Dinner that evening was a quiet affair, with Georgiana and Richard seated at the long table, the absence of Stephanie weighing on the room. The soft clinking of silverware and the occasional murmur of the staff attending to them only emphasized the silence.

Richard glanced toward the empty seat where Stephanie usually sat, his brow furrowing. He had been expecting her, perhaps even looking forward to seeing her again after their earlier tension. Despite the emotional whirlwind she often seemed to bring, her presence had a way of lighting up even the quietest moments.

"Miss Williams is not joining us?" he asked, his voice casual, though the hint of disappointment was unmistakable.

Georgiana looked up from her plate, her expression tinged with concern. "She said she was feeling tired after the interviews today and thought it best to rest. It's been a rather emotional day for her."

Richard's grip on his fork tightened slightly as he nodded. "Understandable," he said, though the word felt hollow. He pushed a piece of roast around on his plate, his appetite suddenly diminished.

"She was quite upset earlier," Georgiana added softly. "It's not easy for her to process everything, especially with the questions she asks. She has such a big heart, but I imagine it weighs heavily on her."

Richard nodded again but didn't reply. Instead, he focused on his plate, though his mind wandered back to Stephanie—her fiery passion during the interview, her tears as she held Samuel's hands, the way she had stormed out of the parlour earlier. He had wanted to speak to her at dinner, to find some way to bridge the gap between them, but now that opportunity was gone.

Georgiana observed him quietly, her delicate smile showing a touch of understanding. "She'll be better tomorrow, I'm sure. You know how resilient she is."

Richard forced a faint smile. "Yes, of course. Tomorrow."

But as the meal continued, his thoughts remained elsewhere, lingering on the image of Stephanie retreating to her room, her absence casting a shadow over the evening.

Stephanie entered the breakfast room, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in her hands like it was her lifeline. She hesitated at the door, her eyes darting to Georgiana and Richard already seated at the table. Clearing her throat, she approached cautiously.

"Good morning," she said quietly, glancing between them. "I, uh, wanted to apologize for missing dinner last night. I was… exhausted. Emotionally and otherwise."

Richard looked up, his expression unreadable for a moment before softening. "There's no need to apologize," he said, his voice low but kind. "Yesterday was… a lot."

Georgiana smiled warmly, her eyes full of understanding. "I'm glad you're feeling better this morning. You must have needed the rest."

Stephanie nodded, taking a sip of her coffee as she slid into her seat. "I did. Thanks for understanding."

They ate quietly for a few moments until Georgiana brightened with an idea. "Would you both like to go horseback riding today? It's such a beautiful morning, and I haven't been in a while. It could be fun."

Stephanie lowered her coffee cup, raising a brow. "Riding? Sure, why not? But fair warning—I'm not exactly a natural on horseback."

Richard smirked slightly, his tone teasing. "You say that about everything, and yet, you always seem to surprise us."

Stephanie let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Oh no, trust me. I have a very questionable history with horses. Actually…" She paused, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she took another sip of coffee. "Do you want to hear a story about the time my mom and I decided to take horseback riding lessons?"

Georgiana immediately perked up. "Yes, please!"

Stephanie leaned forward, already giggling at the memory. "Okay, so my mom and I signed up for this beginner class. Neither of us had ever ridden before, but we figured, how hard can it be? So we're out in this big field with a group of people, trotting along at the back, thinking we're doing pretty well."

She paused, biting her lip to hold back laughter. "Then the instructor stops the group and says something like, 'All right, everyone ready?' But my mom and I are too far back to hear him clearly. We just look at each other like, 'Did you catch that?' and then—bam!"

Georgiana was already smiling, sensing where the story was headed. "What happened?"

Stephanie laughed so hard she nearly spilled her coffee. "The horses take off at a full gallop! Apparently, he told everyone to prepare to run, but we didn't hear a word. So we're bouncing along, holding onto the reins for dear life, laughing so hard we can't even see straight. My mom's yelling, 'What is happening?!' and I'm screaming back, 'I don't know, just hang on!'"

Richard let out a chuckle, his brow raised. "And you found this… amusing?"

"Oh, absolutely," Stephanie said, still laughing. "We couldn't stop. Tears streaming down our faces, clutching the saddles like our lives depended on it. I think even the horses were like, 'What's wrong with these two?' When we finally stopped, the instructor looked at us like we were the biggest idiots he'd ever seen."

Georgiana was laughing so hard she had to clutch her sides. "That sounds like chaos!"

"Oh, it was," Stephanie said. "And it didn't end there. A couple of months later, I went riding with my brother and his horse decided to one-up us.

