“Shadow. Come here,” said the man. Elizabeth ignored him and continued to speak to the dog who was nuzzling into her hand with delight.
“Shadow,” the man snapped again. The puppy turned and galloped to his master though he looked back at Elizabeth as though he would have liked to stay with her.
“Shadow is an odd name for him considering he does not willingly follow you,” Elizabeth said in a tart voice.
The man stared at her strangely.
“Come. It grows late. I will take you to town now.”
3
Elizabeth glared at him. “You will not take me to the magistrate. You have no grounds. What proof can you offer that I stole him?”
“The very fact that you had him in your possession.”
“Which does not mean that I stole him.”
The man sighed. “Look, Miss…”
“Bennet.”
“Miss Bennet. I do not know who you are or where you came from. I thought I knew all the vagrants in the parish but you must be a drifter. You will not find it easy to take advantage of good people here. I am willing to see you are taken back to Lambton and from there you may return to wherever you came from. But if you ever return here again, I will not hesitate to have you charged with thievery. There. That is more than generous of me. Now, come along.”
Elizabeth raised her chin.
“I will walk as far as Pemberley where my aunt and uncle are waiting for me. If you really just accompany me anywhere, you may take me there.”
“Do not be foolish. There is nothing for the likes of you at Pemberley. You will not find it so easy to steal again.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I will not stand here all day arguing with you. We should have to pass by Pemberley to go to Lambton anyway. Accompany me as far as there if you must. If my aunt and uncle are not there, you may take me the rest of the way to Lambton.”
The man looked as though he intended to argue but he shrugged.
“Very well. I will take you to Pemberley and from there to Lambton. But only because unfortunately, you are correct. We do need to pass through Pemberley to arrive at Lambton.” He stood to one side to gesture for Elizabeth to pass before him. She did, with little grace. “I suppose I should not wonder why you already know the layout of the country around Lambton so well when you are clearly new here.”
“I like exploring, sir,” she said shortly. “We approached Pemberley from the front and the woods were to the back. I know how far they spread.”
The man snorted from behind her. “And your aunt and uncle — if I find they are also engaged in anything like this, I shall take them to the magistrate along with you.”
Elizabeth rounded on him, her eyes flashing. “You have insulted me, sir, but you will not insult my aunt and uncle. They are the finest people I know. By far your superior. They deserve better than to be accused of thievery by some foolish, arrogant man.”
The man stared down at her. Something flickered in his eyes. Elizabeth thought it might be uncertainty. He nodded begrudgingly and gestured for her to walk on. Elizabeth turned on her heel.
“Come, Shadow,” she called provocatively. The puppy bounded to her side. Whatever the man thought of that, she did not look to see but he said nothing. When she glanced over her shoulder, unable to resist seeing his reaction, to her surprise, he looked at her with a slight smile tugging at his lips. He was a very handsome man, Elizabeth noted. He was probably some years older than her. He was tall and well built but he moved with ease and grace. His dark hair was slightly long and some of it brushed his collar down to a strong jawline. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing tanned, muscular forearms. It was a pity he was so very attractive. It was wasted on him.
Elizabeth quickly turned to look ahead so not to give him the satisfaction that she had noticed his very attractive appearance. She could not wait to see the embarrassment on his face when they arrived at Pemberley and he realised she spoke the truth.
They walked most of the way without speaking. Elizabeth pointedly ignored him and only addressed herself to Shadow who seemed torn between the two of them and trotted from one to the other. Elizabeth was looking down at the dog and addressing him when the man called out.
“Miss Bennet,” he said.
Elizabeth decided to pretend she had not heard.
“Miss Bennet,” the man called again, more urgently this time. Elizabeth did not have time to respond before she found her back pressed against a tree and the man’s body pressed against hers. She only had a brief awareness of how warm and strong he felt before she cried out in outrage.
“What are you…” she began.
The rest of her retort was interrupted when something creaked violently overhead. Elizabeth looked up in alarm to see an enormous tree branch break loose and crash to the ground with a groan, landing where Elizabeth had been only moments before. Elizabeth stared at it in horror. If the man had not alerted her, she would have been seriously injured.
Or worse.
“Are you well?” the man asked. Elizabeth realised he still held her. She swallowed and carefully pulled herself free. She ran a hand through her hair, wincing as her fingers caught in the tangles.
“I am well. Thank you. That was — thank you.”
“There was a storm recently. Some of the branches are still loose.” The man sighed and looked up. “I will have them seen to.
”Do you work on the Pemberley estate?”
The man had been looking at the branch and calling Shadow away from it when he moved too close to the jagged edges. He stopped when he heard Elizabeth’s question and turned to look at her. There was a curious smile about his lips. Something about her question amused him but Elizabeth was not sure why.
“Yes, I work on the Pemberley estate.” His expression sobered to one of concern. “Are you sure you are well? You are not faint or anything? You have had a fright.”
