Darcy was in the middle of taking his shot. It went wide, and Bingley threw his head back and laughed.
“What makes you think Miss Elizabeth suits me?” Darcy frowned. He was not going to encourage his friend to continue in this direction.
“I have known you for years, Darcy. I know you are the most fastidious man in the kingdom. So when I see you making overtures to a pretty young lady, I naturally draw my own conclusions. And when a gentleman who despises shopping is prepared to look at lace, then something is up. In other words, as you yourself admitted, I am clever enough to know what is happening in front of my very eyes.”
“I am attracted to Elizabeth. I admit it.” said Darcy. “She is a pretty young lady, so it is only natural.”
Bingley was grinning from ear to ear.
“I do not see what is so amusing,” said Darcy, severely.
“I do. You did not even realize that you were calling her Elizabeth. That tells me a great deal already.”
Darcy was beginning to feel cornered by the direction of the conversation.
“I am doing my duty, that is all,” he remarked. “Now if you could please take your turn, perhaps we will finally be able to focus on the game.”
“It depends what game you are playing, my friend,” said Bingley, and Darcy could have sworn his grin had become wider – if that were physically possible.
He had to resolve this issue with Elizabeth once and for all. Other people might start noticing, and that would not do. He needed to be more circumspect about how he behaved around her.
“If Mrs. Bennet is still feeling better,” said Bingley, “I was thinking about inviting the Bennets to Netherfield tomorrow. If the weather is fine, we could spend some time outdoors, exploring the maze. What do you think?”
Darcy’s heart lifted as he thought that he would see Elizabeth here at Netherfield.
“If I had my carriage,” he replied, “I would say we should follow our original resolution and go to London, but we cannot. We will have to wait for Mr. Bennet to return.”
“Exactly,” said Bingley.
Darcy knew it was unwise. He knew he should object, but he could not bring himself to turn down an opportunity to spend time with Elizabeth.
A note was sent round to Longbourn that afternoon issuing an invitation, and a note was sent back promptly accepting the invitation.
***
THEY WALKED FORWARD, surrounded by walls of green foliage, separated from everyone else. Darcy and Elizabeth might have been the only people in the world. As they turned a corner, they passed a stone bench. Darcy wondered how many lovers had occupied this bench before them, pretending to be lost, but seeking privacy. He sat down, then put out his hand to bring her next to him. She snuggled up to him, then turned her face up, her eyes dancing. He shut his eyes and placed his lips against hers just as her hands locked behind his head and drew him closer—.
“Mr. Darcy,” said Evans, sliding the curtains open noisily. “You said to wake you up at ten.”
Darcy groaned. His brain was groggy from lack of sleep. He had spent half the night struggling to fall asleep, and the other half struggling to wake up, plagued by visions that embarrassed him even while he was dreaming.
Then he remembered what day it was. He propped himself up on his elbow and peered through half-shut eyes at the window.
“What is the weather like? Is it raining?”
“It is a chilly day, sir, but I do not believe it will rain.”
Darcy rolled onto his back. Thank heavens for that.
But Evans was wrong. An hour later, Darcy awoke to the patter of rain against the window, and he sprung up with an exclamation to stare down at the soggy lawn and the murky water that had pooled along the walkways.
Their maze excursion would have to be postponed. He knew it would probably just be put off until the following day, but he still felt bereft.
Then afternoon came, and patches of blue sky began to appear, and a pallid sun made an appearance. The grey puddles disappeared as if by magic, and hope rose up inside him.
Luck was on his side. Promptly at two, the Longbourn party appeared. Collins and Miss Bennet were on horseback, while the others were riding in an old farm cart that had certainly seen better days.
“Prepare yourself for the smell of hay and cow-dung,” said Miss Bingley to Louisa, who laughed as though her sister had made the wittiest of jokes.
