There was an odd note in his voice she had never heard before.
She regretted her comment. She was misleading him. There was nothing playful about their meeting tomorrow.
“On the contrary, sir,” she said, seriously. “I mean every word. You will understand tomorrow.”
“Now I am doubly intrigued. I cannot imagine any situation in which the prospect would be anything but delightful.”
He was going to be disappointed. She shrugged inwardly. She would worry about it tomorrow. For now, she did not mind seeming just a little bit mysterious. She liked the idea of leaving him to puzzle over what she wanted to say.
She might as well enjoy it while she could. It was not going to last. She could guess all too well what his reaction would be.
“Well then, Mr. Darcy, do not say that I did not warn you.”
“You have given me fair warning, Miss Elizabeth.”
It occurred to her that she ought not to have implied that she and Mr. Darcy would be walking to Meryton alone.
“I hope you will bring Mr. Bingley along with you. I intend to bring my sisters.”
They had reached the door. As it opened, she felt him stiffen.
“Oh, there you are Mr. Darcy,” drawled Miss Bingley. “We were preparing to send out a search party for you. The others are eager to return to Longbourn. They have been awaiting Miss Eliza this half-hour.”
In the bright light of the candles, Mr. Darcy’s face was shuttered.
“As you can see, we are back, safe and sound.”
The tension was palpable.
“Oh, you are too late, Lizzy,” said Lydia, wandering into the hallway. “Mr. Collins has already agreed to ride with me on the box seat. You will have to sit at the back.”
As the others joined them, Elizabeth’s stomach was churning like a waterwheel, her emotions in disarray. Tomorrow, everything was going to come tumbling down.
Chapter 7
The next day was Sunday, and the party from Netherfield and the party from Longbourn met at church. Mr. Bingley’s sisters showed no interest in going for a walk, saying that, with all the shops closed, there was nothing to do in Meryton, and that it was too windy on Oakham Mount. Mr. Hurst proposed a game of cards, but no one took him up on it, and the two groups soon went their own way.
