In less time that she thought possible, Elizabeth found that she could comfortably walk, trot, and canter. However, she knew she must be able to gallop if she wanted to keep others from questioning Mr. Darcy's well being. It was well known that the men of the Netherfield party enjoyed a good hunt. Elizabeth was an excellent shot but add the element of riding and she was not so sure, especially since she had not yet mastered, what felt like, the herculean task.

Looking down from atop Hector, she decided it was time to address her fear. "Mr. Darcy, I know the next step is to gallop but to be honest, I find my fear may be overcoming my courage."

Mr. Darcy looked down at the ground and for the first time in Elizabeth's memory seemed to fidget. "It takes time to become comfortable with speed and unfortunately time is one thing we do not have. However, I have an idea. I used to do this with Georgie when she was learning but I am afraid you may object... I can ride behind you until you feel secure and then you can try on your own. I know it is not usually done but I am afraid given the time constraint it may be necessary."

She smiled, "It is much less objectionable than falling off this horse. I have done that before and do not wish to repeat the experience!"

Understanding dawned, "So that is where your fear comes from?" He could picture Elizabeth as a fearless young lady, probably climbing trees and getting into all sorts of scrapes. The image warmed his heart and he began to picture what their children might look like. At the thought of their children, he stopped. 'Where had that thought come from? It is one thing to be smitten, quite another to jump to fatherhood.' He would have to guard his thoughts very carefully for he had not yet won Miss Elizabeth's heart.

Leading Hector over to the fallen log, he prepared to mount the horse behind Miss Elizabeth. However, he quickly spied a problem. Feeling quite foolish, he shook his head. "It seems, Miss Elizabeth, that I did not account for the difference in our sizes. Normally, I would be the larger of the two and so riding behind to help keep you secure while still steering the horse." Here he paused and let out a small chuckle, "But as you are the... larger one, I will not be able to see. So it seems that I will need to ride in front and you will have to reach around me to hold the reigns (in case anyone comes it will look to them as if Mr. Darcy is teaching Miss Elizabeth how to steer using the reins).

Enjoying the somewhat confusing, circular logic at play, "Is that not almost exactly what is happening?"

As he mounted the horse in front of her, he just said, "I suppose it is." However, it only took a moment to realize he had yet another problem. He had never mounted a horse in a dress. This day was shaping up to be the most humiliating of his memory. "I would ask you to avert your eyes but I fail to see the point."

"Oh come now, Mr. Darcy," she teased mercilessly, "you are merely experiencing the ridiculous, daily hardships forced upon ladies by society. I, however, am immensely enjoying the freedom afforded by these breeches. I may take up wearing them to ride when we eventually switch back." Pausing, as the realization hit again that she had no idea how or when or even if they would switch back. "You do think we will switch back, don't you?"

By this time, Mr. Darcy had gotten situated upon Hector. He took her hand and pulled it around him, then gently caressed it, "Yes, Miss Elizabeth, I do. I think maybe we are supposed to learn something from this experience."

"What do you think we need to learn? From each other?"

"I am not at all sure. But I am sure it will come and when it does, we will each be better for it."

With that, he adjusted their positions and began the horse at a trot. As soon as he was sure that Elizabeth felt comfortable, he sped up to a canter. Then after a few minutes, he asked, "Are you ready?"

She held on tightly, "Yes, Sir. I believe so."

As odd as it was to have their positions reversed, he still reveled in the fact that she was trusting him to help her over one of her greatest fears. "Then hold on tightly. We are headed for Oakham Mount.

They raced, although Elizabeth was quite certain they were not at full speed, across the fields and soon reached the base of the mount. As they ascended, Elizabeth realized she was no longer afraid. She trusted Mr. Darcy implicitly - at least on a horse. The knowledge that he had overcome her defenses, was as unsettling as it was exciting and she began to feel a few nervous butterflies in her stomach at being so close to him. She instinctively began to loosen her grip but Mr. Darcy pulled her closer, saying, "We are almost there, Miss Elizabeth. It would not due for you to fall so close to our destination - and so far from home - as I am quite sure I would not be able to lift you if you were hurt." Though he said this in all seriousness, there was an jovial quality to his voice which relaxed her and she leaned a little more into him, allowing her grip on him to remain firm.

At the peak of Oakham Mount, they both took the opportunity to dismount and stretch. "The view from here is beautiful. I can see why this is a favorite retreat."

