Get Ready to Ride!

By Dawnwings

Jump to new as of September 20, 2003

Get ready to ride!

Posted on Tuesday, 26 August.

A young man competing in horse events must want the best. A rich young man who is so obviously single and without other concerns can afford the best horses there are. But that did not lessen the anger of Miss Elizabeth Lyndee Bennet.

“Insufferable conceit.” The man walking past had just told his friend that he wouldn't be seen anywhere near Elizabeth and her `paddock pet'. `She is just a commoner, no real talent I'm sure.' He had said when his blonde friend had mentioned the girl warming up her chestnut. `And that paddock pet of hers has no breeding or scope. They are not worth my concern Bingley, no, the only one I shall worry about is your new friend Jane, but she is no match for my superior riding.' She saw that the blonde had left the arrogant man watching the warm ups and so decided Elizabeth urged her horse, Longbourn Firebright Warrior, towards the small practice fence. Her position was faultless and as the abominable man was directly opposite the jump so that he had a clear view of the approach, take off, flight and landing. Smiling slightly the rider knew she had made the self-important man rethink what he had said. Warrior was by far a match for anything he could set against him.

“Who is he Jane,” the brunette asked as she waited in the collecting ring for the show jumping, “that proud one who just jumped?” Her sister shrugged from atop her dapple-grey mare, Longbourn Long Time Waiting.

“He is the best friend of the new owner of Netherfield.” She replied. “His name is Darcy and he is the owner of Pemberly Stables.” Elizabeth laughed. He was back in the ring with an almost black gelding, this time he was after Miss Jane Marie Bennet, the elder and gentler of the five sisters.

“I see. That is why he called Flame a paddock pet.”

“No, surely!” Exclaimed blonde Jane.

“The very rich can afford to give offence wherever they go. But didn't he bid against Papa for Daphne?”

“Yes, but he must not have seen her showing potential.” Elizabeth agreed. The mare in question had a heavy hunter look in her winter coat but once summer came she was one of the most beautifully conformed horses the Bennets owned. She had been at an auction almost three years ago and had been very neglected. Mr Bennet was determined that the bay would make a brilliant show and brood mare and so had bid for her against the renowned Mr Darcy, who had seen only bloodlines and paperwork. Kitty, the second youngest Bennet girl, was doing very well on the Pony Club circuit and was ready to take on some stiffer competion soon with the retrained and cared for mare. Elizabeth was called into the arena and she waited calmly for the bell.

The chestnut was flying. Darcy had the video going again that evening at Netherfield. Although he had won the show jumping and dressage he had been almost beaten by the chestnut and woman rider he was watching compete again.

“For God's sake Darcy!” Miss Caroline Veronica Bingley interrupted. “Haven't you watched that enough? You beat her, she came third.” But she only had one horse and she was just mucking around with the course.

“Her sister came second.” Originally he had put both sisters' performances down to luck, now he was not so sure.

“Then watch her. I am sick of that chestnut knocking the last pole.” She was really just aggravated that his attention should be so focused on another woman. It didn't matter that she was of low breeding or that she rode a pathetic horse, just that his attention was not on the unmarried Bingley sister.

“I think Elizabeth rode brilliantly.” Charles Alfred Bingley declared. “But her sister was superb, you cannot deny that.”

“I have no wish to. For riding a single horse against such stiff competition she did remarkably well. The mare is also reputed to be a terror to ride for everyone else.”

“Jane is the sweetest person I have every met. She is gentle, funny and entirely unassuming…”

“Keep going Bingley and I will believe you are in love with the eldest Miss Bennet.” Although the comment bought a laugh from most everyone in the room, Darcy knew that there was an amount of truth that worried him. Just as it may have delighted Elizabeth for she was very sure her sister liked Bingley very much indeed.

There was a smaller local show the week after Bingley had settled in at Netherfield. It was customary for the majority of people to at least see the horse games events the trio, Darcy, Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley, attended to admire the finest ponies the district had to offer. However, Darcy had refused to enter any of the events, `at a show such as this? You must be kidding Bingley. Storm would trounce them entirely.' Bingley had no such reservations and noticing that there were plenty of events he could enter on the day he did so. Darcy watched from a key vantage point and listened to the gossip and commentators who were constantly getting details wrong, in his opinion. Miss Bingley was very bored and so left to ride a trail before the last set of events, the games.

