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Charles then looked at Miss Anne de Bourgh and tried not to notice her companion’s attempt to get the young woman to eat. No doubt, Darcy will eventually relent and marry his cousin. Even he cannot be immune to the enormous financial prospect of uniting the two great estates.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s commanding voice drew Bingley’s attention away from his study of Anne and her companion.

“Speaking of absences, I find it exceedingly odd that Miss Elizabeth did not bother to join us.” Looking at Jane pointedly, Lady Catherine continued, “She is your sister. Where is she?”

“My sister has a penchant for being an early morning riser, as well as a fondness for solitary rambles. I fear her enthusiasm to explore the grounds may have caused her to lose track of time.”

Despite her calm response, Charles could tell that Jane was growing increasingly concerned that her sister had not returned, were he to judge by her frequent glances in the direction of the large antique clock towering in the far corner of the opulent room. Not wishing to see her so distracted, he kindly offered to walk with her in search of her younger sister.

“What a grand idea, Charles,” cried his sister Caroline. “Louisa, my dear, is that not a grand idea?”

“I could not agree more.”

“What say you, Miss Bennet?” Charles asked.

“I appreciate your kind offer. However, it is not necessary. I am certain my sister is set to return even as we speak.”

Not to be so easily deterred, he said, “Then, what say you to a stroll about the grounds? Pemberley’s extensive gardens are quite the sight to behold.”

“It shall be my pleasure, sir.” Jane looked at a few of the others gathered around the breakfast table. “Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Miss Bingley, I hope you will accompany us as well.”

“Oh! I never walk so early in the day so long as I can help it,” cried the younger woman.

“Nor I, to be sure,” said Mrs. Hurst. As for her husband, he likely did not hear a word Jane said judging by his attention to his plate of eggs and various meats.

“Lady Catherine, Miss de Bourgh—I certainly did not mean to exclude you. I rather supposed you might have other plans,” Jane said in recognition of her earlier lapse.

“Pray—do not be absurd, young woman. Neither I nor my daughter have made it a habit of walking about parks. We rely on phaetons for such purposes.”

A quarter hour later, Bingley could not say he was happy to see his friend Darcy appear from nowhere and accompany him and Miss Bennet on their walk in the east garden. Even though very much there in person, Darcy’s mind appeared to be a thousand miles away, which suited Charles just fine. Indeed, Darcy’s taciturn nature was precisely what the situation demanded.

Although his friend strolled on one side of Miss Bennet and Charles the other, the latter was certain, judging by her smiles, that he commanded the greater share of her attention. Unless he had misread her entirely, Miss Bennet’s sentiments were much the same as his own.

How he loved seeing her smile.

I shall endeavor always to speak upon those things which encourage her smiles even more.

Elizabeth abandoned the hope of spending the morning with her sister Jane when she espied her walking in the garden with Mr. Bingley. After studying the couple for a moment or so, she did not know whether she was relieved or disappointed when Fitzwilliam Darcy approached Jane and Bingley and joined them on their walk. She could not help noticing that once again, Mr. Darcy seemed contented to have his friend Bingley carry the bulk of the conversation.

He is not at all as he had been earlier when walking along with me. Then he had been livelier.

Indeed. He had informed her that soon there would be additions to their party. His younger sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, was due to return from a visit to the North along with her companion.

He went on to mention his father’s godson, a Mr. George Wickham, would be arriving at Pemberley as well. Elizabeth could not help noticing the change in Mr. Darcy’s manner upon the mention of Mr. Wickham’s name. What a stark difference in the joy and anticipation that shone on his face when speaking of his young sister, Miss Darcy, in comparison with speaking of his father’s godson. She could hardly wait to discover the true reason for such a change in the man. On the other hand, the man who walked beside her had shown quite a few facets of his character to her since her arrival at Pemberley. The side of him she liked best was the side he had shown that morning.

Again, she chastised herself for thinking of the gentleman who would be her sister’s suitor for so long as she did. Assuming a comfortable position on her bed to rest her ankle, she picked up the book that rested on her bedside table, opened it, and resumed reading where she had left off the day before.

If her mind wandered a time or two to her early morning walking companion, she would hardly admit it.

CHAPTER 10

SERIOUS CONSIDERATION

The next several evenings progressed in much the same manner as the evenings before. Same guests, same pairings, same attitudes. Having exchanged brief pleasantries with one or the other throughout the past days afforded Elizabeth a better understanding of each person’s true nature.

Between Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Miss Bingley, Elizabeth did not know which of the two ladies she preferred less. She merely had a chance to observe Miss de Bourgh, for that young lady rarely spoke to anyone at all. At times, Elizabeth did sense hints of genuine affection toward Fitzwilliam Darcy on the part of his cousin whenever the gentleman walked into the room. However, it was nothing in comparison to the way Miss Bingley was wont to do and say most anything that she suspected might garner the gentleman’s approbation. Knowing her ladyship’s designs for her nephew, it did not surprise her at all to observe the disdainful manner in which Lady Catherine regarded Miss Bennet.

At least my sister Jane shall not be alone in facing the grand lady’s wrath. Of that, I am quite certain.