"Yes, it is." She sighed wistfully. Then reaching into her, or rather his, jacket's breast pocket, she pulled out a folded sheet of paper. "Now, Mr. Darcy, I have my list of information regarding myself and my family that will make your stay at Longbourn easier. Did you bring yours?"

"I did." He instinctively reached for reached for his breast pocket before remembering, "This blasted dress! I have a new respect for you ladies. Now where did I find that pocket earlier?"

Seeing the dignified Mr. Darcy search for her pockets had Elizabeth doubled over in laughter until… "Mr. Darcy, that dress does not have pockets."

Both colored, "Ah, yes. Now I remember. I had to put it, er… well." Reaching slightly into the bosom of her dress he retrieved the list. "Believe me, Miss Elizabeth, I took no pleasure in touching your person and did so as little as possible." At her almost insulted and confused look he clarified, "That is to say, I did not mean to enjoy it, er… I did so as quickly as humanly possible. I apologize if I have made you uncomfortable."

Feigning offense she teased, "No pleasure?" To see the Master of Pemberley so obviously flustered caused Elizabeth to laugh all the more. "Mr. Darcy, as we said once before, there are occasions in which we will each be compelled to handle the other's… person. I am sure you were completely honorable. Do not fret, let us take a look at each other's lists."

"Are you quite serious with this list Mr. Darcy? These are all responsibilities you shoulder, even as a guest of Mr. Bingley?"

Confused, Darcy looked up from Elizabeth's rather extensive list to answer, "Every one. Is there something in particular that is troubling you?"

"No, not one, but the sheer volume is worrisome. I am not sure how I shall keep it all straight."

"Most of my responsibilities will be handled by my steward for now. I have already written to him to tell him I will be indisposed for the foreseeable future. I will need you to post the letter, of course, after you seal it. My seal is in the top drawer of the writing desk in my room at Netherfield."

"Oh, that was brilliant of you! Of course, I shall post it after luncheon. Sadly, I have no one who can help you shoulder my responsibilities. However, by comparison, they seem rather light. Are there any you had questions about?"

"Well, I do have a question but I am afraid it is not on the list."

"Certainly Sir, I am sure there are many things I have taken for granted and so did not address them."

"Thank you. I am wondering if there are any books in your father's library that are off limits to you? You see, I am hoping to find one on human anatomy. I think it may come in handy should I have questions about..." And here he became rather more uncomfortable, "Well, for example, if I were to be in need of information regarding… well many feminine... things." Darcy had barely been able to get the words out and had not made eye contact even once during his speech. Much to his surprise and to his great relief, Elizabeth seemed only marginally uncomfortable.

With a understanding and a reassuring smile, she calmly put his fears to rest. "No books are off limits, which may surprise you as you begin your search. However, I believe the book you may find most helpful is likely to be in Kitty or Lydia's room. It is a book my aunt Gardiner sent to Jane after my mother refused to tell her anything other than 'menstruation is God's curse upon women for tempting Adam with forbidden fruit'. It has been passed between us sisters ever since as the need arose. You can simply ask for 'the book' and they will know which one you mean. However, it will be some time before that knowledge will be necessary so let us pray that we are returned to our normal selves before then!"

"Now, let us discuss lighter subjects. Tell me about more Georgie. She sounds delightful." When they felt they absolutely must leave or a search might ensue, they mounted Hector once again and headed back to the field in where they had met. It had only been a little over two hours but each felt that they had grown infinitely closer. Before turning back toward Longbourn, Darcy handed Elizabeth another piece of paper. However this time it was another letter. "Please do not read this until you are safely ensconced in my room, then burn it. It contains information about my dealings with Mr. Wickham which I feel is important for you to know since I have ascertained in my short time with your sisters that he is a great favorite among them. I intend to share this information with your father as well - telling him that it came from you, Mr. Darcy - so that he may decide how best to proceed. I hope that upon reading it, you will understand my obvious disdain for him."

WIth that, he turned and walked in the direction of her home, leaving her to ride alone back to Netherfield.

Okay guys, first let me say thank you so much for all the positive notes! This is my first fanfiction (or any writing really) and I am sure it shows! Please continue to review because I love to hear your thoughts, good and bad. :) So, I know this would have been super embarrassing for them to discuss but also necessary under the circumstances. Am I wrong? I'm undecided.