Elizabeth laughed heartily when her sister introduced her to Mr Bingley and suggested that he be part of their four-person games team.

“I should very much like to have you on the team Mr Bingley but I thought Lydia was bringing our fourth player.” Elizabeth said.

“No, she has gone to do something with her friends this afternoon. She didn't really want to enter games on Dancer yet anyway.” Jane replied quietly.

“Then we are in need of two others to join our team. Mr Bingley…”

“Please, call me Charles.”

“Charles, would you like to be one of the Longbourn team?” She was smiling welcomingly and Bingley agreed on the spot. It was then up to the rider of the chestnut to find the other team member and after a suggestion from Bingley she was determined to approach the most arrogant man at the show. Even if it was just to show she had no hard feelings about his comments before.

She was riding in his direction and Darcy could think of no reason at all she should approach him carrying a brightly coloured sash. Perplexed he waited for her to ride past but she stopped, dismounted and smiled.

“Good afternoon Mr Darcy.” She began. “My name is Elizabeth Bennet. I came third at the jumping last week at -shire show.” He nodded and wondered why she looked slightly nervous.

“Nice to meet you, your ride was impressive.” She wrinkled her nose with dissatisfaction.

“No, I wasn't concentrating and nor was Flame, we were on autopilot.” He was very glad he could school his features into any expression he chose for he was sure that otherwise his jaw would have hit the grass with a thud.

“I see.” There was a pause.

“I was wondering if you would be so kind as to be the fourth member of a team to compete in the games later this afternoon. My sister and her friend have left us in the lurch and Mr Bingley has kindly volunteered to be third player but we are still in need of the last rider. It would be great if you would ride with us.”

“Ride in a games event?” He asked again, shocked anyone would dare propose such an idea.

“Yes, there is not one event more prestigious in our area. After all, what good is a horse that can only jump or do dressage if it is not responsive and a pleasure to ride?” Her remark hit home and he reached for the sash.

“What exactly does this event entail?” She smiled

“I'll tell you once you're mounted and over with Mr Bingley. I'm sure he and my sister are discussing strategies but I'd like to go over everything once before we compete with everyone there.” Mounting she waved, smiled and rode back to the other two people on the team. Darcy wondered for a moment what on earth had possessed him to accept her challenge but unable to find a satisfactory answer he tacked up Storm and went to be briefed on the tactics involved in games.

The team of four was the smallest competing that day and it was decided that as Elizabeth and Jane knew the run of events the two other riders would simply follow orders. The pole bending was first and Jane rode up to the start mark. The team would ride one rider per heat; whichever team won the most heats received the best position for the next event. Elizabeth grilled Darcy on his horse's strengths and weaknesses before and after he raced. She was to go third and sixth as that was the maximum participants in a single team. Depending on the outcome of Jane and Darcy's runs the fifth horse would be decided. Jane won, as did the other members of the team.

“Jane, you have to go next.” The younger sister said.

“No, I was not fast enough, Hannah will surely beat me.” Elizabeth pressed her lips together. Bingley nudged his friend who then spoke up.

“I'll take fifth run, Storm loved the last time through.”

“Yes, but he almost knocked the poles.” She paused and looked at the horse carefully. “Alright, go line up and remember to keep him steady.” Darcy raised his eyebrow at her, a gesture she returned equally before shooing him to the line.

“Did you really have to tease him Lizzy?” Jane asked quietly.

“Yes, he will do better that way.” She was right, he beat his own record and the team was ranked number 1 at the end of the first event.

Miss Bingley was shocked indeed when she arrived later than expected and saw her brother and Mr Darcy holding their horses talking to the Bennet girls in earnest. But what was really extraordinary was that Miss Elizabeth seemed to be giving orders and the others all nodded compliantly. Jane went to talk to the official and the others awaited her return with interest. Miss Bingley approached.

“Caroline! You were supposed to be here almost an hour ago!” Declared her brother. “You didn't get lost did you?”

“Most certainly not, though I can see that I was not missed.”

“You most certainly were Miss Bingley, we could have used another player.” Elizabeth said honestly.

“For what?”

“Games.”

