Mrs. Bennet’s glare was immediate, but before she could scold, Darcy rose slightly, glanced toward the door, and said with quiet composure, “You will forgive me, Sir and Ma, if my companion joins us. Apollo grows restless when left alone.”
“Ha! Yes. Lizzy mentioned seeing your dog yesterday. I did not know he accompanied you,” said Mr. Bennet.
“It is the sole reason we came by carriage instead of horseback,” Mr. Bingley replied with his usual good humour. “Darcy was determined that Apollo should enjoy the outing.”
“Any companion from Netherfield is welcome at Longbourn,” Mr. Bennet said dryly.
With approval thus given, Darcy inclined his head to Hill, and at his word, the door was opened. In bounded a sleek greyhound, silver-coated and elegant, his bearing as composed as his master’s.
“Apollo has been restless of late,” said Mr. Darcy. “Yesterday, after encountering your Pippin, he was in better spirits than I have seen him for some time. I thought perhaps a visit might further improve his temper.”
Indeed, Pippin was circling Apollo with unmistakable delight, her tail wagging like a banner. The greyhound bore it with noble patience, lowering his elegant head to sniff her as though greeting an old friend.
Mrs. Bennet gave a nervous titter. “Dogs, Mr. Darcy! When Elizabeth mentioned meeting you and your dog yesterday, I was quite elated, I assure you.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. The remark had its effect; every sister turned at once, their surprise barely contained.
“I think,” said Darcy, glancing toward Elizabeth, “that Apollo and Pippin are well matched, for all their differences.”
Elizabeth, recovering from her mother’s indiscretion, met his gaze. “So it seems,” she said, smiling. “Though I assure you, sir, Pippin’s enthusiasm is not always so well received.”
“Then Apollo is fortunate,” he said simply.
For a moment, the words lingered—not awkward, but unexpectedly sincere. Then Mr. Bingley, all good humour, turned the conversation toward the beauty of the countryside, the quality of the roads, and the fine prospects around Longbourn.
Mr. Bennet joined in with his usual wit, while Mrs. Bennet fluttered between pride and eagerness, speaking so rapidly that only Jane’s calm composure restored order.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, observed Darcy more closely. He spoke little, yet there was no coldness in his reserve; rather, it was the quiet watchfulness of a man who preferred to think before he spoke.
He kept his eyes on the dogs, who were now circling one another in a gentle, unhurried dance—Pippin darting forward with bright curiosity while Apollo bent his sleek head in quiet indulgence, their movements strangely graceful in their play.
When Darcy looked up, his gaze met Elizabeth’s across the room, and she was surprised to find his eyes not distant but unexpectedly thoughtful.
“Miss Bennet,” he said after a pause, “your Pippin has a singular charm. I cannot recall Apollo taking so ready an affection to anyone before.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Then perhaps he, too, admires a lively spirit. There seems to be a shortage of them among the gentlemen of Hertfordshire.”
His lips curved faintly—barely a smile, but enough to startle her. “A deficiency I shall endeavour to remedy, if only to satisfy your spaniel.”
Elizabeth turned instinctively toward her father, who was watching with amused attention. His raised brow said plainly that he found the exchange quite diverting.
She looked away at once, her cheeks warming despite herself.
Mrs. Bennet’s call for more tea broke the moment, and the conversation soon shifted back to safer topics.
Two hours later—the greater part of which Mr. Bingley had spent in conversation with Jane—the gentlemen rose to take their leave. Jane's eyes shone with quiet happiness; Mrs. Bennet glowed with triumph; and Pippin had once more stolen a farewell wag from Apollo, who inclined his noble head in parting grace.
Just as they stepped close to the door threshold, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “I hope,” he said quietly, “that Apollo may enjoy Miss Pippin’s company again soon.”
Elizabeth met his gaze steadily. “I believe she would like that very much—and perhaps even her mistress.”
For an instant, surprise flickered across his features. Then he bowed and followed his friend out.
Elizabeth lingered by the window, while Pippin, leaning on the chair beside her, pressed her nose against the glass. Together they watched as Apollo leapt gracefully into the carriage. The little spaniel gave a soft whine when the wheels began to turn.
“Well,” Elizabeth murmured, bending to lift her. “You have made quite the impression, my girl.” Her smile deepened,touched with irony. “I suppose I cannot deny you a new acquaintance—though, between us, his master is not quite so dreadful as I had believed.”
Pippin licked her chin in cheerful agreement.
