Her Summer at Pemberley

by Sallianne Hines

  “Sit back, Miss. Sit deep. This horse be needin’ a stronger presence in the saddle than our little Miss Cara.”

  Kitty leaned back and pressed deep, keeping her shoulders back and down and her elbows at her sides.

  “Heels lower and back, if ye please,” Connor intoned, polite but forceful.

  “There, there, yes, that’s reet.” The horse was moving at a long-paced walk, covering ground easily. “Now into a trot. There, aye, hands down and light. Like a feather, Miss.”

  The horse under her was full of fire. He was a great and powerful beast, but so far was compliant to her signals. He was eager to move out but did not challenge her.

  “Now turn. Full circle, then a half, and change direction if ye please.” The walk and the trot were repeated in the left hand direction.

  “Now, trot the cross rail, if ye please.”

  Kitty directed the horse to the center of the cross rail. His stride was so long he did not need to jump it, he just lifted himself smoothly over whilst maintaining the trot.

  “Aye! Aye, very good lass.”

  She smiled to herself. She felt at one with the horse, beautiful and strong.

  “Halt. Turn on the front quarters. Aye. Now—slowly—gather him for the canter.”

  The gelding seemed to know the words spoken and gathered himself onto his haunches. He was most keen to move out! For a moment, Kitty was a little frightened. There had been no time for fright on the day of the accident when their mission had been so urgent. She could do this. Here. Now. A deep breath steadied her.

  “Good, aye, breathe. Do not tighten. Sit deep. Now ask.”

  She moved her outside leg a little behind the girth and the horse collected into a smooth, rocking canter. It was delightful until he leaned onto the bit.

  “No, no, when he leans, ye sit back and deep. Play the bit in your fingers. Distract him. Aye, back and deep. Now give that little cross rail a try. He’ll canter over it.”

  She approached the cross rail.

  “Two-point, if ye please.”

  Kitty lifted her seat slightly out of the saddle, shoved her heels down, and leaned forward, resting her hands lightly on the horse’s neck—and they were over it, barely leaving the ground.

  “Aye, ye’ve got it. Easy. Easy for ye both. Now that low jump. Use yer legs to keep ’im straight. Give ’im ’is head. Throw yer heart over the jump and he’s sure to follow.”

  Her heart was in her throat. She pictured her heart over the jump. The horse engaged. Every sinew was taut and ready. His excitement mirrored her own. She played the bit in her fingers and leaned slightly forward, just out of the saddle in two-point as he lifted his front end. They sailed over the fence, flying as one. As he got all four feet on the ground, she sat back and deep again. His energy nearly burst beneath her. She had to squeeze with her legs and sit deep to bring him to a controlled canter. She was breathless with the thrill.

  Looking at Connor in amazement, she cried, “Brilliant! We must do it again.”

  “Bravo!”

  “Splendid riding!”

  “Excellent, Miss Bennet!” came the cries from her onlookers.

  She glanced their way, flushed with pleasure. Then, of a sudden, a painful cramp shot through her lower leg. Keeping Sultan at a walk, she took her foot out of the stirrup to stretch her leg down at the heel.

  “Miss Bennet?”

  “A bit of a leg cramp, sir,” she replied, wiggling her leg. “It will be better in a …”

  The gelding read her wiggling as a signal to speed up. He grabbed the bit in his mouth and lunged into a rather uncollected canter. Caught off guard, Kitty was lopsided, flailing in the saddle, her leg still in a stitch.

  Deep and back! Breathe! She worked the reins to distract him but he had the jump in his sights. She pulled her other foot out of the stirrup for better balance. It would be dangerous to try to stop him now. She must ride it out. She lifted into two-point and they sailed over the jump. But she was still not centered and could not stick the landing, lost her balance, and at the next stride was flung to the ground.

  Owen and Johnny were upon her in an instant. Darcy strode quickly towards her from the rail, and Connor calmly approached the horse to catch him.

