Mrs. Hurst followed her gaze more carefully now.
Darcy was walking beside Miss Elizabeth Bennet – not at a distance, nor with the easy indifference of casual acquaintance, but with a steadiness that admitted of no ambiguity.
“It appears,” said Mr. Hurst mildly, “that Miss Elizabeth is in possession of some advantage.”
Caroline turned to him sharply. “You cannot be serious.”
“I am never more so,” he returned, with perfect composure.
“Caroline,” said Mrs. Hurst, in a soothing tone, “you must not allow yourself to be so much affected. It may signify nothing at all.”
“Nothing?” Caroline repeated. “When a gentleman neglects his own party to attach himself – so pointedly – to another? I think it must signify something.”
Mrs. Hurst hesitated. “It may be only temporary.”
Caroline did not answer. Her eyes remained fixed upon the pair before her.
Eliza had turned slightly toward Darcy as he spoke; there was something in her manner – an attention, a softness – that Caroline had never before associated with her.
And Mr. Darcy…
Caroline’s lips pressed together.
He was listening. Not with politeness. Not with that distant civility which had so often characterised his manner in company.
But withinterest. Real interest.
Elizabeth said something – Caroline could not hear what – and Darcy’s expression altered. Only slightly. Yet it was enough. Enough that no one who observed him closely could mistake it.
Caroline drew a slow breath. “This is most extraordinary,” she said.
Mrs. Hurst, though less inclined to agitation, could not entirely contradict her. “Indeed.”
Ahead of them, the Bennet party moved gradually along the path.
Mr. Bennet and Jane walked a little apart; Kitty and Lydia spoke together with animation.
And between them – Darcy and Elizabeth.
There was no appearance of impropriety – nothing that could invite open remark. Yet neither was there indifference.
Their steps had fallen into an easy agreement. Eliza, though at moments she seemed to recollect herself and look away, returned again and again to him.
Darcy spoke. Elizabeth answered. And once – only once – she laughed again, more freely than before. Darcy did not laugh. But he smiled.
Caroline looked no longer. “I believe we may return,” she said, with composure that cost her some effort. “Mr. Darcy appears to have chosen his direction.”
Mr. Hurst inclined his head. “Very decisively.”
Mrs. Hurst turned. “Come, my dear.”
Caroline turned away. Tears escaped in spite of her composure.
Yet though she no longer looked, the image remained very distinctly before her mind – Mr. Darcy, walking with Miss Elizabeth Bennet as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
***
The Bennet party had not proceeded far from the church before Mrs. Bennet, who had been in particularly animated spirits, declared herself quite satisfied with the morning.
