After the gown for Anne had been tried on and given to the maid for minor alterations, Elizabeth returned to the drawing room. Finding it empty, she asked of the butler whether Mr. Darcy was at leisure.
He inclined his head and requested she follow him.
He led her to Mr. Darcy’s study and knocked. At the sound of “Enter,” he opened the door.
“Miss Bennet.”
Darcy looked up and smiled with evident pleasure. “Thank you, Simmons.”
Simmons bowed and withdrew.
Elizabeth stepped inside, her gaze moving about the room. “I approve. I shall have to make my own study very much like this.”
Darcy gave a soft laugh. “I am honoured by your approval. And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
Elizabeth met his gaze. “I feel that, as I rescued you at luncheon, you might consider accompanying me on a ride this afternoon in Hyde Park.”
Darcy rose at once. “I am much obliged to you for your timely assistance. I should be very happy to attend you.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Then I shall change and meet you at the stables.”
A short time later, Elizabeth entered the stables to find Bramble and Atlas already saddled, with Mr. Darcy waiting nearby.
He assisted her to mount, and soon they were riding toward Hyde Park.
Though the park was more crowded than they had hoped, they soon found themselves beyond the busiest paths and were able to canter more freely.
At length, they turned from the riding path toward the Serpentine, where the water lay calm beneath the afternoon light. Drawing rein beneath a line of trees, they dismounted, and, after entrusting the horses to a waiting groom, walked a short distance to a bench overlooking the water.
They sat together in companionable silence.
After a moment, Darcy turned toward her and took her hand, his touch steady, his thumb moving lightly almost absently across her glove.
“I find I have little inclination for any place where you are not, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth’s gaze fell to their joined hands.
For a moment, she could neither think nor speak.
“You are very good, Mr. Darcy,” she said at last, though her voice was not entirely steady.
Darcy smiled quietly, but with evident satisfaction, as though he understood more than she wished him to.
He held her gaze a moment longer before rising. “Come, we should return.”
***
Darcy stood at the foot of the steps, waiting as the ladies descended.
Georgiana appeared first, looking very elegant. Mary followed soon after, her hair arranged in an elegant mass of curls, her dark blue gown catching the candlelight.
Jane, Elizabeth, and Anne descended together.
Darcy found his attention fixed entirely upon Elizabeth.
Her hair was elaborately arranged, secured with pearl-tipped pins, and her gown of deep rose silk suited her exceedingly well. Anne wore the green silk dress that had been altered to fit her beautifully, along with the jade earrings borrowed from Jane; she appeared very happy. Jane wore a pale blue silk gown; her hair arranged in several braids wrapped neatly into a knot.
Darcy smiled. “I shall be the most envied man at the theatre, escorting so many lovely ladies.”
