Mrs. Smith lifted one of the spools, turning it carefully between her fingers. “It is beautiful thread. The pattern will show far more delicately.”
“There are new pricked patterns as well,” Elizabeth added. “You must not feel pressed to resume work immediately. They will keep.”
Mrs. Smith smiled. “I do not work lace while pacing the floor, Miss Elizabeth, and Sarah has been invaluable. Still, I have arranged for Mrs. Nichols’s niece, Jenny, to assist during the day.”
“Jenny?” Elizabeth asked. “Is she not very young?”
“She is twelve,” Mrs. Smith said. “But steady. And her wages will ease matters at home.”
Elizabeth considered this a moment, then nodded.“But if you require further assistance, you must send word at once.”
“I shall.”
Elizabeth rose carefully and returned Samuel to his mother, making certain his head was well supported as she did so.
“I must not linger,” she said. “We have preparations this evening.”
“Lucas Lodge?” Mrs. Smith asked knowingly.
Elizabeth smiled. “Just so.”
“Then we shall not detain you. And thank you, for all of it.”
Elizabeth inclined her head and stepped back into the sunlight, satisfied all was in good order.
***
As the carriage made its way toward Meryton, the wheels crunching over damp gravel, Elizabeth watched the hedgerows slip past the window.
The roads had improved since morning. Another day or two would see them dry. Mr. Wilmot would wish to inspect the lower fields.
She rested her gloved hands in her lap.
Lucas Lodge would be lively this evening. Sir William never permitted a gathering to lack enthusiasm.
After a moment, her thoughts turned elsewhere.
Mr. Darcy had been at breakfast, and later in Meryton when they had taken tea.
He had seemed attentive.
She would not object to further conversation.
Elizabeth turned her head slightly toward the window, as though the trees required inspection.
It would be entirely natural for him to attend. He was a guest at Netherfield. There was no reason to suppose otherwise.
She adjusted the ribbon at her wrist.
There was no reason to suppose he would not.
***
Darcy leaned back in the carriage opposite Miss Bingley. It was unfortunate he could not ride to Lucas Lodge; the exercise would have spared him the necessity of listening to Miss Bingley enumerate the deficiencies of country society.
He would almost prefer to forgo the evening altogether.
Almost. Miss Elizabeth would be there.
