Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Joana Starnes Page A

someday you might find pleasure in joining us.”
    “I would only slow you down, I fear. In my most sanguine hopes I cannot imagine mastering anything faster than a canter. Enjoy your ride, Mr Darcy and, once again, I thank you,” she added softly and was gone, leaving him in a far better frame of mind than he had been but a half-hour ago.
    So much so that when he found Georgiana by the stables, already in her riding habit and waiting for him, he met her troubled glance with a light chuckle.
    “Do not look so concerned, sweetling, I have not devoured your Miss Lizzy for breakfast. She is safe and well, awaiting your return.”
    Georgiana’s brows shot up at the uncharacteristic levity but she made no reply, presumably because a groom was by then approaching with their mounts. With a nod of thanks to the man, Darcy helped his sister into the saddle, then leisurely swung into his.
    “So… all is well?” Georgiana tentatively asked as they took to the road together.
    “All is well. But pray tell me, is she always so wilful?”
    “Not that I have noticed,” his sister laughed lightly in response. “But then I am nowhere near as strong-willed as you, so there was little risk of our tempers clashing.”
    He conceded her the point, although that brought a different reason for concern. Of course, Georgiana could benefit from the good example of a more outgoing nature, but if she was led by a stronger character, all manner of mischief could brew should she be led in the wrong direction.
    Darcy snorted. He had hoped to share the responsibility of his sister’s welfare with a female companion engaged for the purpose, yet there he was instead, in charge of not one but two young ladies of a trying age. His aunt Malvern might have had the right of it. Everything would be a great deal easier if he married.
    He snorted again, less audibly this time, lest he should attract Georgiana’s notice. The matchmaking matrons of the ton would laugh themselves into a stupor if he, who had so far resisted all their concerted efforts, should be brought down by a couple of young lasses. Heaven help him if Georgiana and her companion should try his patience enough to goad him into matrimony!
     

 
    CHAPTER 5
     
     
    The lengthy ride was thoroughly enjoyable and refreshing. It was a great relief to be home again and canter along familiar tracks or leave them to cut across the lush green pastures that sloped around them as far as the eye could see.
    He had missed Pemberley. He always did, whenever various pursuits and duties kept him away. He had missed his sister and it was a delight to see her sweet countenance beside him, glowing with the exertion and the pleasure it afforded her. She loved to ride, although not in town. Sedate progressions along the Rotten Row did not suit her taste anywhere near as much as the freedom of a gallop.
    Knowing her penchant for the latter, Darcy gladly indulged her. It was a long time since he had learned to watch her speed away from him with affectionate pride at her horsemanship, rather than in terror of seeing her thrown from the saddle. So they tore over the fields together whenever the lie of the land allowed it, the shared joy exhilarating, until the sun was all the way up into the sky and it was time to turn their mounts about and make their way home.
    The more leisurely journey back from the southernmost boundary of the great estate gave Darcy the perfect opportunity for the minute inquiries he had wished to make into Georgiana’s latest pursuits and her views on her new companion.
    Just as her letters had led him to expect, a glowing account followed which, for all his past and more recent reservations, could not fail to reassure him. If nothing else, Georgiana was not only at ease, but happy to spend time with Miss Bennet. Whether or not the overall result of their association was what he had hoped for would still have to be determined with careful observation.
    It was unfortunate that Rosings had