Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Joana Starnes Read Free Book Online Page B

he had appreciated the drift towards that topic of conversation, the following morning Darcy felt compelled to make amends for the display of temper and, over breakfast, he congenially offered:
    “Your wish is my command today, young ladies. What would you care to do? Go for a long ride, perhaps?”
    Georgiana beamed with undisguised excitement, but instantly sobered.
    “A lovely thought, Brother, but unfortunately Lizzy does not ride. If we are to spend the day together, should we drive to Lambton instead?”
    “Oh, do not let me spoil your fun,” Miss Bennet promptly interjected. “You must have missed riding, Georgiana. Pray go and do not mind me, I will easily find an occupation.”
    Clearly torn between affection for her friend and the great temptation of riding with her brother, a long-missed delight, Georgiana hesitated.
    “Are you quite certain?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “Have you not learned to ride, Miss Bennet, or do you have a particular aversion for it?” Darcy inquired, and the young lady laughed.
    “A little of both, Sir. My father sought to teach me when I was very young, but after I took one tumble too many we both agreed that our horses and I would get on far better from a distance.”
    “There are two very patient geldings and a mild-tempered mare in Pemberley’s stables, should you wish to learn that skill,” he offered. “I highly recommend it. In the long run, it might serve you well. This hilly country of ours is much better suited for riding than travelling in a carriage.”
    “I thank you for your kind offer, Mr Darcy, but for now I would rather keep my feet on the ground. Your beautiful woods offer plenty of scope for exploration.”
    “I can vouch for that,” Georgiana interjected. “You will find that I have become quite the walker, Brother. Lizzy and I have ventured further than I have ever gone before.”
    “Escorted, I hope,” Darcy frowned in expectation, and Miss Bennet promptly reassured him.
    “Of course, Sir. I have not seen the need in my Hertfordshire rambles, but here it was a different matter. The paths were unknown to me, and besides I had your sister’s welfare to consider.”
    “I appreciate your diligence, Miss Bennet. And I expect this good practice to continue even when you have grown familiar with the area, regardless of whether Georgiana accompanies you or not.”
    At that, Miss Bennet’s eyes flashed briefly towards him.
    “I am quite accustomed to looking after myself, Sir,” she replied, but for all her civility of manner, Darcy could not fail to detect the mutinous undertones.
    Riled in no small measure, he shot back:
    “Are you now! Pray tell me, how would you fare if you were to come across ruffians or simply twist your ankle? Self-sufficiency is one thing, Miss Bennet. Recklessness is quite another. You will not leave the formal gardens unescorted, and that is the end of the matter,” he said flatly and reached for his cup of tea.
    A heavy silence fell. Miss Bennet’s eyes were trained upon her plate, and Darcy could only wonder if they hid distress, remorse or further rebellion. Across from him Georgiana fidgeted, casting uncomfortable glances from her companion to her brother. This riled him too. For the second time since his arrival he had been cast into the part of the unbending ogre, and he did not appreciate it in the slightest. Which was one of the reasons why he morosely observed:
    “If we are to go riding, Georgiana, perhaps you ought to go and change.”
    His sister required no further prompting and stood to do as bid. Her glance still averted, her companion dabbed her lips in readiness to follow, presumably thinking herself likewise dismissed, but Darcy was quick to disabuse her of that notion.
    “Miss Bennet, a word, if you please.”
    She kept her seat and her back stiffened, but still did not look up when she was spoken to. This sort of conduct bordered not merely on a level of insubordination he was not accustomed to, but was