  “Miss Bennet, are you hurt? Miss Bennet?” All she could see were Owen’s eyes, full of alarm. He reached for her hand and, as she began to sit up, cradled her neck in his arm.

  “I do not believe I am hurt.”

  Owen looked to Darcy for direction.

  “Kitty, are you sure?” Darcy asked. “Does your leg still hurt?”

  She smiled ruefully. “I think the fall did away with the leg cramp. I am so sorry I misdirected Sultan. He is unharmed?”

  Johnny helped her to her feet and Owen took the liberty of brushing some of the dust off her arms and back.

  Connor stepped up. “Help her walk it off, lads. Let us see how she does.” He had Sultan’s reins.

  “Mine’s the blame, Sire. Pushed her too fast, I did. Larger horse, stretched her legs too much …”

  Darcy glared at Kitty, jaw set, eyes ablaze, fists clenched.

  “There will be no further lessons until I—”

  “Mr. Darcy.” Lady Drake’s calm voice interjected as she touched his arm. “Tell me, how many times have you fallen off a horse?”

  “Me? I have not fallen for years. A man—”

  “Pray, how many, sir? In your lifetime? Or even by Miss Bennet’s age?”

  All eyes were fixed on the two as they faced each other. Everyone present was younger than Darcy or in his employ and dared not challenge him. Everyone but Lady Drake.

  Owen still possessed Kitty’s elbow in a protective way, and she did not shake him off. His steadying touch was comforting. She held her breath.

  Darcy scowled at the group and over at Connor, who held the horse and stared coolly back.

  “The horse, Connor, he is unhurt?”

  “Appears fine, Sire.”

  “Kitty. Please come here.”

  Owen kept hold of her elbow and stepped forward with her.

  “No,” Darcy commanded. “Let her walk unassisted.”

  Kitty looked at Owen and nodded her permission. He released her elbow and stepped back.

  She took a deep breath and moved towards Darcy with a steady stride. When she reached him, in a measured voice she said, “Fitzwilliam, it was but an ordinary fall. I am unhurt. Riding a horse that was new to me—and especially me new to him—I should have been more aware. I was caught up in the excitement. It is a valuable lesson. Please do not prevent me?”

  Darcy looked her up and down with detached precision.

  “Your movements appear sound. Very well. I will not cancel future lessons, but we shall take things slower from here on. Agreed?” He addressed her, and then also looked at Connor.

  “Aye, slowly; she being a young lass.”

  Kitty reached for Darcy’s hand. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam. And now, if I may, I should like to ride the horse twice around the arena each way at a walk. I believe it will be helpful—for me and for him.”

  “A reasonable request, Mr. Darcy,” Lady Drake said, blithely adjusting a glove. “I daresay it will soothe any muscles tightened by the fall, and reunite horse and rider in a pleasant way.”

  Darcy pursed his lips and they all waited. At last he spoke.

  “Very well. Mr. Owen, you lead Sultan. I will take no chances in case her leg cramps again.” He ran his hand over his head and said, almost to himself, “How could I ever face your sister if you were hurt?”

  “Please do not worry, Fitzwilliam. I do this of my own choice, guided by my own wisdom.”

  Connor handed the reins to Owen and Johnny stepped over to give Kitty a leg up. Darcy offered Lady Drake his arm and escorted her back to the sidelines.

  Kitty overheard Darcy say, “I prefer to limit our neighborhood events to pleasant ones if possible, Lady Drake. There have been enough accidents of late.”

  Owen sighed
at the unwelcome reminder as he checked Kitty’s tack.

  “I am sorry, Mr. Owen. This whole episode is my fault.”

  “No, Miss Bennet. Sometimes things just happen. Horses, like people, can be unpredictable. It will do Sultan good to listen to a different rider. From now on I shall keep a better watch on him, and on you. Mr. Darcy is right. There have been enough accidents. Are you ready?”

  She nodded and they circled the arena as she had asked. The session ended in quiet relief and a sense of thoughtfulness on the part of all.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Georgiana had spent the past few days at Swan’s Nest in preparation for Matilda’s wedding so the Darcy party numbered just three in the coach as it rumbled down the road, rutted after several days of rain. The sun had graced them the last two days, but the unseasonable heat and the dampness were less than welcome with harvest underway.