“Of course I am not going to faint,” said Elizabeth indignantly. “I am not sure what sort of ladies you are used to, but I am quite sure most of us are rational creatures who do not expire the moment we are in rough waters.” This time, it was she who smiled as she looked down at his clothes. “I am afraid you are now not in much better state than I am.”
The man followed her glance. When he pressed against her, some of the mud and dust from her gown transferred to his shirt. He winced when he saw it but then shrugged.
“Come along. I would like to have this matter over with by nightfall.”
He extended a hand to Elizabeth. She brushed past it and continued walking, calling to Shadow as she did.
“Yes, I am eager to see your embarrassment and receive your apologies when you see my aunt and uncle waiting for me in the barouche.”
“Not too far ahead, if you please. I do not wish you to lose your head to any more loose branches.”
“How gallant of you.”
“I also do not like to allow a thief the chance to escape,” he added. There was a note of lightness in his voice.
“There is the man I have come to know,” said Elizabeth under her breath. Despite his instructions, she picked up the pace. The sooner she could humiliate this arrogant employee and then be on her way to Lambton for a bath and a meal, the better.
4
They finally arrived at the haha. It had been higher on the woods side. Elizabeth looked at it doubtfully.
“That is where I first fell in the mud,” she said ruefully. She pointed at the marks in the ground. “I knew then I could not go to the house and would have to be content with meeting my family afterwards.”
“If your family really is here, why would they not worry for you?” the man demanded. “I cannot imagine many people allowing a young lady to run about by herself in such a state. I should certainly never allow my sister to behave in such a manner.”
“It dismays me to hear you have a sister. Please offer her my condolences.”
“She would reject them outright. She is more than content to h
ave me as a brother. Well, how did you think you would get out by yourself? Did you imagine an accomplice would assist you?”
Elizabeth refused to look at him.
“I had forgotten about it,” she admitted. “But I would have walked a little further on and left that way. It is not so difficult. So, if you think I will not run away into the night, I will find that way now.”
Elizabeth turned to leave.
“Not so hasty,” said the man. “There is no need to look for another way out. I can help you.”
Elizabeth turned to look at him. She glanced at the haha and back at the man.
“You do not suppose to lift me?”
“You are light. It will take little effort. Besides, it is the only way I can be ensured you do not escape me.”
“You could also accomplish that by joining me in finding an alternative exit. You work here. You must know of some.”
The man hesitated. He looked at Elizabeth and shook his head.
“No, it must be this way. It is faster and I wish to have the matter settled. Come, I insist.” He held out a hand to her. Elizabeth stared at it doubtfully. He flexed his fingers with impatience. “I have already saved your life. I think your virtue is safe with me.”
Elizabeth sighed and moved towards him. He grasped her by the waist. Elizabeth gasped at his firm grip. A moment later, she was lifted until she was sitting on top of the haha as though she weighed nothing at all. The man looked up at her and nodded. She shook her head.
“You will need to hand Shadow up to me,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because you are the one who insisted we come this way and you cannot carry him while you climb up yourself. Hand him to me.”
The man called to the puppy and handed him up to Elizabeth’s willing arms. The puppy squirmed with joy as though their parting had been terribly long. Elizabeth laughed as he licked her face and playfully chided him for his enthusiasm. When she glanced down, the man was looking at her again with that curious expression. She wondered if he was concerned she might try to keep his dog for her own.
“Should you not climb up, sir?” she asked as she swung her legs over to prepare to jump down the other side.
She was barely moved when the man appeared at the top and easily swung himself over to land on the other side. He was more athletic than any man she had seen. She could not imagine any of the gentlemen of her acquaintance being able to move about as he did. It must be because he was not a gentleman, she decided. He was an employee and he must spend much of his time working on the estate. Of course it made him strong. Elizabeth suppressed a sigh. It was a shame she knew no gentlemen who were as fit and active as this man. Unlikeable as he was, there was something thrilling about his strength and confidence as he moved about the land. As a gentlewoman, Elizabeth was expected to marry a gentleman. But it was a shame few of them would come with a trait she was just realising was very appealing.
“I am not sure where your mind has wandered to right now, Miss Bennet, but if you need my help to climb down, please ask it. I will not have you in the stocks any sooner by you sitting there.”
Elizabeth snapped back to the present and gave him an indignant look to hide the slow blush she could feel creeping up her neck.
“Of course I do not need help,” she said indignantly.
“Are you sure? Because you could not get up here without my assistance. You would be in a sorry state now if I had not pushed you out of harm’s way back in the woods. So if you need my help…”
The rest of his words disappeared into a low laugh as Elizabeth jumped down the other side and looked up at him defiantly. Though it was hard to be defiant when her hair was wretched and an excited puppy licked her face.
“Why are you staring at me, sir? Did you hurt yourself when you landed? Perhaps I can send to Pemberley for help,” she said with faux-concern.
Elizabeth could not see his face in the fading light but she had an idea he was somewhat amused.
