Page 96 of What Change Entails

Mr. Gardiner barked a laugh.

Darcy should have answered sensibly. Instead, he heard himself say, “You vastly overestimate my respectability.”

A blush rose instantly beneath Elizabeth’s skin.

Darcy forced his attention elsewhere before he embarrassed himself completely.

Miss Bingley appeared beside him before he could speak again.

“Mr. Darcy, you must come observe the view from the ridge. It is remarkably fine.”

Irritation threatened to overtake him. “I am engaged here presently.”

Miss Bingley simpered, batting her eyelashes. “Surely the drainage inspection may survive ten minutes without you.”

Before he could formulate a response, catastrophe erupted somewhere near the cottages.

A crash. A yelp. Then Miss Lydia’s unmistakable voice shouting, “Catch him!”

Everyone looked up.

Horace came barreling toward them carrying what appeared to be Miss Bingley’s shawl.

The tenant children ran after him breathlessly while Georgiana attempted dignity under impossible circumstances.

Miss Lydia, Darcy observed, acted far too innocent.

Miss Bingley gave a horrified gasp. “My shawl! But how did he get it?”

“How extraordinary,” Miss Lydia said ironically. “He has never stolen clothing before.”

Bingley looked as though he struggled to contain his mirth.

The resulting confusion lasted several minutes. By the time Horace was captured and Miss Bingley’s shawl recovered from a hedge, the party had scattered naturally into smaller groups.

And somehow, through mysterious means, Darcy and Elizabeth found themselves alone several yards ahead of the others upon the path back toward Pemberley, the carriages having gone on ahead while the occupants chose to walk for a time.

Darcy became acutely aware of everything: the crunch of gravel beneath their feet, the soothing rush of water, Elizabeth’s sleeve brushing occasionally against the edge of his coat when the path narrowed.

“You are smiling, Mr. Darcy.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You are.” Elizabeth tilted her head toward him. “You have been attempting not to for nearly five minutes.”

“I assure you my self-command is under severe strain today.”

“That I believe readily.”

He laughed then stopped himself, startled by how easy the sound had become around her.

Elizabeth’s expression altered slightly at hearing it.

She wanted very badly to hear it again.

“They are conspiring against Miss Bingley,” he said after a moment.

“Lydia and your sister?”