Georgiana's laughter bubbled over again. "What happened this time?"

"We were on this nice, flat trail," Stephanie said, wiping her eyes. "Everything was going smoothly until his horse suddenly decided it was done for the day and just… laid down. Right there, mid-trot."

Richard raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "It laid down? With him on it?"

"Oh, yes," Stephanie said, her grin widening. He's s screaming, 'What do I do?!' and the instructor's shouting, 'Get off before it rolls!' He's trying to scramble off without falling flat on his face while everyone else is just watching like it's a circus act."

Georgiana burst into laughter again. "I don't think I've ever heard of a horse doing that!"

"Oh, but it gets better," Stephanie said, giggling. "Later on, we're on this narrow path next to a quarry and my horse somehow manages to turn a full 180 degrees. So now I'm facing the wrong direction, looking at everyone coming toward me."

Richard chuckled, shaking his head. "And the instructor's advice?"

Stephanie mimed flailing at reins, her voice deadpan. "'Just turn it back around,' he says. Like that's the easiest thing in the world. I'm sitting there thinking, 'This isn't a car! How am I supposed to turn a horse around without falling off the fucking cliff?"

Georgiana was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. "How did you manage?"

"I didn't," Stephanie said, throwing up her hands. "The horse turned itself around eventually, probably out of sheer pity for me cause everyone was yelling at me to turn it around"

Even Richard let out a full laugh, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I must admit, Miss Williams, your adventures are nothing short of extraordinary."

Stephanie raised her coffee in mock salute. "What can I say? Chaos seems to follow me everywhere."

Georgiana wiped her eyes, still giggling. "Well, now I'm even more excited to go riding. Maybe we'll have an adventure of our own!"

Richard stood, shaking his head with a smile. "Let's aim for a bit less chaos, shall we? Though with Miss Williams involved, I suppose we should be prepared for anything."

Stephanie grinned. "Hey, I can't promise perfection, but I can promise entertainment."

Stephanie stood by the stables, arms crossed as she glared at the side-saddle like it had personally insulted her. "You're seriously telling me I have to ride with both legs on one side because showing an ankle is scandalous?

Richard, tightening the straps on her horse with his usual composure, glanced up at her. "It is the proper way for a lady to ride, Miss Williams. Surely you can understand the importance of decorum."

She scoffed, gesturing at her riding habit. "Decorum? Have you seen the evening gowns you people put me in? I've never shown so much cleavage in my life! I'm pretty sure my past self from 2024 would blush just looking at me."

Georgiana, standing nearby, couldn't suppress a laugh, her cheeks reddening. Richard, however, kept his expression neutral, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"The standards of modesty may vary," Richard said, "but they exist for a reason."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm dying to hear this. What's the reason?"

Richard straightened, crossing his arms. "Given your own… sensitivities, Miss Williams, I find your argument somewhat inconsistent."

Her brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I merely recall," he said with maddening calm, "how mortified you were when I accidentally glimpsed that photograph on your device. Yet you defend wearing… what was it called? A bikini?"

Stephanie's jaw dropped as Georgiana's eyes widened with curiosity. "Richard!" Stephanie exclaimed, her cheeks flaming. "That's completely different!"

"Is it?" he asked, tilting his head, his tone almost too polite. "You seemed quite distraught over the image, yet you would willingly wear even less in public at a beach."

"That picture was personal!" Stephanie said, flustered, her voice rising. "A bikini is for swimming. It's… context! It's not the same!"

Richard's lips twitched, and she could tell he was fighting a smile. "Ah, so context determines modesty? Interesting."

Stephanie groaned, throwing her hands up.

Georgiana, who had been silent until now, finally burst into laughter, clutching her sides. "Stephanie, I think Richard has a point!"

"Oh, don't you start!" Stephanie said, pointing a finger at Georgiana, though her own laughter was threatening to escape. "You're supposed to be on my side."

Richard's tone softened, though his amusement lingered. "Miss Williams, as inconsistent as our standards may seem, they remain the rules of the time. And, like it or not, side-saddles are one of them."

Stephanie sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "Fine. I'll play along, But for the record, bikinis make way more sense."

Richard chuckled, stepping aside to help her mount. "Duly noted. Though I must admit, I still fail to understand why one would be acceptable and the other mortifying."

Georgiana was laughing so hard she nearly stumbled, while Stephanie muttered under her breath as she settled into the saddle.

Richard couldn't keep a straight face as they set off, the playful banter lingering in the air.

