Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston Read Free Book Online Page B

if she was only riding within the extensive grounds of the Pemberley estate. It wasn’t merely a matter of propriety; what if the young lady took a toss, and they had to search the grounds to find her?
    â€œHave you a suitable mount for Miss Louisa?” Phoebe asked.
    Jessop released the horse’s leg, and signalled to a lesser groom to come and lead the animal away. He scratched his chin and looked at Louisa. “She’d best take out Mrs. Darcy’s bay mare,” she said.
    â€œWill my aunt mind?” said Louisa.
    â€œIt’s not often Mrs. Darcy rides, as you know. Your mother, Mrs. Bingley, rode her the last time she was here. She’s a keener horsewoman than Mrs. Darcy ever was, and you take after her, if I may say so, Miss Louisa, with nice light hands and a good seat.”
    â€œAs long as the bay mare isn’t too skittish,” said Louisa.“I’m not such an intrepid horsewoman as Miss Phoebe, remember.”
    â€œThe mare’s a comfortable ride for any young lady. And what about you, Miss Phoebe? Will you be waiting to take out Viper?”
    Phoebe laughed. “I’d love to, Jessop, but I wouldn’t dare. It’s not that I don’t think I could ride Viper, but I do know that if my uncle heard that I had mounted him, I would be in trouble.”
    â€œJust give me the word, Miss Phoebe, and I’ll have Marchpain saddled up for you. He’s in the third stall along, go and have a look. Sir Henry Martindale bred him, and I advised Mr. Darcy to buy him, he’s a lovely ride.”
    Louisa raised her hands in a gesture of defeat. “I knew how it would be. Phoebe, I shall leave you to the horses, and go down to the river. No, you are happy here, and I shall be just as happy on my own.”
    Â 
    Louisa walked along the parterre on the southern side of the house and round the west end. From there she walked down the path that took her to the river, walking with care, as it was slippery after the rain. At the bottom, she crossed on to the stone bridge that arched over the river, and stopped to look down into the limpid waters, where green weed was moving lazily in the slow current.
    Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the sound of an approaching horse until horse and rider were only a few yards away. She looked up to see a complete stranger, a man who looked to be in his early thirties, sitting astride a nervous young chestnut, which he was controlling with some skill. He rode with the straight-backed style of a military man, wore a blue coat, and seemed very much at his ease.
    â€œThe house is closed,” she said, assuming that he must be a visitor anxious to see round the house, although it was more usual for sightseers to be in a party. “There is no point in going any further.”
    It was odd that he should be there, for the gates had been closed behind her carriage when she had driven through, and yet this man had somehow entered the park. He looked very much the gentleman, but even so, he had no right to be here, Pemberley was not a public park to be ridden through at any man’s whim. “Neither the house nor the grounds are open at present.”
    â€œAnd when they are, it is no doubt only between the hours of ten and one,” he replied. He touched his hat with his whip. “Your servant, ma’am. I am not here to see the house, but to pay a visit.”
    â€œA visit? Whom are you visiting?” Not her, that was certain, and who else was there? Phoebe? It didn’t seem likely.
    â€œSince you ask, I am here to see Mr. Drummond.”
    â€œThere is some mistake, there is no Mr. Drummond here.”
    â€œNo? I stand to be corrected, but he was certainly here a week ago, and I have no reason to suppose that he has left.”
    â€œThis is Pemberley, have you mistaken your destination?”
    â€œNo, I believe not. It is Mr. Darcy’s seat, is it not?” He ran a knowing eye over her.