“I have a feeling that once you three leave the neighborhood, Georgiana will be eager to leave as well.”
Miss Elizabeth looked at him and smiled. “How long will you remain in Hertfordshire?”
“Until the twenty-eighth of October.”
She nodded. “My mother and younger sisters will be leaving tomorrow morning. They are to go spend a week in town. My father will escort them and return in a day or two.”
“Shall you ladies keep busy in their absence or just relax?” Darcy asked teasingly.
She chuckled softly. “Both, I imagine. We will spend the next few days visiting any tenants we have not seen recently. The following days, we will spend taking leave of our friends and neighbors. And somewhere in between all of that, I am sure we will find some time to relax as well.”
Darcy smiled at her response. As they followed the bend in the path, the fence came into view. He hated for this lovely interlude to end, but he knew she needed to get on her way. She still had some distance to cover before she would reach Longbourn.
Darcy walked to the stile and stood beside it, smiling at her. “Thank you for allowing me to join you. I enjoyed our walk.”
“I did, too,” Miss Elizabeth said, returning his smile.
Darcy held out his hand, his eyes still on her. She placed her hand in his, then he helped her up and over the stile. Her jasmine and citrus scent moved through the air around him. Miss Elizabeth thanked him, told him goodbye, and turned to walk home. His eyes followed her as she walked away.
Chapter 9
That evening at dinner, Elizabeth found herself seated between Charlotte and Miss Darcy.
“Did I hear correctly that you and your mother and sisters are leaving for town tomorrow?” Charlotte asked. “I thought you were to leave next week.” She tipped a spoonful of soup to her lips and looked at Elizabeth.
“It is Kitty and Lydia who leave with my mother tomorrow. Lydia had begged for a holiday, and since Mama wanted to do some shopping soon anyway, she agreed to a week in London,” Elizabeth explained. “We will leave as planned, a week from tomorrow. My aunt has also invited Mary to join us.”
“How nice! I am sure she is looking forward to it.”
“She is,” Elizabeth smiled and nodded to her friend as the first course was removed.
As she waited to be served the second course, she turned to her left and noticed Mary looking at her.
“Lizzy, Miss Darcy was just telling me of how she spends her time in town,” Mary said.
Elizabeth smiled. “What do you do to occupy yourself in London, Miss Darcy?”
“I have my music lessons, of course. I ride in Hyde Park with my brother. I also spend time visiting with my relations and going to the theatre. And, on occasion, my brother will take me to an evening musicale.”
Elizabeth nodded in response, then sat back to allow the servant to serve her. After taking a bite, she turned to her left again.
“I would love to attend an evening musicale while we are in London, Lizzy,” Mary said.
“Yes, that would be enjoyable,” Elizabeth agreed.
The ladies then gave attention to their plates.
A minute later, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth to get her attention. They leaned toward one another.
“Mr. Darcy has been looking at you a great deal this evening,” Charlotte whispered with a smirk on her face. “Is there something you wish to tell me?”
Elizabeth’s face flushed. “Stop it, Charlotte,” she whispered back.
Charlotte’s shoulders shook with her mirth.
“And, no, there is nothing to tell you like what you imply. I do have some things to acquaint you with, though. Are you free tomorrow? We will be busy visiting tenants in the morning. Do you mind coming to Longbourn?”
“Not at all. Shall I come for tea?” Charlotte asked.
