The day prior to Darcy's departure for Pemberley, as he did the previous days, Darcy came to Longbourn to coach Elizabeth and Liddy. Though the mare was making progress, she was still too unpredictable to push her further in her training, so this time he focused the practice on improving Elizabeth's riding. It was a tough class designed to obtain the best from student and horse. His instructions were precise, his commands were decided and while he was offering everything he could give, he demanded the same from his trainees. This time, Darcy became the teacher, treating Elizabeth as his student.

Elizabeth, though doing everything she was told, wasn't very happy to be treated like an apprentice. All this 'trot', 'stop', 'faster', 'slower', 'heels down' and 'no, not like that' were getting the best of her. She knew she still had a lot to learn, but working with Mr. Perfectionism could not only be exhausting but very irritating too, especially for someone with her temperament. Her shoulders ached, her legs were tired and her back was killing her. She had not taken a real class in ages and while their previous practices together had been intense, this one became the hardest one she had ever received. Not even when she exercised four horses one after another, had she worked this hard.

"Try to relax your pelvis, Elizabeth, or you'll end with a sore bottom." said Darcy.

"It's relaxed," she retorted. Her bottom was already sore.

"Not enough. Liddy's gait is not the most comfortable one, I'll admit, but you are bouncing too much in the sitting trot."

Elizabeth's cheeks reddened. How did he know that Liddy's trot wasn't comfortable? He never rode her. And she wasn't bouncing. That much. "It's easy to say that from down there."

"Come here." Darcy preferred to overlook those enraged sparkles in her lovely eyes as she rode slowly to him. He placed his hand on her lower back and pushed her forward on the saddle. "Weight on your heels, square shoulders, straight back, chin up."

Huffing, Elizabeth did as she was told.

"Now," he patted her lower back, "relax this part."

How was she supposed to relax her waist when she had to keep her back stiff? "I can't, I ..."

Just a glance at him convinced her that she had to do it. Once she was trotting the arena, he continued, "now, walk around ... slow trot ... that's right ..." Darcy observed her, "... now faster ..." she increased the speed, "... feet out of the stirrups."

Now without the support of the stirrups, Elizabeth's bottom impacted fully against the saddle. At the beginning, her movements didn't accompany the mare's, but at the 'relax your pelvis!' that Darcy commanded, she got it right. The bouncing stopped and her riding became supple and relaxed, in harmony with the mare's gait, the way it should be.

"That was better," he announced, "enough for today."

Just better? Her kidneys felt like a cocktail mixer and she doubted that she would be able to sit properly for days. "Well, thank you."

Elizabeth descended from the horse and they walked together towards the stables.

"Tired?" Darcy squeezed her shoulder. For the way she walked, he could see that she was.

Elizabeth raised her chin and shot him a dark look, just because he noticed it. "No."

Darcy held back a chuckle. The proud, stubborn little thing. She couldn't get this angry, this fast.

"Come here." He stopped her. He stood behind her and began to massage her shoulders.

"Ouch!" she complained. She could feel the sailor knots untying in her back as Phil took Liddy away.

"If you think this class was tough, you should try one with the Colonel. That's hard."

"I don't care about the Colonel; you were mean to me."

"And you asked for my help," laughed Darcy. "Anyway, this was a very good class but I think that Liddy needs a break."

"Liddy? What about me?"

"You are doing great." Her expression softened just a little. "You got the trot this time. Now you only need to improve the flexibility of your back. That way you'll be able to absorb the motion of the horse with your pelvis while keeping the torso in the correct position. There are a few exercises you can do that will help you."

"What kind of exercises?" She didn't like that part.

"Nothing too complicated, a little stretching, aerobics, lunge lessons perhaps ..."

He had to be joking. Was he expecting her to work out after riding all day long? "So I'll do aerobics while Liddy takes a break. Shouldn't it be the opposite?"

Darcy continued to apply a gentle massage on Elizabeth's shoulders. "It depends on what you want to be. There is a difference between a jumper and a horsewoman. If you want to be the latter and not a just a mere rider, you'll have to work on your classic posture. Anyone can jump, Elizabeth," his tone was gentle, but firm, "it's just about keeping yourself in the saddle. Being a complete horsewoman is much more than that. It's about style and suppleness, about becoming one with your horse. About being able to perform every single equestrian discipline."

Elizabeth chewed her lower lip. If there was something that Darcy had, it was style. He could jump and race and perform those difficult combinations of dressage with the same elegance and precision. His posture was impeccable, his riding was impeccable. He was a true horseman.

"As for Liddy," he placed his hand on her shoulder and they headed towards the house, "she needs to learn that riding doesn't necessarily mean torture."

"She needs to learn if I want to compete with her, William." Elizabeth snapped. He was a top rider and he should know that. "She's almost six years old and should be doing better than this."

"But she didn't learn the basics of discipline. If you want to obtain an obedient, reliable horse that will do what you want when you want it, you'll have to use the classical methods of training. Now, if you only want to jump over fences, as quickly as possible, then do it, you don't need my help for that."

Elizabeth looked pensively at him. "Am I going too fast with her?"

"How long have you been jumping her?"

"Over a year now."

"Was Towcester her first show?"

"Yes."

"First show at five years old." Darcy said quietly. "Tuareg was six the first time he stepped into a ring."

"Six?" Elizabeth glanced up at him. "Knowing his potential, we wanted to be sure that he was ready, mentally and physically. There's too much pressure up there. When the timer starts running, you only have thirty seconds to make it. There is no room for mistakes or hesitation in front of a five feet hurdle, Elizabeth, your neck depends on it. So if you are not sure that your horse will respond, that you can trust him implicitly, then don't try it." Elizabeth nodded silently and he proceeded. "Fortunately, Tuareg is a very balanced horse, his temperament is outstanding and he really enjoys competing and travelling around. If not, the entire process of getting used to the shows could have lasted another year."

"Wow," was all she could say. "Liddy will never be like him. Tuareg is unique."

"He might be a natural, yes, but without the correct training, Tuareg wouldn't have been what he is now. We worked with him for a full year before even thinking of facing him at a two feet hurdle. And we also showed him that this was fun, too. Do you know how many times a week Sam or I just take him to walk around the estate like we did that day together at Pemberley?"

Elizabeth looked pensively at the ground. One of the things she recalled from her Netherfield experience and what she admired Darcy for, apart from his talent and looks, was how he always took Tuareg out for a ride, at least three times a week to help him to overcome the stress of the confinement. And she could tell that both enjoyed it immensely.

"I'm going too fast," was all she could say. "Putting too much pressure on her."

"What you are doing might be good for any other horse, but Liddy is special. She's not ready for what you want from her. Show her this is fun, build a partnership with her. She needs to trust you, love you and then she will jump anything for you."

Elizabeth listened to him silently. Darcy and his horse were a team. Tuareg would do anything for him and that is what she needed to develop with her mare. She needed to ride her, not to fight against her as she had done until now.

"Today, and though you might think I just tortured you two," he continued, "the class was for you to learn how to work with her, to improve your knowledge. As for her, she just trotted around, she only exercised her legs, no jumps, no refusals, no repeating exercises, no pressure. It was just constancy and discipline."

"All right."

"She needs to go out in the field, just for a walk."

"But it has been so cold. How do you do that when you have a winter as cold as this one?"

"I use a heavy coat but usually I freeze."

That was the answer she expected. He was a real professional. "I thought she was doing fine now but a few classes of good behaviour don't mean that she is all right."

Darcy put his forefinger under her chin and lifted her face to his. "Take one step at a time and always be sure that she is ready for the next one before taking it."

This wasn't very different to what was happening between them but, instead of freezing, he was burning as he waited for her to be ready for him.

Elizabeth stood on her toes and brushed his lips with hers. "Come; let's have a cup of coffee."

"You two, boots off." cried Fanny when Darcy and Elizabeth entered the house. "I just cleaned the floors and I know what you've been stepping in, so ... off."

Elizabeth immediately looked at Darcy to see his reaction at her mother's abrupt command. He was already removing his rubber riding boots. She took his hand and led the way to the kitchen.

"William!" Fanny called him from the living room. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"I..." He looked at Elizabeth "I wouldn't wish to be of inconvenience, I ..."

"Nonsense. You stay," Mrs. Bennet waved him off. "I already counted you for dinner anyway. I've been feeding Phil and Charles for so long that one more mouth doesn't matter. Kitty! Kitty!" she called her other daughter, "put one more dish on the table, William is staying!"

"All right, Mother!"

"And Lizzy!" Fanny now addressed her other daughter. "Try not to make a mess in the kitchen like you did this morning. I'm tired of cleaning up after you!"

"It wasn't me!" Elizabeth protested.

"Then it was Kitty," cried her mother. "Kitty! Kitty! You are helpless, child! Can't you just walk into a room without turning it upside down?" The sounds faded as Fanny and Kitty began to discuss the mess that the kitchen was in that morning.

Elizabeth coloured, embarrassed by her mother's behaviour. "Sorry for that."

"It's all right." Darcy observed how she put the kettle on the stove.

"You don't have any idea of how it is to have a mother like her. Sometimes, she's impossible." She intended her comment to be playful but when she saw him smile weakly and look down without answering, she realized what she said. The man lost his mother when he was nine years old and as tactless as her mother could be, that was surely better than no mother at all.

"Oh, William, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it that way, I ..."

"It's OK, Elizabeth." he smiled mirthlessly. "Don't worry about that."

She swallowed. He didn't seem disturbed or hurt, just pensive, but she was feeling awful. "Will, please, I'm sorry."

Darcy realized that she was sincerely upset and tried to put her at ease. "Really, Elizabeth, it happened twenty years ago, I'm quite over it."

The water boiled and she poured it into the cups. "What was she like?"

"My mother?" He stood behind her and again rested his hands on her shoulders, massaging her on her shoulder blades with his thumbs. "I don't remember much. But I can assure you, she couldn't cook as your mother does."

Elizabeth smiled, he was trying to be reassuring and make her forget her previous comment. "I bet she was a great cook."

"No," he chuckled, "I don't think she ever stepped inside Pemberley's kitchen. I don't think she could even boil water or make coffee the way you do."

"I can cook!" she snapped playfully. "I'll cook something for you next time."

He rested his chin on her shoulder and embraced her waist from behind. "Mmmm, I'm looking forward to it. You already showed me that you can make exquisite tuna sandwiches."

"You liked it?" She turned her head to him with a wide grin.

"It was delicious. I'll live on tuna sandwiches for the rest of my life."

The 'rest of his life' comment made her stomach shrink. She took the cups now filled with steaming coffee and they went to the table. "You never talk much about your mother." To be honest, she never heard him talk much about his parents or his family.

"She died a long time ago." he stared pensively at his mug. "I've lived more time without her than with her."

Something inside of her told her that he needed to talk about this and as her own curiosity on the subject piqued, she asked more. "She died when Georgiana was born?"

"Yes, no, well, not exactly." he shrugged.

She observed him carefully and said nothing, letting him talk about it if he wanted.

He continued on his own. "She had an aneurysm in her eighth month of pregnancy. She was already dead when they did the caesarean."

Elizabeth felt a lump growing in her throat. It was terrible. Could his life be any sadder? First, she ached for him; but then she was proud. Proud that he grew up into this fine, successful man practically on his own. Now she understood him better, why that aloofness, that reserve. He lived a life of power and wealth, of success, but of loneliness. He had always been on his own.

She wanted to cry, to embrace him, but she knew that that wasn't what he needed. He needed someone to help him to open up, someone who understood him, who was there to listen when he needed to talk. And she wanted to be that person; she wanted to do it for him. Slowly, Darcy's eyes softened and he took her hand across the table. He looked up at her and smiled the sweetest and most grateful smile she had ever seen on his lips.

"It's good to talk about her, it reminds me that she existed once."

He then told her about when his mother taught him to ride; about his first pony, Peppermint, very much like Elizabeth, he teased her, short and stubborn; and about how much he missed his parents when they went away for long periods. His childhood was the typical, lonely, rich boy childhood: boarding schools, summers at Rosings and Pemberley and wild adventures with his cousins. He avoided the dark years when his father remarried and he told her how his sport turned out to be his life when he entered the professional ring.