“Games? I never ride in games anymore. So childish.” She looked to Darcy and noticed that he wasn't wearing his formal jacket or tie anymore and that the button at his throat had been undone so the collar tips were settled comfortably close to his shoulders.

“Actually they are very taxing Caroline.” He said without smiling. “Storm lost the… what was it?”

“Flag-in-the-bucket and off-again-on-again.” Supplied the woman.

“Yes. I thought I had him well trained but he won't move until I'm in the stirrups and he hates waving flags next to his head.” Darcy had been shocked when an unregistered gelding trounced him in the two heats. It had been all Elizabeth could do not to laugh.

“Well, I think I'll sit over there and watch you make fools of yourselves.” With such a perfect parting comment she rode away and settled herself comfortably to watch the last event, the team obstacle course.

The course wasn't hard for the locals. The first rider raced to the L shaped poles, turned their horse and backed through the gaps, tagging the second rider. They weaved through a line of poles and tagged the next player. Small cross-poles lined up with only a stride or two in between were next, which the third rider tackled. Fourth had a small barrel course to follow, the numbers were painted on each facing side. Second last riders raced to a point almost directly out from where they had started to the sixth rider who then raced home to beat the other times. The teams of six went first, then those with five and last the four from Longbourn and Netherfield.

“We have enough time to plan and warm up the horses.” She began as the first rider approached the L.

They discussed the order of riders and the time available to get to the next point on the course. It had all been finalized when Elizabeth declared,

“It would be so much easier if they let one person do two sections in a row.” Jane laughed at her sister who was pouting slightly.

“But then we wouldn't have the fun of concentrating on ten things at once, would we Lizzy?” They both laughed.

“No, we wouldn't. Not that I'd mind much.” An announcement came over the speaker.

“A reminder to all competitors in the team obstacle course, the baton you are carrying must be passed on to the next rider.” He repeated the message and added that one team had already been disqualified for failing to hand on the plastic cylinder. Elizabeth was already in the saddle as she realized what Darcy did. That if their leg was to be successful and clear then the chances of contact was high. She hoped that Storm wouldn't ram Flame and was preoccupied with that notion while Darcy warmed up, his mind focused very differently.

“I bet I know what you're thinking.” Caroline said to Darcy as she rode up behind him.

“I would be very surprised.” He answered, stilling Storm to gauge both his and the gelding's mood appropriately.

“You are thinking that this is one of the worst shows you have ever been to. And you know that now that you have competed there is no possible way you can escape the tediousness of other local shows.”

“No, actually I was on a much pleasanter line of thought.”

“Really? Do tell.”

“I was thinking that there is a grace and beauty that comes with riding well and easily that nothing else can replicate. The pleasure which watching a competent horse and rider work together invokes is like nothing else I know.”

“And whose riding inspires such revelation Mr Darcy?”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet's. I have never seen rider and horse so well matched.”

“I am amazed. I had not realized that a country girl and her country hack could have such an affect on you.” She rode away hiding tears of rage and sorrow. Darcy didn't realize what he had done and was quite happy watching the chestnut warming up with his bold rider.

They were flying again. Warrior stomped for a moment as Storm raced towards them; the rider's arm closest to her outstretched with the baton grasped just enough to hold it until the switch. She urged her horse into a canter and for two strides the horses were perfectly synchronized. Darcy stared her in the eyes as she reached for the plastic cylinder. The moment lasted until the chestnut surged ahead, switching to a gallop to make it to the finish in time. Storm stopped suddenly and Darcy realized he had almost gone too far from the point of transference. He watched a small curl of hair dancing on her back as she flew past the finishing point. The chestnut executed a sliding stop and again Darcy was amazed by the potential of the horse. He frowned though, knowing then that anyone watching would not realize that he had been again thinking of the now smiling rider. She looked as though she had fairy or elf blood in her and he was determined not to move until the signal. Up went the horse and Jane cried out in happiness, her horse breaking into a canter beneath her. The other two riders followed suit and the team laughed happily, as they were announced winners of the team games event. Each rider was given a small trophy and for a moment the judges wondered what to do with the remaining two which had been engraved already. Warrior made the decision, delicately taking one trophy between his teeth. The crowd laughed and the other cup was given to Jane, who gave it to Bingley. Warrior parted with the winners' prize only because Lizzy gave him a large chunk of carrot.

