The steady rhythmic beat of hooves echoed across the vast, open field as the sun began to sink beyond the horizon. The raucous echoes of laughter filled the air and resonated in the open pasture entwining with the whipping wind and created a chorus of boisterous excitement. "Tis not my fault you are always in second place Percy" the lead gentleman called back over his shoulder in exuberant humor "tis also the position of your birth" he chortled and pushed his horse to greater speeds.
Shaking his head the man's mirror image smiled, a distinct dimple appearing on his roguish face "Come Georgie"he proclaimed to the young man that cantered up beside him "Can't let all that first born pride go to his pretty little head" he laughed. "No or I dare say we shall never hear the end of it" George quipped and laughed good naturedly. "Then get to it" hollered Percy with a devilish grin , his horse changing forward with a whoop, to gallop after William.
The three young men sped swiftly across the open expanse. A wild gleam in their teenaged eyes as the thrill of adrenaline coursed through their veins. "Age before Beauty" bellowed George as he swiftly passed William and rushed forward into the lead chuckling with delight ."Damn" William whispered, squeezing his thighs against the great beast beneath him and hurtling after his friend. The pounding hooves of their steeds resonated like a symphony of power and speed as they each raced the other in spirited competition. Breathless and flushed with excitement the three riders gave their horses their head and galloped towards the distant homestead of Pemberley.
Surging forward George rode well ahead of the others with an air of swaggering triumph. His horse's flank heaving with exertion. Looking over his shoulder he gave a small salute, with a smug grin and steadily reigning in his mount. Coaxing the powerful animal into a steady canter and gradually easing into a more sedate pace. William and Percy urged their horses forward and sidled up to their grinning companion, slapping him affably on the shoulder . "I don't know how you manage it" William stated as he smiled broadly "I must say I have yet to see your equal in charming ever great speeds from that great beast you insist upon riding" he laughed.
George smirked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye "With age comes wisdom" he laughed.
"We were born in the same parish. Within the same park; the greatest part of our youths has been passed together" William quipped "Thus you can not have gained much more wisdom than myself" he laughed "Ah Inmates of the same house, sharing the same amusements and objects of the same parental care are we not'' Wickham replied in amusement. "Perhaps' Percy chortled "Although you do possess an almost occult-like talent for charming everyone and everything you come into contact with. A talent our dear Governess seems to have skipped for old Fitzwilliam and me " Shaking his head George laughed "I confess to all my friends. You have caught me. Mrs Danvers admitted me as a member of her coven… For I conspire with the witches to tame my horses and thrash you in racing" Silence reigned as William raised an eyebrow and then all three erupted into laughter. " You do know sorcery is illegal" quipped Percy.
Their horses trotted alongside each other as they continued their banter "Ah but I would wager George could charm even the pigs to fly" replied William bobbing his head and gesturing emphatically. "Now that would be a sight to behold"Percy chuckled, wiping the tears from his eyes. Smirking slightly George pushed his horse forward and raised himself up to perform a half bow and then spread his arms as if to fly. Bellowing with laughter both brothers shook their heads and stared in amazement at their childhood companion. Beaming George settled himself back down upon his mount and turned his horse to stare back at his beloved companions "I am blessed with such happy manners that I am sure of making friends even with the birds" his nose raised high above his head.
Laughing William replied "Whether you are equally capable of retaining said friends might be less certain". Winking and nodding his head, Percy turned his face towards his brother "This is quite shocking Fitzwilliam" he smirked "He deserves to be publicly disgraced does he not Georgie". "Well" replied George with mock solemnity "Some time or other he will be - but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his friendship. Alas I can never defy or expose him". Laughter erupted and echoed around the stillness of the fields and then in swift synchronization Percy and George urged their horses into a fast paced gallop across the fields, leaving William in the dust.
A short while later three exuberant young men galloped towards the stables of Pemberly at breakneck speed and pulled into the yard swiftly. "I had not thought you both as bad as this" William stated in mock horror as he approached his laughing companions. "Yes," Percy chortled. What would our fathers say if they heard our uncouth behavior" he laughed. "Yes, Indeed Percival, what would your father say about you, your brother and your godbrother running recklessly about the stables and endangering the workers of his estate?" A deep, firm voice questioned.
Turning each boy met the angry vestige of Mr Darcy of Pemberley standing not ten foot from where they perched upon their horses and an equally furious Mr Wickham appearing from beyond the stable door. "Choices it seems have consequences" George whispered to his companions quietly.