Darcy paced up and down the stables, thinking about Elizabeth. Goliath pawed at the ground in his stable, shaking his black mane from his black eyes.
How could he help her with the Bishop? He was a Captain. All he knew how to do was fight.
He could teach her to fight, but he was cautious about touching her. She had mentioned her father had educated her to make sure she was proficient in everything unladylike.
Why was he so worried for her? This was something her father or husband should be busy with. But, of fathers she had none, and husbands were the same.
He couldn't marry her though. It was a preposterous thought. She was fascinating to be sure, but he was a Captain and she a lady. Technically the same class, but what type of life would she have? No, it was ridiculous to even think on.
He heard a side door open, and turned to see Elizabeth. She had on a cheery yellow dress making her glow gold. His golden one.
He ducked into a stable, suddenly nervous to be seen by her. She ghosted up to a particularly troublesome mare. She reached her hand in the stall, speaking in her smooth voice, beckoning the creature over to her. Darcy was also under her spell and moved to watch her speak and smile at the animal. Her amber eyes glittered with mischief.
She led the red mare out of her stall to the mounting block. Darcy watched her carefully as she shhed the horse as she petted her nose and neck. Darcy was transfixed. Elizabeth tied reins into the halter of the horse and slid them over the neck.
"Good girl Jolie," Elizabeth cooed, floating up the mounting block and sliding on Jolie… astride. Jolie walked over to the stable doors as docile as a lamb. Darcy eyed the mare in mild distrust. Jolie was… headstrong.
Then the thought struck him like lightning. Whose horse was she using? Jolie was new, he knew that, but that wild beast belonged to Elizabeth? Jolie had moved to bite at him and every other man who came to the stables. And this girl was the mistress?
Before he could think another word Jolie leapt forth from the stables, sprinting into the day light and down the street. They were headed towards the drawbridge.
Darcy's eyes grew more icy as fear thundered through him. He ran and jumped onto Goliath and charged after them.
He scanned the ground around them, searching for her fallen form. He did not see his lady on the road.
They thundered over the bridge. He did not see any ripples in the water.
They galloped down the country road, his black cloak whipping behind them.
Then, a ways down the road, he spied her sitting unperturbed atop the scarlet Jolie, who seemed to be waiting for Goliath to pass them. But then, like an autumn sunray, she and Jolie raced forward again. Her siren laugh streaked in the wind towards him.
Now that he was more assured of her skill he surrendered himself to the thrill of the race. A smile dominated his face as that alien feeling of elation bubbled inside him.
He pushed Goliath faster, and the great war horse lengthened his stride. They caught up to his Lady, who was perched perfectly for a bareback ride. Her yellow dress whipped behind her, revealing tan leggings and brown boots. His golden lady let out a spirited laugh, thoroughly enjoying herself it seemed. In the most unladylike way.
He was shocked, but in the most delightful manner.
She pushed Jolie faster and off they went again, dashing down a path towards a copse of trees. Goliath followed suit. Elizabeth glided over a low fence with Darcy crashing behind them. He heard Elizabeth call to Jolie, who slowed and slowed until they came to a gentle stroll. Darcy was not quite so graceful, and pulled Goliath to a skidded stop.
"Captain Darcy," she said with a breathless smile. "Don't you think we raced uncommonly well?"
"With great energy," he said. "How could you know it was me?"
"I'd seen you and your horse at the inspection of the guard. You make for a striking pair. As dark and terrible a wraith, particularly when flying after someone," she said, pushing Jolie to walk through the woods.
"Indeed, do you ride often?" he asked, feeling a little tongue tied with her. Goliath fell into step alongside Jolie
"Yes," she grinned, "I adore all things outside. Walking is just as lovely as riding, but ever since moving to the city I must ride to get to the open air."
"I see," he said, "you ought to take a guard with you, for your own protection."
"Should I? No one has noticed me out here yet. In fact, I feel better and safer out here!" she grinned, "and how can I be sure they can keep up with Jolie and I? That is my requirement for a guard," she said, throwing him a grin.
"How was my performance in this race?" Darcy smiled back, "Perhaps I could throw my name down to be your guard." This drew a delicious laugh from her.
"What a notion!" she laughed, "the city's Captain being demoted to a lowly bodyguard. Though your racing skills were superb, I couldn't allow it!" Darcy felt perturbed at this. He had rather wanted to race her again, and again and again, for perhaps ever.
"I offer it of my own will though. I need to get out of the city and into the open air oftener than I let myself. You'd be doing me a favor" he said.
Goliath and Jolie moved to get water from the nearby stream.
"Yes, I imagine with how demanding your work is, you'd forgotten how to enjoy life. As I dearly love to laugh perhaps I could teach you this lost art," she said, sliding from Jolie who lifted her head, but remained near the stream.
"Indeed," he said, hopping down after her. Goliath's ears flicked back, but that was the only indication he knew what Darcy had done.
"You mustn't think I begged for a partner," she said, "no, I shall be fine."
Darcy disliked hearing that. A frown dominated his face as they walked, leading the horses behind them. Why would she reject his offer? He met her requirements.
