Riding With Purpose - A Short Story

Posted on Friday, 6 August 2004

Darcy as usual awoke early and proceeded to dress in casual attire that he might partake in one of his few amusements while visiting his aunt, that of strolling her extensive estate unheeded by either herself or any of her employees. While walking he could calm his mind of wayward thoughts of Elizabeth until he saw her again as part of the Hunsford entourage who dines with them twice weekly.

Both he and she had managed to be civil to one another when they had been re-introduced, and without all her neighborhood watching he felt more at ease in her company.

A soft knock came on Darcy’s bedchamber door. He put on his coat as he walked towards it wondering who it could be. The earliness of the hour dissuaded him thinking it to be his aunt, for he knew from his past visits at Rosings Aunt Catherine did not arise until after eight. The clock had just struck six.

Upon opening the door, he turned and continued his dressing without glancing at the occupant who graced the door frame.

“You knew it was me,” Richard stated while leaning against the jamb, dressed in morning attire.

“Who else would it be at this hour?”

“True, our aunt and cousin are not early risers by any stretch of the imagination.”

Darcy merely ‘humphed’ and gathered his gloves and hat, and fastened the last button on his coat, and headed out the door. Richard followed.

“Going somewhere in particular?”

Darcy glanced over his shoulder at Richard who was keeping pace with him down the hallway, but was now curious of his cousin’s interest in coming to him this early.

“I had meant to go for a walk before being accosted by Aunt Catherine about whatever it is she would have me do this day.”

Richard could tell how testy was his cousin this morning, and thought perhaps he had the means to put him more at ease.

“I have a better suggestion. Come with me.”

Darcy sighed, but followed his cousin, wondering what mischief Richard had planned for the two of them. Had he always been the instigator to all the exploits they had gotten into in their youth? Still, was it not the duty of a younger cousin to follow the older one into the fray?

Upon removing themselves by the side door, Darcy knew what Richard had in mind, and almost smiled, for before them stood their horses, saddled and ready for a morning ride.

“As I cavalry man, I would always rather ride than walk, Darcy, and decided that you should have a bit more excitement than a mere stroll today.”

Richard walked up to his mount and lifted himself into the saddle. The groom held out the reins of the other horse to Darcy who hesitated.

“Come, come, Darcy. Humor your old cousin with a jaunt into the countryside.” There was a slight pause before he added, “if we were to race, I should even let you win.”

That was more than enough encouragement to make Darcy take the reins and mount his own stallion. Richard had already turned his horse round the manicured lawn and began to trot down the graveled drive. Darcy was not long in catching up.

They walked their horses through the gate and down the path that led into the lower meadows between the groves of beech and alder. The sun dappled through the leaves to give a sparkling effect as the two cousins ventured down the shady lane.

“Remember when we would take this path down to the ancient oak tree and back?”

“Yes, until Aunt Catherine heard of it, and put a stop to it lest we break our necks.”

“Quite.”

And beyond that Richard said nothing for he had kicked his horse to gallop down the path closely followed by Darcy. His horse was the equal to that of Richard’s cavalry mount, and soon they would be astride one another both relishing the exhilaration of a wild gallop down to the old tree that was the halfway mark.

But instead of turning back Richard spurred his horse to jump the hedge beside the tree and kept galloping through the next lea. Darcy laughed and followed suit, knowing full well they would hear of this when they got back to Rosings, but he didn’t care. This was the most fun he’d had since he couldn’t remember when.

When finally they had exhausted the horses, they again began to walk them at a leisurely pace.

“I see you have not lost your skill for the hunt, Darcy.”

“No, I will never lose something I enjoy so dearly, but without having the chance to exhibit of late. Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”

“No need, Darcy. You know I would do just about anything for a ride, even brave the wrath of Aunt Catherine.”

They both laughed in an ease of the other’s company that was almost as close as brothers. After a pause Richard tried to glean what had Darcy in its grips of late.

“When you had me join you this year, you seemed not your usual self, Darcy. Has something changed so drastically that even such an unobservant fellow as myself takes notice?”

