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and noticed how calm she remained. She never fawned or became excited like the rest of her family. She was tender and solicitous of her sister’s comfort. Even then, he could see she was trying to placate his discomfort and, in a way, erase the distaste he felt for the behavior of her other family members. She would be good for Bingley. He needed someone to be a calming influence on his exuberance, but that someone needed to be kind and not commanding in doing so. It was the first time Darcy allowed himself to see the merits and good judgment in Bingley’s attentions to Miss Bennet.
    “Mr. Darcy, I must also say how shocked we all were to see Lizzy on top of your horse, sir. Did she not tell you she is afraid of horses?” Jane asked.
    “Dear Jane,” Elizabeth rushed in before he could answer and then paused with a glint in her eye. “I did tell him, but he was quite persuasive in his arguments and convinced me that his horse was not wild.” Her eyes twinkled with hidden laughter as she said this to Jane but looked at Mr. Darcy.
    Is she flirting with me? Mr. Darcy smiled. “Yes, Miss Bennet, I was fortunate enough to be able to help Miss Elizabeth see the merit in riding the horse, but she is being quite modest now. She did very well despite her fears, and I was quite pleased with her.” He, too, spoke to Miss Bennet, but looked daringly back at Elizabeth.
    Jane smiled to herself as she turned to remove Elizabeth’s half boot and inspect her injury. “Yes, I am sure you are right, Mr. Darcy. Did she tell you why she does not like to ride horses?”
    Mr. Darcy was keenly aware of the work Miss Bennet was now doing. Although he could see she was trying to obscure his view to allow Elizabeth some modesty, out of the corner of his eye, he could see as she slipped the boot off her uninjured right foot and then tucked it swiftly under the blanket. Unconsciously, he forgot all about being subtle and turned his head to get a better view. He held his breath as the left boot was unlaced and Miss Bennet began, with careful movement, to slip the boot from her sister’s foot without causing her discomfort . Here it comes, almost there. Ahhh, yes! He breathed out. A small smile slid onto his face. He noticed the feminine curve of her ankle, slightly swollen on the outside, leading to the soft arch of her small foot. He could not believe how petite it was . How does she stand without falling over? He indulgently allowed his gaze to travel further to her pink, little toes just visible through pale ivory stockings. His hand twitched as he thought about reaching out and capturing her toes between his fingers.
    Elizabeth had seen his distraction when Jane began to remove her shoes. She colored at the acknowledgement of the root of his attention. Then, when he turned his head to view the scene, she was amused at his total slip in propriety. Mr. Darcy has forgot himself! Although she was shocked and embarrassed at his uninhibited examination of her exposure, she found that, instead of being appalled at his ungentlemanly distraction, she was enthralled. Never before had any man given her more than the briefest of pleasantries in their compliments to her person. She was always hearing about how beautiful Jane was from her mother, too. Could Mr. Darcy find me attractive? The idea suddenly struck her that he might indeed, especially as she now saw that his face held a pleased smile. His gaze was quite intent, and she saw his hand move slightly. She suddenly felt very warm inside to witness his complete abandon at the sight. Elizabeth smiled to herself wickedly and decided to get revenge for his impolite acknowledgement of her scrutiny of his face when he had carried her to his horse earlier that morning. She eyed him carefully as she wiggled the toes on the foot he was watching.
    Mr. Darcy stiffened when he saw her toes move and then heard a small chuckle come from Elizabeth. He quickly turned towards her, realized she had seen his lapse