smile at how often Davies must be frustrated in his attempts to tame Darcy's rather unruly curls for she often saw Darcy run his hands through them when he appeared uncomfortable and wondered if Davies cursed this unconscious act.

Unable to delay her departure any longer, she set out for the stables. The sun was rising just over the trees and magnificent pinks and oranges colored the sky. This was Elizabeth's favorite time of year. Leaves were changing color but the bitter cold of winter had not yet set in. Days were still long enough to enjoy out of doors and with the harvest over, more people were free to do so.

Entering the stable, she saw Hector being tended to by Henry. He was no fewer than 16-17 hands which made him incredibly intimidating but less so, since she realized, with Mr. Darcy's height, she could still see over Hector's back. Slowly approaching, she removed an apple slice from her pocket. "There are more where that came from if you behave."

She noticed Henry giving her an odd look. "Mr. Darcy, Sir. I know you didn't specifically say to but I went ahead and gave Hector some extra oats and carrots like you usually do. I didn't know you's gonna be bringing apples, Sir. I didn't mean to spoil his appetite."

Henry was a boy of 12 and while he was young, he was an attentive hand and a quick learner. Elizabeth had known him since he was a baby but she couldn't very well say anything about that now. She noticed that while he appeared apologetic, he did not seem afraid. That spoke highly of how Mr. Darcy had likely treated him in the past. She found herself to be inexplicably gratified by this.

Elizabeth lead Hector out of the stable to the side on which trees obscured the view from the house. Putting one foot into the stir she lifted herself off the ground. Taking only a moment to consider how, she determined to throw her leg across the beast and end up astride the animal like she had seen her father do many times. To her amazement, she found the task to be quite easily accomplished. Wearing breeches allowed for an ease of movement which she had not accounted for. With that done, she realized was Hector rather anxious to begin. "Patience big fella, I'm afraid you'll have to go slow with me." Then fearing she may be overheard, she hastily added, "I hit my head yesterday and don't want cause my head to ache as it did."

Fortunately, Elizabeth was familiar with the landscape and knew what paths to take and which to avoid. After a short time she crossed onto Longbourn lands where she found Mr. Darcy sitting on a felled log, reading a book. 'Hmm, he does a rather good job impersonating me,' she thought to herself. 'No one would know by looking that anything was amiss.'

"Good morning," she called out to him.

He looked up and a smile crossed his face. "Good morning! I thought this was to be a riding lesson but you seem to have mastered the art already!"

WIth a self-deprecating laugh she replied, "Hardly Sir. I am able to stay atop this fine animal because he is being merciful. Though I think the apple slices I used to bribe him may have helped." Lowering her voice conspiratorially she added, "However, I think he knows. He is not altogether sure how to react to me. I look like you but I am sure I do not act enough like you to be convincing. Animals have a sense about these things."

Darcy thought about this for a moment and stroking Hector's strong neck in a familiar gesture, said, "He likely feels your apprehension. That, and I usually give him carrots." He smiled before continuing, "No matter. We will have you galloping soon enough. Although I must admit, it is strange seeing Hector - quite literally - through your eyes. I can see how being this petite would cause you to be intimidated."

Dismounting with ease (once again due to the breeches), Elizabeth reached into her saddle bag. Taking out two biscuits and some fruit she offered some to Darcy, "Before we ride… let us break our fast. I, for one, am famished from my adventure here."

As if summoned by her words, Darcy's stomached grumbled. "That sounds delightful. Thank you."

They sat upon the tree that Darcy previously occupied.

"Mr. Darcy, I find that since… becoming you, I grow immensely hungry. And then when I do eat, I eat three times as much as usual. I sincerely hope I do not make you fat!" she said laughing between bites.

"Really? I find I am unable to eat very much at one sitting! I have twice filled my plate with far more than I was able to eat and received more than one admonishing look from your mother."

"Oh dear, I fear Lydia likely made a comment or too as well? I hope you were not offended."

"Actually, it was Mr. Collins who commented - although I believe Lydia's comment would have been more clever. He rather bluntly informed me that his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh (my aunt, incidentally) would not approve of a women taking such large portions. It implies she is lowborn."

"That man is insufferable! I should be able to eat as much as I choose in my own home! I loathe him." she vented to no one in particular.

"Mr. Collins is quite persistent in his attentions to you, Miss Elizabeth. To be honest, under the circumstances, it is quite uncomfortable." He said this with pitiful look attempting to make her laugh at his discomfort. Much to his relief it worked and she smiled. He continued, "I am relieved to hear that you do not welcome his attentions but I am unsure how to proceed. It seems your mother is very keen on the match and I do not want to cause a rift by rebuffing him, no do I want to encourage him - from a personal standpoint."

"While my mother does desire the match due to the entail, my father will back my decision to refuse Mr. Collins if he is foolish enough to propose."

"Entail? So he is the beneficiary? And yet you would refuse a man who - granted he is 'insufferable' - could provide security for you and your family?"

He said this is a most unassuming and gentle manner so Elizabeth decided to answer him honestly. "Only the deepest love and respect for a man could tempt me to marry. I have seen the result of not respecting one's partner in life and I would rather be 'thrown out into hedgerows' than marry a man, like Collins, that I cannot respect."

"It is quite unusual to meet a person in society these days who does not place a higher value on material comfort than on the intangible comforts in life. It is... refreshing."

"I'm sure being both exceedly handsome and rich you have had more than your share of match-making mama's and mercenary daughters." As soon as she said this he smiled, a large, cheshire cat like smile. It was only then that she realized that she had admitted to finding him 'exceedingly handsome.' She immediately colored and turned away to look at some imaginary bird or some such thing, hoping for a crack in the earth to appear and swallow her whole.

Her words and obvious embarrassment encouraged the hope that perhaps all was not lost and that he may still have a chance to win her affection. It had become clear to him that her good opinion meant more to him than he had been willing to admit. Attempting to ease her discomfort he teased, "Yes, well I do not know if I have ever looked better than I do in this blue muslin!"

Then seeing her laugh lightly, he added, "I have always thought it complemented the rose in your cheeks rather nicely." And just like that, she found herself blushing again.