As she listened to him, Elizabeth realized that getting to know Darcy was like putting together a puzzle. He was complex but at the same time so easy to understand. Every time they were together, she was given a new piece, every time she learned more about him, she would know where to place it and, as she came closer from forming the whole picture, she could see that the image that appeared was beautiful.

Dinner that night was a lot less formal than the first time Darcy was invited. It wasn't an event as was the previous time; it was a simple family meal. They talked about their day, about what the news had said, the phone bill that arrived and all those things that families usually chat during dinner. This was completely different to what Darcy was used to. He saw a little dispute between Kitty and Elizabeth over an extra potato that the pregnant girl shouldn't eat, Mary's late arrival from work, complaining because Phil ate all the steak and Fanny crying about having too many children.

Finally, it became time to leave. As much as he hated to part from Elizabeth, he had to be in Pemberley early on the following day to begin the training for the Johannesburg Horse Trial. He said goodbye to the Bennets and kissed Elizabeth endlessly before leaving, knowing that they would have to endure a one week separation.

This dinner made him ponder what it was that he wanted for his life. He liked it, he felt comfortable today and all this only confirmed what he had been thinking since he began his relationship with Elizabeth. He wanted a family.

"Hi, love." Darcy answered his mobile.

"What's wrong with you?" Elizabeth grinned. He sounded as if he had been beaten.

"I had a round with the chiropractor."

"A round?"

"That man should be in jail."

She laughed. He was playing victim. "Poor darling."

"This is getting tough and I want to be in better shape for the trial. It's very demanding physically."

He was in great shape, she thought. "Are you feeling any better after the massage?

"No."

"I would love to have one."

"I can give you one." His tone turned seductive. "I'm pretty good at that."

As always, she blushed. "Another hidden talent."

"I told you, I have many."

"You must be more careful or you'll injure yourself." Elizabeth smiled to herself. He sounded adorably wicked.

"Have you been talking to him?"

"Who?"

"My chiropractor, the bloody Sumo wrestler."

"No, why? What did he say?"

"He gave me a routine of exercises to do. He said that my back is a mess and that I'm not working well with my legs. In short, I'm useless." He was exaggerating, but he liked when he awakened her motherly instincts like this.

"Poor sweetheart. Why don't you drink a cup of hot tea with honey and an aspirin? That would help you to feel better."

"Will you bring it to me?" he asked in a low, teasing voice.

She didn't doubt it. "I'll be on the first train to Derbyshire in five minutes and I will take it to your bed and rub your back and sing to you until you fall asleep."

"I didn't know you could sing." He smiled, he loved her so much.

"Well Mr. Darcy, you can dance rock and roll, find a title for the stupidest novel ever written and I can sing, awfully but I can."

"Will you sing something for me?"

"Now?"

"Now."

Oh dear, he was serious. "Any preferences?"

"As long as you don't yell like Whitney Houston ..."

Elizabeth sang, not so badly, the first stanza of Satisfaction. Darcy laughed and she giggled, that was a strange song to choose. They said their good nights and I love yous and they fell asleep, wishing they could be together.

For two weeks, Bingley and Darcy were completely immersed in their training for the Johannesburg Horse Trial. They travelled to Hertfordshire on the weekends, Charles staying with Jane in her new apartment and Darcy sleeping in London after spending most of the day with Elizabeth.

Though it was never enough for Darcy and Elizabeth, the time together really solidified their relationship. They learned things about the other that they never imagined were possible. For example, Darcy was a Manchester United fan - of the obsessive kind- and he always wore his Man-U boxers when his team played. Elizabeth showed him that she could cook quite well and astonished him when she let him know that she was cartoon watcher, Tom and Jerry being her favourite.

But every time she saw Darcy leave, Elizabeth felt a part of her going away with him. She thought of him all day long and she missed him to the point of feeling incomplete when he wasn't there. Their long chats on the phone no longer replaced his presence -they never had- and it was becoming physically painful to wait for him to come back when he drove away. If she had thought that she loved him a few weeks ago, now she could affirm that that sentiment was nothing compared to what she now felt for him.

If only they weren't so far away from each other, everything would be easier. At this point in their relationship, she knew that she should become more involved in his life and, why not, take it to another level. Sex was part of any adult relationship, she knew that well, so while she was very comfortable with the fact that Darcy was not pressing on the matter, the fact that he didn't even suggest it puzzled her. Any other man would have, at this point. It was pretty obvious that he wanted to do it; sometimes she could see that he could barely contain himself in certain situations. Still, he was always in control and stopped before things got out of hand. Perhaps the fact that they had little time to be together was conspiring against them because now that she was finally acquiring the physical confidence she needed to become intimate with him, his other obligations were keeping them apart.

As the Johannesburg Horse Trial drew near, the stress to which the riders were submitted began to alter the harmony between the young couples. Their departure was scheduled in less than a week's time and both Darcy and Bingley were becoming anxious about the trip. Though Darcy never showed visible signs of nervousness, Elizabeth could tell that all this was affecting him. He had turned more silent than he already was, he ate less and sometimes he seemed distant, absent. There was always something happening, a new requirement for the horses to travel or a change in the plans. His mobile rang quite often with calls from Richard, the other riders travelling with him, their vet and the travel agent that was in charge of readying everything for the trip. He always seemed unmoved by the problems and found the best solution, though. She knew she would be hysterical if she were in his place and now that she knew him better, she realized that the only time she had seen him lose his usual cool was that night at Hunsford.

The last weekend at home Fanny organized a good luck-goodbye dinner for her daughters' beaus. While they would have preferred to dine on their own with the girls, the gentlemen had to admit that it was a nice gesture and they just couldn't slight her by refusing her invitation. So there they were, dining at Longbourn with the entire Bennet family.

The time to leave came and Elizabeth accompanied her boyfriend to the door. "It's still raining. Why don't you stay until it stops?"

Darcy observed the downpour with a frown. "I don't think it will stop anytime soon. It would be better if I go before it gets worse."

"William," Elizabeth pleaded, "it's dangerous. Stay a little longer. Or maybe you could spend the night here? You can sleep in Jane's old room."

He opened his mouth to reply, but Fanny, who overheard the conversation, spoke first, "Lizzy is right, William, you shouldn't go out in this weather."

Elizabeth looked at him with a 'please, please, please' face that he couldn't resist it. "All right, I'll stay."

"Great," Elizabeth took his hand. "Let's fix the room for you."

Darcy then found himself making the bed in the spare room with Elizabeth. Very awkward for him. Once that was ready, they went to the living room to watch TV together with Phil and Mr. Bennet. The others retired a while later and the couple remained by themselves, cuddling on the large couch.

"Sleepy?" Elizabeth asked from under his arm.

"No, not at all," said Darcy. Going to bed now would mean parting from her and he was enjoying all this domesticity too much to even think of ending it.

"Great." She changed the channel and put on an old movie for them to watch.

"You never showed me your show jumping album," he said after a while.

Elizabeth glanced at him with a sceptical eyebrow.

"No, really, I would like to see it," he chuckled.

"All right."

Elizabeth returned with the album, a pillow, and a hand made patchwork quilt. She sat beside him, cross legged on the couch, quilt covering them, and showed him in her album. She was very proud of it.

From the dates on each picture, Darcy could tell that she began this collection more than ten years ago. At the beginning, she just cut and pasted anything that resembled a horse jumping an obstacle. There were a couple of photos of her father while he still competed and a lovely, black and white picture of Elizabeth with a group of girls that was taken at her first show when she was eleven years old. With time, Elizabeth became more selective, adding only more artistic or spectacular pictures. Darcy told to her how much he admired the neatness of her work and dedication she had given to this sport.

The last part of the album had many, many pictures of him. Some of them were added before she met him -he pointed out one of him and Miss D that he particularly liked- and the rest were almost every article and every picture about him that was published since he came to Netherfield. That confirmed that she had some interest in him at that time and, for what he could tell from the dates, since August (after their terrible fight), the album was almost exclusively about him.

"Where did you get this one?" He showed her a picture of him jumping a parallel at a show in Edinburgh. "I've never seen it."

"Cheval magazine, I think it's from the September issue. Don't you keep an album for your own pictures?"

"Whatever for? You already have one," he said teasingly.

She slapped his knee. "Don't be silly."

"Annie usually sends me everything that appears about me, but I don't read it." Darcy took off his shoes and lay down on the couch after arranging the pillow behind his head. Elizabeth smiled as he stretched his long body behind her. He was so tall that his feet exceeded the length of the couch.

"Why, don't you like it?" Elizabeth also removed her shoes and accommodated herself next to him. She covered them both with the blanket and leaned the album on his chest.

"No." Darcy embraced her with one arm and they continued to peruse the album, now comfortably lying on the couch.

With a soft voice, Elizabeth began to tell him about how and where she obtained some of the pictures and what it was that she liked about them. Darcy listened silently, holding her against him and kissing her hair occasionally.

"This one is amazing, don't you think?" She showed him her favourite one, a fantastic picture of him in a cross-country race, riding Tuareg; crossing a pond at full gallop, with the water splashing all around them. She looked up when there was no answer. He was fast asleep.

Smiling blissfully, Elizabeth left the album on the floor. She pulled the cover over them and fell asleep in his arms.

The dawn slowly awoke the woman that was comfortably nestled in the arms of the man she loved. First, she felt lost; her back was a little sore because of the unusual position and the unfamiliar weight of a man's arm that was holding her tight. Smiling, stretching, but careful to not disturb him, Elizabeth turned slightly to look at Darcy's handsome face while he rested.

The couch was large, but not enough as to comfortably accommodate two people. The only reason why Elizabeth was not lying on the floor right now was because Darcy was embracing her so protectively, so carefully, that it would be impossible for her to fall. He was lying on his side, one arm under her neck, then bent over her chest so he was holding her shoulder. The other, oddly, was inside her sweatshirt and, more oddly, holding her breast under her unhooked bra. How he managed to do it without waking her up would be one of the unresolved mysteries of mankind and obviously, another of his hidden talents.

Something disturbed him and Darcy stirred, stretching his body, slowly opening his eyes. He blinked sleepily, drowsily, and sighed as he snuggled against her once again.

"Morning," he said huskily.

"Good morning," she responded.

After a pause he asked, "Is my hand where I think it is?"

"Yes." she smiled.

"Does it bother you?"

"No." Her voice was soft and sweet.

"Feels good."

"Yes it does."

Darcy sighed in utter happiness and held her in his arms, not caring about the temptation that their closeness inflicted on him or the intimacy of their touch. He loved her beyond that. This was lovely, this was peaceful, and all he wished at the time was that this moment would never end. To be able to hold her like this compensated any physical need he could have -and really, this wasn't the place or time for anything else- so it wasn't hard to control his desires and remain this close to her.

"Will?" she asked softly. She thought he had fallen asleep again.

"Mmmmm?"

"Did you have many girlfriends before knowing me?"

That was an unexpected question. "No."

She remained silent, so he realized that she needed more information than that. "I dated some women in the past but nothing serious, no long term relationships, no commitment, no true affection. I've never been in love until now."

That made her smile. He was in love with her. "How long ago?"

Darcy thought for a while. "Over two years, no, three years ago."

"That's a long time."

He shrugged. "Too many things happened during the past three years. My father's death made me face many responsibilities. Then I entered the professional circuit and when Miss D got ill, I shuttered myself off to everything that wasn't my career or my family. It wasn't an easy time for me."

This was the first time that he spoke so openly about himself, about what he felt, and it felt good, for both of them.

"Were you still feeling that way when you came to Netherfield?"

He rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling. In the process, he placed Elizabeth's head on his arm and removed his hand from inside her sweatshirt.

"I was at the peak of denial when I came to Netherfield. My world became my horses, Pemberley, the Cup, the Olympics, nothing else. I decided that no one and nothing would distract me from my goal. And then, suddenly, you appeared to shake my scheme so violently that I was at loss of what to do."

