Elizabeth laughed.
Darcy became aware, not for the first time, how often he found himself seeking that sound now.
The afternoon proceeded with familiar ease after that. Conversation drifted naturally between books, weather, and local society while the twins periodically interrupted with alarming updates regarding the structural integrity of their orchard fortress.
At one point Mr. Wilson entered unexpectedly.
Darcy felt the shift in himself and disliked it thoroughly.
Wilson greeted the room with his usual hearty energy, though his expression altered almost imperceptibly upon seeing Darcy already installed comfortably beside Elizabeth’s chair.
Interesting.
The man noticed.
“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Wilson said with controlled civility. “You seem practically established at Longbourn these days.”
The remark carried enough meaning beneath its surface to sharpen Darcy’s attention instantly.
Before he could answer, Miss Lydia burst into the room.”
“Oh! Cousin Wilson, Mama wished to ask your opinion regarding the mill roads near Meryton.”
Mrs. Bennet raised her brows. “I did?” Something like suspicion laced her tone.
“Yes,” Miss Lydia said smoothly. “You said yesterday no one understood such things better.”
Mr. Wilson grinned. “Very true.”
Miss Lydia crossed toward him. “And I wanted to ask whether machinery truly explodes as often as Thomas claims.”
“It does not explode,” Thomas objected.
“Only occasionally,” Toby amended.
Miss Lydia managed somehow to sweep Mr. Wilson out of the room through sheer force of enthusiastic questioning.
Darcy watched the maneuver with growing suspicion.
Elizabeth appeared to notice as well. Their gazes met briefly. Amusement flickered unmistakably between them.
Mr. Wilson remained occupied outside of the room for nearly twenty minutes, likely trapped by Miss Lydia’s insistent questions. Darcy suspected none of it accidental. Meanwhile he found himself drawn once more into quieter conversation with Elizabeth.
“You are observing my family very intently today,” she murmured at one point.
Darcy came toward her. “Do I?”
“You have the expression of a man attempting to solve a puzzle.”
She was not incorrect. “A troubling accusation.”
“And inaccurate?” Elizabeth raised a brow.
He hesitated slightly. “Perhaps incomplete.”
She regarded him curiously. “What conclusion have you reached so far?”
Darcy glanced around the room before answering. “That your household possesses unusual loyalty.”
