"You never let anything stand in the way of what—or whom—you want, do you?"
Pippin wagged her tail, perfectly content.
"No, I thought not," Elizabeth said softly. "You are far too sensible to let pride stand in the way of happiness."
She paused, glancing back toward the road where Mr. Darcy had vanished. "He is not quite as proud as I once believed. If he ever apologises for that dreadful remark at the Meryton assembly, perhaps I may actually like him."
Pippin gave a short, sceptical whine.
"Oh, come now," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "You have Apollo, do you not? Surely you will allow me one moment of generosity. He is—" she hesitated, smiling to herself, "—a fine gentleman, though not always consistent. One day charming, the next intolerable. And that, my dear, is why I remain cautious."
Pippin gave a final wag of her tail, entirely unconvinced.
Elizabeth shook her head, her smile lingering as they walked on. "You and Apollo have it simple. You know what you like and never pretend otherwise. Perhaps I might learn something from that."
The sunlight caught in her hair as she turned for home, Pippin trotting proudly at her side.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Longbourn – November 1811
MR. COLLINS’S SERMONS AND his constant eagerness to thrust himself into Elizabeth’s notice were the chief diversions of the next three days at Longbourn. On the fifth morning of his visit, he accompanied Jane, Lydia, and Kitty to Meryton to call upon their Aunt Philips, leaving a rare quiet behind. Mary remained at home with Elizabeth, who, being slightly indisposed by the last days of her courses, had declined the outing.
Around eleven o’clock, Charlotte Lucas arrived at Longbourn to call upon her friend. Mary, having declared her intention to practise her music, excused herself to the adjoining room, leaving Elizabeth to receive their guest.
Charlotte entered the parlour with her usual composure and a pleasant smile. “My dear Lizzy,” she said, after the first courtesies, “you must forgive me for not calling sooner. We have been in continual bustle at Lucas Lodge. My mother’s nerves, my father’s accounts, and Maria’s endless chatter have left me quite without leisure.”
Elizabeth welcomed her warmly. “Then you are doubly good to brave such confusion for me. You must take tea.”
Mrs. Bennet appeared long enough to exclaim how delighted she was to see Miss Lucas, ordered tea and seed-cake, and then bustled out again, leaving them to their conversation.
Charlotte smiled. “Your mother is indefatigable.”
“And unstoppable,” Elizabeth replied. “If she ever paused to draw breath, the house might collapse from shock.”
They both laughed and settled by the hearth.
The conversation soon turned to their last meeting.
“I have meant to tease you, Charlotte,” Elizabeth began, “I saw you dance twice with Mr. Mark at the assembly. He seemed quite taken with you.”
Charlotte shook her head, smiling. “Taken with himself, more likely. He spoke only of the draught from the west windows and how poor the musicians were. His devotion was entirely to his own comfort.”
“Ah, then his affections are well distributed,” Elizabeth teased. “He danced with Jane and Miss. King too, though you alone were honoured with two.”
Charlotte smiled. “The real admiration of the evening belonged to Jane and Mr. Bingley. He scarcely looked away from her the whole night.”
“My mother’s prophecy fulfilled,” Elizabeth said. “She will fancy herself a prophetess now that he has called at Longbourn. The visit was meant for my father, though his eyes were not.”
“Then we must prepare for wedding bells,” Charlotte said, laughing.
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth replied. “They are well suited, though the course of true affection rarely runs smooth.”
Charlotte leaned forward with a mischievous glint. “Speaking of affection, I hear you have found some of your own.”
Elizabeth blinked. “Me?”
"Yes. Someone claims to have seen you twice in Mr. Darcy's company. Rather extraordinary, considering he once found you 'not handsome enough to tempt him.'"