"So that's why you were so serious around me. I thought you disliked me."

"No, it was quite the contrary. I began to fight against that attraction and when I knew I would lose the battle, I escaped."

"But you lost it in Kent."

Darcy chuckled softly. "I was a goner in Kent. I tried to stay away from you at the beginning, but I realized it was impossible. I ate, breathed, slept thinking of you. I just couldn't hold back any longer and went for you."

"Oh yes, you came indeed," she said teasingly.

For the first time, he laughed at himself and at what he did. "I've never been good at asking girls out and I was really, really crazy about you. I just couldn't control myself; I wanted everything, right there and then. I must say that your refusal was the best thing that had happened to me, to us."

Now Elizabeth understood his struggles, what moved him to do what he did and realized that while in a certain way his involvement with women had been merely physical, he was as inexperienced in relationships as she was.

"Will, do you remember that day you helped me with Petticoat? That day you were observing the practice with Richard?"

"Yes,"

"You were talking about me, weren't you?"

"Yes."

"When you laughed, I thought you were making fun of Wilbur."

"No, Richard was teasing me."

"About?"

"That was men's talk." She was about to get offended with his answer when he said, "Decent men's talk."

"Why is that you never call me Lizzy?"

"You dislike it."

She smiled. He was so perceptive. "I do. I hate it."

"Liz," she looked up at him but his eyes were fixed on the ceiling. "What did you think of my letter? I was a little ... hurt when I wrote it and after I gave it to you, I realized that it could only make things worse."

She rested her head on his shoulder again and began to draw circles on his chest with her finger. "I felt like an idiot. I was so embarrassed when I learned about Miss D. George said that you doped her and that her illness was your fault."

Darcy squeezed her arm and swallowed hard. He should have killed the bastard when he had him at reach.

"And I believed him; I was feeling terribly guilty after reading your letter. I should have known that it couldn't be true. You are too respected, too well known, everyone told me that, but I was determined hate you. I was so angry at you because you ignored me that I believed him."

"You were angry because I ignored you?" he lifted his head to look at her.

"William," she met his eyes, "you are England's hottest horseman. Any woman would feel slighted if you didn't pay her attention."

His head fell back when he laughed aloud. "Where did you get that from? It's the second time you call me that."

Elizabeth laughed too. "Charlotte once called you that and I don't know why it came to my mind now. I almost forgot about it, though I always used it when I thought of you in the past."

"So Charlotte thinks I'm hot." Darcy said wickedly.

Elizabeth's courage rose instantly. "No, she was just saying that because I was admiring Tuareg's hindquarters instead of yours."

"And you think that Tuareg's rear is nicer than mine."

"No! You have a beautiful ..." she realized the trap he was setting and slapped his chest. "Silly."

Darcy rubbed her back, kissed her hair and held her for a long time. It was very early in the morning, before seven he would guess, and all he was wishing for at that moment was that they could remain this way forever.

"You are very quiet," he said after a while.

"What is your favourite colour?"

"Blue, but I like a red, like the car, also green and chocolate brown, like your hair."

"Favourite meal?"

"Tuna sandwiches."

She snuggled even more in his embrace. "Do you have a middle name?"

"My arm is going to sleep, just move your head a bit ... that's right." Darcy rolled to his side. "Ah ... when's your birthday?

"April 25. Yours?" Elizabeth adjusted her position and faced him.

"March 12."

"But, you'll be in Johannesburg!"

"I know."

Elizabeth pouted. She wouldn't be able to be with him. "I'll make a present for you."

"Make? What does that mean?"

"Kitty is teaching me to knit. I'm not up to a sweater yet, but I can do scarves."

He grinned broadly. No one had ever knitted anything for him. "You'll knit me a scarf?"

"Yes."

Again, they fell silent. The sun was appearing on the horizon, illuminating their private world. At that moment that they felt the real dimension of what was happening between them, they felt the real weight of their feelings.

"Will?" Elizabeth fidgeted with his shirt.

"Mmmmm?"

"I love you." This time, it really came from the heart.

Darcy held her against him, so tightly that her small body almost disappeared in his embrace.

"I love you too, Elizabeth."

The day had come; it was real. Darcy was leaving for Johannesburg the following morning and the separation was now inevitable.

Now, only a few hours before her beloved's departure, Elizabeth was being assaulted by millions of doubts and fears. A plane crash, a fall, Darcy eaten by lions or her handsome and passionate boyfriend finding a more attractive and sexually willing girlfriend while he was away. Elizabeth knew that she was being uncommonly silly about this but she couldn't repress her fatalist nature. As much as she tried to rationalize that he was just leaving for two weeks, that they were only skipping a weekend, she couldn't help feeling like he would be gone forever.

That morning, after transporting the horses from Pemberley to a friend's stables near Heathrow, Darcy went to Longbourn for Elizabeth to spend his last hours in England in her company.

The lovers preferred a private, more silent place in lieu of Longbourn's noisy living room for their farewell. Darcy didn't have much time, he had to be at the airport at 5.00 AM on the following morning so he took Elizabeth to a tea house near the Garden of the Rose, where they could be alone and undisturbed. When the time to depart came, they both began a silent ride home.

Though Darcy didn't say a word about his fears, Elizabeth could almost sense his apprehension about this trip. And it wasn't only because of the tournament. He was competing in different and very intense disciplines but he had trained hard and Tuareg was in great shape too, so worries didn't reside in his performance. What was bothering him was the flight. Four of the six horses they were taking had never stepped inside an airplane and no one knew how they would react to it. The possibility of having to use tranquillisers on Tuareg in case they were needed terrified him and also, knowing Sonata's more volatile temper, he feared that the nervousness of one horse would be contagious to the others.

Elizabeth, though wanting to cry, knew that she couldn't add more pressure to his already stressed life. He needed support, not tears. So she pretended that she was all right as she told him all the things she wanted to say before his departure with feigned playfulness.

"Promise me you will take care," she said pointedly, as if talking to a child.

"I promise." he took one long, curly strand of her hair and twisted it around his finger. He smiled at the way it remained curled around it. He loved that.

"No falls, no collisions against hurdles, no accidents, all right?"

"Yes, madam." he knew this was tough for her too and admired her courage.

"And be careful with the girls, don't let them accost you."

"Girls?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Yes," she pointed her forefinger at him. "That England's hottest horseman thing. So behave."

"I will, don't worry." Darcy laughed heartily. "Should I ask the same?"

"I have behaved all my life, so two more weeks won't have much effect on me," was her playful answer.

He moved closer to her and spoke in her ear. "Maybe that is something we might change soon."

Elizabeth felt zillions of butterflies flying inside her stomach. Her cheeks blushed in an intense red. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other, brightly, knowingly.

"It's time to go, love." he announced with a sigh.

They kissed with total abandon. It was a kiss that was meant to savour, to feel, to imprint in their memory the taste, the smell and the very essence of the other, fuelling them with anticipation for what the reunion might bring.

"Be good. I'll call you every night," Darcy whispered against her neck.

Elizabeth swallowed the lump that suddenly climbed up her throat. "All right."

He wanted to say so many things. He wanted to ask for her hand in marriage; he wanted to make love to her; he wanted to take her with him, forever. But he knew that expressing those feelings right now would only make their departure even more difficult so he kept them to himself.

"I love you, Elizabeth, very much."

"Oh, God, William, I love you, I'll miss you!" she sniffed.

Not even Georgiana had told him that she'd miss him. Darcy held her against him for a moment and then gave her a short, hard kiss before she left the car.

These would be two very long weeks.

"Lizzy!" Kitty called her sister excitedly, "it's Johannesburg! They are transmitting from Johannesburg!"

Elizabeth left the glass on the table and rushed towards the living room. Mary came too and the three girls sat in front of the TV.

First they transmitted images of the events that had happened on the previous days. Though it was edited and everything occurred very quickly, Elizabeth had the chance to see Darcy's impeccable ride when he won the four feet event. She also saw him pass in front of the camera during the cross country race and there was a brief shot of him and Charles receiving their trophies for their winnings. They went to commercials and the interviews followed.

"Hi, I'm Cindy Towsend from the Sports Channel, transmitting from the Johannesburg Horse Trial for the ten mile race with obstacles. This is the third event of the tournament and the supremacy of the British team in the whole event has been absolute. William Darcy won the four feet show jumping event with an impeccable ride three days ago, Kelly Mitchell was third with 0 faults in that event too and Charles Bingley broke the timer yesterday in Cross Country. Really outstanding."

Cindy Towsend walked ahead, with the camera following her. Elizabeth's heart began to pound loudly when she recognized Sonata tied to a tree. That was surely their camp.

"This happened yesterday," Elizabeth said to her sisters, "Will told me about the interview last night, he won this event."

"And now we are approaching the British camp where the riders are readying themselves for the endurance race. Ten miles with obstacles, quite a challenge for those who are not used to the heat of the South African sun. And here are Charles Bingley and Kelly Mitchell, from the British team. Kelly, you really did well in show jumping yesterday, was it a difficult course?"

"Complicated, but fortunately we were able to go through it without drops," answered Kelly.

"And you, Charles, I heard you are one of the favorites for this event too, do you feel confident about it?"

"I think I have a good chance, my mare is in great shape, but I have very strong competitors, my team mates included." Charles said with his usual amiability.

"You also are well positioned in the team competition as the points you obtained in the previous shows put the British team at the top of the charts."

"Oh look, there he is!" Elizabeth pointed excitedly at the TV. The camera changed the angle and she caught sight of Darcy standing a few yards behind Charles, conversing with another man. "Oh, oh my, look at him," she sighed as she sat back, "just look at him."

"Yes, we were fortunate that the long trip didn't affect the horses and we were able to establish a solid team." continued Charles.

"Solid indeed. William Darcy had an outstanding performance yesterday, obtaining the fourth ... Oh, there he is ..." The reporter addressed the other rider. "Mr. Darcy, William, may I have a word with you? I'm Cindy Towsend, from the Sports Channel."

On hearing his name being called, Darcy turned around and came face to face with the camera. He looked around, as if trying to find a way to avoid the interview but he had no other choice and joined the reporter.

Elizabeth held her breath when she saw him approaching the camera. That man wasn't England's hottest horseman in vain. He was wearing his cross country attire, his white shirt was opened halfway down his chest and he was slightly tanned by the South African summer. On camera he looked taller, his shoulders broader and was even sexier than in person. Elizabeth's palms sweated and she thought she would swoon. And so did Cindy.

"Lizzy, I know he is yours but let me tell you: that man is gorgeous," said Mary as Elizabeth bit her nails.

"Indeed." Kitty agreed with her sister.

Mary gasped, "Kit! What if Phil hears you?"

"Shhhhhhhh!" Elizabeth silenced them.

Kitty whispered an 'I'm pregnant, not blind' to her sister.

"William, tell us about your incredible win." Cindy put the microphone in front of his mouth.

With his usual seriousness, Darcy responded. "We did fine."

"I'm sure you are being modest, William," Cindy began to laugh nervously, "First in show jumping and fourth at Cross Country yesterday. Together with Charles, you are one of the favourites today too. "

"It's a long course and a tough trial for the horses."

"I'm sure for the riders as well," Cindy's body language said: you are hot and making me crazy. "I heard that you were nominated to be the horseman of the year; what do you think about that?"

He raised his eyebrow. "I didn't know that title existed."

"Is that true, Lizzy?" asked Kitty.

"Shhhhh," Elizabeth silenced her sister.

Again they heard Cindy's nervous giggles. With one hand she held the microphone and with the other she was fidgeting with the buttons of her blouse. "You obtained some outstanding wins during the past year and you are repeating your success in this one. Does this demand much training, is it hard work?"

"Sometimes, but it's part of being professional."

The reporter's concentration was becoming visibly affected by her interviewee's presence. "After your previous wins, it is expected that you will obtain a good placing in the upcoming events. What are your expectations about the field trials and the South African Silver Cup? Are you up to the challenge?" she asked, placing an impertinent hand on his arm as she spoke.

"That bitch!" cried Kitty, "She is flirting with him!"

