Scotch and Sirens

Chapter Twenty Four

 

Lizzy reluctantly opened her eyes, having awoken in the middle of a fine dream. The kind one cannot quite recall, but that leaves a lingering wish to return to it. Yet she quickly began her daily rituals when reality once again insinuated itself upon her thoughts, and she noted with glee that the weather would suit horseback riding well, giving her the opportunity to once again begin her morning in the joyful manner she had begun to anticipate.

She hurried out the door, not worrying about breakfast, as she now quite expected that he would provide it.

Unbeknownst to her, another in the house was just rising as well. While gazing outside to check the weather, Monsieur Vian observed her skipping joyfully on her way and mused to himself that encountering Miss Bennet on her morning walk might provide an interesting diversion. He descended for breakfast and was headed for his horse half an hour later.

 

 

After an unusually restless night, Darcy rose later than usual. He had his coffee in a hurry and quickly rode to their meeting place. Seeing Elizabeth was already there, he jumped from his horse even before it stopped and reached for her hand.

“Miss Bennet, please forgive my tardiness.”

She greeted his hurried manner and his kiss on her hand with a gracious smile and a curtsy. "Not at all Mr. Darcy! No apology is necessary. I have not been here long. Does this day find you well and prepared for more teaching?” She patted the horse that she had now begun to think of as her own. “I find I am more than ready to try jumping this fine animal again."

All Darcy’s worries that she might fear a repeat of the fall disappeared as soon as he saw her smile.

“Thank you for your understanding, Miss Bennet. I am glad to see that yesterday’s accident did not discourage you from any further attempts.”

They rode their horses to the same practice place as the day before. The log was still in place, and he jumped it several times before he decided that everything was secure enough for her to make a try.

“Are you ready, Miss Bennet?”

She had endeavoured to convince him that she was full of confidence, when in fact she was really not. She nodded her assent from the starting point while silently telling herself that this time she would not hesitate, but as she drew near the log she lost her nerve once more and pulled up on the reins, stopping the horse just short of it. She did not take a tumble as she had before, but the look on her face was one of vast disappointment that she could not hide. She was busy severely berating her cowardice when he rode up to her.

“Please, do not upset yourself, Miss Bennet. You will learn.”

She smiled faintly but said nothing. He wondered for a while what to do in this situation and finally gathered his courage to voice an offer.

“Miss Bennet, in truth there has been only one young lady I have ever taught to ride.”

She thought that he was blaming himself for her lack of bravery and sought to reassure him. "Mr. Darcy, please be aware that the trouble lies not in the teacher but in the student. I am frightened even though I know I should not be," she paused suddenly, the possible implications of what he had previously said finally dawning on her. "Pray, may I enquire if this other young lady had this problem and how it was solved," and in her dejected state she unthinkingly added, "and who was this young lady, Sir?"

Darcy noticed her curiosity and was not able to hide his smile. “It was my sister, Miss Bennet. And yes, she had the same problem. We did solve it successfully and she rides very well now, but I am not sure if you will find the method to your liking.” He paused and looked at her shyly. “We had practiced together on my horse until she learnt how to reign it independently. But of course I understand that you are not my sister and may find the technique uncomfortable,” he added quickly and held his breath while waiting for her response.

She blushed at the suggestion, realizing it was not an unpleasant one at all, which made her redden all the more at that thought. How was she to handle it though? He had offered, so surely he would not think her too forward for accepting.

“Mr. Darcy, I am sure it was a help to your sister, as it would be a help to me. It would certainly build my confidence to feel how it was done rather than to just see it from a distance and have it explained to me. However, I do not want to inconvenience you, or make you uncomfortable in any way...” she faltered, “... if you would not wish to do that...” She stopped, not knowing what else to say.

“Miss Bennet, I think I am acquainted with you well enough to know that if you were fully against the idea you would say so. May I then take your answer for a yes?”

She nodded her agreement. Without further delay he helped her down from her horse and tied it to a tree. He mounted his own again, shifted back in the saddle as far as possible to make room for her, and then reached down and pulled her up.

