"It does not cut through stone."
"It might if driven very badly."
"A storm," Harriet called.
Mr Pritchard shook his head.
Harriet frowned. "It runs across the country and certainly makes enough noise."
Before anyone could answer, Colonel Fitzwilliam rose from the gentlemen's sofa and crossed the space between the teams on the pretence of examining the view from the window. As hepassed behind Jane, he bent and murmured something close to her ear.
Jane brightened. "A river."
"Correct," said Mr Pritchard.
Lady Hortensia lifted her cane before the ladies could celebrate. "No point."
Richard straightened. "Why not?"
"Because you supplied Miss Bennet with the answer."
"I merely passed behind her."
"You also whispered the word river into her ear."
Jane lowered her gaze, though she was smiling. "I am afraid he did."
Lady Hortensia regarded them both. "Colonel Fitzwilliam, you may assist Miss Bennet after the Challenge. For the present, return to your own team."
Richard obeyed without the least sign of regret. Mr Hadley looked at him as he resumed his seat. "You do understand that you have just given away our chance of a point?"
Richard glanced once more at Jane. "I am aware."
"And you do not care?"
"Not especially."
Mr Pritchard set the paper aside and selected another. "The point remains unawarded." He cleared his throat before continuing. "In spring I am finely dressed, in summer I wear still more, but as the weather grows colder I cast off my clothes and stand naked through winter. What am I?"
"A tree," Lady Frances and Darcy answered together.
The room broke into immediate protest before Mr Pritchard had said a word. The ladies claimed Lady Frances had spoken first. The gentlemen insisted Darcy had, while Captain Fanshawe supported his captain with unusual firmness. Harriet declared that Lady Frances had certainly been louder, and Sir Geoffrey argued that volume ought not to determine the matter.
Mr Pritchard waited until the noise diminished. "They spoke at the same moment."
Lady Hortensia looked at him. "Then no point."
"Surely half a point each," Mr Ashcombe said.
"I do not award fractions under any circumstances."
The answer was accepted with poor grace by both sides. Elizabeth caught Darcy's gaze again and mouthed, "We were first."
He shook his head. "Impossible."
She narrowed her eyes at him, though the effect was weakened by the fact that she was still smiling.
Mr Pritchard unfolded the sixth paper. "I have a face but no eyes, hands but no fingers, and though I never leave my place, I am always moving. What am I?"