Elizabeth was livid. Kitty was right. That woman was flirting with her boyfriend, on camera and that awakened some very violent thoughts in her.

"I hope so." Darcy's face turned into stone as he glanced at her hand on his arm.

"I'm sure you'll do great tonight, I mean, today, tough event, oh, it's really hot out here, so, well, do you think your team may have a chance to win the all around event if they are well positioned in the following ... events?"

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Yes, perhaps."

"Thank you, William, and good luck today." A flushed Cindy turned to the camera and finished the interview. "I'm Tindy Towsend transmitting from Johannestown, for the Sports Channel."

"Thank you, Cindy," said the reporter at the studio. "It seems that our reporter in Johannesburg is a little distracted with some of the members of the British team, John."

"I can't blame her, Tom," replied the other reporter, "after he shot that commercial and his image became public, William Darcy was elected one of the hottest men in England by a women's website, so I think her behaviour is pretty understandable."

"Now, let's turn golf ..."

Elizabeth sat back on the couch with her mouth open. Which website?

Darcy rested his head back on the seat and looked outside of the window. Clouds, all he could see were clouds. They were probably flying over the Mediterranean now. A few more hours and they would be home.

This has been a very successful trip. He never expected to win four of the seven events in which he participated, including the Silver Cup. He competed against the world's top riders, some of them with Olympic experience and he was more than satisfied with his achievements.

Tuareg had been great too. He was truly the best horse he had ever seen. The flight didn't affect him and neither did the hot weather. His balance, his strength and versatility made him not only an outstanding horse for sport but also a wonderful companion. Not many horses could respond like he did without expressing fatigue and Tuareg never disappointed him. One day he was all velocity in the four feet course, the next one he was power and resistance in the endurance race and then he became precision and perfection at the Silver Cup.

Darcy never thought that he would become so attached to his horse during this trip. He missed home, he missed Elizabeth so much that Tuareg became his support during the tournament. During those long waits before his turn, he would brush him or just sit to observe him, imaging that Elizabeth was there, with them, sharing the excitement of the show and telling him some unusual tale while she braided Tuareg's mane. Oh God, how much he had missed her!

This time away had provided him with lots of hours to reflect about what he wanted for him and Elizabeth. Almost one year ago, he had walked down this same path and made the wrong decision. He recalled his denial, the loneliness and those endless nights at Netherfield where he fought against the attraction he felt for Elizabeth.

After giving the matter all his consideration, the conclusion to which he arrived made him feel hopeful but at the same time apprehensive. He wanted everything, not just a girlfriend for the weekends. He wanted a companion, someone with whom he could share his life, his expectations, his triumphs and losses. He wanted Elizabeth to become a part of his life, as he became part of hers. He wanted them to be together, forever.

This led him directly to the sex issue. While marrying a virgin seemed a nice fantasy early in their relationship, now that marriage didn't seem an option in the near future, pre-marital sex was something he would have to reconsider if he wanted to include her in his life and keep his sanity intact in the process.

Why was it that he sensed that he couldn't ask her to marry him right now? Was she ready to take that step? Would it be fair to ask her? He was almost certain that she would not refuse him, but he wasn't sure if marrying her right now was the right thing to do. She was going to college in a few months and marriage would present her with certain responsibilities that she couldn't, that she shouldn't assume while she was studying. At least their perspectives were better now. Nottingham had called her -she told him that on the phone the other night- and now there was a firm possibility that they would be much closer to each other and if he was wise and patient, together.

The sea of clouds under him began to dissipate and he saw land appearing through the cotton white carpet. He looked at his watch, that was probably Europe. He sighed, his decision made. As slowly as his violent emotions would permit it, sleeping together or not, Elizabeth would become a part of his life too.

"Happy to be back home?" Charles asked from the seat next to him.

Darcy turned to face him and smiled. "You can't imagine how much."

"Well, the national celebrity is back!" Thomas exclaimed when he saw Darcy standing at his door.

Darcy smiled with a mixture of pride and shyness. "Mr. Bennet, it's good to see you."

"Come in, son." he slapped Darcy's back as he walked into the house. "Congratulations, I saw you on TV. You really had a great ride on Sunday."

"Thank you." Darcy looked around for Elizabeth.

Thomas noticed it immediately. "She's upstairs. Lizzy! William is here!"

Two seconds later, she was running down the stairs. "Will! You said you were coming in the afternoon!"

She was already hanging from his neck when he spoke. "I came earlier."

They kissed with the ardour that their present company allowed, which was quite a lot, and Darcy held her so tightly that her feet weren't touching the floor.

"William!" Kitty appeared followed by Phil, "welcome back!"

He grinned broadly and looked at Kitty's belly after kissing her cheek. "Thank you, Kitty. Wow, things had been growing in my absence."

Darcy shook hands with Phil, then Mary came to greet him and finally Fanny appeared from the kitchen and gave him an effusive hug and kiss. Elizabeth grabbed his hand and led him towards the couch.

For the next half an hour, Darcy told them all about Johannesburg. After his incredible win, the whole media had been talking about him, the juicy part being the US $100,000 prize in cash he obtained when he won the South African Silver Cup on Sunday. He gave them the souvenirs he brought from Johannesburg for all of them and made a brief summary of everything that happened during the tournament.

The trip had been exhausting for them. They team travelled to different locations for each show and suffered very hot weather during the entire trial. The flight back was long and bumpy and as soon as they landed, Charles and Darcy drove the horses to Derbyshire and only the fact that Darcy was very tired when he arrived home prevented him from driving back to Hertfordshire to see Elizabeth.

"Oh dear!" Fanny came trotting from the kitchen, "I forgot to buy the cream for the dessert! Thomas, could you please drive into town? I need cream and sugar, and bread too."

"I'll go." Darcy stood quickly. This was the perfect excuse to leave for a while, "Elizabeth will show me the way."

Elizabeth beamed; just what she wanted, a moment alone with him. "Yes, let's go. Is that all, Mother?"

"Yes," said Fanny, "and don't take too long, I need it now."

The couple left quickly. Once alone in the car, Darcy gave Elizabeth a quick kiss before he drove away. He had not driven three miles when he couldn't hold back anymore and pulled off of the road.

"Will, is there something wrong?" Elizabeth asked. He had not spoken since they left the house and he was deadly serious now.

Without saying a word, he pulled out of the road and raised his hand to her face, stroking her cheek before sliding it behind her neck. For a moment, he just looked at her.

"I missed you."

Before she was able to respond, his mouth covered hers. His kiss was full of longing, of love, yearning and passion. He kissed, he embraced her, he touched her until he was full of her and then he held her so tightly and for so long that he thought that he would never let her go. He had to bite his tongue not to ask for her hand in marriage; he repressed the need to make love to her and take her away with him forever.

Elizabeth was as overwhelmed as he was. This was the first time she had felt him so affected, so moved, and realized the depth of his feelings for her and the strength of her own love for him. She received and gave back, she comforted him and loved him in return until she felt him relaxing in her embrace.

"It almost hurts, Elizabeth, I love you so much that it almost hurts," he whispered against her shoulder.

"I know what you mean, Will, because I feel the same. I can't breathe when you are away." she caressed his hair very softly as he calmed down.

Darcy raised his head slowly, still shaking because of this first and total release of emotions. He had barely contained himself at Longbourn when he first saw her, but he couldn't hold back any longer. Once again he held his tongue and didn't ask her to marry him.

He parted from her and extended his arm to pick a small package from the back seat. "I brought you something."

Elizabeth's face lit up. When he gave her family their presents, he had whispered in her ear that hers would come later, and here it was. "What's this?"

"Open it." he smiled.

She gasped aloud when she saw the brilliant sparkles of a well sized diamond hanging from the thinnest silver chain she had ever seen. "Will, it's beautiful!"

"Do you like it?" he smiled shyly. The ring that matched that pendant was at Pemberley, waiting for the appropriate time to be presented.

"Yes!" Elizabeth's eyes watered in tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you, thank you."

They kissed. "Let's go," he touched her chin where his rough beard had left its mark, "or your mother will kill us."

She smiled, 'who cares?' written on her face. She gave him one last kiss and they drove on to their errand.

During the drive, they conversed about the calls from universities that Elizabeth received in his absence. Nottingham and Reading marked appointments too and Elizabeth was very excited that a Northern university had called her. Just to think that the possibility existed, that they could be so close, not twenty miles away from each other on a permanent basis made her burst in joy.

Darcy then took his chance. He invited her to stay at Pemberley for a couple of days when she travelled to Nottingham for her interview.

"I'd love that." They looked at each other and it seemed that they were thinking the same thing, because they both smiled with bright eyes.

"Jane and Charles could come along too, we can have some kind of mini break," he added quickly, just in case that she would feel uncomfortable with the fact that she would be alone with him in his own house. "I think that we all deserve it."

"Great." she grinned, with Jane with her she would feel more confident, whatever happened during that trip.

"Also," he returned his eyes to road, "there is a two day event in Halstead the following week; would you like to come? Charles said he would ask Jane, and I would really love it if you could come too."

Elizabeth swallowed. Next week? Two day event? "Yes, that would be great, I'd love to go."

She didn't know why, but staying with him at Pemberley didn't worry her as much as this show did. Perhaps it was because the trip to Nottingham was in two weeks or this hotel thing bothered her. Oh dear, why was she still feeling apprehensive about sleeping with him? She loved him! She had already decided that she wanted to do it, so why was she being this stupid?

Darcy, quite perceptive, caught her expression immediately and teased her. "Don't worry, you'll have your own room."

She gasped, annoyed that he realized so easily what was going inside her mind. "I wasn't ... I never ..."

"It's all right." he extended his hand and squeezed her cheek. Elizabeth took his hand placed on her knee, holding it in both of hers.

Darcy drove quietly for a couple of minutes and then asked, "Did you behave during my absence?"

Elizabeth looked at him with a slightly offended brow. "Of course."

Darcy smiled to himself, rather smugly she would say. "I will have to trust you."

If he wanted to play this game, she had better cards. "Anyway, I am not the one that was 'touched' on camera. I'm sure that Cindy made sure you had a very good time back in the African jungle."

He never imagined that his joke would turn against him. "Elizabeth! I ... I ... you saw it! You can't believe I ..."

Elizabeth exploded in laughter; he looked so cute when he was this confused.

Darcy sighed in relief. A fight on his first day back was the last thing he wanted. "You minx."

She pinched his cheek. "Don't you ever do that again."

While they were at Meryton's supermarket, Darcy's mobile rang. Elizabeth was heading towards the bakery and Darcy following her when he answered the call with a,

"I think I said I wasn't talking to you any more."

Elizabeth turned to him with a raised eyebrow. He mouthed an 'Annie' to her.

"Oh, you decided to turn on your mobile." Ann snorted.

"Should I regret it?" he smiled.

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny sweetheart. Guess who called?"

"I'm sure I will not like it if you are so excited about it."

"You won't believe it ..." Ann proceeded.

"Annie," he interrupted before she went on, "the next time you get me into a live interview on TV you are fired, all right?"

As always, she continued as if nothing had happened. "Coward, that was a local channel, no big deal. Now let's go to the important stuff." Darcy rolled his eyes. Threatening her had never worked. "They called me from American Express, they want you."

"A credit card? Oh Annie, I don't know." Darcy shook his head. That meant lots of image usage.

Elizabeth's attention was now fully on him.

"Fitz, this is a huge contract and if you join the Olympic team, they'll double it. They still don't know how they missed this one. Johannesburg sent you to the top. The Equestrian Federation wants to nominate you as sportsman of the year and Amex wants to be there when it happens." Darcy frowned as he listened to his cousin. "They'll surely pick some bloody football player so there's nothing to worry about. You'll probably have to go to the banquet, just to oblige the sponsors, and give some interviews in magazines, nothing you can't deal with. What do you say?" finished Ann.

"OK Annie, tell them I'm interested, but no commercials this time, all right?" he said with resignation.

"Posters?" Ann tried.

"No posing, just show pictures." he saw how Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at that comment.