“I would offer it to you Mr Darcy, but my horse has destroyed it.” She smiled, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Miss Bennet, I would count myself lucky to receive such a gift. Your horse has taught me more that I had thought a…” he paused and looked the horse over again, “home trained horse could.” Her face was calm but her eyes flashed angrily. Then she handed the battered trophy to the man and rode off, swaying as one with her house.

“I could not believe her nerve!” Declared Caroline as the party retired to the lounge room at Netherfield. “She gave him a small thing that her horse had been chewing on not a moment before!” Mrs Lousia Wendy Hurst had arrived with her husband that afternoon and the sisters had been inseparable ever since. The main topic of conversation was Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Both liked the sounds of Jane and were appalled by her younger sister. No one offered any other opinion as the pair nattered, Mr Darcy was watching a documentary on the Spanish Riding School while really thinking about the horse that had tried to eat the symbol of their victory. And naturally his smiling rider whose eyes were always alight with something.

“What are you thinking now Darcy?”

“Pardon?”

“The tape has finished and you're staring at the screen in a daze. Or should I saw whom are you thinking about? Could it be that chestnut that tried to eat the trophy?”

“No, I assure you, it is not the Warrior at all.”

“Then it must be Miss Bennet and her riding skills.”

“Not her riding skills, no.”

“Her what then?”

“I don't see the relevance of this sister.” Mr Bingley said tiredly.

“If he is not thinking of the way she rides then what is he thinking of, it is an intriguing matter.” Darcy stood and left the room, annoyed by the chatter of Caroline. Her sister followed him soon after to discover what he had been thinking.

“Did you see the look on his face when Flame tried to eat the trophy?” Demanded Elizabeth laughing so hard she was almost in tears.

“Yes, it was like he had never seen a horse do something like it before.” Jane was smiling serenely, having overcome the laughter sometime before.

“Oh Jane, it's hilarious! I can't imagine what would have happened if Flame tried to hand it to him.” The idea made both girls laugh again. They were happily occupied when their mother, dressed in her nightgown and rollers opened the door and ordered the girls to bed even though they were both in their twenties. Laughter muffled by the pillows they did as their mother bid.

The e-mail arrived early the next morning. It was from Caroline Bingley inviting Jane on a trail ride at Netherfield that day. It was meant to be a fine day and Mrs Bennet absolutely refused to let Jane float her horse to the property so the eldest sister had to choose a different horse, as Time wasn't feeling top notch after the show. Jane picked a roan mare named Foxglove. She had been a tiny filly from the neighbouring property and had been traded for one of the first fillies from the grey mare Avalon Wind Shadow, whose temperament had been the deciding factor on her life as a brood mare. She hated crowds of people and horses but she had the presence and conformation of a show animal. The filly she foaled first was a wretched creature; although beautiful and talented she had not received the mannerisms of her sire but her dam. But her owners would not part with her and refused to breed her no matter the stallion. Jane was not especially tuned in to Foxglove but the mare was the only horse that could be ridden to Netherfield and back easily in a day. As Jane left her closest sister felt that it had been wrong to send her without a float. But her family convinced her that it was a silly worry and that she had much better start working with Flame Lady, the full sister to her own horse.

The call came the next morning and Mrs Bennet was the only one pleased. Jane had taken a fall from Foxglove as the horse shied at Mrs Hurst's skirt. The woman had been riding sidesaddle with a long skirt for fun and the roan mare had been blinded by the material for a moment too long and thrown Jane into a ditch before taking off. The roan had pulled a tendon at the very least and Jane was very distressed. Bingley thought she had broken something but there was no way that Jane would leave her horse unattended to see the doctor. Elizabeth was most upset and promptly declared that she was going to help Jane. Her mother protested but she was determined and had already chosen to walk, taking Flame Lady with her for the exercise. No one expected her at Netherfield, least of all Mr Darcy whom she met upon entering the home paddock.

She was leading a beautiful chestnut that responded slowly and played up when asked to stand. He smiled as he saw her close the gate, brush her legs determinedly and then stride purposefully towards the front door. It was then that he realized that she was really on the property and not a figment of his imagination.