The sun dipped low as Stephanie guided the horse around the paddock for what felt like the hundredth time. She'd been at this for over an hour, her body aching from the effort of keeping balance in the awkward side-saddle. Richard walked beside her, his calm voice steadying her as much as the reins in her hands.

"Shoulders back, Miss Williams," he said evenly. "Let the motion guide you."

She adjusted her posture, nodding, her focus razor-sharp. "I think I've got it," she murmured, though her voice was tight with concentration.

"You do," Richard assured her. "Relax into the rhythm."

As the horse stepped forward, she felt a flicker of confidence—until the horse shifted unexpectedly, and her balance wavered. Instinctively, she reached out, her hand brushing against Richard's shoulder. He caught her wrist and steadied her with a firm hand at her waist.

"Easy," he said quietly. "You're all right."

Stephanie exhaled shakily, her fingers still gripping his shoulder. "Thanks," she muttered, her cheeks warm.

He held her gaze for a moment before stepping back, his hand falling away. "You're doing well," he said, his tone softer now. "You just need to trust yourself."

With a determined nod, she adjusted her grip on the reins. "All right. Let's go again."

They continued until the horse came to a stop, and Stephanie dismounted with his help. Her feet touched the ground, but his hands lingered briefly at her waist, steadying her until he was sure she was steady.

"You've done well," Richard said, his voice quiet but sincere.

She looked up at him, a small, tired smile on her lips. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you."

He stepped back, his gaze warm. "Determination," he said simply. "That's what makes the difference."

The afternoon sun bathed the paddock as Stephanie leaned against the fence, her eyes alight with excitement. Richard stood nearby, reins in hand, while Georgiana perched on the rail, her expression curious.

"Okay," Stephanie began, practically bouncing. "If you think riding a horse is something, wait until you hear about cars."

Richard raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Ah, the horseless machines. You've mentioned them."

She grinned and, without thinking, grabbed his arm, her fingers curling around his sleeve as she mimicked holding a steering wheel. "Picture this: you're in control, hands on the wheel, feet pressing pedals to go faster or stop. The engine growls, the wind rushes past, and you're free."

Georgiana's eyes widened. "The engine growls? Is it safe?"

"Totally," Stephanie assured her, glancing over. "If you're careful. But it's thrilling. Richard, you'd be amazing at it—precision, control. Driving would suit you perfectly."

Richard's gaze flicked to her hand on his arm, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Would it now?"

"Oh, absolutely," she said, letting go abruptly when she realized, flushing slightly but continuing. "You'd look so at home in a sleek black car, commanding the road. And Georgie, you'd love the freedom—traveling town to town in no time."

Georgiana clapped her hands, her eyes dreamy. "It sounds magical."

Richard's tone softened. "And yet, I suspect it's not without its challenges."

"Sure," Stephanie said, her voice steadying. "But once you get it, there's nothing like it. You'd both be hooked."

Richard held her gaze, the faintest smile lingering. "Perhaps one day, Miss Williams."

Before Stephanie even realized it her hips started, swaying slightly, her mind caught up in the rhythm of a song playing vividly in her head. Her fingers started mimicking the guitar cords as if she was playing it herself. It wasn't long before the melody spilled out of her, her voice rich and steady as she began to sing.

"Life is a highway," she sang, her body moving naturally to the imagined beat. She raised her arms above her head, swaying her hips in time, completely lost in the moment. "I wanna ride it all night long!"

Georgiana, perched on the fence, started clapping along to the rhythm, her grin wide and delighted. Stephanie's energy grew with each word, her movements more fluid, her feet stepping lightly as if tracing the rhythm of the imaginary music around her.

"If you're going my way, I wanna drive it all night long!" Stephanie spun suddenly, her skirt catching the air, and her gaze landed on Richard. He stood still, his hands resting lightly at his sides, watching her with a quiet intensity that only fueled her playful mood.

Without breaking her stride—or her song—she stepped toward him and held out her hand, inviting him into her world of movement. He hesitated, just for a breath, but as she sang, "Through all these cities and all these towns, it's in my blood and it's all around!" he let her pull him forward.

Stephanie took his hand and stepped back, drawing him into a spin. He followed her lead with an ease that surprised them both, catching her hand as she twirled under his arm. She laughed lightly as she kept singing, her voice unbroken. "I love you now like I loved you then, this is the road and these are the hands"

She moved closer, swaying her hips dramatically as she circled around him, her voice rising and falling with the rhythm. Richard followed her movements, his gaze steady and his steps surprisingly smooth as he caught her hand again, pulling her into a quick turn that had her laughing mid-note.