“How long shall I remain in the stocks for?” she asked as she walked beside him.
“Oh, three days at least,” said the man. He glanced down to see Elizabeth still held the puppy but he made no objection to it this time. Elizabeth was tempted to hope he had decided to believe her after all but she was not about to allow herself grow too hopeful. He was rather an odd man who changed from reserved to amused and back again. No wonder Mr Darcy kept him to the woods where his odd humours could not embarrass him.
“I wonder what Mr Darcy will say when he discovers how you treat visitors to his estate,” she said. “Does he know you are in the habit of accosting them on his grounds and accusing them of thievery?”
Once again, the man smiled. “Oh, he insists on it. Especially when they have been caught with his property red-handed. He will demand the highest punishment in the land.”
“And what punishment will he demand for those who embarrass him?” asked Elizabeth. “I am sure it must be far more severe.”
“I tremble to think. But I know what you are about. You will not attempt to distract me.” He slowed his steps. “I meant what I said when I told you I would not take you to the magistrate. But I also meant what I said when I told you that you must return to wherever you came from and not come back here again. I am being more than fair in offering you this chance. You seem an intelligent girl. You can find a better life than whatever you are trying to do here. If you cleaned yourself up a little — or a lot — you might find a respectable position somewhere.”
“Thank you for your concern. I will tell my father, the master of Longbourn, that I intend to profit by your advice and find work. He might object to a gentlewoman taking employment, but you know best, I imagine.”
The man laughed. “Your father is a gentleman?”
“He is. Mr Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
“I did place your speech as being of the south,” said the man.
“Are you not clever.”
“So I have been told.” He grinned. “I should not admit this, but I do enjoy your stories and your quick wit. You are quite entertaining. I do not believe a word you say but I appreciate how quickly you come up with them. There are worse vagrants I might have come across today.”
“I am glad I entertain you. But the more you insist on my crimes as you call them, the more foolish you will appear when you discover the truth of who I am.”
“Miss Bennet of Longbourn,” he said with an amused look at her bedraggled form.
“Yes. Miss Bennet of Longbourn.”
“I am surprised you did not tell me your father is an earl, or preferably a duke. If you are going to tell a tale, Miss Bennet of Longbourn, you must always look for a way to make it more thrilling. And think how thrilling a tale it would be. The duke’s daughter accosted by a humble employee as she visits the home of Mr Darcy.”
“An exciting tale and one I could almost swoon at,” said Elizabeth dryly. “But you will find I am speaking the truth. I would be more than happy to entertain people with stories of extravagant wealth and high standing. But my interest right now is in finding my aunt and uncle and seeing you suitably humbled. If I am feeling generous, I might even keep your mishap from Mr Darcy. If I am feeling generous.”
“Well, remember I am being very kind by keeping you from the stocks.”
“Yes, I forgot you are all goodness.”
5
Despite herself, Elizabeth found she was rather enjoying the man’s company. There was something freeing about their conversation. The usual rules felt as though they had been suspended here in this half twilight. Their words back and forth to one another was enjoyable. It was not often Elizabeth had the freedom to say precisely what she thought though her mother frequently lamented the free and easy way she spoke. She almost felt she might be disappointed when they arrived at Pemberley and their half-playful, half-earnest discussion would come to an end.
“So, if it turns out I am wrong, I have your word that you will not say
a word to Mr Darcy about what has passed between us?”
“I did not say I would give you my word. Just that I might consider being generous.”
The man burst out laughing and shook his head.
“I do not see why you should fear him anyway,” said Elizabeth as she shifted Shadow to her other arm. He was growing heavy once again but she was not about to admit that.
“Why do you think I should not?”
“Because he is away, is he not? And even if he were here, I imagine he might be too old and too distracted by worry about his estate to concern himself with the rudeness of his staff.”
“Mr Darcy is too old?”
“So I gather from the brief snatches of conversation I have heard, though I know little about the man.”
“If what you say is true, and you really are Miss Bennet of Longbourn, on a visit to Pemberley with your aunt and uncle, why did you not make it your business to know about the local landowner? A girl of your age might be looking for a husband.”
“I am not concerned for a husband,” said Elizabeth. “Though my mother might disagree. And even if I were, I hope I would not be in the habit of looking around for one everywhere I go. There is much to delight me about Pemberley and Derbyshire but finding a match with the local landlord is not one of them.” She stroked Shadow’s ears. “Besides, I understand Mr Darcy is rather an aloof, unpleasant sort of man who does not deign to mix with those he considers his inferiors. If I wished for a husband, a much older man who only seeks an heir and who shuns others all the rest of the time would not be my wish at all.”
“Your mother should scold you most heartily for such rebellious thoughts. You will never marry well that way.”
Elizabeth glanced up at him to see the slight teasing look in his eyes though it was mingled with something else. Elizabeth might have called it admiration if she did not know how unlikely that was.
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 2
