***
When at last the rain began to lessen, and the steady drumming against the windows softened into a mere whisper, Darcy rose.
“I fear I must take my leave,” he said.
Mrs. Bennet looked at him with immediate concern. “Leave? In such weather? Mr. Darcy, I cannot think of it. The roads will be quite dreadful, and you will certainly be soaked again before you reach Netherfield.”
“I thank you, madam,” he replied, “but I have already trespassed long upon your hospitality. My horse is prepared, and I shall have no difficulty.”
“But indeed you must stay a little longer! The clouds may yet clear entirely.”
Darcy smiled slightly. “I am accustomed to less favourable conditions, I assure you.”
Mrs. Bennet, though reluctant, could not press him further without risking impropriety. “Well, if you must go… But you must promise to send word when you arrive safely.”
“I shall do so.”
They moved into the hall.
Elizabeth had not intended to follow. Yet she found herself rising, almost without awareness of the decision, and joining them.
Hill brought Darcy’s coat, fresh and dry from brushing and having been kept near a fire. He thanked her and put it on with composed ease, though Elizabeth noticed that his movements were not quite as unthinking as usual.
For a moment, there was the small, ordinary confusion of departure – Mrs. Bennet repeating her cautions, Kitty and Lydia hovering with curiosity, Jane offering quiet civility.
And then, somehow, Elizabeth found herself standing nearer to him than the others.
Darcy turned slightly toward her. “Miss Elizabeth.”
She hesitated.
“I wished to thank you,” he said quietly, “for your company this morning.”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes, suddenly uncertain of herself in a way that was entirely new.
“It was… not disagreeable,” she said, and almost smiled at the inadequacy of the expression.
Darcy’s expression softened.
There was a brief pause.
Elizabeth clasped her hands together, as though to steady them. “This is…” she began and then stopped.
Darcy waited.
She forced herself to continue, though her voice was quieter than she intended. “This is a new situation for me. I do not quite know how I am to behave.”
Darcy looked at her steadily – without surprise, without amusement. “I would not wish you to alter your behaviour on my account.”
Elizabeth glanced up at him. “I think that may be impossible.”
Something like a smile touched his expression.
“This is new for me also,” he said, more quietly. “And I confess I am looking forward to it.”
Elizabeth felt her breath catch, though she could not have said why.
He continued, more gently, “There is no haste required of you. I would not have you uneasy.”
