Page 27 of Till Death Us Do Part: Book 2
Elizabeth found Mr Longman in the stable and gave him a cheery good day. They exchanged the usual pleasantries, but then the ageing groom surprised her with a direct question.
“Not my place to ask, Mrs Darcy, but you do not seem in the best of humours.”
“You are correct, but I hope to not take it out on you or your horses.”
Longman seemed a bit hesitant, but finally said, “Lord Matlock mistreats his horses,” with the same tone of voice he would use to describe a murderer.
“I suppose that tells you all you need to know about him.”
“Would you care for a suggestion, madam?”
Curiously, Elizabeth agreed immediately, so the man led her out of the stables and a few hundred yards to another enclosure. A dozen yards from the fence, he let out a whistle. By the time they approached the gate, a horse was running towards them.
“He is not as obedient as he seems. He just knows from experience that I only whistle if I have a treat.”
Elizabeth watched the horse trot towards them, and she had to admit he was the most beautiful stallion she had ever seen. A minute later, she became frightfully aware that he was also the biggest horse she had ever been that close to.
“Do not worry, Mrs Darcy. He will not harm you.”
Elizabeth smiled and was pleased to see Longman start slicing a couple of apples. When the stallion poked his head overthe fence, she was happy enough to feed him the treats, a piece at a time.
“He is a beautiful specimen. Whose is he?”
Longman scratched the horse’s nose. “This is Omega, my lady. The master was going through a Greek phase when he named him. Alpha and Gamma have been long sold, though.”
“Ah, so this magnificent beast belongs to Mr Darcy?”
“No madam, he is yours.”
Elizabeth started. “Explain, if you please.”
Longman scratched the horse a few more times and looked around to ensure they were unobserved.
“I think this horse suits you, and it would not hurt to have your relatives see you on it. They think they can kick you around with impunity. It would not hurt to let them see a bit of your mettle, without having to do anything disagreeable.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That is a good plan, except that you of all people know I do not have the skills. Your instruction has been wonderful, but notthatextensive.”
“That is where you are mistaken,” he replied with a chuckle. “You see, the master does not ride Omega anymore. We only keep him around because he brings in good stud fees. Are you curious aboutwhyhe does not ride him?”
“Dying to know.”
“The master does not ride him because he is too docile. Your husband likes his horses spirited. You can get him to run like the wind for a few hundred yards, and none are faster. But once he loses interest in speed, he becomes as docile as a plough horse, and it takes some effort to even keep him moving. He will do admirably for you, and I think he will allow you some amusement.”
Elizabeth laughed at the groom’s antics. “You never steered me wrong before. How shall we proceed?”
“I ride him periodically just to keep in form. Let us saddle your old horse and Omega and ride out. After a mile or so, I will switch saddles and let you become accustomed to him. Give us a few days and he will be as comfortable to you as the old nag you have been riding thus far.”
Elizabeth laughed and wondered exactly what in her personality brought out so much impertinence in her staff. She wondered if it was good or bad for a mistress, but since she had no control over it, decided it was not worth the worry.
It turned out that everything Longman said about Omega was correct—when he had a male rider. For some reason, once Elizabeth climbed aboard, he became a different beast altogether. Over the next several hours, she found the horse did exactly what she wanted, almost without instruction. Longman took her to a field where she could first canter, then trot, thenrun!She found it the most thrilling experience of her life. She now understood why gentlemen did this habitually and was at a loss as to why ladies typically disdained the pleasure (aside from the obvious stupidity of a sidesaddle).
By the end of the first day, she was thoroughly comfortable with her new steed, and she rode in and out of the pasture through a back gate nobody was likely to see.
On the fourth day, she learned the Matlocks were departing, so she went to the stables to ask Longman to be ready, then returned to the house where she could watch the Matlocks leaving. Once she was certain all was prepared, she waited until they were walking towards the front door, then sneaked around the side to ambush them on the portico.
She noticed Lord Matlock wincing, as if in pain, as he exited and wondered what malady afflicted him, but she could not manage to work up much sympathy.
When the nobles approached, she gave a curtsey exactly proper for the situation—no more, no less. “I hope you have enjoyed your stay at Pemberley, Lord and Lady Matlock. Pray, have a pleasant journey.”