Darcy looked out to the meadow and Richard was sure his cousin would give some noncommittal answer he so often did when he wished not to discuss matters of a personal nature. But to Richard’s great surprise Darcy made a confession.

“I have fallen in love, Fitzwilliam, for the first time in my life.”

So shocked was Richard by such a revelation he at first knew not how to reply, but then he smiled. “At last, dear cousin, you have finally succumbed. But I wonder at you ever falling for one of the ton trollops who are only interested in your wealth.”

“She is not from town, and is not impressed with my money.”

“Ah, independently wealthy. A woman after my own heart, Darcy.”

“She has no wealth of her own, Fitzwilliam, nor any family connections to speak of.”

“Well, I am intrigued now, Darcy. What is it about her that causes you to care so dearly? She must be quite beautiful for you to be so besotted.”

“Yes, she is indeed, and intelligent, and high spirited and loyal. Truly, I could not have found a woman more suited to me than if I had written her qualities in a list.”

“Then I am happy for you, Darcy that you have at last found someone who could make you happy.” Richard paused before suggesting, “And if that Miss Bennet visiting at the parsonage had but a dowry of which to boast, then perhaps you and I could have a double wedding.”

Darcy reined in his horse sharply and gave Richard an expression of such shock, that Richard laughed at him and expounded on Elizabeth’s virtues to his cousin.

“Darcy, you have to admit she is beautiful. And not in quite some time have I met someone so delightful and at ease in my company as Miss Bennet. She is such a lovely creature whom I could easily fall in love. She said she was from Hertfordshire. Is that not where your friend Bingley leased an estate?”

“Yes,” Darcy could barely speak as Richard continued.

“Then I have missed out by not venturing south of London into that district if all the young ladies are as uncommonly pretty as she.”

As Richard rambled on he neglected to look over at his cousin who was staring daggers at him. Darcy’s jealousy at his own cousin spouting desires to wed Elizabeth was more than he could manage, and with a hushed voice said, “you neither of you have the means to live, should you want to make her an offer.”

“I well know that, Darcy. I was merely thinking on the wish that should I have the ability to live on my commission, I would be inclined to ask for her hand.”

“You…barely know her, Richard. How can you possibly be thinking of marriage?”

“I am a military man, cousin. At times I have to make decisions at a moment’s notice, and Miss Bennet is one whom I could decide upon very quickly.”

“Yes, you have no impediments to prevent you from pursuing her other than your lack of funds,” Darcy whispered, heartsick now at the thought of Richard and Elizabeth.

“On the other hand, Darcy, your duty to the family honor would not allow you to be in love with one so far below your station. Society would not permit it, much less Aunt Catherine who still hopes you are in engaged to Anne.”

Darcy swallowed at the thought that his aunt could still harbor those foolish whims she spouted when he and Anne were children. He shook his head to try to dispel them, but remained quiet as he rode beside Richard, finally giving reply.

“Anne does not wish it, nor do I. The notion is only within Aunt Catherine’s mind. You…you do not intend to make your feelings known to Miss Bennet while here, do you?”

“I had thought of it, Darcy, for I think she would make me very content, but for my being without the means to support us. Perhaps with your talent for business, you could help me make some lucrative investments to insure my future happiness. What say you, cousin?”

“Yes,” Darcy said absentmindedly. “Of course I will help you all I can.”

Now both were quiet as they walked their mounts back to the stables at Rosings. Darcy knew then he would have to act. He could not allow Elizabeth to escape even be it into the arms of his cousin. He knew he would have to tell her of his feelings, and ask for her hand.

Afterwards, when I tell Richard that Elizabeth was the woman to whom I was referring, he will understand her acceptance of my offer and wish us well.

Darcy was decided then to the formality of asking for her hand at the first opportunity that presented itself. After their marriage he could brave anyone’s wrath if Elizabeth were beside him.

Yes, after we are wed, everything would be fine. Of that I am certain.