“Yes, dear Jane,” Miss Bingley said lightly as she crossed to the sideboard. “We were quite surprised when the carriage did not return for her.”
Darcy looked up at that but said nothing. Mr. Bingley frowned slightly.
“They could hardly send the carriage in such weather,” he said. “It was fortunate Miss Bennet remained.”
Miss Bingley gave a small shrug and took her seat.
At that moment Mrs. Nichols appeared at the doorway. “The east room fire was slow to draw this morning. Shall it be aired before company gathers?”
Her eyes moved instinctively toward Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gave the slightest shake of her head and glanced toward Miss Bingley.
Darcy, who had just lifted his cup, paused before taking his tea.
Miss Bingley waved her hand. “Yes. See that it is done.”
Jane rose. “I shall go and change.”
Elizabeth stood as well. “I will assist you.”
Miss Bingley watched them depart, then turned back to the gentlemen with a small smile. “Well, at least they will soon be on their way.”
“Caroline,” Bingley said mildly, “you invited her.”
She shrugged. “Really, Charles, you concern yourself over nothing. You would do better not to give her too much attention.”
Darcy did not reply. He set down his cup with measured care.
When Elizabeth reached the doorway, she could not help but glance back. Mr. Darcy stood where she had left him, his attention fixed in her direction, though no one had spoken.
She turned away at once and followed Jane from the room.
***
As Jane and Elizabeth rode away from Netherfield, Elizabeth glanced toward Willow.
"I believe she is favors her left foreleg. We ought to stop at the blacksmith and have it examined.”
Jane looked down at the leg in question and nodded at once. “Yes, of course.” She leaned forward to pat Willow’s neck. “We shall see to you directly.”
When Meryton came into view, some of the tension left Jane’s expression. “Almost there.”
At the forge, Harris dismounted first and assisted the ladies down. He led Willow forward while Elizabeth stepped toward the open doorway.
“Good morning, Mr. Harding. I trust you are well.”
Mr. Harding looked up from his work and set down his hammer. “Miss Elizabeth. Very well, thank you. And Miss Bennet, good morning to you.”
Harris brought Willow forward. "She’s been favoring the left foreleg.”
Mr. Harding ran a practiced hand down the leg, then lifted the hoof. “Aye. The shoe is working loose. I will set a new one. It will not take long.”
“That would be most appreciated,” Elizabeth replied.
As he gathered his tools, Mr. Harding added, almost as an afterthought, “Miss Elizabeth, my brother-in-law, Matthew Carter, he is a wheelwright in St. Albans. He has been speaking of setting up on his own.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Then he should speak with Mr. Wilmot. There may be space near the lower yard. “If he is in earnest, we may arrange an introduction.””