“Please, be sure to make yourself comfortable, Miss Bennet, and support your foot against mine.” His voice hushed as soon as she was seated in his lap.

Since her left leg was cocked up over the pommel so that she could sit facing forward in front of him, she had found no place to put her hands. Once they began moving she instinctively wrapped her arms around his to better hold herself in place. She suddenly wondered at her previous hesitation. She felt very comfortable and secure, entirely brave about jumping now.

Her scent, the warmth and feel of her body stirred his senses, and it took all of his strength to collect himself. Finally awareness of his responsibility for her won over his other feelings, and he focused on the task.

He steered his horse to the far side of the lawn and increased its speed. They made several jumps in complete silence. Darcy’s body gently pressed against hers offering unspoken instruction.

“Could you feel it, Miss Bennet?” Darcy inclined his head to her ear after he brought his horse to a standstill.

Her voice was even softer than his. "Yes, I think I did, Mr. Darcy. But I am still not sure I will be brave enough to do it by myself yet."

“No, I would not allow it. I just wanted you to feel at ease. Shall we take the next step?” His warm breath caressed her temple.

She acquiesced silently.

He took her hands in his and put them on the reigns.

“I will now guide your hands so that you can participate in steering the horse.”

They made several jumps in this manner. He felt her taking reign of the horse more and more instinctively. He was pleased by the natural manner in which she was making equal use of his instruction and her own intuition. The touch of his hands became less a teaching tool and more a caress. “You are almost doing it alone, will you try it by yourself now?”

She hesitated and he released her hands and placed his arms firmly around her waist so that he could protect her if they fell. He bent closer and whispered into her ear, “I trust you, Miss Bennet. You can do it. I am here with you.”

She rode the horse to the starting point and made it run. His embrace tightened even more just before their jump, and the horse flew over the log easily.

She turned her head to look at him, her joy quietly sparkling in her eyes.

Darcy held his breath. Never before had he held her gaze in such close proximity. His lips almost touching hers as he spoke softly.

“You made it, Elizabeth. You were absolutely wonderful.”

She smiled.

There was a touching mixture of tenderness and pride in the expression in his eyes. “How does it feel now? Will you try again?”

She was elated at her success and at his encouragement in it.

“Yes, I will try several times if you do not mind!” and without waiting for an answer she went back to the starting line again and again, taking many more runs at the log. She was rejoicing not only in the feel of the jumping itself, but also in the sensation of him against her while they rode, their bodies in harmony. She relished it while she could, knowing this chance was not likely to ever come again. It had to end soon enough, she knew, and however sad that thought made her, she would not let him see it.

"I think I have mastered it, Mr. Darcy, but I am far too hungry to do any more of them right now. Did the wonderful Mrs. McLaughlin pack a breakfast for us?"

“Yes, she did.” There was genuine sentiment in Darcy’s eyes as he was memorising the shape of her mouth uttering the word us.

“Miss Bennet, I believe that a good teacher would reward your progress, and since you did want to ride swiftly across a glen we will gallop to our breakfast place.”

Darcy rode to her mount and tied it to the back of his own.

“Shall you join me in reigning my horse?” He inclined his head and his breath danced in her hair.

Her hands, entwined in his, pulled the reigns. He then spurred his horse into a fast run. He held her much tighter now, his shoulders towering over her delicate figure, and felt with satisfaction how she used his body as both shelter and support. He preserved every moment of the ride in his memory, knowing it was boldness he could not afford again. His soul tore with pain, reminding him that it was only the appearance of the fulfilment of his deepest wishes. He would never release her from his embrace if he could help it. He touched her hair with his lips and put a light kiss on her head. “Elizabeth,” he whispered knowing well that she could not hear him now.

To Lizzy, the gallop across the glen with his arms around her was glorious. She shamelessly leaned into him, letting her head fall back against his chest, knowing that she could use the excuse of the horse’s movements to do so. She luxuriated there, breathing in his smell and soaking up his warmth, lost in the fantasy that it could be like this always. It was only the sight of their place by the river that made her come back to herself.

They arrived at the spot all too soon, and she had lingered against him on top of the horse longer than was probably proper, and did not even attempt to move away when he lowered her to the ground.