  Darcy tugged at his cravat.

  “Whoever decreed weddings be held in the morning should be taken out and … well, it is far too early to be forced to dress so fine.” He continued to mumble and scowl.

  His attitude irked her so Kitty attempted to change the mood in the carriage.

  “I cannot wait to hear about all the excitement from Georgiana. I’m sure it has been a wonderful time for her and Matilda. They are very close.”

  “Indeed they are,” said Lizzy. “I wonder how they will do so far apart when Miss Matilda and Mr. William remove to Reading. I suppose there will be a frequent and enthusiastic correspondence.”

  “Rather like you and Jane?”

  “Yes. And as my confinement draws near, I do wish Jane could be here. Her presence is always soothing.”

  “I shall do my best to take her place,” Kitty offered.

  “You cannot take her place, Kitty.”

  Kitty and Darcy stared at Lizzy.

  “Do not frown. You cannot take her place because you have your own place with me now, Kitty. I am grateful you will be here, and I hope you can stay some months after the birth to assist me—and entertain me with tales of your schemes and adventures.”

  “I shall not have much to tell. With no involvement in the local village and with no regiment as we had in Meryton, there are far fewer tales and schemes.”

  “And that is just as well!” Darcy exclaimed, and stared out the window again.

  Lizzy’s brow puckered. “My dear, what is it that has you so cross today? This is a joyful occasion—two young people very much in love with such good prospects for happiness. And the squire, your close friend, so pleased as well.”

  When he looked at Lizzy his expression softened.

  “Yes. Perhaps you are right. You usually are. But this heat, the bumpy road—I worry for your safety and for our child. If anything should happen, I could never forgive myself.”

  Lizzy laughed softly and patted his hand, then put on a pert expression.

  “Mr. Darcy. When have you known me to be in error on anything? I know perfectly well how I feel and what activities suit me. All this cantankerous grousing merely serves to upset my equanimity, sir. You would do well to cease it immediately.” She arched her brow at him.

  “Forgive me. I am so blind I cannot see I am making things worse. Tell me, how can I make it better for you, my dear?”

  Lizzy pursed her lips and then said, “You should tell me one of your famous jokes.”

  He was nonplussed. “My … jokes?”

  Kitty and Lizzy burst into laughter.

  “There, you see? I am much merrier now. Only your delightful smile could complete my joy.”

  Darcy smiled in spite of himself.

  “Ah, I am now quite content. If you can but keep me out of excessive heat today, I can assure you of my health and happiness.” She and Kitty snickered again.

  Darcy rolled his eyes and gave the ladies a rueful grin.

  The coach bumped and lurched its way to the Swan’s Nest chapel. When they arrived, Darcy handed them out of the coach and then offered his arm to Lizzy. Fortunately there were but four muddy steps into the church and straw had been tossed down to provide a dry path.

  Darcy and Lizzy stopped to speak with the squire. It was one of the few times Kitty had seen him without a pipe in his mouth.

  Inside the chapel entryway Kitty spied her friends in the corner. Georgiana glowed in the lavender gown she had worn at Kitty’s ball. Matilda was resplendent in pale shimmering green trimmed in lavender, her wild red hair captured in an array of ribbons and small flowers. The two young ladies fussed with each other’s attire in between giggles.

  “You must stop giggling!” Kitty admonished them, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

  “How does my William look?”

  “I did not look into the chapel, Matilda. Your sisters … are they already seated?” She dared not ask if Andrew was with them.

  “Julia is on the bench, just there,” said Matilda, pointing to where her sister sat nearby quietly sketching.

  Sketching! This was a good sign.

  “Is she drawing you?” Kitty asked.

  “I do not know.”

  Julia beckoned to Kitty, who quickly joined her on the bench near the door.

  “Kitty, there is something I must tell you before we speak of anything else.”