"You're the best." Ann was grinning broadly on the other end. "I suppose that you don't want to hear about Ralph Lauren."

A designer? "What?" his voice was an octave higher than usual.

"Nothing, just a photo session for the new Polo collection. You're exactly..." there was no need to try his patience with something that she knew he would refuse "... forget about it, I'll tell them that you are not interested."

"Exactly, you read my mind. Anything else?" he really wanted to finish this conversation before Ann came up with something new.

Darcy looked heavenwards as Ann went on. "Yes, tell Elizabeth I'll send her the video of the live interview, you really look good on screen. Ta-tah." and she hung up the phone.

He exhaled heavily and closed his mobile.

"What?" Elizabeth asked.

He sighed and responded in a dismissing tone. "It was just Annie with a new contract. Nothing important."

Elizabeth's temper rose. He looked distressed by something and he didn't want to share it with her. She hated when he did that, never talking about what worried him, just keeping things to himself, treating her like some silly child that couldn't understand anything about life.

Cleary annoyed, she turned around and walked away from him. "Fine."

Just then Darcy realized his mistake, that he was doing exactly the opposite of what he decided he would do. Though he wanted to forget about Ann's prattle right now, if he wanted to include her in his life, he would have to share his personal affairs with her.

"Elizabeth." he walked after her.

She didn't turn back.

"Elizabeth." he held her arm and turned her around. "Liz, I'm sorry. Annie is dealing with American Express and some idiot wants to nominate me as sportsman of the year and really, I'm not up to all that crap right now."

Her expression softened as he told her about his conversation with Ann and the live interview he gave on the local channel after winning the Silver Cup. She could see that he didn't like all this publicity. He was working so hard to be number one, to be the best, but the fame that was invariably attached to his success was very difficult to handle for a man as private as he.

"And what is that posing thing?" she asked archly.

Darcy pressed his forefinger on her nose. "It's not what you're thinking."

She batted her eyelashes at him. "I'm sure your Cindy would loooove to see you posing." His fulminating look was ignored and she continued, mimicking the reporter. "Oh, horseman of the year, oh my, it's hot."

"Stop it." he frowned but then smiled at her teasing.

"Oh, oh," she continued, fanning herself, "just a little posing, Mr. Darcy, are you up to the challenge?"

Darcy grabbed her from the back of her neck and shook her gently. Elizabeth giggled and tried to free herself but he didn't release her, he laughed and pulled into a bear hug.

"Oh dear, how I missed you." he grinned as he lowered his face to hers.

Elizabeth was about to respond but she was already silenced by a kiss.

Lunch was a very noisy affair. Under Phil's insistence Darcy and Charles once again were asked to tell them about the trip, the girls teased Darcy about the interview, as did Charles. Once they finished, Elizabeth invented an excuse to disappear and sneaked with Darcy into the sewing room.

"Are you kidnapping me?" Darcy asked as he followed her.

"Sort of." She pulled him into the room and closed the door behind them.

Elizabeth released his hand and went for a package that was over on the table.

"What room is this?" he looked around. There were all kinds of unused things around him.

"My mom's ex sewing room. As you can see," she walked closer to him with her hands behind her back, "nobody has sewed here in ages. I loved to play here as a child."

Darcy noticed that she was hiding something behind her and his interest was caught immediately. "What do you have back there?"

"It's a surprise. Close your eyes."

Of course, he didn't obey and tried to reach behind her back to get whatever she was hiding. "What's that?"

"You must close your eyes first," she commanded. Resigned, he did as he was told. One instant later he felt Elizabeth's lips pressed against his. "Happy Birthday, belated."

As he kissed her, he reached around and took the package from her hands. He ripped the paper off.

"Oh, Elizabeth, this is great." He extended the jumper in front of his eyes. It was in a bluish grey colour, with a lighter stripe across the chest. "You knitted it?" He couldn't see any labels on it.

"Well, part of it, in the knitting machine. My mother helped me, and Kitty too. I began the scarf, but then Kitty encouraged me to do the sweater and here it is." She grinned proudly. "Do you like the colour?"

Darcy was really moved. He bent and kissed her lips. "It's great. Thank you."

Elizabeth rested her head on his chest as she embraced him. "I really missed you, Will."

He rubbed her back and kissed her hair. "Me too."

"When are you going back to Pemberley?"

"Tomorrow," he sighed, "I was only there for a couple of hours and there are some matters I must attend to. I don't think I will be able to come down before the Halstead show so I guess we'll meet there."

Protesting would only make it more difficult for both of them so she didn't complain. Instead, she reached up to touch his face.

"Your hair is growing long," she combed it with her fingers, it was passing the collar of his shirt, "you'll be able to tie it back soon."

"I'll cut it." he half smiled.

"Don't you dare, I like it this way."

"Then I won't." his smile broadened.

Elizabeth bit her lip and began a thorough inspection of him. And Darcy, he just stood there and allowed her. Her hands moved slowly up and down his torso, feeling him, delighting herself with the firmness of the muscles against her palms. He was thinner than when he left and toned because of the intense training to which he had been submitted. She would have liked to see him fuller, but hell, he felt delicious anyway.

"You lost weight." her voice was hoarse and seductive.

Darcy didn't know if it was her provocative smile or the alluring way in which her hands were caressing him, but some parts of his body were beginning to react and he was becoming really, really aroused. If she continued with this, he would lose control soon and this wasn't the appropriate place or time for that. He took her hands and placed them on his waist.

But little did he know that Elizabeth's sensuous caresses were having the same effect on her that they were having on him. If he was hardening, she was melting. The hands that he had chastely placed on his waist slowly slid to his back as she stepped closer with a low, sexy moan. To make it even more difficult for him, she rose to her toes, all the way brushing her breasts against his chest. She placed a kiss on the hollow of his jaw and lowered herself again so she could rest her hands on his well shaped buttocks.

"Your rear is definitely nicer than Tuareg's," she said suggestively.

Darcy actually groaned when his mouth covered hers. His state of arousal was now impossible to conceal and he didn't give a damn if she noticed it or not. He devoured her mouth fiercely and placed a possessive hand on her butt. From then on, things escalated very quickly. His hands were everywhere about her, Elizabeth was curled around him and for a couple of minutes they were all moans, frantic moves and bumps against the furniture. He tried to maintain his equilibrium during the exchange, but it was almost impossible with Elizabeth's leg wrapped around his so he lost his balance and ended up with the sharp edge of the table dug in his ass cheek.

It was then when he decided to slow down. He was hard, panting and about to do something he shouldn't so he preferred to put some distance between his body and hers and cool down. He pulled back and rubbed his buttock with his hand.

"This will leave a hell of a bruise." he chuckled, still a little out of breath. "Thank God no one will see it."

Elizabeth assisted him in the task. Once again she reduced the distance between them and leaned her chest on his torso. "I'll take care of that."

He closed his eyes when he felt her lips nibbling his neck. How was he supposed to recover his composure if she kept provoking him? "Enough, Elizabeth, please," he begged.

"Why," she insisted, "can't you handle it?"

Handle this. He took her by the wrist and placed her hand right on his erection.

Darcy held her on him, long enough for her to feel what she was doing to him. Elizabeth was almost shocked by the size and the hardness of the bulge she was touching. But instead of trying to withdraw her hand, she bit her lip and made a face that mingled her surprise for his bluntness and her guilt for leading him to this state.

"I think we should return to the living room," he suggested with a wry smile. His hips were at a prudent distance from hers. "It's rather hot in here."

Elizabeth smiled. "Yeah, hot indeed."

"Jane, I'm so excited to be here, I haven't been at a show in ages," Elizabeth said as they reached Halstead.

"It's nice to be able to accompany Charles for once. He is always coming home and I think that he needs my support too. And I really, really wanted to do something different," replied Jane. "All the time they were in Johannesburg it was just work."

Elizabeth fell silent and stared out of the window, her thoughts drifting to what might occur that night.

"Anything wrong?" Asked Jane. "You are so quiet."

"Huh?" Elizabeth startled. "Oh, no, I'm OK."

"You and William haven't slept together yet," Jane said matter-of-factly.

Elizabeth's eyes widened. Was it that obvious? "Actually, we ...we ... no, we haven't."

"And you are afraid that it will happen tonight."

"I am not afraid," Elizabeth said defensively.

"Okay, then worried."

"No! It's just that I ... that I ..."

"Elizabeth, William made reservations for separate rooms. He isn't expecting that you would stay with him. In fact, he isn't even expecting to go to your room either because he reserved a room for both of us, together."

"I know, he told me that, it's just that I ... I ..."

"I don't understand why you are so hesitant about it."

"I am not."

"Then what is keeping you from doing it?"

"I don't know, I think that we didn't have the chance," she ignored Jane's snort, "Then he left for Johannesburg and ..."

"And you are afraid."

"Janie! Stop!"

Jane shut her mouth and patiently waited for Elizabeth to talk. It didn't take long.

"Did you and Charles, well, you know, did you wait long before you ...?" Elizabeth couldn't ask that directly.

But Jane could answer directly. "No."

"You did it right away?"

"Yes. From the restaurant, directly to the hotel."

Elizabeth stared at her sister. The sly thing, the model of decorum and propriety, she went to bed with Charles right away.

Jane realized that this wasn't what Elizabeth wanted to hear. "Liz, what is good for me and Charles may not be good for you and William. I can't tell you what to do; it's your decision, though I see no reason why you shouldn't be sleeping together. I think William is being very considerate if he is respecting your wishes so far."

"I know." Elizabeth sighed heavily. "Let's say that neither of us has brought up the subject lately, I know he wants to, but then he doesn't insist, so I ..."

Even though she saw no reason to feel this way, Jane could see that her sister was still hesitant about becoming intimate with her boyfriend, "If you are not sure, take your time, just don't let the poor man combust in the process, all right?"

Elizabeth laughed heartily. "Do you think William is in danger of combusting?"

"Men," laughed Jane, "are always about to combust."

Halstead wasn't a top show; it was a two-day regional event, with a show jumping competition on the first day and a cross country race on the following one. The location was a large Pony Club with an outdoor arena and inside the woods that belonged to the club, was the 4 mile cross-country course.

This wasn't the kind of event in which Darcy or Bingley usually competed. Until a few years ago, it wasn't even ranked. This year though, with an enormous effort, the club organized this two-day event and brought in a course designer with international experience in an attempt to improve the level of the competition. The board had invited the two riders specially. With many important acquaintances attending the show, too, the top riders of the Midlands decided to go. The place was beautiful, the facilities excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed. It was one of those rare opportunities where they didn't feel the weight of being professionals and where they could ride and compete just for the fun of it.

Elizabeth was very anxious and excited about coming. As soon as her feet touched the ground, her eyes searched for the man she loved. And she found him. On the other side of the large arena, in an open area near the restaurant was William Darcy.

Darcy was already changed into his informal riding clothes -this event didn't require the formal red jacket and the classic outfit- so he was wearing creamy breeches, black boots, white shirt and the sweater she knitted him tied over his shoulders. He was smiling, relaxed, his arms crossed over his chest, conversing with Charles.

Elizabeth couldn't contain herself and ran to meet him. Alerted to her presence by Charles, Darcy turned and walked towards her. She jumped into his opened arms and they shared a very tight embrace and an ardent kiss. After that somewhat passionate exchange, Darcy retreated to his reserved self when in public. While Elizabeth would have liked him to be more open and affectionate, knowing that today he was being the object of everyone's attention, she didn't insist and respected his private nature.

The men walked the girls to the place where they had settled their small camp. A few chairs were spread around and the equipment neatly distributed. There, Darcy introduced them to Andy Reynolds, Sam's eldest son, who was officiating as their assistant for the weekend and in charge of the horses while they were not at the camp.

"Hey, cork head." Elizabeth went to greet Tuareg. The black gelding perked his ears. Used to receiving a treat from Darcy, Tuareg sniffed his chest pocket searching for carrots. When he didn't smell any, he turned to Elizabeth. His snout went directly to her purse.

"Do you have a radar there?" Elizabeth giggled when Tuareg smelled the carrots she brought for the horses.