They walked for a half an hour with hardly a word between them. Darcy was astounded to find someone who liked silence as much as he. And in such a happy, exciting creature!
He gave frequent glances in her direction. The cinnamon curls waved around her face in the wind. He could watch the thoughts play across her animated face. Soon, they came to a space near the river where she stopped.
She bent over and plucked a stone from the bank, flat but thick. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the rock skipping over the water.
"I haven't done that since I was a small boy," Darcy said, almost bitterly. His father had begun his training very early, and Darcy had been too tired and sore to do anything childish since.
She grinned at him and offered him a stone. She picked another up and skipped it.
But, he couldn't bear to throw away the only gift he'd received in more than twenty years. She, however, glanced at him in confusion when he didn't join her.
He looked down and found another stone and tossed it. It didn't skip, but it splashed with a satisfying dunk. His heart felt lighter now than it had for… decades he realized.
What a sad realization.
They stood and relocated dozens of rocks. She got a stone to skip six times, and he threw a really big rock that, by her head toss, Jolie didn't approve of. It made Elizabeth giggle though, as she mildly teased the animal.
God he could stay here forever.
"Well Captain, I ought to be heading back before Jane starts to worry," his golden one said, leading Jolie to a log to use as a mounting block. She walked Jolie back the way they'd come.
He took note of the time and nodded. They'd been out of the city for three hours. He led Goliath to the same log and followed them.
They wandered for a bit to let the horses warm up. But Darcy felt excited at the thought of fun. He could race and throw rocks with her! She loved books and the outdoors! The silence was a joy with her, as well as the conversation! He could nearly burst!
"Are you up for a race madam?" he asked, his voice low to keep the excitement from it.
Her sun kissed face spun to meet him with a wicked and wild grin. His heart leapt as her and Jolie did, racing down the lane with a joyful abandon he forgot ever existed.
He pushed Goliath after them. The war horse enjoyed a run, but lacked the competitive streak that Jolie seemed to have. The girls pushed hard as if trying to fly instead of run. He and Goliath were quickly outstripped, but that didn't lessen his enjoyment.
They slowed a ways before the city drawbridge, letting the horses cool down. Jolie trotted along, happy as could be for her win against the larger beast that was Goliath. The black horse just shook his mane and ambled down the road.
"How was that sir? Did you enjoy it?" She smiled, bright as the afternoon sun.
"Indeed," Darcy said with a smirk. Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow at him.
As they crossed into the city, Elizabeth became withdrawn and quiet. She ducked her head. She didn't look at him again, and this silence was pointed. She looked over her shoulder and searched the faces as they passed.
Who was she looking for? The Bishop was supposed to be in the citadel at this time.
As they walked into the stable he discovered he was wrong.
The Bishop, in his white robes, was standing in the stables. The man smiled and greeted them, but it was a smile that didn't reflect in his eyes. It unnerved Darcy.
"My dear!" He said, "had I known you wanted to go for a ride I would have made myself available!"
"That's quite alright, Your Grace," Elizabeth said evenly, "you are a busy person."
"Yes, very important work, but I could take a few hours now and again," the Bishop said, offering to help Elizabeth off of Jolie. He had yet to speak to Darcy and Darcy was fine with that arrangement.
Elizabeth moved Jolie to the mounting block and got off there. The Bishop's eyes betrayed irritation, but he smiled as though nothing happened.
"Well, next time I go to visit the country churches, I shall be delighted to bring you with me. The open air is delightful," he said. Darcy knew Elizabeth would love to. He also hated how… artificial the Bishop's voice sounded.
"How nice, but I spend my Sabbaths with my family," she declined gently.
Darcy hopped off Goliath and gave him to a stable hand. A second stable hand gingerly went to collect Jolie, who's ears had been laid flat back as soon as she'd seen the Bishop.
Elizabeth patted Jolies neck, who swished her tail and pawed the ground. The stable boy retreated. Darcy remained, as still and quiet as a shadow.
"Aw, then perhaps another day then. I know the most charming views of the area. I was make a spectacular guide," the Bishop said.
"I'm sure that may be true, but I am terrible at making plans so far in the future," Elizabeth said.
"Perhaps tomorrow then?" The Bishop said. This had gone far enough, Darcy could read the panic in his friends eyes.
"Unfortunately, sir, we have several meetings over the next few days. You'll have to plan things out for later," Darcy said. His stomach rolled at the glare the Bishop gave him over his smile.
"Yes, I suppose I'll have to rearrange my schedule then," he said in that artificial voice.
"Don't do so on my account," Elizabeth said, glancing between the two men. The dark and the light. "But I really must be going, Jane will worry so!" With that she almost ran from the stables, ignoring the Bishop's offer to walk her home.
Darcy wanted to walk her home, but realized she needed a different type of defense.
"Your Grace," Darcy said, keeping the irritation from his voice, "I had a question on your latest decree."
The man's gaze was intense and dismissive as it landed on Darcy. Could he hit the Bishop? No, not without dire punishment, and then who would help Elizabeth?
The Bishop smiled, but Darcy saw the sneer within.
"You would need my help," he said in a compassionate, false tone, "what seems to be the confusion?"