But it would be the behaviour of a cad to let her see too much of his thoughts, when he was so uncertain whether his intentions were welcome. Darcy cleared his throat. “You may be assured that all your friends will rejoice in your good fortune. I should very much like to see you and all your family comfortable and happy.”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip and looked as if she were about to say something. After a moment’s hesitation, she seemed to come to a decision. “I—am very glad you and Miss Darcy decided to join Mr Bingley at Netherfield for a visit.” Her speech was oddly halting, particularly for a woman normally so eloquent. Darcy looked at her narrowly, wondering if there was something else on her mind, something she was too embarrassed or frightened to say.
It would not do to press her, of course. Darcy suppressed a sigh and stuck to conventionalities. “Yes, we are glad we came as well.”
“How is Miss Darcy? I was sorry to have missed her the day you and Mr Bingley were so good as to call upon us at home.”
“She is much improved, and looking forward to seeing you at supper.”
Elizabeth nodded, then studied her feet as they walked along the lane. His heart yearned to confess all to her. The atmosphere between them seemed charged with tension, by no means unpleasantly. Darcy felt the full weight of his longing for her. Was he deluding himself in thinking that the electricity between them was nothing less than mutual longing?
“Mr Bingley was very gracious to invite us,” Elizabeth said.
“He counts you as a true friend, Miss Bennet. And I believe your family will soon find there is not a gentleman more loyal or good-natured than Bingley.”
“I have already found that to be the case, Mr Darcy,” she said with a smile. “He is second only to you.”
Her words threw him off balance for a moment. “Me?” he asked without thinking.
“Yes, of course. You saved my family and me in a moment of dire need.” Elizabeth stopped in the lane to face him. To his astonishment, her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I do not think I shall ever be able to repay your kindness, sir.”
“I did not do it for thanks,” Darcy told her. How could he make her understand the depth of his love for her? He took a step closer and even thought of taking her hands. But he forced them to remain at his side before he risked her reputation and painted himself a fool.
He shook his head slightly, and they continued on their way. “Bingley has invited a few of the officers from the local militia encampment to even out the numbers for the supper tomorrow night. I hope your mother will not be averse to the idea?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, she will not be averse. Indeed, she will be delighted.” She hesitated a moment, looking oddly uncomfortable. “Will Miss Bingley or Mrs Hurst be joining our host from London for the occasion?”
Darcy frowned to himself. It was a strange question, for Elizabeth had never seemed to enjoy their company. Why would she wish to see them now? “No, neither Mrs Hurst nor Miss Bingley will accompany him during this visit. They will remain in London.”
Elizabeth was not quick enough to hide her relief, though she said merely, “I see.”
That solved one mystery — why Elizabeth would wish to see them — while introducing another. If it was strange that Elizabeth might seek the company of Bingley’s sisters, it was odder still that she would be relieved by their absence. He would have thought rather that it would mean nothing to her. Of course, Caroline Bingley and Elizabeth had never been great friends. Indeed, Miss Bingley seemed to despise Elizabeth, but Darcy would not have thought she would show a reaction of such disquiet, amounting almost to fear. On the contrary, Elizabeth was perhaps the only woman who had ever stood up to Miss Bingley.
She came to a bend in the lane and gave a bow. “Well, I shall not keep you any longer, Mr Darcy. I am sure you will not want to make your four-mile walk any longer by escorting me all the way to the milliner’s establishment.” Elizabeth smiled. “Until tomorrow,” she said and hurried away.
He did not follow her or insist on accompanying her, although he would have gladly joined her in travelling to the ends of the earth, if she had so desired.
Instead, Darcy looked after her, thinking. He was left more curious after their conversation than when they had begun. There had been such hope in her voice when they had spoken, and yet it had been mixed with pain as well. He was unsure what it could mean. Surely he was reading further into the encounter than he ought.
He turned reluctantly and started back toward Netherfield. He knew more than ever that he was in love with Elizabeth, but her actions were a puzzle. There seemed to be something she wanted to express, but did not have the words.What was she hiding, and why? Or was it simply that she did not care for him at all?
By the time he returned to Netherfield, he had not yet worked out the answer. Georgiana was there to meet him in the foyer. “I saw you walking up the drive and was going to ask if you wanted to go for a walk. But then Mr Bingley said you had gone out hours ago. You must have walked clear to Pemberley and back,” she teased him.
“It felt like it,” he said, wondering how much to tell her. He had not yet sorted out his hopes and fears concerning Elizabeth. Once again, he was reminded of the odd way she had asked after Miss Bingley. “I encountered Miss Elizabeth on her way into town. She asked the strangest question.”
“Oh, what is that?” Georgiana asked. “I have never known her to ask odd questions.”
“I do not mean to say she was behaving erratically, or anything close to it. It was only rather surprising,” he said. “She asked if Miss Bingley would be joining us, and when I told her we would not have the pleasure, she seemed wholly relieved. Stranger still, she sought to conceal the reaction, in a way that I believe went beyond mere politeness. It was as though…well, perhaps I am being rather foolish. But it was as though she was almost afraid of Miss Bingley.”
“Well, perhaps it is not surprising that she would be relieved,” Georgiana said judiciously. “It is no secret that Miss Bingley has been most rude in her dealings with our Miss Elizabeth.” She stopped for a moment, thinking. A small frown creased her forehead. “You say you encountered Miss Elizabeth on a walk among the country lanes?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied slowly. His sister was acting strangely. “The pasturelands and flocks are very pleasant prospects. And she has always been fond of walking.”
Georgiana nodded, looking stricken. “Excuse me,” she said and started toward the grand staircase.
“Where are you going?” he asked, wondering if she was having another of her headaches.
“To my room. I shall be down for tea,” she said, holding up a hand in farewell, but without turning from her course. Darcy looked after her, wondering. Georgiana was being quite as inscrutable as Elizabeth.
