“Is Archie shortened from Archimedes, or Archibald, or another name?” Georgiana’s ease reflected in her relaxed conversation. It was a beautiful sight to witness. She had been melancholy for so long that Darcy had begun to fear she might have forgotten how to be happy.
Bingley scratched his chin. “You know, I have never really given the matter much thought. Which do you prefer?”
“He is a clever fellow if he actually opened a drawer… perhaps Archimedes?”
They were steps away from clearing the rise when the barks became a cacophony of splashing and agitated quacks. Hastening to the top, Darcy recognized a feminine voice and then spotted the lady herself. “Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, you leave those poor ducks alone!” She clapped her hands enthusiastically in front of her, trying to get her dog’s attention.
Archie barked from the edge of the water.
A white duck swam over to Remy, quacking in a manner that suggested it was imparting the latest gossip to her furry friend.
“Jemima, do not encourage him!” called the young lady.
Jemima…? Was she addressing the duck? Darcy did not know which surprised him more: that the young lady appeared to be chaperoned only by her overly friendly dog or that the duck in the pond had a name.
A moment later, the lady noticed them. She clasped her hands together and bit her bottom lip before her uncertainty faded into a bright smile.
Bingley raised his hand to tip his hat as he bowed. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet! How fortunate we are that our paths have crossed.”
Miss Bennet?Bingley’sMiss Bennet? Darcy merely nodded his head, the disappointment he felt making his arms too heavy to add any flourish to his bow. He watched as she approached them. Darcy would not have thought a smile could become more radiant, but hers did. There was no reservation or doubt, only genuine pleasure at the sight of Bingley.
She repeated the dog’s name and patted her skirt more insistently. This time, the dog responded to her call. He swam in their direction and caused some commotion when he shook beside Archie.
Darcy was still mulling over her warmth toward Bingley and his own peculiar response upon observing it when a wet nose bopped against his hand. He looked down to see two brown eyes watching him. Remy’s tail wagged, and so did the entire back half of his body.
“Remy, sit! You will get the gentleman wet, and nobody wants to smell like a wet dog,” Miss Bennet scolded congenially.
“And how fares Miss Bennet?” Bingley looked around as though hoping to see someone else.
Ah! Another Miss Bennet!His arms feeling muchlighter than they had moments ago, Darcy scratched behind Remy’s ear.
“Jane is well, although I am certain she will be disappointed she is not here right now. I did not know you were a great walker, Mr. Bingley, or”—her eyes shifted between Darcy and Georgiana—“am I to credit your guests with this happy coincidence?”
“My guests! Yes, allow me to introduce my dear friends.” Bingley breezed through their presentation.
The surname Bennet was not known to Darcy, nor did Miss Elizabeth’s simple walking gown suggest she was from a prosperous family, but her manners and speech proclaimed her to be a lady. He was pleased to learn that at least her father was a landed gentleman. From what he had seen so far, she might make a suitable acquaintance for Georgiana during their stay.
Remy nudged his hand again; in his deep thoughts, Darcy’s fingers had stilled. He resumed scratching. Bingley laughed and motioned at them. “You two appear to be old friends.”
“We have met before.”
“I hope he did not track too much mud inside your carriage.” For Bingley’s benefit, Miss Elizabeth followed her tease with a humorous summary of their first meeting.
Archie, apparently tired of being ignored, dropped his ball and nudged it toward the toe of Darcy’s foot, then began prancing and barking. Darcy leaned down, snatched it up, and threw it as far as he could. It sailedover the pond into a copse of trees on the other side, prompting both dogs to give chase.
Georgiana spoke. “I had hoped we might see you again, Miss Elizabeth. I was so happy to see Remy running toward us.”
The young woman turned her glinting eyes toward Georgiana. “I will admit that I was cross when he ran off. However, once I saw that he had found you, I was more inclined to praise him!”
Georgiana smiled softly. “Are we to expect to see you every time he appears, then? I am glad to know it!”
Reacting as if she were an old friend rather than a new acquaintance, Elizabeth responded in kind. “As Remy’s designated companion, I cannot allow him to roam over the countryside without the advantage of my chaperonage.”
“Do you often walk alone?” Darcy asked.
She lifted her chin. “Every day, if I can manage it.”
“Your father does not concern himself with your safety?”