Georgiana clapped in time, her applause keeping pace with the infectious rhythm as Stephanie leaned back into a mock dip. Richard caught her with steady hands, holding her waist firmly before guiding her upright, their steps finding a rhythm neither had planned.

"Knock me down I get up again, you're in my blood I'm not a lonely man" Stephanie's voice soared as she twirled one last time, her skirt fanning out before she came to a breathless stop in front of him, her cheeks flushed and her smile wide.

For a moment, they simply stood there, their breaths mingling in the quiet as the imagined music faded. Georgiana's applause broke the spell, her delighted cheers ringing out as Stephanie stepped back, still grinning, her gaze lingering on Richard's for just a beat longer than necessary.

Without a word, the moment shifted back to the hum of the afternoon, but the electricity of the spontaneous dance lingered in the air between them, unspoken but undeniable.

The walk back to the house had been charged with an energy neither of them wanted to acknowledge. The sun was low, painting Pemberley in hues of gold and amber, and the quiet between them was thick with unspoken words. Georgiana had slipped ahead into the house, leaving Richard and Stephanie to follow in silence.

By the time they reached the grand entryway, the air between them was taut. Richard held the door for her, his jaw set as she stepped inside. Stephanie paused in the hallway, brushing a strand of hair from her face, her riding boots scuffing against the polished floor as she turned to him.

"Thanks for today," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that felt like a balm to the tension he'd been holding. "It was… fun."

Richard didn't respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on her, the way her cheeks were flushed from the afternoon sun, the loose strands of her hair framing her face. She looked so alive, so vibrant—and so utterly unattainable. His hands curled into fists at his sides as he fought the pull toward her that had been building all day, every day, since the moment she had stepped into his world.

"You really are insufferable," he finally said, his voice low, almost hoarse.

Stephanie blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

"I mean it," he said, stepping closer, his voice taking on an edge of something raw. "You drive me mad. The way you laugh, the way you argue with me over everything. The way you danced with me today, like you couldn't care less about what's proper or not…"

She opened her mouth, but no words came. The look in his eyes—intense, almost desperate—rooted her to the spot.

"Richard—" she started, but that was all she managed before he closed the space between them.

His hands caught her waist, pulling her to him as his lips crashed against hers. It wasn't gentle or measured—it was hungry, pent-up, and electric. Stephanie gasped against his mouth, her hands instinctively flying to his chest to steady herself, but any thought of protest evaporated as the kiss deepened.

Richard's hand slid up her back, pulling her closer, his fingers tangling in the fabric of her riding jacket as if he couldn't bear to let her go. His other hand moved to cradle her jaw, angling her face as his lips claimed hers with a fervor that sent her heart racing. Stephanie responded in kind, her hands gripping the front of his coat as she matched his intensity, every nerve in her body alive with sensation.

The kiss was a battle and a surrender all at once, their movements fueled by weeks of tension and frustration finally spilling over. Richard groaned softly, the sound vibrating against her lips as his hand slid to her lower back, pulling her flush against him. Stephanie shivered, her knees weakening under the onslaught of his passion.

Time seemed to stretch and blur, the world outside of their embrace fading into irrelevance. But then, as suddenly as he had started, Richard pulled back. His breathing was ragged, his hands still gripping her waist as he stared down at her, his expression a storm of longing and regret.

"Stephanie…" he whispered, his voice breaking. He stepped back, dropping his hands as if burned. "I shouldn't have—this was a mistake."

Her lips were swollen, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. "A mistake?" she echoed, her voice trembling.

Richard ran a hand through his hair, his composure unraveling before her eyes. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone laced with agony. "I couldn't—I shouldn't—"

Before she could respond, he turned and strode down the hall, his footsteps echoing against the walls. Stephanie stood frozen, her hands still tingling where they had touched him, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it might burst.

She pressed her fingers to her lips, staring at the space where he had disappeared. The memory of his touch, his kiss, lingered like a flame, refusing to be extinguished.

Dinner at Pemberley had grown noticeably quieter since their last heated encounter. Richard had made a deliberate effort to avoid Stephanie, limiting their interactions to what was absolutely necessary, such as the family meals. Yet, even across the dining table, her presence was impossible to ignore. The glimmer in her eyes when she glanced at him, the way she moved her hands as she spoke, and her easy laughter with Georgiana all conspired to drive him mad.

Tonight was no exception. Stephanie sat across from him, wearing a soft, low-cut gown that revealed the curve of her collarbone. Every time she shifted, Richard felt his restraint slip further. He had barely eaten a bite, too focused on keeping his gaze from lingering too long.

Cochrane, Tom. "Life Is a Highway." Mad Mad World, Capitol Records, 1991.