Page 57 of What Change Entails
Darcy followed her gaze downward. “One of the fields near the lower road remains impassable after rain. Some of my sheep were stranded.”
“You have been walking through mud before luncheon?” The tease in her voice was obvious, or so she hoped.
“Unfortunately.”
The answer carried dry resignation.
Elizabeth smiled before caution intervened. “Did you manage to finish your business? I hope the sheep appreciated your diligence.”
“They remain ungrateful.”
He crossed toward the desk then stopped, apparently uncertain whether to continue working there while she occupied the room.
His hesitation unnerved her in a manner confidence never had.
“You need not leave on my account,” he said. “I had no intention of sending you away.”
“Very civil.”
Darcy’s answering smile was genuine and warm. “I practice diligently now.”
She lowered her gaze at her book too quickly to answer.
Darcy set the papers beside the map and frowned at several figures before making corrections with swift efficiency. Quiet settled between them; his pen scratched. Outside, Lydia shouted triumphantly that she had finally managed “three whole skips.”
Darcy moved at the sound from the window. “My sister appears altered.”
“She appears delighted.”
“She has spoken more in a day than she commonly does in a fortnight among strangers.”
Elizabeth closed the book in her lap. “Lydia has that effect upon people. She overwhelms them into participation.”
His lips transformed into a smile. “An alarming talent.”
“She means well.”
“I know.”
The simplicity of the answer startled her.
Darcy sorted another page, then addressed a servant who had appeared at the door carrying correspondence. The man apologized for interrupting. Darcy thanked him, scanned one letter rapidly, and asked whether Mrs. Reynolds had yet arranged the parlor fires for the Bingleys’ arrival.
“Mrs. Reynolds ordered everything prepared this morning, sir.”
“Good.”
“And Cook wished to know whether Miss Bingley still dislikes nutmeg in cream sauces.”
Elizabeth directed her attention elsewhere before amusement became visible.
“I confess I had forgotten,” he said. “Please tell Cook she may omit it from one dish rather than altering the entire dinner.”
“Yes, sir.”
The servant departed.
Elizabeth gave a sudden burst of amusement she could not suppress.
