Darcy entered the dining room and was pleased to find Bingley alone. “Bingley. Good morning.”
Bingley looked up from his coffee. “Still attempting to reconcile myself to country hours.”
Darcy crossed to the sideboard and helped himself to a muffin, eggs, ham, and coffee before taking a seat opposite him. “Perhaps you require something to look forward to.”
Bingley brightened at once. “Ah, but I have just the thing. I have resolved to give a ball. I had some difficulty persuading Caroline, but she has at last consented. I mean to deliver several of the invitations myself.” He gestured toward a small stack of envelopes beside him.
“And when is this event to take place?”
“In a fortnight, Tuesday. The timing is excellent; there will be a full moon.”
Darcy took a measured sip of his coffee. “Then I shall look forward to it.”
Bingley stared at him. “You will? I confess, that is not something I expected to hear.”
“I dare say that is fair. My views have… altered.”
Bingley leaned forward slightly, studying him. “Am I mistaken, or has some dark-haired beauty claimed your attention?”
Darcy allowed himself the faintest smile. “Miss Elizabeth dances remarkably well. I find it…. engaging to observe."
He took another bite of his muffin before continuing, as though the matter were of no particular consequence.
“I was considering that the weather tomorrow may prove favourable for riding. Perhaps we might take some refreshment along the way. Your company and Miss Bennet’s, would be most agreeable.”
“A picnic, Darcy?” Bingley laughed. “I had not taken you for the picnicking sort.”
Darcy raised a brow. “There are many things you have not taken me for.”
At that moment Miss Bingley entered the room and seated herself beside Darcy, her expression brightening at once.
“A picnic? How delightful. I quite adore picnics.”
Darcy lifted his coffee again, reflecting that Miss Bingley’s enthusiasm need not prevent the excursion from proceeding exactly as he intended.
***
Darcy and Bingley walked their horses toward Longbourn. Under other circumstances, Darcy would have preferred a brisk gallop across the fields, but he had no desire to arrive splattered with mud. He had agreed to accompany Bingley in delivering invitations to the ball, partly for the excuse of leaving Netherfield, but more particularly for the opportunity it might afford him.
He hoped to secure the supper set.
Looking forward to a dance was a novel experience. Such engagements had always been endured rather than anticipated, yet he did not find the prospect of spending time with Miss Elizabeth any sort of burden. She was easy in her manner, neither affected nor insipid and with her he enjoyed conversation that was genuinely engaging.
They soon turned into the lane leading to Longbourn. Darcy and Bingley dismounted, and a groom stepped forward to take their horses. As they approached the house, Darcy observed Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth just emerging.
This was better than he had hoped. He would much prefer to make his request without the entire Bennet family present.
Bingley went directly to Miss Bennet. “I have come to deliver an invitation for you and your family. I am to hold a ball.” He presented the invitation with evident pleasure.
Miss Bennet smiled warmly. “I am certain my family will be most happy to accept.”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “Are you pleased at the prospect of the ball? As I recall, you were prevented from attending the last assembly in Meryton.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, and if I remember rightly, you were prevented as well. I hope nothing will interfere with this one.”
Darcy lowered his voice slightly. “May I ask if you would reserve the supper set for me?”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “It is yours, sir.”