“Miss Bennet!” he called as she stopped and looked lost.

“Mr Darcy.” She smiled politely and waited for him to reach her. “I am here to see Jane.”

“You came on foot, leading a horse.” He said, unbelieving.

“Yes, I did, as you can plainly see.” There was a pause. “Will you please take me to Jane or the closest hitching post?” He nodded and led the way to the stables where both Jane and a hitching post were available. He was amazed then that the chestnut, who he discovered was a filly, stood perfectly at the railing while her owner saw to the woman at the door of Foxglove's borrowed stall. There was a similarity to another horse he knew but could not place. He looked at the gentle eyes and realised that it wasn't so much the horse but the rider Flame Lady reminded him of. Shaking his head he went back to his business.

“Jane, you look awful.” The addressed tried to smiled but couldn't. Her face was grey with fatigue and there was a lack of vitality that warned Lizzy that there was more wrong with Jane than Bingley first thought. After a minute of conversation Jane looked even worse and slid down the door of the stable, her eyes closed and her sister could not wake her. She called to her filly and the chestnut undid the slipknot and trotted to the door of great Netherfield and pawed at it urgently. Darcy was most astounded as was Bingley and the others as they could not only not catch the filly but she led them a merry chase to the stables where Lizzy supported the limp body of her sister anxiously.

“Good girl, Lady, good girl.” She cooed as the filly went back to the post. Charles was at Jane's side the instant he saw her and Darcy retied the filly at the hitching post. He was amazed that the filly who had been so wayward that morning would respond so quickly to an order when no one held her on a lead. Lizzy was a mess by the time that Caroline and Mrs Hurst arrived, having not only walked in slightly mud ground but changing the bandage on Foxglove and cleaning the stall. She was told that she must at least stay the night and there was no way she could refuse.

She cleaned herself as best she could but had no real desire to do more than eat, go to bed and prepare for the walk the next morning. She approached the great dining room doors and for a moment hesitated before hearing the following.

“She was a mess Lousia!”

“She must have walked at least half the way off the track, which would not surprise me.”

“And her horse!”

“I have never seen such a mockery to deliberate breeding!”

“Nor I, but then there is that roan that Jane rode. Absolute terror.”

“I know, how could anyone be so stupid as to not train a horse to be unafraid of birds in the underbrush.”

“I thought it was your skirt that spooked Foxglove.” Interrupted Mr Bingley sternly.

“What, my tailored riding skirt!” Lousia declared outraged. “Never. It was inadequate training and an improper choice of mount.” Lizzy chose that moment to enter the room and stop any further insult to the poor mare and her sister. The diner was lovely but there was a heaviness, a tension that did not dissipate until they had all finished and moved to the lounge room.

“Join us Ms Bennet, we are just about to play bridge.” She looked up at a smirking Caroline but smiled in return and denied her participation. Bridge, they want me to play bridge. Lizzy settled happily in the couch with a training book that she had found sitting on the table. Mr Bingley had been kind enough to lend her the text for the duration of her stay.

“You want to read rather than play cards?” The whole table, Mr Hurst, Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, were looking at her in astonishment.

“Yes, I don't know either bridge or this book and I must admit the book appeals to me most.”

“You have no desire to enrich your knowledge by learning a game with which you can interact with people then?”

“No, Miss Elizabeth Bennet prefers the company of books and horses to that of anyone except her beloved sister. I'm surprised she's still here.” Caroline laughed.

“I must tell you that you are quite wrong. Although I do agree that many times you learn more from a horse or a book, I don't believe such a disdainful approach to other people is either in my interests, nor my character.” She recommenced reading. “I find people's follies most entertaining.” It was muttered under her breath and as Darcy was writing a letter to his sister close by, his dark eyes were the only ones to question her comment.

“You only have obviously not met people from our acquaintance. I have learnt much from my accomplished friends, both horsemen and others. Maybe you are simply not seeing the best of society.” Caroline smiled sarcastically but the reply from Darcy was what shocked her.

“But what have you learnt from people Caroline? To be a socially acceptable woman who knows how to get what she wants and keep it. No doubt it requires skills but I can see that not a hundredth of your acquaintances would satisfy the true meaning of accomplished.”

