“They are indeed,” Elizabeth said.
A short while later, they stepped outside and were hit with a strong breeze.
“Oh, it is such a pretty day!” Elizabeth exclaimed, tying her bonnet a little tighter.
Jane and Mary did likewise, so the wind would not carry their bonnets away either. They headed out onto the estate, soaking in the warm sunshine.
A little while later, they had visited two tenants and were on their way to the third when they noticed the wind had become blustery. They commented on it, but kept going in the direction of the next tenant farmer’s house after the wind seemed to die down. However, when a strong gust suddenly blew each of them back a few steps, they knew it was time to go.
As they tried to make their way back to Longbourn, the wind was blowing dirt and leaves around so much they had to shield their eyes.
Spying a large fir close to the road, Elizabeth turned to her sisters, raising her voice to be heard over the wind. “Follow me!”
They took refuge behind the fir, grateful to have a break from the wind blowing in their faces.
“This is impossible!” Jane exclaimed. “How are we to endure this all the way back?”
“Should we stay here and wait it out? Perhaps the wind will subside soon,” Mary suggested.
“Yes, perhaps it will,” Elizabeth said, looking around them. “Or, perhaps, it will not.”
They looked at one another and seemed to come to an unspoken agreement to stay where they were for a few minutes at least. As they stood there watching leaves fly through the air and tree limbs roll by on the ground, Elizabeth thought she heard something. It was difficult to say what it was over the sound of the wind, but it was definitely something.
She looked at her sisters. “Do you hear that?”
Jane shook her head.
“Hear what?” Mary asked, raising her voice to be heard over the howling wind.
Darcy and Bingley had been out riding when the wind became extremely gusty. After allowing some time to see if it would abate, they decided to return to the stables.
Darcy gave his horse’s reins over to the groom and started walking with Bingley towards the house. Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to the groom. “Have my carriage readied and brought around as soon as possible,” Darcy said.
“Yes, sir!” replied the groom.
“What is it, Darcy?” Bingley asked as they began walking again towards the house.
“Let us get inside first,” Darcy said, speaking loudly to be heard over a sudden gust of wind.
When they entered the house, Darcy turned to Bingley. “I just remembered that Miss Elizabeth was planning to visit tenants today with her sisters. It is possible they have also been caught out in this wind just as we were, but they are more than likely on foot,” Darcy explained.
Bingley nodded in understanding. “I will go with you.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said. “I am going to have Georgiana come with us just in case there is a need for propriety’s sake.”
Bingley raised his brows at that. “Good thinking.”
Hearing the sounds of the pianoforte coming from the music room, Darcy knew where to find his sister. He walked into the room, and she looked up in surprise.
“William, are you already back from your ride?” Georgiana asked.
“We had to cut it short because the winds are very strong outside.”
“Really?” she asked, turning to look out the window.
“Yes . . . Georgiana, I have called for the carriage. I want to make sure Miss Elizabeth and her sisters are not out on their estate in these conditions. Bingley is to accompany me, but I would like for you to come as well.”
“Of course, brother!” She stood and walked out of the room with him.
