Anne gave a small nod. “Oh yes. An express arrived yesterday. We left at dawn to come here. He mentioned the fire, and that Miss Bennet had refused his proposal.”
She glanced at Elizabeth. “A very wise decision. I assure you, life under my mother’s influence would not suit you.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “I suspect you are correct.”
Anne turned back to Darcy. “Is it true that you are engaged?”
Both Elizabeth and Darcy flushed.
Darcy shook his head. “We are not yet engaged.”
Anne tilted her head slightly. “Not yet? I see.”
A faint smile touched her lips. “I shall be very interested to see how matters develop.”
At that moment Miss Bingley returned to the drawing room.
***
Dinner was announced, and the party proceeded to the dining room.
Elizabeth was not surprised to find herself once again seated beside Mr. Collins. She hoped he would be too occupied attending to his patroness to trouble her with conversation. Lydia sat on her other side, and Elizabeth was glad of that, as she had not spent much time with her sister lately.
A glance down the table showed Mr. Darcy seated between Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. His expression suggested he found the arrangement less than agreeable. Anne was seated across from him beside her father, and from that position Darcy’s attention appeared to return frequently to Elizabeth’s end of the table.
The first course was served.
Elizabeth moved her food about her plate in a manner that suggested she was eating. In truth, she was tired. Mr. Collins droned on beside her about some matter of consequence, though she scarcely heard a word of it. Normally she might comfort herself with the thought that he would soon be returning to Kent, but that prospect now seemed uncertain.
Suddenly she realized Lady Catherine was addressing her. “I beg your pardon?”
Lady Catherine frowned. “I asked who is managing Longbourn.”
“We have a very reliable steward,” Elizabeth replied calmly. “My father is quite satisfied with his service.”
“Mr. Collins informed me that Mr. Bennet rarely leaves his book-room.”
Elizabeth regarded her evenly. “Mr. Collins appears to take a great interest in my father’s schedule.”
“I am attempting to determine whether Longbourn is being managed properly.”
“You seem to take a keen interest in a property that has nothing to do with you.”
“Young lady, you are not answering my questions.”
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly. “I wonder, Lady Catherine, whether you would be equally pleased to answer questions regarding your own estate.”
“I am attempting to determine whether Mr. Collins’s future inheritance is being managed correctly.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes.”
Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed. “What do you mean yes?”
“He may rest easy. Longbourn is managed correctly.”
“And how would you know?”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “If I would not know, why ask me?”