He felt the moment of their parting severely. His body felt weak, his mind confused, and he held on to her much longer than necessary before finally speaking in a very low voice, “I hope you enjoyed the ride.”

She nodded, breathless, and whispered "very much indeed" when he finally moved away to get the provisions. She would be standing there still – between the horse and himself – just breathing him in if he would have allowed it.

When he had lain the provisions down and led the horses to the river, she shook herself back to her senses. She spread out the blanket and unpacked the food. She would fill the water bottle when she could trust herself to go near him once again, but not now.

Darcy let the horses drink and kneeled over the stream to wash his face. He needed to sober his mind if he was to fully regain his ability to speak.

She had watched him at the stream and went to fill the bottle once she saw him coming back to tie up the horses. They both returned to the blanket at the same time. She sat herself on the side of the blanket that she had now begun to consider her own, and he laid on his side of it, facing her with his elbow propping up his head – a position that she had begun to consider as uniquely his.

They ate in a silence that was only broken when each reached for the berries at the same time, scattering the fruit over the blanket between them. They both laughed and scrambled around trying to gather them, knocking into each other’s head in the process, which only made them laugh all the harder.

 

 

Vian was surprised when he did not find Miss Bennet anywhere close to the house. He rode further, seeking her, but it took him some time before he recognised the fresh traces of horses and even more before he found where they led. He did not expect to meet Miss Bennet, as she did not have a horse, but he knew that often in looking for one thing, one could find another just as interesting.

Upon reaching a forested terrain, he descended from his horse. Voices coming from behind the trees reached his ears and he quietly moved closer to catch a glimpse of their owners.

There, on a blanket, was Miss Bennet herself with a gentleman. Two horses were tied to a tree. He could not see very well, but the energetic moves and the cheerful laughter of the couple on the blanket spoke volumes to a worldly man such as himself. ‘So this English stiffness was only a pose,’ he mused while returning to his horse.

 

 

After the berries were gathered and their laughter subsided, she finally felt the ability to speak.

"I wish to thank you for the gallop, Mr. Darcy, it was truly memorable and a dream come true. I did notice, however, that there was not a log in sight that got in our way. I must admit that I was a little disappointed we did not need those jumping skills after all, and I did not have an opportunity to wrestle the reins from your hands and show off my newly learnt talent."

She smiled at him as he reached for more berries just as she did. Both pulled back and laughed once more.

“I try to remember everything you say. And now I see that I will have to distribute logs all over the place to satisfy your next wish.” He smiled teasingly. “Or maybe I will have the pleasure to act as your host at Pemberley. I assure you that there are enough barriers to be found there.”

“It is well that you should remember my every word. I speak so many profound ones after all. My ability to put wondrous phrases together is quite astounding really. I amaze even myself at times.”

Their eyes met for a moment, both glowing with mirth.

“Speaking of hosting someone, did you and Lord Brougham receive the invitation to come to tea at Rosefarm Cottage in two days time?”

Darcy hesitated. “Actually, I do not know. We have not had many opportunities to talk lately, but I will ask him as soon as I return. I am sure, however, that we both will be eager to come.”

“Well, you must come anyway even if he did not receive it or forgot to acknowledge it. I will tell my aunt to expect at least you if he will not come. In fact I must insist as we have had too many recent changes at Rosefarm, and I need a friend there with me. Miss Tournier has gone off on an errand to London, and no sooner did she leave then another visitor arrived in the form of the French godson of my cousin's father. He seems quite the character and will be there for some time I think. I need someone there to translate for me. It seems he mistakes everything I say, and I cannot make head nor tail of it!”

The mention of a French visitor immediately called Darcy’s attention. He was to ask about Miss Tournier, but now she was completely forgot.

“What do you mean that he mistakes everything you say? Does he not speak English at all?”

“Oh, he speaks English, and I hope my French is not so entirely hopeless as well. It is just that I will say and mean one thing, and he seems to understand the opposite. I then try to mend it, and he once again seems to misunderstand. Then he makes to leave me as if I am wanting him to be away.” She laughed. “It would be quite vexing if he was not so amusing. Perhaps you could help me to understand him better?”

