"Miss Elizabeth," old Mr. Darcy greeted her after turning his horse back in her direction.
For a moment as she stared up at him, hand raised to shield her eyes from the sun, Elizabeth was struck by how alike he and her Mr. Darcy looked. It was their shared great height that was most obvious, especially when viewed on a horse. They also shared their dark eyes and curly hair, though that of the Mr. Darcy in front of her was more gray than brown. But to Elizabeth, their most prominent commonality was the way they smiled. In her brief time observing both men it seemed to her their smiles were rare, almost reluctant, brief little things that showed more in their eyes than their mouths and teeth.
As Lizzy ruminated on the likeness between the Darcy men Mr. Darcy had dismounted and now stood before her. Aforementioned smile on his face.
"I am glad to have discovered you here," he told her. "We have only just returned to Pemberley. I was not certain you would have arrived yet and Miss Darcy is already quite anxious to meet with you."
Elizabeth heard this news with great relief and happiness. Although she and Georgiana had exchanged several letters in the course of the year, making plans to spend time together over the summer, sharing stories and secrets and generally getting to know each other as much as was possible through the medium at hand. However, Lizzy would not feel secure in the friendship until they were able to spend time together in person.
"I must confess I am likely more anxious to see her," Lizzy confessed, then added, "I was so grateful to hear from both of you of you while at Longbourn. Thank you for encouraging Miss Darcy to write me and for the book you sent for Christmas. It was so good I finished it before twelfth night."
"We must talk about it at some point. I appreciate any opportunity to discuss the books I love. It is, selfishly, at least part of the reason I share them. And you must not credit me with Georgiana's correspondence. She practically demanded it, and that is rare for her. It was refreshing to see her be so firm. Fitzwilliam was on your side as well, though I had no opposition I was scarcely allowed to communicate this between my two children extoling your virtues and insisting."
Elizabeth hardly knew how to respond. Simply the mention of his name was enough to cause her heart to race and stomach to flutter, but hearing that he had spoken, positively, about her to his family was nearly too much. Fortunately, Mr. Darcy seemed unaware of tumult his words had caused.
"We are quite delighted with Mrs. Baxter." He told her, speaking of Miss Darcy's governess of whom Elizabeth had heard through their correspondence. "I know I cannot credit her fully, your letters helped as well, but I can tell Georgiana is more comfortable speaking her mind and sharing her troubles. I am really quite pleased," he said, his -voice catching just slightly. Like his smile Elizabeth could tell this small display spoke of deep feelings.
"She is blessed to have such a kind brother and father who seek her comfort and well-being so diligently," she told him, placing a hand on his arm. He squeezed her hand and smiled that small smile.
Then seeming to shake off the gravity of the moment he said, "would you allow me to escort you back to Barlow Hall? I should like to pay my respects to your family and would enjoy some more time in your company."
Elizabeth was flattered and readily agreed. Before they set off toward the path that would wend along the stream and take them through the wood to Barlow Hall's east gardens Mr. Darcy asked, "would you like to sit atop Ulysses? He is more friendly than he looks," he added as Elizabeth looked askance at the large black stallion, "and it might be more enjoyable. Miss Darcy always prefers a horse and I thought you might feel likewise even if we must go at a sedate pace with me holding the reins."
Although tempted to agree, only to please Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth could not. Nor could she reveal the real reason for this.
"You are too kind," she answered quickly. "However, if I did so would not conversation be more difficult and you said yourself you desired to converse."
"Very well,' he said after a moment's pause where he seemed to look too closely. "Let us be off on our own two feet."
"Mr. Barlow mentioned that you are inordinately fond of horses. When did you learn to ride?"
"You have spoken to Mr. Barlow?" Elizabeth asked, at once genuinely curious and eager to avoid Mr. Darcy's question.
"Yes, when we were at Pemberley for the holidays he was kind enough to host us for a marvelous dinner."
"Did all of your family attend?"
"Yes indeed, Mrs. Gardiner had her work cut out for her in drawing out my son, but she performed marvelously." He said, laughing just a little. "This is our first sojourn back since then and my first opportunity to pay a call."
