Page 17 of Puck and Prejudice

“And ended up here?” I quirk a brow.

The corners of his lips twitch upward. “You caught me. I saw the stables earlier, and I was dying to poke around. I love horses.”

Having a normal conversation with Jackson is doing things to me. I’m actually enjoying his company, but I can’t forget that he behaved terribly on the last two occasions we interacted.

I glance at Cicero. “I love horses too. That’s why I’m specializing in their care.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a veterinarian… well, I will be once I finish my residency.”

Jackson goes quiet, which makes me curious. Now his jaw is hanging loose, and he’s definitely seeing me differently. His stare now lacks that condescending air.

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. I should return to the house and check on Chad.”

“Same… I mean, not that I have to check on Chad. I just need to put Cicero in his stall. I’ll see you inside.”

He nods and leaves, and I watch. It should be criminal for jerkfaces to be that good looking, but I’m not ashamed to admit I’m enjoying the view. Jackson Darcy has a nice ass.

ChapterEight

JACKSON

When I sought refuge in the Bennets’ stables, I didn’t expect to find Izzie Bennet there. The sight of her grooming a horse was a surprise that left me filled with conflicting emotions. Her warm brown eyes had beguiled me from the very first time, but there was all that animosity muddling things over. Today, I saw past my ill disposition toward her and was struck by how stunning she is. No wonder Wickham was all over her at the party.

I’ve never let a pretty face distract me from any goal I set, but the short conversation we exchanged weakened my resolution. Horses are my second passion in life, and to know I share that with Izzie disarmed me. But I’m still determined to investigate her family. I’ll never forgive myself if I let Chad commit to someone unworthy of him.

The short trek back to the main house is enough for me to sort out my thoughts and priorities. By the time I walk into the Bennets’ house, the conversation with Izzie and my reaction to her are tucked into a dark corner of my mind.

Chad turns to me, relief shining in his eyes. “Jackson, there you are.”

“Sorry. I had to make a phone call,” I lie, feeling guilty for ditching him earlier.

“Oh, don’t worry, dear,” Mrs. Bennet pipes up. “It was so nice of you to come with Chad to meet us all. He told us you’re like a brother to him.”

“That’s right.”

I look past Mrs. Bennet’s shoulder and notice movement in the hallway behind her. My pulse accelerates when I realize it’s Izzie. She must have used a door in the back of the house. She stops in front of a mirror in the hallway and fusses with her hair. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t take my eyes off her.

I’m saved from myself when a tall man with gray hair and short beard joins us in the living room. This must be Mr. Bennet.

“Good afternoon,” he says in a British accent. He gives the room a cursory glance before he focuses on Chad, standing next to his fiancée. “You must be Chad Bingley.”

“Y-yes, that’s me.”

Izzie joins the party while Mr. Bennet stares at Chad without saying a word. With each second that passes, tension grows in the air.

I open my mouth to introduce myself and hopefully give Chad a moment to breathe, but Mr. Bennet beats me to the punch.

“It’s a bit unusual to meet the man who’s going to marry my daughter for the first timeafterthe proposal.”

Chad’s face turns beet red. “I… uh, yes, it’s unusual. Everything happened so fast… and I…”

“And you didn’t even have the decency to ask for her hand in marriage!” Mr. Bennet adds.

Oh shit.

---