Free Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) by Alexa Adams

suspected, his interest had already cooled. Feeling far more hurt and angry than she could account for, having always been convinced that he was not in earnest, Kitty forgot her sister’s very sage advice and increased her pace, urging her horse too hard in her anxiety to catch up with Georgiana and Mr. Brooks, who had pulled ahead of their companions. Nearly losing her seat, she gratefully received Sir James’ stabilizing grasp. There was only a moment of danger, but it was all Sir James required to forget to regard Mr. Darcy’s counsel.
    “Good God, Miss Bennet!” he cried, “Who mounted you so?” Quickly assessing the situation, he sprang from his horse, adjusted a few straps, and stood back to survey the effect of what he had done. “That mare is too strong for you. Is it Miss Darcy’s?”
    “Yes,” replied a befuddled Kitty.
    “You should have your own mount,” he insisted.
    Unnerved and emotional, Kitty exclaimed, “I do not have my own mount, Sir James, and before you condemn Persephone too fiercely, let me assure you that you would approve even less of the horse I ride at Longbourn, when she can be spared from the farm.”
    He looked surprised but not judgmental, “You do not have a horse of your own? Well, we shall have to fix that! I will enjoy choosing a horse or two for you!”
    “Sir James!” Kitty exclaimed, shocked, and though she could not admit it, a bit relieved. “You cannot say such things!”
    Coming to himself, he looked bashful, heightening the boyishness of his already youthful appearance. “I am sorry, Miss Bennet! I did so mean to be on good behavior today.” This speech seemed so comical to Kitty that she could not contain her laughter. Sir James smiled in return. “I am trying to behave more unexceptionally, I assure you, even if my success has been rather limited. Darcy suggested I take a more cautious approach with you, rather than bombard you with my affection all at once.”
    “And so you offer to buy me a horse, perhaps two? You are a strange man, Sir James.”
    “Yes. I am afraid there is no denying it, for I can’t seem to help myself. I do so long to share with you my horses. You have a natural seat you know, or will when saddled properly.”
    “Do I?” she responded in surprise.
    “Of course! You just have never been properly taught.”
    Kitty blushed. “I thought I received very good instruction at Pemberley.”
    “From Fitzwilliam?” he smirked. “Darcy is a very fine rider, in his way, but he has not made a study of the art as I have. Under my tutelage, you would become a first rate horsewoman, there is no doubt.”
    “Jane was the only one my mother thought in need of formal instruction in the subject, for she does look so very beautiful on horseback.”
    “You do too, Miss Bennet. That is a very fetching habit.”
    “Oh no!” she vehemently denied, choosing to ignore the very compliment she had been waiting all day to receive. “Jane is the beautiful one in the family, and I assure you, I am nothing next to her.”
    “I have recently had the pleasure of making Mrs. Bingley’s acquaintance, and while she is a very fine looking woman, she is too ethereal for my taste. I like a lady with sparkle: one whose liveliness shines through, easily eclipsing mere perfections of complexion.”
    She blushed again. “You just find me interesting because I was almost a victim of your curricle, Sir James. If you had met me under different circumstances, I doubt you would have given me a second glance.”
    “Oh yes I would!” he asserted firmly. “I may not have been as immediately convinced of your superiority under ordinary conditions, but I have no doubt that I would have soon discerned it.”
    “You cannot be certain of that!” she insisted.
    “Yes I can! I have been waiting all my life to meet a woman interesting enough to marry. I could not possibly have missed you, especially as you are living in Darcy’s house. We were bound to meet.”
    “But you