Darcy was absolutely delighted to have her there together with the horse he had grown to adore in the past months and with the prospect of two full days in her company. He put one arm around Elizabeth's shoulder and with his other hand he caressed Tuareg's neck. The horse wasn't paying him much attention, he was focused on whatever Elizabeth was going to give him.

"Look," Elizabeth laughed. Tuareg was insatiable. "He's desperate!"

"Make him beg." Darcy pulled her one step back, just out of the horse's reach.

Elizabeth hid the plastic bag and Tuareg did his little trick. He arched his neck very gracefully and raised one of his front legs, moving it back and forth as if digging in the ground. He was immediately rewarded for his exhibition.

The noise of the plastic bag alerted Sonata to the presence of carrots and she too pulled her ties to their limits to reach Elizabeth.

"Oh Sonny, I'm sorry." Elizabeth walked towards Charles' mare after giving Tuareg a good amount of carrots. "Here you are."

"Feed her, Elizabeth," laughed Charles, "but don't expect her to make a spectacle of herself like Darcy's horse."

After showing them the camp and the surroundings, Bingley suggested that they should go to the restaurant to have some lunch before the show. They were on the way to the restaurant when a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Charles! William! At last I found you! Where have you been?"

The four turned around. Charles sighed and Darcy glanced at Elizabeth with an unreadable look. It was Caroline Bingley.

Caroline approached them with a radiant smile, which faded almost the instant she laid her eyes on Elizabeth. She knew that Jane was coming, she was dating her brother after all, but what was Elizabeth Bennet doing here? She recovered quickly, though, and approached them while removing her sunglasses. Caroline placed a brief kiss on her brother's cheek and attempted a not so brief one on Darcy's, who quickly stepped back.

"Oh, William, it is so wonderful to see you. I am so glad to be back." she added as an afterthought, "And Jane and Elizabeth, how nice, you came too."

"Hi, Caroline, you are looking great, very tanned," smiled Jane.

"Yes, I had a splendid time in Australia. I swear, I will not stay another winter in London."

No one replied to that comment.

"So, Jane," Caroline realized that she would have to make some conversation with her brother's girlfriend, "How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you. I've been very busy at work, but I'm happy that I could come here today with Charles," Jane responded very amiably.

Caroline's smile was as false as it could be as she addressed Jane's sister. "And Elizabeth, I really didn't expect to find you here. What an extraordinary opportunity for you. I'm sure that attending this show would be of great help in your ... work, too."

Elizabeth showed that she could smile falsely too. "Oh yes, it certainly is."

"Seeing true professionals ride, staying around while they practice," now Caroline moved closer to Darcy, placing a possessive hand on his arm, "I'm sure you aren't always able to receive the advice from experts like Charles or William."

"Oh, yes, I do," replied Elizabeth with an innocent glance towards her boyfriend. "William has been so helpful lately. He's shown me some very interesting tips." This last phrase was said in a rather suggestive manner that made Darcy smile and look at his boots.

Caroline succeeded in keeping her smile in place and changed the subject. "Well, what are we doing now? Why don't we go for a drink?"

"Actually Caroline," said Charles, "We were on our way to have an early lunch."

"That's fabulous. I'm starving." She positioned herself beside Darcy as they walked towards the club's restaurant.

By Darcy's other arm walked a very amused Elizabeth. While she had been incensed when that reporter flirted with her boyfriend on TV, what was going on right now was really beginning to amaze her. Caroline was clueless about their relationship and fighting for a place in Darcy's heart that had never been available for her. For once, she would have liked Darcy to be more demonstrative in public, but, hell, she would love to see Caroline's face when she realized how things were between them.

Once inside the restaurant, they chose a table near the window and the scanning of the sitting began. Caroline was determined to sit next to Darcy and keep Elizabeth as far away from him as possible so she was alert to his every move. Obviously, she never imagined her plan to be so easily thwarted.

Darcy wasn't a fool and guessed Caroline's intentions the moment she clutched his arm for the first time. Being touched by her was something that he found utterly irritating and Caroline was doing it with an annoying frequency. It was obvious that Caroline was trying to separate him from Elizabeth and he was sure that she was waiting for him to choose a seat for her to land her bony rear next to him. So he planned his next move carefully. Politely, Darcy pulled out a chair on one end of the table and offered it to Caroline.

Elizabeth blinked at the gesture, wondering what his intention was with this. Being ignored by him or coming second in his civility wasn't something she liked so she hoped that he had a very good reason for doing that.

Caroline was exhilarated by such demonstration of civility, though her happiness didn't last long. After asking her if she was comfortably seated, Darcy walked around the table, as far away from Caroline's chair as the table allowed. He pulled out a chair for Elizabeth and sat beside her; Charles sat next to the window across him, Jane across Elizabeth and beside Jane, a very annoyed Caroline had to content herself with just observing Darcy from the distance.

As lunch progressed, Caroline was becoming more and more alarmed by what she saw. There was something different about Darcy and his interaction with Elizabeth that made her suspect that there was something going on between them. They were acting so ... friendly. They smiled at each other constantly -so unlike Darcy, to smile so much- and, in one way or another, Elizabeth always managed to draw Darcy's attention on her. Of course she tried to interrupt them as much as she could but they would quickly refocus on themselves and found a way to exclude her from the conversation. And she could not allow this to happen.

"Frankly, I can't understand how you can eat all that," Caroline's statement was directed at her brother's spaghetti but was a subtle missile sent towards Elizabeth's ravioli. "I feel so heavy after eating that much."

"You know I like pasta, Caro. Eat your salad, I am not complaining about it," Charles retorted.

"Is that all you are going to eat?" Elizabeth looked at Darcy's steamed vegetables.

Darcy opened his mouth to reply but Caroline was faster, interrupting him for the tenth time since they sat at the table.

"Eliza, dear, William never eats much when he is about to compete." Caroline said with a self-important chuckle, showing off an intimacy with Darcy that only existed in her imagination. "Like me, he is very careful with his diet."

Elizabeth stared blankly at Caroline. This was really tiring her.

"That looks delicious." Darcy pointed with his fork at Elizabeth's ravioli, now covered with extra cheese.

Elizabeth put one in her mouth and glanced at him under her lashes. "It is."

"Can I have one?"

She met his mischievous, smiling eyes. "What about your healthy diet?"

"Actually, I can use some calories for the show."

Elizabeth sighed. "All right, only one." And to Caroline's utter shock, she took one ravioli and placed right it into Darcy's opened mouth.

"Delicious." he chewed it very slowly, his eyes never leaving Elizabeth's.

Caroline stared in horror at the scene happening in front of her eyes. Darcy stole another ravioli from Elizabeth's plate, then Elizabeth took revenge and robbed him of a potato and then they began a playful argument comparing the size of the food that was being stolen and they ended sharing the meal.

This was even more serious than she had thought.

By the time they finished eating, Darcy and Elizabeth were already fed up with Caroline's interruptions, Caroline was in controlled hysterics and Charles and Jane had already decided that they wouldn't interfere.

They were all leaving the restaurant when Caroline heard someone calling her. She turned to see an acquaintance of hers.

"Annette! How are you?" Caroline's face brightened.

The ladies touched their cheeks to each other with kissing noises.

"I haven't seen you in ages! Has that wonderful tan something to do with it?" Annette asked.

Caroline laughed elegantly. "Yes, dear, I've been in Victoria, in that lovely house we have by the beach."

"It really looks great on you. So you came to see your brother? I heard he did great in Johannesburg."

"Yes, Charles spent all the winter begging me to come back; I am his amulet, you know. And I also want to spend more time with William, too. I think that I've been very selfish when I decided to stay away for so long."

Annette struggled to maintain her smile. She was facing the large windows of the restaurant, the ones that faced the arena and Caroline wasn't, so Annette was in perfect view of what was going on outside.

"William Darcy?" she asked Caroline.

"Yes, Will and I have become very close lately."

"Oh," Annette's eyes went from the window to Caroline and back to the window, "I didn't know that you two ..."

From Annette's tone, Caroline realized that something was happening behind her back. She spun around. Right in front of her, standing outside the restaurant, were Darcy and Elizabeth.

They were standing barely a step away from each other, both looking Elizabeth's hands, which were gently grasped by Darcy's. He seemed to be inspecting them. He stroked them and then, to Caroline's utter shock, he lifted them to his lips and placed a soft kiss on Elizabeth's fingers.

Maintaining her composure in front of Annette while watching the couple walk away was one of the hardest things Caroline ever did in her life. While her acquaintance told her about a new interior decorator she had discovered, Caroline was only thinking about how to leave without incinerating herself in front of one the queens of London's society.

Darcy and Elizabeth returned to the camp where they joined Charles and Jane. They sat on the foldable chairs they brought, hoping that Caroline would spend the rest of the day with whoever she found at the restaurant. Unfortunately, she was already catching up with them.

On seeing her, Elizabeth released a disgusted sigh. This was beginning to bother her. She glanced at Darcy, somehow irritated by his inaction but knowing that Caroline's behaviour wasn't his fault. If he didn't tell that woman what was going on between them in the next in five minutes, she surely would, and not as gently as she would like. Darcy, after a heavy exhalation, shook his head and said nothing.

Charles and Jane were deep in conversation, so they didn't even notice Caroline's arrival. All four chairs were occupied, so she just stood waiting for someone to do something about it.

Darcy rose and offered her his chair. "Caroline, would you like to sit down?"

"Oh, William, you are such a gentleman." She sat and showed Elizabeth a triumphant grin. The little nobody would finally learn that she shouldn't aspire to quit the sphere in which she was brought up.

Once Caroline was comfortably seated, Darcy turned to his girlfriend. "Elizabeth, do you mind if I use your chair?"

Elizabeth stared blankly at him. What was he up to? She stood, glaring at him inquiringly and ignoring Caroline's satisfied looks.

Sighing, Darcy lazily dropped his body on the chair. He looked up at Elizabeth, who was standing in front of him. She really looked annoyed. He cocked his eyebrow and with that slow, super sexy half smile of his, he patted his thigh and made a slight inclination of his head, offering her an entirely different place where to rest her lovely bottom.

Grinning widely, Elizabeth sat on the offered seat and wasn't surprised when Darcy's hand went to the nape of her neck, under her hair. He sat straight so he would be closer to her and whispered an 'I love you' before pulling her into a slow, sensuous kiss.

Half an hour later, Caroline recalled that she had something very important to do, in Alaska.

With Caroline gone, both couples were finally able to enjoy themselves without undesirable interruptions. It didn't take long for them to break apart. Charles and Jane went for a walk, and Darcy and Elizabeth headed towards the arena to watch the junior classes. They took their seats on the sunny side and together they observed the young generation making their first steps inside the arena.

This was a whole new and fascinating experience for Elizabeth. It had been some time since she went to a show to just observe. In fact, the last time she had been at one was while she was working with the Midlands and she was so nervous about her team to really enjoy the show. Sitting next to someone with Darcy's expertise was very enlightening. They both liked to watch the others riding and discuss -good naturedly- their performance as a way to improve their own knowledge.

"Hi, excuse me, Mr. Darcy? William?" A young girl, probably 15 or 16, blonde, typical high society, accompanied by another one, addressed them.

Darcy opened his eyes. While Elizabeth watched, he had been sitting there, eyes closed, head slightly laid back, with his arms extended on the armrests of the seats on each side of them, facing the sun. A breathtaking sight.

"Yes?" he eyed the girl.

"Hi," the girl shifted her weight from one foot to another, "I am Priscilla Stuart, I ...."

"Are you Irving's daughter?" Darcy inquired.

Priscilla grinned brightly. "Yes, he is my dad." She had this typical adolescent flirtatious look that Elizabeth was beginning to dislike.

Being a daughter of an acquaintance and also an influential person in the horse world, Darcy's manners were more amiable than usual. "I see you are competing today."

Elizabeth could tell that Pricilla was moistening her underwear but, what the hell, who wouldn't be with England's Hottest Horseman sitting in front of her.

