“Do you still fish, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I do, sir. I possess my own rod and dress my own flies, though it is not generally a skill I confess to. My mother would have been quite mortified had she heard this story told in her drawing room and before company.”
Mr. Allen grinned.
“Have no concern, Miss Bennet. I find a woman who can dress her own flies and cast a line extremely attractive. And if she can also sing, why then she must surely be an angel sent from Heaven.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to suppress a giggle.
After this, the little party separated into smaller groups. Elizabeth was pleased to see that her father was deep in conversation with Mrs. Talbot, while the young girls were quite absorbed in the finer details of a gown in the latest fashion magazine.
Elizabeth turned to Mr. Allen, who was watching her earnestly.
“Sir, has my father’s tale frightened you away? I was something of a hoyden, and in good conscience I must tell you that when I am at home, I take the air at sunrise each morning...alone.”
She studied his expression, attempting to measure his reaction. He remained perfectly at ease.
She made a slight face as she summoned the courage to complete her confession.
“I run in the mornings, sir. It is a habit I have maintained all my life, and I still do it. I find that I possess much more energy if I take the air early.”
Again, she watched him closely to see how he would respond.
“I ride my horse every morning for precisely the same reason. I require exercise, so I can hardly judge you, Miss Bennet. I take it you do not possess a mount?”
“No, sir. We have old Nellie, but I cannot say I feel any great enthusiasm for riding her.”
“Do you ride, Miss Bennet?”
“I must confess that I do not. I never learned. It will perhaps not surprise you to discover that I was a rather ill-behaved child, and in keeping with that reputation, I once mounted a new pony without permission, though I had never been trained. Bitsy immediately bolted with me. I flew over her head and landed upon my arm.”
She raised her arm for him to see.
“I broke my wrist just here, sir, and since that day I have harbored a fear of horses.”
“So, you run instead?”
“Yes, sir.”
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“I find you uniformly enchanting, Miss Bennet. I hope you will allow me to visit you tomorrow.”
She laughed.
“So, you have not yet heard enough to frighten you away, sir?”
“No indeed, my girl. I find myself more and more in your power.”
Her cheeks colored, though she laughed again.
“You are a tease, sir.”
“I believe you like it, ma’am.”
“I do. It is a great pleasure to laugh and to be happy.”
Chapter 46: Courting
