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“Mr. Darcy,” she said, curtsying. “Pray I have not caused you to come all this way in search of me.”

“No,” he said.

His taciturn manner in addition to his gaze left her feeling a bit uneasy.

“I was enjoying a morning walk,” she announced, more eagerly than she had intended.

“Do you often ramble about during the early morning hours to parts unknown?” The look he bestowed spoke volumes. “Alone, no less,” he added.

“I am very fond of walking, sir.”

“Indeed.”

Her courage rising in the wake of what she perceived as chastisement, she responded, “Are you judging me, Mr. Darcy?”

“Judging you? No. Questioning you? Indeed. I would go further to caution you to be more prudent in your choice of paths—that is until you are more familiar with Pemberley Woods.”

“I shall take your words under advisement, sir.” And with that, she abruptly turned on her heels with the intention of returning to the manor house, preferably alone. It simply would not do to spend too much time with the gentleman so certain was she that if she were not careful, she might grow afraid of him. That would never do.

“Where are you going?” Darcy inquired. “If you do not mind my asking.”

“No, I do not mind your asking, sir. I am returning to the manor house before my continued absence arouses my family’s concern.”

“Then might I suggest you choose the path to the right, Miss Elizabeth. I have it on good authority that it leads directly to the manor house.”

She arched her brow. “Are you laughing at me?”

“I would not dare. In fact, if you will allow me to be of service, I will be more than happy to escort you.”

“I do not believe that is necessary,” she said. In fact, the last thing she wanted was to be seen with him. Heaven forbid if that jealous Miss Bingley were to begin thinking she had yet another competitor for the gentleman’s attention.

“If you are concerned about what others will think if the two of us were to be seen walking together at this hour, then you need not be. You are perfectly safe with me.”

I suppose that is a matter of opinion, she thought but did not say.

In response to her silence, he said, “I am more than happy to offer you my steed. I will walk.”

“Oh! Heaven forbid, sir. Even if I were inclined to ride your horse, which I absolutely am not, I would never dream of inconveniencing you in such a manner.”

“Trust me, it is no inconvenience at all. Allow me to assist you,” Mr. Darcy offered.

If Elizabeth did not know better, she would have sworn the gentleman was flirting with her. How in the world did he expect to assist her in any way that would not result in more familiarity than ought to be allowed between two people so wholly unconnected as the two of them?

“Sir, you are very kind,” she said coolly. “However, as I said, I am not inclined to ride horseback.” Wanting to offer him a reasonable explanation, she went on to say, “You see, Mr. Darcy, I am not a horsewoman. Indeed, I never learned to ride.”

Darcy laughed a little at this confession. His spirits rising to playfulness, he threw a furtive glance over his shoulder as if looking to see if anyone was about. “Pray do not let my aunt Lady Catherine hear you say such a thing. You know how concerned she is about your having no governess.”

Elizabeth laughed a little too in recollection of her ladyship’s outrage. “Indeed. But you need not worry that all the Bennet daughters have been remiss in that regard. My sister Jane is an excellent horsewoman, as I am certain you will discover over the coming days and weeks.”

His manner suddenly cool and grave, he said, “No doubt.” Just as quickly, he resumed his former attitude just a bit. “Still there is the matter of your expeditious return to the manor house. I really would be honored if you would allow me to accompany you. There is much I would enjoy discussing with you.”

“About my sister Jane,” Elizabeth said with some enthusiasm.

Darcy nodded a little. “Indeed.”

Disguise of any sort was Darcy’s abhorrence. The secret that he was keeping from everyone, even his closest friend the colonel, about his father’s ailing health and the fact that he was pretending to give some consideration to marriage caused him no small measure of discomfort. He took some comfort in the fact that he was not entirely dishonest in urging his companion to allow him to accompany her back to the manor house. If discussing her elder sister was the means of accomplishing his goal of spending time with Miss Elizabeth, then far be it from him to do otherwise. What better way to satisfy his own increasing curiosity about her.

“You mentioned that your sister - that Miss Bennet - is an excellent horsewoman and yet you do not ride horses at all. Why is that, if I might ask?”