Georgiana’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. “Oh, yes, I would enjoy that!”
Miss Mary smiled and nodded.
Darcy and Bingley stood waiting at the door of the drawing room. When Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth drew near, Darcy stepped forward. “May I escort you ladies to the carriage?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Miss Bennet replied.
Miss Elizabeth merely smiled. Darcy offered an arm first to her, then his other to Miss Bennet. As he led them outside, he politely inquired if they had other calls to pay. Miss Bennet obliged him with a response and light conversation as they made their way to the carriage. Bingley had offered Miss Mary his escort, and Darcy could hear them conversing as they followed behind.
Upon reaching the carriage, Darcy handed Miss Bennet inside. He then turned to Miss Elizabeth, extending his hand to her.She laid her hand in his, grabbed her skirts with the other, then smiled and thanked him as he handed her up. He waited for her to look at him, but her eyes never met his.
Bingley handed Miss Mary into the carriage and shut the door. He gave the ladies a wide grin and wished them a good evening.
Darcy and Bingley stood watching as the carriage drove away.
Bingley turned to Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth is quite the conversationalist!” He glanced back at the carriage, then again at Darcy. “And her eyes . . . have you noticed her eyes, Darcy? They are beautiful!”
Darcy nodded. “They are indeed. It was one of the first things I noticed about her when we made her acquaintance.”
Darcy watched his friend closely as Bingley looked in the direction of the carriage again just as it turned out of sight. He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. For some reason, Darcy’s heart pounded. Bingley’s praise of Miss Elizabeth made him feel agitated. As they walked back into the house, Bingley began speaking of something that Sir William Lucas had mentioned, and Darcy found himself relieved that his friend had moved on from the topic of Miss Elizabeth’s eyes. The reason he was relieved was not something he wished to examine too closely.
The next day, Elizabeth went for a walk, as she did most mornings when the weather permitted. The assembly was that evening, and as predicted, their father would not be attending. Mama had decided they would travel in groups of three so that each of her daughter’s gowns would be in the best possible condition upon arriving. Elizabeth would leave with Jane and Mary. The carriage would then return to convey her mother and younger sisters to the assembly rooms. Elizabeth and Janehad privately discussed their mutual concern of appearing at the assembly without either of their parents. To avoid such an impropriety, they sent a note to their Aunt Phillips explaining the situation and requesting to pick her up on their way to the assembly. Fortunately, she was agreeable.
Elizabeth came to the fence that separated her father’s land from Netherfield Park and climbed the stile. She had just crossed over the fence and jumped down when she heard her name called. She looked up to see Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy approaching on horseback.Oh no! I did not realize I had an audience! I hope I leapt from the stile in a dignified manner . . . if such a thing can be done.
“Good morning!” Elizabeth greeted them.
“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth!” Miss Darcy said cheerfully.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy greeted her and tipped his hat.
“It is a lovely morning, is it not?” Elizabeth asked.
“Indeed, it is. Where are you headed this morning?” Miss Darcy asked.
“I am on my way to Oakham Mount.”
“How far is Oakham Mount?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“From here, it is half a mile away,” Elizabeth replied.
“Would you like some company?” asked Miss Darcy, her brows raised in hopeful anticipation.
“Yes, I would indeed,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
The Darcys dismounted, then the three of them set off together with horses in tow.
“Do you often walk in the mornings, Miss Elizabeth?” Miss Darcy asked.
“Yes, I do most mornings. How often do you ride?”
“I have gone out riding a few times since we arrived on Monday. When I am home, I tend to ride more.”
“There is always a comfort and familiarity that comes with being at home. I enjoy visiting my aunt and uncle in London, butI certainly cannot venture out with the same freedom as I can when I am home,” Elizabeth said.
“Do you visit them often?” Miss Darcy asked.
“Usually we do two or three times a year. Actually, our next visit is less than two weeks away.”
