“I imagine she does not share that sentiment,” he replied, his eyes following Pippin’s lively circling of Apollo.
Elizabeth sighed, half laughing despite herself. “With the way you reacted to her behaviour last night, I did not think you the sort of gentleman to own a dog of your own.”
Darcy looked down at Apollo, whose patience remained unshaken. “He is a quiet companion,” he said. “A creature of order.”
“Unlike mine?” Elizabeth asked, her tone light but edged with irony. “You made your opinion quite clear last night, sir.”
Darcy’s gaze shifted from his hound to her face, his expression unreadable. “If I spoke with too little civility, it was the fault of a crowded room and too many watching eyes,” he said evenly. “I am not accustomed to being the subject of so much interest.”
Elizabeth regarded him for a moment, caught between surprise and disbelief. “You might find, sir, that a little civility improves such interest.”
He hesitated, the faintest line appearing at the corner of his mouth. “Or perhaps,” he said quietly, “it only invites more of what one would rather avoid.”
She could not quite decide whether it was arrogance or honesty that spoke.
To avoid replying, she bent to smooth Pippin’s ears, her gloved fingers brushing the spaniel’s glossy head. “And what is his name, sir?” she asked, her eyes drifting toward the greyhound.
“Apollo.”
Elizabeth’s brow arched slightly. “A most dignified name—and perfectly suited.”
Darcy’s lips curved, almost despite himself. “He does his best to live up to it.”
The two dogs had by now settled into a kind of gentle play, Apollo lowering his sleek head while Pippin circled him in bright, eager bursts. When she paused, he bent to nudge her softly, and she rewarded him with a wag of complete devotion.
Elizabeth gave a quiet laugh. “It seems they have decided to be friends, without seeking our approval.”
Darcy’s mouth twitched, though his eyes remained thoughtful. “The wiser course, perhaps.”
Her smile faded into curiosity. There was something in his tone she could not easily place—neither jest nor condescension, but something else entirely. Before she could puzzle it out, a passer-by glanced their way, and she saw Darcy’s composure draw up like armour.
He turned to her with a polite inclination of his head. “I must be on my way, Miss Bennet. Come, Apollo.”
“Of course,” she said, stepping back with Pippin at her heel. “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”
He bowed slightly. “Miss Bennet.”
As he moved away, the afternoon quiet seemed to settle once more around her. Pippin gave a small bark and trotted a few paces after the departing greyhound before Elizabeth gathered her close again.
She looked down at the little dog, who gazed up at her with unrepentant affection. “You have a talent for choosing company, it seems,” she murmured. “Though next time, do try to pick a less complicated gentleman.”
Pippin wagged her tail as if in cheerful defiance. Elizabeth laughed softly and turned toward home, still smiling.
If Mr. Darcy had meant to surprise her by being almost civil, he had not succeeded, for he offered neither apology for his slight nor acknowledgement of his offence to Pippin at the assembly. Yet he contrived an excuse for his conduct that sounded perilously like justification. A most complicated manindeed—and Elizabeth was quite resolved not to think of him again.
CHAPTER FOUR
Longbourn – October 1811
AS USUAL, THE BENNET family gathered for dinner that evening. The room glowed with candlelight, the air lively with the clatter of dishes and the cheerful murmur of five daughters in various degrees of mirth and mischief. A generous roast stood in triumph at the centre of the table, sending up a tempting steam.
Elizabeth was the last to join them, her cheeks bright from the evening air, Pippin trotting happily at her heels.
“Lizzy!” cried Mrs. Bennet, her fork clattering upon her plate. “You will not bring that creature to table! This is a family dinner, not a kennel!”
Mr. Bennet, carving the roast with deliberate leisure, did not look up. “And yet, my dear, Pippin seems to think herself quite one of us. Indeed, she has done more this week to make our name known in Meryton than everyone at this table combined.”
Lydia burst into laughter; Kitty joined her; Jane hid her smile behind her napkin.