"I am certain a visit from you would be welcome and by Mr. Barlow in particular."
"You did not answer my question. When did you learn to ride?"
Later, when she knew Mr. Darcy better, Elizabeth would recognize questions like this. It was how he gently invited her, and others, to share something he knew they were reluctant to share. After a moment's hesitation she answered, "I don't ride. I never learned."
"Why ever not? You clearly love horses and I would have thought your love of nature and exploring would make you an eager rider."
Elizabeth worried her bottom lip and tugged at her bonnet as she thought about how to answer. Mr. Darcy, who had been observing her closely said, "Miss Elizabeth, I apologize, I do not want to make you uncomfortable. Let us speak of other things."
"No, you are not wrong to ask," she assured him quietly. "In truth it is not a very interesting tale."
"I should like to hear it all the same if you are willing to tell it."
"My father tried to teach Jane and I together. Jane is much more patient than I am. It simply took too long – I could travel far and wide on my own two feet and that did not require lessons."
"I see," Mr. Darcy responded. "That makes perfect sense. It was your active nature that made the learning difficult."
"More or less. And then when I realized that it had been silly to abandon a pursuit that would be useful and enjoyable my father . . . he had already tried with me and did not have the time to try again." In truth Mr. Bennet had laughed at Lizzy, told her she squandered her chance and that if he did lessons with her he would have to include Mary and eventually Lydia and Kitty, who were then only five and six years old, would want to learn – this, he explained, was to much for him. She would have to be content with her walks.
They had arrived at Barlow Hall and were ushered into the parlor by Mr. Simms who left them to alert his mistress to their presence. Mr. Gardiner was from home for the day.
"Are you still interested in learning?" Mr. Darcy asked when they had seated themselves.
"I suppose I would be, but it is too late. Is it not?"
"Of course not," Mr. Darcy relied with feeling. "One can learn at any time and I have full confidence you could become proficient quite quickly."
Elizabeth could not hide her enthusiasm at the prospect, but before she could respond Mrs. Gardiner made herself known. She greeted Lizzy and their guest. Mr. Darcy asked after Mr. Barlow and was told he was unwell. After he expressed his regret at this and his wishes for a speedy recovery they all spent a few minutes talking of Mr. Barlow – remembering jests and kindnesses. Mr. Darcy offered tales of a young Mr. Barlow that intrigued Elizabeth. The stories made her at once happy and sad. Soon enough refreshments were brought and the adults entered into a lively discussion about Mr. Darcy's most recent travels to the continent.
After about a half hour their guest expressed his apologies for not only arriving unannounced but overstaying his welcome. The ladies assured him he could not possibly outstay his welcome. As they walked him to the door Mr. Darcy returned to his previous discussion with Elizabeth.
"Mrs. Gardiner, if you and your husband would have no objection I would like to teach Miss Elizabeth to ride. We could devise a schedule for her to visit Pemberley perhaps twice a week for lessons?"
"Mr. Darcy that is extremely generous," Mrs. Gardiner responded while Elizabeth stood beside her feeling overwhelming excitement and just a little terror. The terror was not at the prospect of riding – that was all excitement – but being at Pemberley. At seeing HIM, possibly regularly. "I am sure Elizabeth would jump at the prospect but are you certain – it is not a small undertaking."
"I am certain. Between myself, Miss Darcy, Mrs. Baxter, who is herself an accomplished rider, and Fitzwilliam I know we can handle even Miss Elizabeth's energy and enthusiasm. It would be a great favour to me as Miss Darcy would no doubt insist on regular meetings in any case and now we have a purpose and a plan."
"Well the how can we refuse," Mrs. Gardiner responded.
"Of course I am told Miss Bennet can already ride but she would of course be welcome as well," Mr. Darcy told her.
"Oh thank you, that is too kind, but I am afraid Jane did not join Lizzy this summer."
After some discussion the following morning was set for the first lesson and Mrs. Gardiner assured Mr. Darcy she would be happy to send Lizzy in the carriage rather than have them send for her. Elizabeth smiled and nodded through it all suddenly consumed with a very grave question. As soon as the door closed behind their guest Lizzy turned to her aunt and asked, "what will I wear?!"