“You're right Mr Darcy.” Elizabeth began easily. “There are not many women, and no men, that I know of who can cover screens, sing, dance, play the piano, draw, make hats, ride easily, be consistently polite or know as much about things as you so obviously desire for them to earn such a title. But an excellence in any of these areas is now considered a talent. It must offend you Mr Darcy to have the concept so corrupted by time and society.”

“You take great pleasure in expressing opinions that aren't your own, don't you?” He demanded. The way he addressed her was something like the one he took with Storm when the horse wouldn't do as he asked immediately.

“What I have said is what I think. You shall not intimidate me as you do Storm. I am not a horse Mr Darcy, no matter how much I do wish I were sometimes. It would be most enlightening.”

“No, you're a human being with feelings. You were terribly harsh on Miss Bennet, William. I never thought you had it in you.” Caroline was determined to bring his attention back to her but it failed. Lizzy's eyes had the glinting mockery which he now recognized. Normally it was laced with anger or contempt but in those few moments he realized that her eyes held the centre of her appeal. Close your eyes Miss Bennet and I shall consider you no more. The thought somehow made the woman's eyes sparkle brighter for a moment before she turned back to the book and continued reading.

“They were horrid Jane. Mr Bingley was the only polite one there and even he wasn't going to say anything to his horrible sisters. They were going to say something incredibly cruel about Foxy I just know it.” She was pacing the room, which her sister was comfortably resting in. Mr Bingley would spare nothing and since Jane had expressed a like of flowers there were six bouquets containing at least one of every flower from his garden decorating the large room. Jane was most happy with the smallest one, which rested in her hands on the bedspread.

“I'm sure you're exaggerating Lizzy. Everyone was astounded by the quality of Foxy until I took that spill.”

“Oh Jane,” Lizzy sat on the edge of the bed worriedly. “I know you are in pain, what happened?” Jane proceeded to explain the incident to her sister and admit that she was having problems breathing.

“Ah ha!” Declared the other woman. “I knew it!” she then dashed out of the room, down the stairs to find Bingley. But, as fate would have it, she ran straight into Darcy, who had been merely wandering the hall in thought.

“I'm presuming that you have a reason to be running through the house like a mad woman at midnight?” His cold voice was quiet as his arms held her against him.

“Yes,” she muttered, “I felt like trying to break my neck, but you have prevented it sir, congratulations.” Her sarcasm bought an imperceptible smile to his face. “Can I be released now please?” He dropped his arms and stepped back.

“Did you discover what ails your sister?”

“Yes, she has broken her ribs, which means she'll have done something to her collar bone, knowing my sister. The chances are that the ribs will trigger her asthma which hasn't appeared since she went to that stupid show last year at the `dustbowl'.” Her face was animated and the words she uttered went in one ear and out the other, her eyes sparkled and he knew that even if she was to keep them lidded forever after he would still be haunted by them.

“Would you like me to take you to Charles? I'm sure he'll be awake.” Lizzy nodded and walked in silence with the tall man to his friend. He was sitting in bed, fiddling with a small flower much as Jane did. The smile that touched the proud lips of the younger Ms Bennet was enough to make her escort draw a hasty breath to support himself.

“I see that you aren't asleep, I better tell you quickly my news I believe.” He looked up at the pair and waited.

“Do you know what the matter is?”

“I am almost certain she has cracked a rib, which is very likely to trigger her asthma, she's an odd one when in comes to reactions.” The smile faded as her eyes caught the flower in the man's hand. Darcy asked her what the matter was. “Jane!” In a moment she was gone up the stairs again and both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, the latter in his pajamas, dashed after her.

Luckily they were not too late. The multiple flowers in the room had done as Elizabeth had feared and while the fragrance and the comfort they gave was a blessing, Jane had drifted off to sleep wheezing. Darcy tried to hold back the younger Miss Bennet only to have her elbow jab him painfully in the ribs.

“I'm getting rid of these flowers.” She declared furiously and her eyes sparked challenges at anyone who stood in her way. “Is there somewhere else to put Jane for the night?” No one answered for a moment but by then she had made up her mind.

“Right, she goes in my room. If there's a cot somewhere I'll have that. Mr Bingley…”

“Charles.”

