An accomplished girl should ride and tame…

"And the most important skill that a woman should master is riding," said Caroline in her snobbish voice.

Miss Elizabeth's eyebrows rose high and Charles with a baffle look asked, "Riding?" He was always confused, one way or another.

"Yes, Charles. Riding. Especially riding a stallion." Then she looked at Mr. Darcy and said, "is it not true Mr. Darcy? What is more important than riding for a girl who wants to marry a good man."

Darcy looked uncomfortable the same as every time Caroline talked to him. How I liked to watch his discomfort. He halfly seated himself on the handle of an empty sofa, angling himself so nobody could see his lower body. "Indeed. And though it's important to have these skills, a woman should exercise her mind with reading."

A smirk formed on the face of Miss Bennet. I was sure it was unconsciously, but she was pleased with such words from Darcy's lips. Well, it was understandable. She was the one reading while Caroline accused her of doing reading as her only pastime.

Darcy continued his speech, while glancing at Caroline once or twice, "and it's important that a woman should read very stimulating books."

"Oh! I agree with you Mr. Darcy. Reading books about mastering riding or how to artfully ride a stallion and… reading books about taming a stallion is a very important thing that every woman should know and very stimulating."

Now a very interesting thing was happening. Both Caroline and Darcy felt playful and started talking meaningfully. A play that I enjoyed watching. Especially, when the look of others was one of confusion. Charles seemed totally bemused by what they were saying, at least Miss Elizabeth was trying to look knowing even though it was obvious she had a hard time understanding what they were saying.

Charles asked, "why do you need to learn taming a stallion?"

Caroline opened her mouth to say something, but Darcy beated her to it and said, "Bingley, every stallion needs a tamer. And every gentleman would appreciate a woman who can both tame and ride a stallion without effort."

I nearly laughed but with a kick under the table from Louisa my laugh turned to a snort. All turned to me, but I pretended my snort was because of wine. Oh! Naughty Darcy and Caroline. How they were messing around right under the nose of oblivious Charles and Charles not finding out, it was a mystery to me. But I didn't mind their little dalliance as long as Darcy wouldn't hurt Caroline. After all, Caroline's safety was on my shoulders when Charles was such a brother.

"And you all learn these things?" Charles looked at his sisters and Miss Elizabeth, in disbelief.

Miss Elizabeth said, "I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united, especially taming a stallion."

"Why, dear Eliza. I'm a true tamer and rider of the best stallion that everyone was fortunate enough to see." Caroline was very pleased with herself.

Darcy cleared his throat and excused himself from everyone. He was really uncomfortable. I was sure he adjusted his coat.

Sure, Caroline did the same just not after fifteen minutes and left us.

I know now what they were up to. Riding and Taming. That is Caroline did all the work and Darcy appreciated such an accomplished woman.

Their playful bantering always left Louisa and me in a high mood that it was not much after Miss Elizabeth left us, we happily left Charles to his own devices. And trying to find out about riding and taming a stallion.

Not very proud of this chap, but still is something!

I promise myself to have one Daroline everyday. :)

Thank you, old sports, for reading and commenting and…

Yes, I agree, the Daroline of "show me" is a cruel pair.