Having scored two defensive actions in a row, Elizabeth was tempted to try a third but decided an attack would surprise MrDarcy more. She attacked his flank, disengaging once to his chest, then back to his flank, and avoided his parry. She stayed extended in a lunge with her blade bent, her point still firmly embedded in MrDarcy’s jacket, so that the master could not miss seeing her touch.
Maître d’Orval awarded Elizabeth the touch. “The bout is concluded. Mademoiselle Bennet has carried the assault.”
They had completed the match in less than five minutes. Maître d’Orval’s manner as he pronounced Elizabeth the winner was carefully neutral, lest he embarrass her wealthy, stunned gentleman opponent. Pleased with herself, Elizabeth tried not to look smug. When she and MrDarcy shook each other’s ungloved, unarmed left hands, as was correct, Elizabeth felt a thrill. She was keen to find out what MrDarcy’s next move would be once they put down their foils and shifted from swordplay to the more subtle game of wordplay.How would he handle losing to her? Would the marriage of their minds admit impediments?
Elizabeth removed the protective equipment, needing the master’s help to untangle the mask from her curls, and changed back into her walking boots.
As she bowed to both men, preparing to depart, MrDarcy roused himself to speak. “Miss Bennet, may I accompany you back to Longbourn?”
Elizabeth replied good-naturedly, “I have no need of protection, sir. I believe you have just had a demonstration of that.”
“Indeed. I did not ask to accompany you for your protection but instead for the pleasure of your company.”
“As you wish, sir.”
As ever, Elizabeth walked quickly, matching MrDarcy’s pace despite his longer legs.
MrDarcy, having failed to disarm Elizabeth literally during their fencing match, apparently chose to do so figuratively. “You are looking extremely well, Miss Bennet. This morning’s exercise has brightened your complexion in a most becoming way.”
“Victory improves my appearance, apparently.”
MrDarcy said, “Ah. Yes. Your movements were exceedingly graceful, but your treatment of your poor opponent is perhaps less so.”
She gave him a sharp look, intending to make another cutting remark, but thought better of it and laughed. “Come now, MrDarcy! I am a neighbour of your good friend, you know, and so we must mend fences. MrBingley would not want to hear you disparaging me.” Elizabeth realised she had no idea whether MrBingley had permanently abandoned Netherfield and wondered how she might find her place in the story, so to speak. Her dreams lately had left her confused and disoriented, with MrDarcy being the only common element in all of them. She had learnt to keep her counsel and wait for others to give her clues, but it was exhausting.
“Please forgive me. I did not intend to insult such a noble opponent.” MrDarcy continued. “How long have you been taking fencing lessons? You are quite skilled.”
“Ah, sir, your flattery is another tactic to disarm me!” Elizabeth hoped her evasive response would cover up the fact that she had no idea how long she had been fencing. She was not yet ready to abandon her caution around MrDarcy, not until he showed his own hand. “And you, sir, how is it that I encountered you in a country fencing master’s salle in Hertfordshire? Surely you are already accomplished with a foil?”
“We all just returned to Netherfield last night. Bingley is, er, occupied with other matters today, and I managed to sneak away while Miss Bingley conferred with the housekeeper. During my previous stay at Netherfield, I came to the salle for exercise. Maître d’Orval is widely known and highly regarded, even in Town.”
“I had not expected MrBingley to return from London. I had heard he was considering giving up Netherfield.” Elizabeth hoped MrBingley’s return, with his unmarried sister still keeping house for him, would lead to a good resolution for Jane.
“It seems Bingley had some unfinished business here in Meryton that could not wait.” MrDarcy changed the subject so quickly that Elizabeth suspected he wished to avoid a question about whether he had spoken to MrBingley about Jane. “Miss Bennet, I have not seen you since Hunsford. How was your journey home? And have you been having pleasant dreams since then?”
The diversionary tactic worked. Elizabeth was relieved that he had decided to address the odd disturbances directly. “Yes, Maria and I had an easy journey back to Meryton. As for my dreams … I believe I have experienced good dreams, terrifying ones, and everything in between. The most recent one was quite hopeful.”
Her answer prompted MrDarcy to study her mien. “I myself have had several dreams that were disturbingly real. In fact, you were present in nearly every one. However, in none of themwere you so talented in swordplay as you were today. Thank goodness we were not using edged swords, or I might have met my Maker.”
“If one were a wit, one might suggest that you were at the edge of your destiny.”
“That is true in more than one sense,” MrDarcy said. “I have more than once felt dizzy around you, as if I were at the brink of a precipice, unsure whether I would teeter and topple to my death or experience the greatest happiness. I believe that Bingley is today on top of such a precipice, facing a turning point in his own destiny.”
Elizabeth gave MrDarcy a wary look. “Why do you believe that? Did you explain that you advised him not to offer for my sister Jane because you were unaware of her preference for him?”
“It is not for me to explain Bingley’s business,” MrDarcy said, sounding amused and unusually light-hearted. “In my most recent dream, you and I had planned to take a morning walk together and make an effort to become friends. My losing to you at fencing was not part of the plan, but here we are, on a walk.”
Elizabeth sensed the change in MrDarcy’s mood, and some tension she had not even been aware of eased. They did seem to be hovering near that precipice. “How extraordinary. I dreamt the same.”
They studied one another. Elizabeth swayed slightly, crossly thinking that she ought to have laced her stays more loosely this morning if she were going to be exerting herself so. MrDarcy took her arm, face full of concern, guiding her to a fallen tree nearby.
“Thank you,” said Elizabeth as she sat on the log. “Do not be alarmed, Mr. Darcy. I am not about to swoon, but things have been so strange lately since I started to have these frighteninglyrealistic dreams. I fear I am losing sight of what was a dream and what is reality.”
“Elizabeth—I apologise, I meant no disrespect, Miss Elizabeth—I have the same fear. But perhaps you understand the problem.”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth whispered. “I do not understand why these dreams are occurring, but it seems to have something to do with Jane and MrBingley, as we discussed yesterday, er, the last time we met at Hunsford. I have no memory of travelling home to Meryton, but here I am. And oddly, so are you.”
“Perhaps not so oddly, after all. Regarding Miss Bennet and Bingley, let us hurry on to Longbourn. We may be able to ascertain whether these dreams have led to a good outcome.”