"Yeah," Pricilla glanced at Elizabeth, who was snuggling closer to Darcy. "This morning, in Juniors."

"Priscilla, this is Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy said while placing his hand on Elizabeth's arm, showing their degree of intimacy. The girl replied with a quick 'hi' and continued with her coquettish admiration of the man in front of her. Her friend, perhaps not as good looking as Priscilla, was doing the same. "So, how did it go?" he asked.

"Oh," the girl rolled her eyes in false modesty, "quite good, but not as well as I would have liked, but well enough, I think."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Priscilla stood there looking at him, as if unsure of how to proceed. The poke on her back that her friend gave her made her remember the reason why she approached him on the first place.

"You are on the cover of Equiworld Magazine." she finally said.

Darcy smiled.

"I wonder if you ...could sign my copy," she asked with an impertinent smile.

Elizabeth couldn't believe this. The girl didn't even blush when she asked.

"Sure." Darcy took the offered magazine and signed it before returning it to the girl.

Priscilla looked as if she was to burst out in happiness. Her mute friend was doing the same. "Thanks, great." She exchanged enthusiastic looks with the other girl and then grinned broadly at Darcy. "It was very nice to meet you. Thanks again, bye."

"You are welcome," smiled Darcy. "Give my regards to your father."

Elizabeth's eyes followed the girls as they scampered merrily down the stairs. She glanced at Darcy, who was looking at the arena as if nothing had happened.

"Priscilla, huh?" This wasn't his fault, but she couldn't stop feeling a little annoyed by what had happened.

"I know her father," he said in an indifferent tone, a dimple forming in his cheek.

"Yeah, yeah." Elizabeth crossed her arms and looked at the arena.

Darcy continued, giving the matter little consequence, but knowing that his stubborn little girlfriend was quite upset by the whole thing. "She's just a child."

"Ha!" she huffed grumpily, "girls her age have run more races than you can imagine."

He stared pensively at the arena and then moved closer to speak close to her ear. "Not all of them."

Elizabeth bit her lip and pushed him away, something that immediately made him laugh and embrace her. Two seconds later, she was laughing too. It was not uncommon that Darcy teased her about her virginity, always obtaining this kind of reaction from her. He had this obsessive fascination with it that she didn't know where it came from. She wasn't sure if it was because he truly admired her virtue or because no one had gotten there first. Regardless what the reason was and really, she was almost sure that it was the latter, the fact that it was as important for him as it was for her made her immensely happy.

She remained silent for a while and then asked with a provocative smile. "You never gave me your autograph."

"You never asked me."

"I didn't know I had to."

"Well," Darcy sighed in feigned boredom as his eyes followed the rider galloping the ring, "I've been so busy lately."

She would never ask.

"Oh, all right," he said, "Give me the brochure."

Elizabeth gave him the brochure of the show and he began to turn the pages. He found the page he was looking for and opened it on a Mercedes-Benz ad that had his picture on it.

"What are you writing?" her curiosity was piqued. That was too long to be an autograph.

"You'll see, you'll see," he replied smugly. He wrote some more and gave her the catalogue. "Here you are."

Elizabeth read,

'to the one, the only love of my life, I love you, love you, love you, love you, love you. If that is not enough I will say it again: I love you. E.H.H.'

"E.H.H.?" she asked.

"England's Hottest Horseman." Darcy pointed at the signature.

Elizabeth laughed and Darcy did the same.

"I love you, E.H.H." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.

Their lazy observation of the juniors didn't last long as Darcy's turn was in a couple of hours and he had to begin the warm up. They walked towards the camp, Darcy with his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and she with her arm around his waist. When they reached the horses, they found a man conversing with Charles and Jane. Elizabeth found his face familiar but she couldn't recall who he was.

"Liz," Darcy introduced her to the man, "this is Greg Wertham; he was part of the team in Johannesburg. Greg, this is Elizabeth Bennet."

Elizabeth shook his hand as she put the name with the pictures she had seen. Greg was a very well known horseman; he was taking his first steps in the international circuit. "Nice to meet you."

Greg swept her body with his eyes. "Enjoying the show?"

"Very much," she smiled brightly. "It's a lovely place."

They conversed for a while until Darcy announced that he should be starting and Charles went to check Sonata's saddle.

"Maybe you girls would like to join me at the grandstand to watch you guys compete. I would love to critique Darcy's ride when he cannot hear me," Greg said to the sisters.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say no when she felt Darcy's hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, Greg, but Elizabeth likes to watch from the ringside. Liz, let's see if Tuareg's saddle is all right. Bye Greg."

Elizabeth felt herself dragged away and said a quick goodbye to the other man. Darcy only released her shoulder when they reached the horse.

"These are OK." she checked the leg wraps.

Darcy didn't answer.

"This too," she said as she checked the girth.

He went for his hat.

"What a lovely day," Elizabeth looked up at the sky. "I think I will go down to the restaurant to have a coffee with Jane while you do the warm up."

He didn't turn around as he checked the saddle with hasty movements. "OK."

His tone made her realize that something was going on. "Will, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." He didn't meet her eyes.

"William, what is wrong with you?"

He checked on the bridle and untied the horse from the tree.

Elizabeth couldn't understand what was wrong with him. "I'll walk you to the schooling pen."

Darcy shrugged in this 'do as you please' manner.

She asked Jane to meet her at the restaurant and walked with him. He didn't open his mouth at all on the way. By the time they reached the schooling pen, Elizabeth was desperate. She had never seen him act like this, not even at Netherfield and didn't know what to do or how to make him talk. Her anguish rose and couldn't stop her eyes from watering.

"Will?" she tried one more time.

"See you later." he gave her a quick glance before turning to the horse. When he saw her tears, he froze. "Elizabeth?" he swallowed. "Liz, what ...?"

"Why are you angry with me?"

"Angry? Who said I was angry?"

"You are not looking at me." she blinked her tears back. "You are ..."

"No, my love," he spoke tenderly, holding her face in his hands. "I am not. Please forgive me if I made you think I was."

Though she couldn't understand what was happening and how he could change so dramatically in exactly two seconds, his caresses made her feel much better. Perhaps he was just nervous about the show. He comforted her until he was sure she was all right and then kissed her forehead before turning to the horse.

"I'll better go, or I'll be late."

"All right." she smiled, still not sure if she was OK or not.

"So you'll watch from the ringside, by the gate, you are not going to the grandstand," he said in an oh-so casual voice as he placed his foot in the stirrup and lifted himself on Tuareg's back.

What had the grandstands to do with this? What was going on here? And then, realization came. All this ignoring her was because Darcy thought she was going to the grandstands with Greg. So Mr. Darcy was jealous. Her tears were replaced with enraged sparkles when she responded. "What if I am?"

Darcy had not sat his rear on the saddle when he swung his leg again over the horse's hindquarters and dismounted. His face was stony when he inquired. "Are you?"

"Maybe I will." she maintained her challenging tone.

Jealousy is not a rational emotion and Darcy wasn't thinking rationally when he spoke. "All right, but Jane is going with you."

She stepped closer and poked her forefinger in his chest. "You are jealous."

No answer.

"You are jealous and you don't trust me."

He coloured and swallowed, he would never admit it. "I trust you."

"No, you don't. You are jealous of that man and you don't want me to sit with him to watch you compete. You don't trust me."

Darcy's temper rose. "I trust you, but I don't trust him."

This was totally unjustified. She never wanted to sit with Greg. She didn't even like Greg and didn't think that Greg liked her either, so all this discussion was utterly ridiculous. If Darcy was stubborn, Elizabeth was the most stubborn person on earth and while one part of her wanted to just forget about this and enjoy the day with him, she couldn't let him go so easily.

"Oh yes? What will he do? Kidnap me? Rape me right there for everyone to see?"

He wasn't ready to admit he was in the wrong. "No, but I don't want him near you, I ..."

Elizabeth, arms crossed over her chest, foot tapping the ground, waited for him to justify his behaviour. He really didn't have a logical argument to sustain his point. He looked at his feet in an attempt to control his frustration.

"Do you really want to go?" he sighed, resigned and helpless.

She couldn't believe that he was still considering that possibility. She wanted to be offended, really, but he was looking so cute right now that it was impossible to be angry with him. "No, not at all, I never wanted."

He brightened instantly. He brought his hand to her cheek and squeezed it. "I'll see you by the gate."

Elizabeth saw him mount his horse in one clean jump (Tuareg was tall, and Darcy didn't even touch the stirrup) and part to the schooling pen to begin the warm up, content and unmoved as if nothing had happened. She preferred not to analyse this or she would surely strangle him. Really, he didn't even look guilty for almost making her cry. How could he possibly think that she would pay attention to a man like Greg when she had declared repeatedly that she loved him? What makes a man like Darcy feel so unsure of himself?

With her limited experience in relationships, the closest to a jealous boyfriend she had was when she dated Josh Higgins at the age of sixteen and that lasted only two weeks. But this was an entirely different thing. She loved Darcy and didn't want to give up on him for any reason, so this jealousy thing was something she had to be very careful about in the future.

Pensively, she walked towards the restaurant to meet Jane. She shook her head wondering what other things about her handsome boyfriend she still had to discover.

Darcy passed to the finals but, though he made an excellent time, he didn't win because he dropped the end of the triple corral. Charles was more successful, but ended obtaining a third place, so someone else won the event. Despite of the results, both riders weren't a bit worried about it as they somehow expected this to happen. Tuareg and Sonata were still fatigued because of the trip to Johannesburg and being a non-ranked event, they didn't want to put any pressure on their horses.

"You were doing so well," Elizabeth told Darcy as he covered Tuareg with his blanket. "I don't understand why you dropped it."

"It happens." he shrugged. "Perhaps I should have pushed him a little more. Anyway, we did fine, didn't we, donkey?" Darcy patted the horse's neck enthusiastically.

Tuareg sniffed his pockets looking for carrots so Elizabeth went for them and gave him some. While she was feeding him, Darcy stood behind her and embraced her, applying some very ticklish kisses on her ear and cheek. Elizabeth began to giggle and stopped feeding the horse so Tuareg, in an attempt to recover her attention, gave them a hard push with his head.

"He's jealous," Darcy pulled her away so the horse wouldn't bother them.

"He is jealous?" The afternoon's incident was still bothering her.

He bit his lower lip and looked slightly remorseful, but not much. "I'm sorry about that; it's just that I can't think of another man looking at you."

Elizabeth preferred a non-confrontational posture. "And what are you going to do when I go to Uni? There will be hundreds of men there."

"Can't we just wait until it happens? I still have a few months ahead to castrate all your possible classmates. Why didn't you choose a more girly career? Something like Interior Decoration or Fashion Design, where most of the men are gay. That would make things a lot easier for me."

"You are crazy!" She laughed.

He grinned broadly. "I'm crazy for you."

That night, both couples attended the dinner and dance that the club organized. It was a nice, formal event where most of the horse people in the region went to enjoy a good night out and do some public relations.

Her new status as Darcy's girlfriend gave Elizabeth a new perspective of the horse world. She was now able to join, converse and interact with people that otherwise wouldn't even acknowledge her existence, that only existed in magazines and that, for her, was as unreachable as the stars.

Reaching the top wasn't only a matter of talent or hard work. It was a matter of money -lots of- and connections. And Darcy had that. Though this wasn't a top event, the fact that many important people in the industry were there permitted a good interaction and subjects that she never expected to hear about were commented on in front of her. She learned the details of the sale of a horse that was exported to the US for 800.000 dollars only to discover one minute later that her boyfriend owned one third of it. Stud fees were consulted -from Tuareg's sire- and Darcy received inquires about possible purchases of horses from Pemberley stables.

All this overwhelmed Elizabeth at the beginning, though she soon realized that she had nothing to fear. These people didn't bite and some of them were very nice and very easy to talk to. Elizabeth was no fool, she knew that they were paying her reverence just because she was William Darcy's date, but she didn't mind it. Darcy was making it obvious that she was more than that. He introduced her as his girlfriend, encouraged her participation in the conversation and stood not in front of her but beside her all through the evening. She wasn't his shadow and he didn't shadow her. They acted, they were, in every sense, a real couple.

