Both girls looked at her with surprise. Kitty lowered her head.
“Yes, Lizzy. I forgot myself.”
Elizabeth did not allow the matter to pass. “You are a grown woman, Kitty. You will soon be eighteen, and you must learn to govern your tongue, or you will resemble our mother. I would have you rise above such behavior.”
“Yes, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth rose from the bed. “Well, that is enough instruction from Mistress Manners for one morning. It is time to bathe and dress, for today is the day of the ball. We must discover in what manner we may assist Jane.”
When Elizabeth was dressed, she hurried downstairs and found Jane in the ballroom.
“Ah, Lizzy. Will you direct the placement of the potted trees and plants while I go to the kitchens to see how the preparations proceed?”
“Of course.”
Elizabeth had just finished instructing the gardener on the arrangement of the last group of potted trees when Mr. Darcy entered through the rear door. He wore riding clothes and paused a moment to look into the room. When he saw Elizabeth, he came forward.
“Miss Bennet, you are occupied this morning.”
His gaze took in the room. “The plants and trees are arranged tastefully, ma’am. I must commend your eye for such matters.”
“Thank you, sir. And how are you this morning?”
“Not well at all. I missed you at breakfast.”
“We took breakfast in my room, sir, at Georgiana’s request. She wished to breakfast in bed with her friends, that she might enjoy such an indulgence at least once in her life.”
“My little sister has attached herself to you, Miss Bennet, and seems quite willing to allow the neglect of her brother.”
“Oh, sir. I beg your pardon if I have deprived you of her company.”
“Not hers, ma’am. Yours. I was excluded from your circle. I waited for half an hour, and you did not appear. When I heard Miss Bingley’s voice in the hall, I made my escape.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth as she laughed. “Sir, it is most ungentlemanly of you to confess such a thing.”
“It is only the truth, Miss Bennet. I waited for you, and then I was obliged to flee. Now I find you engaged in work, and once again I am deprived of your company.”
“Sir, I had no notion that you desired my company, for most of the time you either ignore me entirely, regard me with disapproval if I say or do something you believe improper, or stand against the wall and glare in my direction.”
“That is not so, Miss Bennet. You have judged me unfairly.”
“Have I, sir? I have lived here with Jane since mid-August, and this has been the nature of your attentions. There has been very little to gratify, Mr. Darcy. I scarcely recognize you as the same gentleman I met in March. That gentleman was amiable and caring. What have I done to turn you against me, sir?”
He made no reply, but looked at her intently, the color rising along his cheekbones.
Then she added, with a wry smile, “The only person who has found your censure of me delightful is Miss Bingley. She has been much entertained.” But when she looked at him, there was a bright sparkle in her eyes.
“Indeed, sir, I would be far better advised to take all my meals upon a tray in my room, if only to spare myself your reproofs and Miss Bingley’s barbed remarks and evident satisfaction when she witnesses the manner in which you correct me.”
Again, his complexion deepened. “Miss Bennet, I offer my apology if that is how you have understood my conduct. I did not intend to demean you in any manner.”
She raised a brow. “Is that so? Then your remark at dinner yesterday concerning my fondness for walking was not meant as a rebuke, sir?”
He reflected upon her words. “My remark at dinner? I do not recall delivering any rebuke to you, ma’am.”
She laughed. “You do not recall it? That is even worse, sir.” She searched his eyes and saw the truth there. He did not remember.
“Mr. Darcy, you remarked that a young lady who chooses to walk alone displays a remarkable want of refinement and indulges in a form of eccentricity which cannot be overlooked by persons of good breeding.”
