Splat!A fat, frigid raindrop plunked onto the end of her nose and dribbled down her chin.Splat! Splat!More thunked onto the brim of her bonnet. She held her hand out, disbelieving and resenting the interruption. When had it started to rain?
A blast of cold air smacked against her where Mr. Darcy had been standing. He held his hat in one hand and tugged through his hair with the other, looking supremely apologetic.
Elizabeth was not sorry. Not in the least. She was giddy with hope and the stirrings of budding love. She was falling in love with Mr. Darcy! And he was not indifferent to her.
Playfully, she raised her skirts to the top of her half boots to better run and set off down the path. “Race you to Longbourn!” she tossed over her shoulder.
He caught up with her, his long strides easily keeping pace.
Leaping over a particularly muddy patch, Elizabeth slipped on the landing. Before she could squeal properly, Darcy's arms were around her, steadying her, holding her up, and pushing her forward with his momentum toward the warmth and safety of Longbourn.
"Thank you," she gasped, marveling at how expertly coordinated their movement had been and wondering how suspicious it would be if she were to slip again so she could feel his strong arms around her once more.
He could have won the race, but he stayed at her side, his hand close to her arm should she slip again.
Together they reached the gravel, and that was where Elizabeth’s competitive spirit rose. Lungs screaming, legs burning, she dashed down the drive to Longbourn's door, laughing as she heard Darcy behind her.
Mrs. Hill opened the front door just as they reached it. She pointed to the boot scraper with a stern look and a dry shawl in her hands, which she wrapped around Elizabeth's shoulders.
"Your mother is receiving callers in the drawing room." With a smile and a glint in her eye, she added, "You will find the fire warm and the tea plentiful."
Darcy returned her smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Hill."
The woman grinned wide enough to show the gap where she had a tooth pulled the year before. Elizabeth beamed up at Darcy. When had he learned the housekeeper's name? He might be above his company, but he was courteous to the servants.
A welcome sight greeted them in the drawing room. Miss Darcy sipped tea along with her companion and took a delicate bite of cake while the colonel regaled his captivated audience with a lively tale, a kitten perched on his shoulder.
Kitty and Lydia played with the fluffy white and cinnamon kitten on the settee.
"There you are!" Mama jumped up from her chair, ushering Elizabeth and Darcy closer to the fire. "Do not stand too near, Lizzy! You remember the time you singed your bottom. I told Mr. Bennet that you would get caught in the rain, but I did not worry. I knew Mr. Darcy was with you to keep you warm."
Elizabeth held her breath, trying in vain to control her blush. She glanced up at Darcy, needing to make sure he was not offended by her mother.
"I assure you, madam, your daughter is too quick on her feet for any such attempts to succeed."
Papa chuckled, and Elizabeth once again had to wonder. Who was this tall, handsome man standing beside her at the fire and teasing her mother good-naturedly?
Mama continued prattling as she rearranged the seating so that the two chairs nearest the fireplace were free for Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth hoped that he would notice her mother's thoughtfulness more than her empty conversation… especially when the topic turned to Mr. Bingley.
"I had hoped Mr. Bingley would call today, but the colonel assures us that only the most urgent business would keep him away from Jane."
The color drained from Miss Darcy's face despite the warmth in the room.
Colonel Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. "A meeting with his bailiff, if I recall." Had Elizabeth not been watching the colonel, she might have missed the look he exchanged with Darcy and the nod he received in reply.
She, too, approved Mr. Bingley’s discretion. His consideration did him credit.
The colonel raised his plate, plucking a crumb to feed the kitten on his shoulder. “My compliments to your cook, Mrs. Bennet. This is the finest gingerbread I have enjoyed in a long time. Is that not so, Georgiana?" He nudged her gently.
The dear girl looked up at Mama with a timorous smile. "Oh, yes… it is delicious. I-I wonder if your… cook might be willing to… share her receipt?” Her cheeks flushed and she clutched her hands in her lap. "That is, if she does not mind... if it is not a family secret." She picked at her fingers.
Elizabeth's heart went out to her. While it was strange that Mr. Bingley did not accompany the rest of his party to call, Elizabeth suspected that Miss Darcy's brother and cousin were doing their best to encourage a distance until her heart was strong enough to stand on its own. It was what she would do for her sisters.
Mama was delighted. "Imagine that! Our cook's cake served to the finest families in London!"
Jane said, "Colonel Fitzwilliam was entertaining us with stories of his time in Portugal."
Kitty asked, "Did you ever find your boots?"
