“Riding before breakfast is one of Darcy’s habits that few people share,” the colonel said with a laugh. “I am not one of them. I like to enjoy a good meal before any exercise.”
“Solitary rides at an early hour might not be entertaining, but they are often rewarding,” Mr. Darcy replied.
Elizabeth felt his gaze and lifted her eyes to meet it. It was only for a very brief moment, but it caused a gentle stirring of her heart
Once the gentlemen had taken their leave, Elizabeth found her thoughts returning with persistent warmth to the afternoon’s unexpected gathering. The meeting with Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had been anticipated in some measure, yet the addition of Dr Rease had lent it a liveliness she had not foreseen. She reflected upon the easy manners of the young physician, his readiness to defend her modest habit of nocturnal strolls, and the subtle yet unmistakable support Mr. Darcy had offered to the cause. How singular it was that two such different gentlemen should align in her defence against her cousin’s well-meaning but tiresome scoldings.
No sooner had the door closed behind the visitors than Mr. Collins resumed his theme with renewed vigour.
“My dear cousin Elizabeth, I must again express my strongest disapprobation for these solitary walks of yours, particularly after dark. It is most unbecoming, and I tremble to think what Lady Catherine would say were she to learn of it!”
Elizabeth, her spirits still lifted by the recent discourse, could not resist a touch of teasing. “I shall keep that in mind, Cousin.But I hope you do approve of my walks in the morning, for I confess I am partial to the early hours as well.”
Mr. Collins, missing the gentle raillery entirely, beamed with satisfaction. “Oh, certainly, certainly! Morning walks are quite another matter — wholesome and proper, especially in so fine a place as Rosings Park. You may walk as much as you like at that hour, provided you remain within the bounds of decorum.”
Charlotte hid a smile behind her teacup, while Elizabeth merely inclined her head, grateful for the small victory.
That night, as she prepared for bed, a new and indefinable restlessness took possession of her — a gentle agitation, a fluttering anticipation she refused to examine too closely. She would not name it, not even in the privacy of her own thoughts. Fortunately, sleep soon enveloped her, and only the daylight woke her up.
Chapter 6
The morning arrived bright and shining, the sun casting a golden promise for a lovely day. Elizabeth dressed with care and slipped from the house before the household stirred. Her feet carried her almost of their own accord along the familiar path to the secluded grove — that favoured spot where reflections and revelations had lately found her.
She arrived to find it empty, and a hint of disappointment touched her heart. But she had little time to reflect on this as moments later the sound of approaching hoofs made her pulse quicken. Mr. Darcy appeared, dismounting in haste and securing his horse with efficient grace.
“Miss Bennet,” he said, his voice carrying a warmth that softened the formality of his bow.
“Mr. Darcy,” she returned, a slight awkwardness thickening the air as they stood facing one another in the dappled morning light.
“What a pleasant and inviting morning, is it not?” he said at last, a hint of hesitation in his manner before he recovered. “I trust you slept well?”
“Better than of late, sir.” She paused, then continued with genuine feeling. “I wished to thank you for taking my part yesterday against Mr. Collins’s rebuke. It was kindly done and quite effective.”
Mr. Darcy’s lips curved into a rare smile that warmed his countenance.
“Dr Rease deserves the greater share of credit. His defence was both gallant and well-informed. I merely lent my agreement.”
Elizabeth laughed softly, the sound easing the lingering unease between them.
“Nevertheless, I am grateful to you both. As for Dr Rease, our first meeting was as unexpected as it was brief. I encountered him during one of those very night strolls my cousin so disapproves of. He was most courteous, and his limp — I could not help but notice it — spoke of the bravery Mr. Collins later recounted.”
“He is a worthy gentleman,” Mr. Darcy observed, his tone measured. “Anne appears to be improving under his and Dr Blake’s joint care. She ate a little yesterday, which is more than she has managed in some days.”
“I am truly glad to hear it,” Elizabeth said warmly. “We have all been concerned and praying for her.”
A brief silence fell, comfortable rather than strained. Then Mr. Darcy spoke again, his dark eyes meeting hers with quiet resolve.
“I have taken another step, Miss Bennet, one I hope you will approve of. I wrote to Bingley yesterday, informing him of your sister’s presence in town. He was not aware of it, I believe, and I thought it only right that he should know.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened with pleasant surprise. “You did? Truly? Oh, sir, I thank you most sincerely. It is more than I dared hope after…after all that has passed.”
He inclined his head, a touch of colour rising to his cheeks.
“A gentleman should be more prudent in his involvement in the romantic affairs of others. Especially when he does not excel in that particular art himself.”
The humble remark drew a matching smile from Elizabeth, and for a moment they shared an embarrassed yet understanding look, the memory of his own ill-fated proposal hanging lightly between them like a half-forgotten melody.
Emboldened by this new accord, she ventured further, “Since you have been so generous with your counsel and confidence, Mr. Darcy, might I seek your advice on another matter? It concerns Mr. Wickham. Now that I know the truth of his character, I cannot remain silent while he continues to impose upon others in Meryton. Yet I know not how to proceed without exposing what ought to remain private — particularly regarding your sister.”
