Elizabeth smiled. “I decided to make it happen.”
Anne looked at her in astonishment. “Just like that, at nine years old?”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “In intention, perhaps. In practice, it required years. I learned where I could, observed as much as I was permitted, and in time took on greater responsibility.”
Anne looked at her with something like wonder. Anne said softly, “I cannot imagine being so certain.”
She turned her gaze toward the window as the carriage began to slow.
Elizabeth glanced out. “Ah, we’ve arrived. Come, let us see your dresses.”
***
Elizabeth, Jane, and Anne stood in the back garden of Netherfield. Several large tents had been erected, and lanterns were being strung between them. Fires stood ready to be lit, and long tables had been set out. A generous assortment of food covered the tables, breads, cheeses, cold ham, tarts, cakes, and pies of many varieties. Several clusters of ale barrels had been arranged about the green, ensuring no part of the gathering was left unattended. All of it looked most inviting. Anne looked around at the preparations with quiet interest.
Soon, wagons began to arrive, filled with families. As the gathering grew, the horses were quietly removed and led away to the Netherfield stables, while the wagons remained in orderly rows at the edge of the field. Children ran laughing between the tents, darting back for treats before racing off again.
Darcy and Mr. Bennet joined her. Elizabeth noticed that Mary, Lydia, and Kitty, with Mrs. Tyler, appeared well occupied.
Mr. Bennet stepped toward the center of the tent and mounted the small platform where the musicians were seated. He raised his hand, and the crowd gradually quieted. “It is a pleasure to see the tenants of Longbourn and Netherfield gathered together. You have our thanks for your presence, andI suspect, for your good sense in making the most of the provisions. I shall now conclude before I am expected to say anything further.”
A ripple of amusement passed through the crowd.
Mr. Bennet stepped down and turned to Elizabeth. “I shall be in the library, should anyone require me.”
She smiled. “Of course, Papa.”
With a small signal from Elizabeth, the musicians began, and the lively sounds of fiddles and pipes filled the air.
Anne looked around at the crowd of people. "Do you hold such a gathering every year?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Oh yes, it is very much looked forward to."
Anne glanced again toward the gathering, as if trying to take it all in. Couples quickly formed, and even some of the children attempted the steps at the edges of the dance.
Darcy stepped forward. “May I have this dance?”
Elizabeth curtseyed lightly. “Why, thank you, sir.”
They joined the movement of the set. The pipes carried the tune clearly, though not without the occasional uneven note, quickly lost beneath the stronger fiddles.
Elizabeth laughed, a light, unguarded sound. It was the happiest she had felt since the night of the fire. She glimpsed Jane and Mr. Bingley nearby, equally engaged.
Darcy watched her, his attention fixed with a warmth she could not mistake.
When the dance concluded, Elizabeth was soon claimed by one of the tenants. She smiled at Darcy before accepting the farmer’s arm and joining the next set.
Darcy turned and asked Mary to dance. She accepted with evident pleasure.
Later, Elizabeth noticed Darcy dancing with Anne. Though a little uncertain at first, Anne followed the steps carefully, andthere was a faint look of satisfaction in her expression when she succeeded.
The evening continued, the tables refreshed regularly, and the music rarely ceased.
Later, Darcy found Elizabeth once more.
“Do you intend to stay to the end?”
She shook her head. “No, I think I am done.” She looked over the crowd with a fond expression. “They may be here for some time yet.”
