Page 15 of When Elizabeth Said Yes

But every time she tried to go, either Maria or Charlotte insisted upon accompanying her, and they never got very far before one or the other wished to turn back, or Mr Collins requested they return.

So that night, feeling rather suffocated, she pleaded a headache and disappeared before dinner was served.

She breathed a heavy sigh of relief as she managed to leave Hunsford alone.

She would not go far, only enough to feel as though she had properly stretched her legs.

Besides, she did not think she could manage to sit through another evening of Mr Collins's sermons. For a vicar, it was rather unfortunate that his voice had a droning quality which made her instantly wish to fall asleep.

In fact, she thought she might have done so on a previous evening, although hopefully no one had noticed.

She left the garden of Hunsford and walked in the direction of Rosings, although she did not intend to enter the grounds, just in case Lady Catherine de Bourgh had dogs waiting to ward off intruders.

She had heard enough of the woman to believe it possible.

She walked through the fields, very aware that the light of the sun would soon disappear entirely and that it was not altogether proper for her to be out there alone.

But who would know?

She wondered how Jane was getting on in London. Hopefully, she had enjoyed some success in securing a home, for although Charlotte said they were in no rush to move to Longbourn, there had been more than one hint from Mr Collins that he was keen to settle himself there.

She wondered whether Jane had seen Mr Bingley.

Of course, she had probably only just arrived, but if she did see him...

Would anything have changed?

Thinking that she had probably gone far enough for one evening, she turned, lifting her skirts to avoid getting them covered in mud, and began to walk back the way she had come.

Then she gasped at the sight of a tall, masculine figure not two yards in front of her.

She knew she should not have come out alone.

She certainly would not hear the end of it from Mr Collins if he found out. She was sure Lady Catherine de Bourgh had some wisdom on the topic that he would wish to impart.

Then she realised who it was.

She blinked, and her mouth formed an O.

Chapter Nine

"Mr Darcy, what on earth are you doing here?" she asked, unable to stop herself from sounding rather rude.

He froze, except for one hand by his side, which flexed momentarily.

"I am visiting my aunt. And yourself, Miss Bennet?"

"I am visiting my cousin and his wife," she said.

He nodded as though he knew who that was, and she bit her lip, wondering whether to expect censure from him for this outing, or whether he would tell the Collinses where she had been when he saw them.

His aunt, she now remembered, was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Of course she was.

Prideful, arrogant people coming from the same family.

It was not such a surprise.