As she left her husband’s room, she made her way upstairs to her own. Unlocking the cupboard where she kept all that was necessary to a lady’s appearance, she surveyed its contents with renewed purpose. If Lizzy were to be courted, she must do so with every possible advantage.
Chapter20
Paths and Observations
Tuesday morning, though still touched with the lingering coolness of the season, was sufficiently fair to invite a walk; and as the younger ladies of Longbourn had been some time in want of diversion, the proposal was received with universal approval.
Darcy, who had called earlier, found himself included in the plan with very little ceremony.
“You walk, of course, Mr. Darcy?” said Elizabeth, with an ease which might once have surprised him.
“With pleasure.”
The question of the horse, however, was less easily settled. Lydia declared she wanted to ride it this time. “It is my turn.”
Kitty argued, “You never even thought of riding it until the other day.”
Jane attempted mediation. “Perhaps it might be shared…”
“Shared!” Lydia laughed. “What am I to do – ride half the way and walk the rest? I should be quite fatigued before we even reach Meryton.”
Kitty coloured. “You always think only of yourself.”
“And you never think at all,” Lydia replied promptly.
Elizabeth, who had listened with some amusement, turned to Darcy. “I am afraid, sir, that your horse has become a subject of serious dispute.”
Darcy glanced from one to the other of the disputants. “It appears so. Ladies, if I am to bring Bramble, Miss Lydia could ride it on the way there, and you, Miss Kitty, on the way back.”
This was then agreed, and the horse was sent for.
Elizabeth fell into step beside him, while Lydia continued her determined management of the horse ahead.
For a few moments, they walked in silence.
“I hope,” Elizabeth said at last, glancing up at him, “that you were not too much inconvenienced after we left.”
“Were you concerned for me?” he asked, with a half smile.
“Yes, indeed, I was. Though I have no doubt you are very capable of taking care of yourself.”
Darcy’s expression altered slightly. “Had the weather permitted,” he said, “I believe I should have begged to be allowed to dine at Longbourn.”
Elizabeth looked at him in some surprise. “It did rain heavily. Was it so disagreeable?”
“The atmosphere,” he continued, with a calmness that did not disguise the truth of it, “was such as might have been cut with a knife.”
After a brief pause, he added, “There was some disagreement after your departure – but it is not worth repeating.”
Elizabeth looked at him more steadily. “I should like to hear it nevertheless.”
He inclined his head slightly. “Miss Bingley was not disposed to approve my conduct.” A short silence followed. “She expressed herself,” he continued, “with more freedom than was either necessary or welcome.”
Elizabeth’s expression altered – less amused now, more attentive.
“I informed her,” he said, “that the subject was not open to her opinion.”
Elizabeth could not entirely suppress a smile. “I do not imagine that gave her much satisfaction.”
