Elizabeth fell back in the chair and was vaguely aware of Mrs.Hopkins telling Molly to bring her a cup of tea and that good lady chafing her hands.
“There, there, dear.It’s nothing that can’t be solved.All will be well soon enough.”
Elizabeth turned to face Mrs.Hopkins with a desolate expression.It was all coming back to her now.She had sat in the dirt and cried with Colonel Fitzwilliam.And shehadflirted with Mr.Darcy in Charlotte’s parlor.It had not been a dream.He had called her ‘my sweet,’ and held her hand, and looked into her eyes quite intimately.
And he was expecting her in the grove this very morning.
“I need some air,” she said weakly.She moved woodenly to the table where the muffins were wrapped and grabbed the cloth, then stumbled out the door.
All the way to the grove she berated herself for her stupidity and Charlotte for whatever it was she had put in the tea.
What must Colonel Fitzwilliam think of her?She had cried through her handkerchief and his as well.He had been uncommonly kind to her, and attentive without requiring anything from her.It had been a comfort.Knowing she had such a staunch friend could only do her good.
But Mr.Darcy!Oh dear.Had he said he loved and admired her?Was she remembering correctly?And had she laughed at him?Truly?What a mess!And now they must discuss what he had said the evening before—and likely what he did not say.Did he mean to make his proposals?How would she respond?
Yesterday morning, she would have refused him and gladly sent him on his way with a bug in his ear and no guilt in her heart.But this morning, everything was different.Not only had she found out he was not half the villain she had long imagined him to be, but he had been so tender and gentle with her.He had made her laugh and been everything lovely when she had no right to expect such from him.Of all the things she knew of Mr.Darcy, the one she had been most sure of was that he was a bad-tempered man.But bad-tempered men did not speak kindly to a lady after she had laughed in his face when he declared his love.
Could she truly not know him at all?
“Good morning.”
Elizabeth jumped.“Mr.Darcy!I did not see you there.”
He smiled and removed his hat.“Forgive me.I did not mean to startle you.”
“Would you like to walk?”she asked.Why did her voice sound so small?
He nodded and fell into step beside her.After a minute of silence, he said, “I spoke with Fitzwilliam last night.”
Elizabeth sighed and closed her eyes.“I see I am to have no dignity left by the time I leave Kent.”
He smiled gently and touched her elbow.“There was nothing undignified in your behavior.”
“He must not have told you how I sat on the ground like a farm animal.”
His brows lifted.“He left that bit out, but I’m sure you were very elegant.”
She was startled into a short laugh.“You are ebullient this morning, Mr.Darcy.”
“I am happy.”
“Might I enquire what has made you so happy?”she asked with a grin.Stop flirting, Lizzy!Though it was difficult to wish to stop flirting when he was so evidently pleased by it.
“You may.”
She lifted a brow in question.
“You.”
“Me?I have done naught but walk beside you.”
He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing the back gently.“You came this morning, and very early, too, and I cannot hide my delight at seeing you.”
She smiled back at him for a moment before remembering that she did not particularly like Mr.Darcy, for he was an ill-tempered, difficult man.Was he not?
She pulled away and walked on.“I am glad to know you are so easily pleased.Might you be half so happy with a muffin?”She unwrapped her bundle and held one out to him.“They are very good, I promise.”
He took it, thanked her, and they were silent again as they meandered down the dim path.The sun was higher now than it had been when she rose, but the further they moved into the trees, the dimmer it became.They eventually came to a brook, and he gestured to a small bench along the bank.She sat and looked out at the water, watching a beam of sunlight dance on the surface.
