“The steward attends to such matters.”
“I shall apply to him for a tour.”
Mr. Bennet reached again for his book. “Mr. Collins, do you ride?”
Mr. Collins hesitated. “No, sir. We did not keep horses when I was growing up.”
“That is a skill you may wish to acquire, if you intend to manage an estate someday. Not every corner may be reached conveniently by carriage.”
“That is excellent advice. I shall ask the steward to teach me.”
Mr. Collins withdrew.
Mr. Bennet opened his book once more and sighed, shaking his head.
“I doubt Mr. Wilmot will thank me for this.”
***
Elizabeth stood near the Longbourn stables reviewing her list of goods to be sent to Mr. Gardiner in London. Two wagons, filled and covered with tarpaulins, stood ready while the horses were being harnessed. Several grooms led teams into place, while six mounted men waited nearby to accompany the shipment.
Another rider approached along the lane. When Elizabeth looked up, she saw it was Mr. Darcy.
She smiled and handed a letter to one of the drivers. “Please see that this is delivered to Mr. Gardiner.”
Darcy rode up and dismounted. “Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you are well.”
“Very well, thank you.”
The final traces were secured. The wagons creaked into motion, and the outriders fell in behind as they began their steady progress down the lane.
Elizabeth and Darcy stood side by side, watching them depart.
After a moment, Darcy said, “You are not going to London this time.”
Elizabeth looked at him for a moment, then shook her head. “Not with Mr. Collins visiting.”
Darcy spoke more quietly. “I must tell you, I am much impressed by all that you accomplish here. I cannot think of many estates so well managed.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “I shall be sure to inform my father. He will value the compliment.”
Darcy shook his head. “No. I meant you.”
She did not answer at once.
Her expression altered. “Most men would not believe a woman capable of running an estate.”
“I am not most men.”
She studied him more closely. “When did you know?”
“I first suspected when you travelled to London with two heavily laden wagons and six outriders. But I was certain when the army came to for the horses.”
Elizabeth frowned slightly. “But I did not speak a single word to the officers.”
Darcy smiled. “You did not need to. It was evident that everything had been arranged precisely as you intended. And I have yet to see your father riding the boundaries, while I see you out daily.”
Elizabeth gave a small shrug. “My father has always preferred his book-room to the estate.”