“Charles, take Jane to my room and tuck her in my bed. I'll put these flowers in the dining room or something and get them out of the way.” She hurriedly grabbed at the nearest vase, full of roses, and walked out of the room. Darcy simply watched with his mouth as close to agape as it ever came before turning to his friend and saying,

“I think she might be a tad headstrong for you Bingley.” The other gentleman laughed quietly and as Darcy snatched up another overflowing vase, which had no thorns this time, gently tried to wake Jane. Darcy left as quickly as humanly possible.

What on earth was going through my sister's head! Elizabeth was walking poor Foxglove to see exactly what had made her so sore. The mare limped then stopped, glared at Lizzy and refused to move until Lady nickered to her.

“It's the near hind.” Darcy pointed out.

“Thank you. I can't figure out what she did though.”

“Obviously something that hurts.” She threw him a withering look before running her hands done the off foreleg. Foxglove whisked the leg away.

“That's more like it Foxy.” Darcy arched his eyebrow. “She hurt her right foreleg and that means that she's acting up with the left hind. She's like Jane, an odd one with her reactions.” The afternoon was then spent coaxing the roan mare to keep her bandages on; the tendon was almost defiantly torn so the vet was called. Unfortunately there were a rather large number of mares needing assistance in foaling so the vet arrived very late in the afternoon. He prescribed some painkillers and told Elizabeth that it was box rest and very light walking only. Jane was in tears when she heard and blamed herself entirely for the misfortune. Her sister however was in no such state.

Darcy was most astonished when he looked out his bedroom window the next morning. The window overlooked the arena that Bingley had been so delighted with when he first saw the property, it was a sanded surface and was big enough to have a jumps course set up inside with room for flat work at the other end. And there, standing in the middle of one end, was Miss Bennet with the chestnut she had walked over. In a moment the rich gentleman was getting dressed so as to see what the younger Bennet sister was doing at 8.27 am with a green mare when breakfast was only minutes away. Miss Bingley managed to guide Mr. Darcy to the dining room. He made no fuss but noticed that both Bennet sisters didn't come down for the meal.

“Jane is very ill, and I will take her something shortly. She was still asleep when I checked on her before.” Mr. Bingley blushed under Darcy's raised eyebrow and there was silence until Caroline had finished her mouthful.

“Where is Miss Eliza? Surely she should be tending to her sister. That is why she came here with that mongrel mare you know.”

“She's out in the arena with the mare at the moment.” The table looked at the dark haired Darcy who very rarely spoke of their company in open discussion. “I saw her lounging from my window. The mare was doing very well.” Caroline's lips thinned and her sister glanced at her husband to show her disapproval. No one said anything of consequence until after breakfast when the ladies said they would go for a ride. The sirs were asked to join them but none accepted the invitation. Bingley was going to spend the day caring for Jane, Mr. Hurst had business to attend to and Darcy gave no real reply and was quite anxious for the rest of the party to get out of the house. He had very important matters to attend to, namely that of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her horse.

“Mama, there is no reason for you to come over…. Please, Jane and I are fine and no there are no eligible young men that might suit me…” She gave an exasperated sigh and the mare nudged her slightly. Mrs Bennet had rung her husband's favourite daughter in a huff. The daughter in question wanted to come home and bring Jane with her. The Bingley household was driving her mad. If it wasn't the cruel comments of the Bingley sisters she had to endure then it was the contemptuous silence of Mr Darcy, and truth be told Jane was getting no better even though her ribs were setting nicely according to the doctor. Foxglove would need to be floated home somehow and Flame Lady was getting restless without her paddock mates to chase.

“Mama, please… If you come here Mama there is no way you'll get in the front gate because as soon as I see the car, with or without a float, I shall take Lady to the gate and stay there. You are not to match-make with Jane and Mr Bingley, they can do it themselves… Mother!” Darcy only now approached and Elizabeth couldn't see him. “I am most determined NOT to have you or my sisters anywhere near Netherfield, you will cause more harm than good and isn't there some hopeful eventers in the area at the moment? Oh, it's the ornamental cavalry and some foot soldiers. Fine send Lydia and Kitty to see them. Mary won't come with you Mama and no one needs you here… Mama I promise all is well and if you let me go I can keep Lady up-to-date on her training. Thank you Mama, bye.” She sighed, put the mobile, which was on silent ring, back in her pocket and reached for the bridle hanging on the fence behind her. Quietly she slipped it on the chestnut and left the halter on. The mare tossed her head and her ears moved eagerly.

