Darcy looked at her. "What is it?"
"Nothing, only..." She pressed her lips together against a smile that was already forming without her permission. "Georgiana mentioned an Aunt Catherine in Kent entirely in passing. I gave it no thought at the time. I did not make the connection."
"Connection to what?" Darcy asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Well." Elizabeth was obliged to steady her features before replying. "My cousin, Mr. Collins, is to visit Longbourn on Friday. His letter informed us, at considerable length, that he is the rector of a parish at Hunsford in Kent, under the patronage of a Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park." She paused and smiled again. "I had not, until this precise moment, understoodthat to be the same Aunt Catherine Georgiana mentioned yesterday."
Darcy's eyes widened.
Then he laughed.
The sound surprised Elizabeth enough that she nearly laughed herself.
"You are amused."
"I confess I am." He shook his head slightly. "Mr. Collins is your cousin?"
"He is."
Darcy laughed again and inclined his head in apology. "I beg your pardon. I have never met the gentleman myself, but my cousin Anne has mentioned him in her letters. She describes him as exceedingly devoted to my aunt. I believe he dines at Rosings with considerable frequency."
"'Exceedingly devoted' is a very charitable summary of his letter," Elizabeth said, laughing outright. "Mr. Collins appears to hold your aunt's opinions in the highest possible esteem."
Darcy's smile widened. "I confess I should very much like to meet the man."
"You are aware," Elizabeth said, composing herself, "that Georgiana is to call at Longbourn on Friday."
Darcy's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "Then we shall meet him?"
"If Mr. Collins proves as punctual as his letter suggests, you certainly shall."
Darcy regarded her with unmistakable amusement. "I find I am looking forward to it."
The morning lay quiet around them, and the valley stretched away in every direction, entirely unconcerned with Mr. Collins and his approaching visit.
"Friday," Darcy said at last, "promises to be a very interesting afternoon."
Elizabeth rose from the log not long afterwards.
"I ought to return. My family will soon be at breakfast, and my father may begin to suspect I have abandoned Hertfordshire altogether."
Darcy rose as well. "May I walk you to the bottom of the mount?"
Elizabeth considered him for a moment.
"You may, sir."
They set off down the path together, the conversation drifting naturally to other subjects, among them whether Hertfordshire lanes were best enjoyed in autumn or spring, a question upon which they found themselves capable of conversing pleasantly and at considerable length.
At the foot of the path they parted.
Elizabeth turned towards Longbourn. Darcy towards Netherfield.
She did not look back.
By the time she reached the lane leading home, however, she found herself smiling.
She saw no particular reason to stop. Mr. Darcy was a gentleman whose company she thoroughly enjoyed.