Darcy was also not sure how to understand it, but certainly he did not find anything amusing about the French gentleman.

“You may count on me, of course, but I am afraid I will have to witness it to understand it unless you are able to give me more details yourself.”

She blushed, “Some of it would be difficult to repeat and would only add to the confusion. You will have to see it for yourself I think. Maybe it is just that he is French and speaks in a very forward manner. I am not used to it.”

Darcy was now certain that the Frenchman was far too close to his Elizabeth. “Very well, I will do as you wish.”

He attempted to change the subject, so as not to make his concern too visible. “Pray, did Miss Tournier leave for a long time?”

“She will travel to Edinburgh and then to London to deliver a daughter to her mother. The girl is a former student of Miss Tournier’s. I am not sure how long it will be. I assume as long as the journey takes and a few additional days to see London, for she has never been there. I hope not longer. I miss her company already.” She took a sip of water.

“Pray, tell me what you have been doing with your time if you have not been spending it with Lord Brougham, and is he well?”

“Yes, he is well, but I spent most of my time walking or reading. I guess two dull men cannot be put together alone for too long a time,” he smiled to her. “Women make much pleasanter companions.”

She grinned. “I am happy you think so, or I would not be receiving these lovely riding lessons or have the chance to gallop across the glen, nor would I be able to enjoy your company over breakfast.”

They stayed for a while longer before packing up to leave. They then rode slowly back to the meeting place, talking of books, music and other interests. When they arrived he helped her dismount.

He bowed and took her hand in his. “Thank you once again, Miss Bennet. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting you tomorrow? Oh, and I forgot to ask before. Will your sister’s wedding influence your sojourn? Are you planning to return to Longbourn any time soon, or you can take your time?

She looked shyly at him. She had, after all, already decided to stay longer only because she did not want to leave while he was still here.

“I had thought to wait a little longer. The wedding is not to take place for some while. My mother and Jane will take care of most of the early arrangements, and Jane will be busy with Mr. Bingley the rest of the time, so there is no need for me to hurry home.” She looked away, a little embarrassed that she would not rush home to share in her sister's joy. He must have thought her uncaring.

Darcy only smiled and expressed his joy at the possibility of continuing their lessons.

“I shall meet you here tomorrow morning then.” She walked away after he said goodbye, leaving him to his own thoughts.

 

 

Mrs. Higgins was having a morning chat in Rosefarm’s kitchen with her cousin, Heather McLaughlin.

“Oh, I almost forgot to ask.” Mrs. McLaughlin said, as she leaned a little closer in her eagerness to gossip. “What is the relationship with Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet? Is there an understanding?”

“Not that I am aware of, Heather. They do not even see each other that I know of. Why do you ask?”

“No reason I suppose, I was just wondering since I saw them together on the way here.” She paused dramatically, and then clamped her lips shut in a gesture that plainly led her cousin to believe there was more to be said.

“Here, have some more tea, Heather, and tell me all!”

“Well, I chanced to see them riding across the glen together to beat the wind, on the same horse, both grinning ear to ear.”

“It was like that? Her sitting there on the same horse with him, and no one else around?” Mrs. Higgins asked, most curious now.

“Just like that! Her in riding in front, his arms were around her waist, and she had her arms over the top of his. It was quite a pretty sight really. Took my breath away. Oh, to be young again!”

“Maybe her horse went lame or something.” Mrs. Higgins suggested, astounded at this bit of news.

“No, dear. Her horse was trailing behind them on its lead and it seemed right as rain.”

“Interesting... There must be some understanding then, or I think it would not be like that, do you? Miss Bennet always goes on long walks in the morning alone, but…” Mrs. Higgins let the sentence dangle, frown lines clearly visible on her forehead as she pondered the situation.

“I am sure it is all that it should be, Heather, we will speak of it no more.”

But later, when Mrs. McLaughlin had left, Mrs. Higgins was concerned enough to seek out Mrs. Tournier. Seeing that she was alone, she told her what she had heard about Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

 

 

 

This story is written by Laura and Sylwia, and they own full © copyrights to it.

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