“Morning Mr Darcy.” She said as the chestnut stood quietly for her to vault on bareback. Smiling she asked the mare for a walk on a loose rein. Darcy stood at the fence and watched before going to the stables to check on Storm. Not surprisingly he found all the stalls bar the Bingley sisters' cleaned and the horses turned out. Frowning because he knew that no one at breakfast could have done the job he went into the tack room where the details of each horses day and like and dislikes were kept. Sure enough there was a scrawled note from Miss Bennet.

Hope you don't mind but I did the turn out and cleaning this morning. I thought it was the least I could do to repay your kindness to Jane and I. I'll finish up at around lunchtime.

He collected his saddle, bridle and halter, going out to catch his second horse, a paint gelding named Scoutin' the Horizons. Miss Bennet wasn't the only one with a horse to work. Storm was going well and deserved a day off.

Elizabeth envied Darcy as he rode into the ring on his paint

Bingley was happily caring for Jane until late that afternoon when his sisters arrived back. He walked downstairs to ask them to be quieter but stopped at the window. Darcy and Elizabeth were riding in the arena and the jumps had been spread out. Darcy was riding his paint and clearing the course wonderfully until a small yellow upright, which the gelding refused before throwing his rider. Elizabeth was sitting bareback on the chestnut mare and laughing. Darcy got back on and set his horse at the course again, this time going over the poles with his mount. Finishing the course he rode back to Miss Bennet and she began. It became clear as she rode that there was nothing the mare wouldn't do for her rider. However at the highest fence she stopped the mare and rode back to Darcy. Flame Lady wasn't ready for those fences yet.

“Can you believe her? Riding around without a saddle and jumping.”

“She must be trying to impress him. Darcy certainly looks interested in what she's been doing.” They were right of course, the dark eyes were focused on the smiling rider who was approaching. They dismounted after cooling down the horses and worked in the stables to figure out a new training program for Scout until the other horses needed to be brought in. After that they barely spoke all evening. Much to the delight of Miss Bingley and her sister.

“If you want to leave Foxglove here I'd be most willing to have her.” Bingley was desperately trying to convince the younger Bennet sister that there was no reason to leave and take the limping mare with her. They had been there a week and the roan was starting to walk better so it wasn't as bad as they had originally thought. Elizabeth wanted to get home as soon as possible, she wanted to see her gelding and she was absolutely not going to leave her sister at the merciless hands of the Bingley sisters.

“Jane and I can't stay here much longer, it's putting us behind our training schedules. She still has to work Time and we really don't want to intrude any linger.” Caroline smirked knowing at her sister.

“But I really don't want you to go, not while Jane is still so ill.” Bingley flushed a little as he caught the look Darcy sent him.

“If it makes you feel any better, you could host a show and then my sister would be able to enter, then she'd have something to work towards.” Bingley's eyes lit up and he began planning immediately and vanished to talk to Jane about her sister's idea. Darcy watched on, the slight smile curving his lips as he saw the obvious surprise register on Elizabeth's face. She hadn't expected the suggestion to be taken up so quickly, especially when it had be made without a thought and only as a comforting gesture.

“Well, I hope he doesn't insist that we enter when he puts on his little show.” Caroline's smirk wiped the smile from Elizabeth's face and she turned on her in a moment of annoyance.

“I'm sure your brother has much better things to worry about than if you are going to deigned enter in a show that will bring great joy to the locals and make him a respected member of our horse community.” She turned on her heel and walked back to the stables to check on Foxglove before calling her father to arrange the float to come and get them in the next day or so. Miss Bingley was in a state of shock and tried desperately to get Darcy to explain what the other woman had meant but the stony expression carried by the man was something she couldn't understand. Mrs. Hurst promptly told he distressed sister what she had discovered sometime ago. That it wasn't merely the ability in the saddle that attracted Darcy to the second Bennet girl, but her `fine eyes'.

“Perhaps you interrupted his admiring them Caroline.” Louisa said laughingly and while her sister responded in kind, she was even more determined to get rid of Miss Elizabeth Bennet once and for all.

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