  Then the squire entered. “Ladies, are you ready? Miss Bennet, you and Julia can sit together. Likely there is room with either my family or yours. It is nearly time.” He gazed fondly at Matilda, who stood clasping Georgiana’s hands.

  “Julia, it must wait. We are holding up the ceremony.”

  The squire shooed them towards the center aisle.

  “But Kitty …”

  Kitty linked arms with Julia and, to the squire’s relief, they advanced into the chapel itself.

  Lizzy turned and motioned for Kitty to join herself and Darcy. But there was room for only one.

  Julia’s sisters whispered and waved for her to join them in the only seat left in their pew.

  Kitty patted Julia’s arm, whispered “Later,” and moved off to join the Darcys.

  Julia shook her head and joined her younger sisters.

  When Kitty turned to see Georgiana gliding past, a familiar pair of eyes captured hers. She gasped. There he was, across the aisle. Andrew Stapleton nodded at her. Kitty had to catch her breath. When had he arrived? Sitting next to him was a young lady in a lovely bonnet. As Andrew looked down at this lady, Kitty was shocked to see his gaze filled with obvious affection. When he whispered to the lady, a pair of large brown eyes met Kitty’s. Before Kitty could react, everyone stood as Matilda and the squire passed by to the altar.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here …” intoned the vicar, his voice a blur at the edge of Kitty’s mind.

  With great effort she kept her eyes ahead and on the ceremony. Her tumultuous thoughts proved less obedient. Who was the lady? And, more importantly, who was she to Andrew?

  “… reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God;”

  Perhaps the lady was a family friend?

  “… into which holy estate these two persons present come now …”

  A cousin come from Scotland for the ceremony?

  “Who giveth this woman …”

  The squire cleared his throat, stepped forward, and placed Matilda’s hand into the vicar’s, who placed it into William’s.

  “William James Cressley, wilt thou have this woman …”

  William’s face was strangely solemn. With a firm voice and no hesitation he answered, “I will.”

  Matilda Serena Stapleton, wilt thou have this man …”

  Georgiana’s eyes were brimming with tears. Matilda’s were wide, yet a smile flickered at the corner of her mouth just before she said, “I will.”

  “… with this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”

  William’s rich baritone invoked the words after the vicar spoke. Georgiana gave a little gasp as William placed his
ring on Matilda’s finger.

  As all knelt, Kitty’s eyes crept to Andrew, who supported his lady’s elbow as they knelt together. Of a sudden, Kitty realized she was the only one standing and dropt to her knees.

  “… send Thy blessing upon these thy servants …”

  Would Andrew now stay at Swan’s Nest?

  “… ever remain in love and peace together and live according to Thy laws …”

  Was he engaged? Married?

  “have given and pledged their troth, each to the other …”

  Why had no one told her?

  Wait. Perhaps Julia had tried.

  “I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together …”

  Kitty stared hard at the newly married couple or, more accurately, stared through them. Her happiness for their new state was undeservedly subdued by her confusion about her own. Did not everyone expect Andrew to offer for her?

  The vicar continued with prayers and blessings and Kitty went through the motions, her thoughts flying every direction, her heart askew.

  The service ended. The couple made for the Registry, along with Georgiana and William’s brother Charles, who had performed the ceremony.

  How should she act towards Andrew now?

  Suddenly Julia was at her side, taking her arm.

  “Kitty?”

  All Kitty could do was stare at her friend and appreciate what she had tried to do.

  “We shall talk later,” Julia assured her. “That is, if you wish it.”

  Kitty nodded and tried to mirror the happiness of those around her. She would need some time to think about all this. Had she misunderstood his speech to her, his very intentions? She left the chapel in a daze.

  Darcy handed Kitty into the carriage, and she in turn grasped Lizzy’s hands to offer support as her sister awkwardly tried to enter.

  “I am rather like a chubby mouse trying to squeeze through a knothole!” Lizzy exclaimed.

  Sensing her need, Darcy immediately called for the coach top to be lowered.

  “There. Now you need not bend so far, my dear.”