Page 55 of What Change Entails

Darcy entered; a large dog followed him halfway into the room before a servant coaxed it gently back into the hall.

Horace seemed unconvinced by the decision.

Darcy apologized for his absence before anyone could remark upon it. “Harding kept me longer than expected. Good morning.”

Conversation changed when he entered, though perhaps because Lydia began speaking louder. Darcy greeted the Gardiners first, and Miss Lydia, then his sister. When his attention reached Elizabeth, there was no uncertain start, no visible self-consciousness. His voice lowered a little.

“Miss Bennet.”

“Mr. Darcy.”

Lydia watched both of them with shameless interest while buttering toast.

Darcy took a seat and began a conversation with Mr. Gardiner, who asked after the cottages. Elizabeth expected a brief answer. Instead, Darcy explained the matter with practical clarity.

“The western roofs should have been replaced two years ago,” he said, accepting coffee from a footman. “Harding delayed because several tenants insisted they could manage another season. Last month’s rain settled the question.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded. “And the expense?”

“Manageable, provided the timber arrives before autumn.”

Lydia was intrigued despite herself. “Do tenants often argue with you?”

Darcy addressed her seriously. “Frequently.”

“And you permit it?”

“When they are correct.”

“That sounds very inconvenient also.” She frowned and reached for another piece of toast.

A laugh escaped Georgiana before she hid it behind her napkin.

Darcy was startled by the sound. Elizabeth noticed because she had been watching him already.

One of the servants approached quietly to murmur something regarding a missing key. Darcy answered without impatience, remembered the man’s name before the sentence ended, and asked after the servant’s wife, who apparently remained unwell from a fever.

The exchange lasted less than a minute.

Elizabeth reached for her coffee purely to avoid studying him again. No assembly room existed here. No one applauded men for discussing drainage repairs before breakfast. He simply knew these things.

Lydia interrupted her thoughts by leaning toward Darcy across the table. “Georgiana tells me you inspect sheep also.”

Darcy took a sip of coffee. “On occasion.”

“Why?”

“Because they belong to the estate.”

She wrinkled her nose. “That is a terrible answer.”

Mr. Gardiner laughed loudly enough to startle Horace in the hall.

Darcy was almost amused. “Would you prefer a more entertaining one?”

“Yes.”

“I inspect them because one ram once chased me into a stream.”