“Yes.”
“Her ladyship wishes to know whether you intend to stand about out here all day? She advises against it, for she says no straw bonnet ever fared well in a storm, and the tea will go cold if you dally too long.” He belatedly bowed and added, “Ma’am.”
Elizabeth could not help but laugh and replied that she would welcome some tea while it was still hot. She ascended the front steps, where the footman took her soggy bonnet and pelisse and showed her into a very pleasant saloon where Lady Preston was waiting. Like those in Elizabeth’s own house, the windows here were tall and showed a fine view of Marine Parade and the beach; it was no surprise that her ladyship had seen her dithering about, and she could only pray that nobody next door had likewise seen her.
“I told you it rains more often than not here. You ought to have brought an umbrella. Or preferably a carriage.”
“Your ladyship is very kind to give me shelter,” Elizabeth said, curtseying.
“Yes, well, I thought perhaps you had forgotten which house was yours.”
“I was due to speak to my foreman, but the family are still at home, and I did not like to intrude. Would you like me to do that?” She had seen Lady Preston struggling with the teapot, her knotty fingers clearly giving her pain.
“If you insist,” her ladyship replied, though her surliness did not disguise how readily she surrendered the teapot and eased back into her chair. “Benedict tells me you had an eventful day yesterday.”
“At the picnic? Yes, we certainly did. Mr Darcy slipped trying to get his waistcoat on and fell in the sea.”
“Why on earth was his waistcoat off? Most people get dressed before they leave the house.”
“He took it off to rescue a drowning dog. Only then the dog turned out not to be drowning.”
Lady Preston frowned. “He cannot be a sensible man.”
“Actually, Mr Darcy is exceedingly clever.”
“Miss Bennet, anyone who cannot successfully insert two arms into a sleeveless garment without falling over must be deficient in some way. You observed my nephew managing perfectly well to stay upright, I take it?”
“I did, although he remained fully clothed for the entire excursion.”
“I should hope so! He is a proper gentleman.” Shesipped her tea and returned the cup to the table. “You have spent a little more time with Benedict now. Tell me, how do you find him?”
“I like him very well. He is kind—and quick-witted, which I always appreciate.”
“And handsome, do not you agree?”
“Yes, he is very good-looking.” Which was not untrue, though in saying as much, Elizabeth comprehended that however well-favoured he might be, his looks had no effect on her sensibilities. She continued speaking rather than dwell on whose did. “I would have expected this room to be the mirror of my drawing room, since they share an adjoining wall, but it is larger and with more doors. Is the house entirely different throughout?”
“I cannot say, for I cannot recall how yours is laid out. When I stepped across your threshold the other week, it was for the first time in many years. I should think the last time was when your aunt was there.”
“I was not sure my aunt Bennet had ever lived in the house. She certainly never mentioned it.”
“It was only for a few summers, when she was younger. Before she married.”
“And you did not get along?”
“I never said that.”
“You said she was a perennial curmudgeon.”
“Well, you knew her. Was I wrong?”
Elizabeth had to concede that no, she was not wrong.
“And did you like her?” her ladyship pressed.
Elizabeth smiled, enjoying Lady Preston’s line of reasoning. “Yes, I did, as it happens.”
“There you are, then. But speaking of your house, how is the renovation coming along?”
