“Yes, for some years now. And you say it is for lease?” Elizabeth asked.
“Indeed, I have the documents in the strongbox of my carriage.” Bingley spared Jane a quick glance, and Elizabeth had the distinct impression that the gentleman was holding his breath. “I—well, a dashed fine coincidence, that,” he said. “The papers came to me only this morning. Tell me, what is this you were saying about a baronet?”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, then hesitated. “It is not our place to say,” she replied carefully. “We would not wish to put such a good man in a poor light or assume anything about his affairs.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “Quite understandable, Miss Elizabeth. I respect discretion in such matters.” He paused before adding, “It seems, however, that the ‘coincidences’ are multiplying.”
She offered a tight smile and slid her gaze toward Jane, but her sister was already saying something to Mr. Bingley. “It certainly does. I hope, sir that you do not think either of us manipulated—”
He cut her off with a shake of his head. “I have been in company with Bingley for too long to suspectyou.” He followed this with a faint arch of his brow in Jane’s direction and lowered his voice to a soft murmur as he leaned closer. “Your sister, however, does bear some scrutiny.”
“Sir, I—”
“Never mind that. Tell me, how large of a town is Meryton? What is the town like in the winter?”
Elizabeth’s chest eased at Darcy’s strategic change of topic. “Oh, it is delightful! There is a small lake just outside of town that freezes over every winter, and the whole village gathers there to skate. The local children have already started counting the days. We have dances in the assembly hall every month, and the best merchants travel from London to set up stalls in the square in December. On Christmas Eve, there is a great bonfire, and nearly everyone comes with food and mulled wine to share, singing all the carols they can remember.”
Darcy listened, glancing at Bingley, who was visibly charmed by Elizabeth’s descriptions. Darcy cleared his throat, inclining his head in Elizabeth’s direction. “It sounds, indeed, like a rather charming way to pass Christmas—in the country.”
For some reason, Mr. Bingley’s face reddened, but he grinned widely. “I could not agree more, Darcy.”
Six
Darcy settled into hisseat as their carriage rattled over the icy road, a bright December breeze keeping the windows clear of frost. Bingley, beside him, had barely contained his restlessness from the first mile since they left The Angel, glancing out the window at every bend in the road with that barely-hidden eagerness Darcy knew too well. And every time the horses needed to be changed, somehow Bingley found an excuse to pop out of the carriage.
“Another inn?” Darcy asked as their carriage began to slow again. “Surely you do not need ‘refreshment’ so frequently, Bingley. At this rate, we will not reach Netherfield until Easter.”
Bingley smirked. “I am merely a considerate traveling companion, Darcy. I would not wish for the ladies to suffer from… neglect, shall we say? What if they need new hot bricks for their feet or their gloves suffered some dampness from moisture in the carriage?”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “Yes, quite selfless of you. I commend your devotion.”
As they stepped down from the carriage, Bingley darted immediately to Miss Bennet, offering his arm even as the lady’s foot had scarcely met the paving stones. Darcy’s gaze drifted, almost of its own accord, to Miss Elizabeth, who was adjusting her cloak against the cold before she stepped out. She caught his eye and raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Darcy, do you approve of such frequent interruptions? I was under the impression that gentlemen preferred a more straightforward journey.”
He allowed himself a small smile. “I prefer efficiency, yes. But I am amenable to the alteration. At least, within reason.”
“Yes, but is getting out of the carriage every five miles ‘within reason’? This is our third stop, and somehow, our drivers and fellow passengers have contrived to find some reason for us to warm ourselves in the coaching inn for at least half an hour each time. It will be dark by the time we reach Meryton.”
“I think you underestimate Bingley’s powers of diversion.”
“Or Jane’s,” she sighed. “She may look sweet and innocent, Mr. Darcy, but I am beginning to fear that under that modest pelisse beats a heart that is pure conspiracy.”
“It seems we have met our match, then, for we are about to be waylaid again.” He nodded, turning her attention to the driver who was approaching them.
“Pardon, miss, but it’ll be a few more moments than expected. Horses are a touch fussy today, what with the ice. I’d like to get this fresh team settled in to be sure they are not surprised by the slick road.”
Her brows lifted, but she merely smiled. “Well, that is only to be expected, I suppose. Mr. Darcy, shall we wait inside?”
He offered her his arm. “Better than staring at the driver as he pretends to fuss over the animals, I suppose.”
Inside, the inn was modest but warm, with a fire crackling away in the large hearth at the back. The smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the warmth of the place, and Darcy found himself strangely pleased to settle into the quiet corner table Elizabeth had chosen by the window. He sat across from her, their proximity allowing him a close view of her expression as she glanced out over the frosty countryside.
“Are you familiar with this part of the country, Mr. Darcy?” she asked.
“Not particularly,” he admitted, his gaze following hers out the window, where snowflakes began to drift lazily down. “I never stopped any more than necessary when I was traveling to Pemberley.”
“And when was the last time you were there?”