Once the necessary mingling with acquaintances ended, Darcy took her hand and led the way to the dance floor so he could have her just for himself. They danced very closely, each one drunk in the scent of the other.

"Did I tell you that you are looking beautiful tonight?" Darcy smiled down at her. "Yes," she looked at him under her lashes, "twice."

"Then I fear I will be repeating myself quite often as I plan to say it over and over again." he pulled her even closer. "Do you remember the first time we danced together?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She behaved awfully with him that night. "Yes, I do."

"Do you want to know what I was thinking while we danced?"

His eyes twinkled too wickedly for a chaste memory. "What."

Darcy lowered his lips to her ear and spoke in a low voice. "I wanted to taste your earlobe."

Elizabeth cursed her ability to blush so easily. But she couldn't let that one pass. "Oh, yes? And what stopped you?"

"My own stupidity."

She glanced at him from under her lashes. "And now?"

A slow smile grew on his lips. "Just you wait, young lady, just you wait."

The couple was a little light headed when they finally left the party. The champagne, the close dancing, the flirting, everything had contributed to the dizziness they were now feeling. But as they walked down the corridor that led to their bedrooms, the mood changed drastically. The atmosphere became charged with the fears and expectations of what may -or may not happen- once they reached Elizabeth's door.

Once at her door, Elizabeth fumbled with the keys, but her fingers didn't seem to collaborate. Her existential dilemma now was: Would he come in, too? Was he expecting her to invite him? Should she invite him in? Would the bloody door open or not?

She tried once again, but the key didn't seem to fit inside the lock. "This is not working, we should call the manager ..."

"Allow me." Darcy took the keys from her hand and performed the task for her.

"Thank you," Elizabeth eyes met his for a second. "I'm sure Jane's sleeping by now. She and Charles left the party so early."

Though Darcy took that as hint that he would not be invited in, he tried once again, just in case. "I don't think she is in there," he pointed at Charles' door, not far away. It was sporting a very obvious 'do not disturb' sign.

Elizabeth looked up at him with wide eyes. The first thing that came to her mind was betrayal. Her sister had deliberately boycotted the perfect excuse she had not to spend the night with him. Almost desperate, Elizabeth walked inside the room and checked if Jane was indeed there. The traitor wasn't. Oh dear.

Darcy stepped inside and observed how she inspected the room and returned to him with big scared eyes. Definitely not an invitation. Perhaps he could convince her if he insisted but he preferred not to. Why ruin what had been a perfect day by insisting on something she didn't want to do? Anyway, it was almost three in the morning, he had to be up at seven for the race and if he wanted to make love all through the night as he was planning, they didn't have much time ahead.

"Well ..." she stopped in front of him.

"Well ..." he cupped her face in his hands.

He gave her a soft, good night kiss. He insisted on a second one, then a third one and then a fourth, every time kissing her more intently. Her lips parted, his tongue tasted her, she pressed her body to his, he grabbed her bottom, she sighed, he moaned, and a couple of minutes later they were kissing each other madly.

When Elizabeth realized what was going on, she was pressed against the wall, Darcy's hand was kneading her breast and one of his legs was between hers. The skirt of her dress was somehow loose and it was climbing upwards quickly with Darcy's unceremonious exploration of her butt.

"The-the door is open," Elizabeth managed breathlessly.

Without parting his lips from her throat, he reached out and closed it. They clung to each other again, and this time Darcy levelled her body with his. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs embraced his hips. The wall of the bedroom became their support.

As Darcy manoeuvred her, he reached the turning point. He wanted her, but in the little rationality he still possessed he realized that this wasn't what he wanted for their first time. He wanted a full night together, to love her repeatedly and what the hell, he didn't have a single bloody condom with him. How could he be such an idiot? He discarded the possibility of going out to buy some or knock Charles' door to ask if he had any. Other birth control methods where promptly dismissed and he resigned himself to his fate. This was not the night, but, by God, he would get as close to it as he could. With her limbs curled around him, he accommodated her hips against his and thrust up into her opened legs, hard and without hesitation.

Elizabeth gasped when she felt his hardness poking her where she sensed most. He pushed again and again, driving her to a state of frenzy where she was not in control of herself anymore. She kissed him fiercely and clung onto him as tension and pleasure merged in one wonderful explosion.

Darcy thought that he could burst out at any moment. The sounds that escaped her were unmistakable; she was climaxing, and as she found her release, he reached to the point where one move forward would make him reach his. Panting, he forced himself to stop before making a mess in his clothes. If this was not going to happen, there was no reason to inflict more pain on his already aching loins. He eased his pressure and the puddle that was Elizabeth slowly slid down the wall until she was able to stand, shakily, on her own feet.

Pemberley, he thought. "I'd better go. It's ... it's getting late," he said breathlessly.

Elizabeth couldn't speak or think; she just nodded.

He said a shaky goodnight and left for his room to find his own relief.

As for Elizabeth, she thought as she was going to faint. She rested her head against the wall and lowered her skirt. "Wow."

"Morning," Elizabeth said to Darcy as she walked into the breakfast room of the hotel.

He looked up and smiled. "Good morning."

Elizabeth was still feeling awkward because of what happened the previous night. Averting her eyes quickly, she took her seat by his side and waited for the waiter to serve her some coffee.

"Sleep well?"

"Yes." she said with a shy glance at him. His hair was still wet and combed back and his just shaven face gave him a refreshed appearance. The man certainly looked good in the mornings.

"You were very ... relaxed when I left you last night." he buttered himself a piece of toast.

She darted him a sideways glance. He couldn't be teasing her about that. "And you? Did you sleep well? You seemed a little ... tense when you left my room."

He shrugged. "Nothing that a cold shower didn't fix."

She bit her lower lip. Cold shower indeed. Poor thing, she could imagine his state but if he left, it was his decision. She never voiced a dismissal. "You could have stayed, you know."

"Are you sure?" Darcy asked in a light manner, though with deadly serious meaning,

As always, he was right; she wasn't sure. To be honest, she was but then she wasn't, which only made her feel even more embarrassed about her own, senseless hesitation. She knew she was trying his patience with this, playing with his limits, and she wondered how long he would endure this 'incomplete' relationship with her and demand what she was willing to give, but didn't have the courage to let go.

"Don't worry, it's OK."

"Really?" Elizabeth smiled.

Grinning, he shook his head. "No, but there's nothing I can do about it. Anyway, a few hours wouldn't have been enough to do all what I wanted to do, Elizabeth, so I just gave you a little sample." He held her by the chin and locked his eyes with hers. "You seemed to enjoy it but I warn you, madam: be careful because the next time I won't let you go so easily."

Elizabeth blushed, embarrassed by his bluntness and her own doubts.

Darcy saw her inner conflict and decided to give her a break. "Come here." he leaned closer "You didn't give me my good morning kiss."

Half an hour later, they were ready to leave but Charles and Jane weren't there yet. They were supposed to leave together but the other couple seemed to be having a late start. The hotel was some 10 minutes away from the club, so that was not a problem if it weren't for the fact that Charles' turn was before Darcy's.

With one last glance at his watch, Darcy announced their leave. "Let's go or we'll be late."

"And Charles and Jane?" asked Elizabeth.

He shrugged.

"Perhaps we should call them ..."

"No." he removed his napkin from his lap and rose.

Elizabeth followed him. "But, Charles might lose his turn!"

"Well, perhaps that'll teach him some punctuality. We agreed that we would meet here at eight."

She looked at her watch. It was nearly 8.30. "Will! You can't leave and leave him here!"

"Leave and leave?" he chuckled and led the way out of the hotel.

"You know what I mean!"

"They can go in Jane's car."

Elizabeth couldn't believe he was doing this and, most of all, enjoying it. Because she could see that he was enjoying this. "He is your friend, your team mate, you can't leave him here!"

He didn't answer.

"What kind of friend are you?" Elizabeth accused angrily. "You are abandoning him!"

Darcy stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her. Elizabeth immediately regretted what she had just said.

For a few seconds he just stared at her and, for once, Elizabeth was dreading his reaction. He had always remained immutable to her outbursts but now she knew she had gone too far. That was a hard accusation she had thrown at him, perhaps even undeserved and he had the right to be angry with her. So if he wanted to dump her, she could not blame him. She could live with that, it was her fault, she deserved it but she knew she would miss him terribly if he did it and ...

"Do you know what I absolutely adore about you?" he asked finally.

She raised a suspicious eyebrow. "What?"

"This ability you have to always think the worst about me, immediately jumping to the wrong conclusion without even knowing the facts. And then, when you are informed about them, you are so remorseful that I can have you at my mercy and I can take advantage of that absolutely delicious pout that you bring to your lips as you beg for forgiveness."

She gasped. "Beg?!?"

"Beg." he grinned.

She began to laugh and he laughed too. "You are so silly!"

Darcy encircled her neck with his arm, roughly pulling her to him. "I already called him, twice while you were in the loo and he didn't answer, which means that he is either asleep or too busy to take the call." he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "So, where is my remorseful pout?"

"If you weren't doing this on purpose I would think that you are a saint."

He lowered his lips to her ear, his breath sending tickles all through her body. "Saints don't have the thoughts I have of you right now."

"You are so naughty." Elizabeth felt herself growing warmer. "You have this ability to never answer what I want or expect, provoking me until I say something that is completely wrong, and then forgiving me for acting so foolishly. Really, I can't understand how it is that you tolerate all this without dumping me."

"My pout, please."

Elizabeth obliged him and her pout was sucked into Darcy's playful mouth.

"Come on, or you'll be late," she said when he released her.

"And Charles?" Darcy asked.

"Who cares?"

"Everything OK last night, Andy?" Darcy asked Andrew once they reached their camp. "Did you like your room?"

"It was great, very comfortable."

"Great," He then moved closer to Tuareg and caressed his head. "And you, donkey, did you rest well?"

Elizabeth observed as Darcy had his private chat with his horse. Tuareg leaned his forehead on Darcy's chest and stayed very still while his owner talked to him and caressed neck. It was amazing to see them together, the trust, the understanding that existed between them. Indeed, they made the best team she had ever seen.

"Andy," Darcy asked the young boy after checking his watch, "why don't you exercise Sonata for a while? Charles will appear at any moment and it's better if she is already warmed up when he comes."

Though Darcy said this calmly, Elizabeth noticed a certain tension in his tone. Charles' turn was in about half an hour and he would miss it if he didn't show up in time. She saw Darcy dialling his mobile and muttering a curse when Charles didn't answer.

The next rider was off and Charles' turn followed. Sonata was ready, Darcy was becoming really nervous and Elizabeth was already resigned that Charles would miss this one. Number six (Charles' number) was announced and everyone began to look around searching for him.

Just when the judge looked at his watch with a frown, a very agitated Charles was seen running across the lawn towards the start line. Like the hero of a romantic movie, Charles kissed Jane, put his hat on and jumped on his mare to make the fastest and most proficient ride of his life.

Darcy smiled and shook his head. Charles would never change.

Usually, cross-country courses are about 2 to 5 miles long, depending on the extension of the premises. This one was three miles long and had a 9 minute limit of time to run across it. Obstacles weren't high, 2 or 3 feet, but they were strategically situated according to the topography of the course, adding to the endurance race the difficulty of 24 smartly placed hurdles. There were fences on the top of hills, pronounced descents (one was a more than 10 feet high almost vertical slope) and ponds to jump into. The most complicated jump of the course was No. 22. It was low obstacle situated on the top of a hill which led to a pond situated more than 3 feet below the level of the ground. It was a jump that required equilibrium, stability and very good reflexes as everything happened in a fraction of a second. Today, only two riders had overcome this obstacle successfully: Charles and another one. Three of them fell, one jumped around it, and there were two refusals.

By the time Darcy's turn came, Elizabeth was very anxious. While he did the warm up, she and Jane went to the finish line so they could have a better view of the last part of the course. It seems that the ground was rather slippery in certain places for some of the riders complained about it when they reached the finish line.