Mrs. Bennet set down her teacup. “Gentlemen.”
The twins ceased instantly.
For approximately ten seconds.
Then Toby leaned toward Elizabeth and whispered loudly, “Thomas cheats at battles.”
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
Elizabeth laughed and reached down to smooth Toby’s hair where it stood wildly from sleep. “You may continue your military planning after breakfast.”
Mrs. Bennet sighed. “Heaven preserve the shrubbery.”
By noon, Longbourn was bursting with callers.
The Lucases arrived first, Charlotte wrapped in dark blue wool and Lady Lucas already lamenting the cold while admitting the countryside looked beautiful. Netherfield followed shortlyafterward. Bingley entered cheerfully flushed from the ride, Miss Bingley considerably less pleased by the mud gathering beneath carriage wheels, and Darcy—
Elizabeth became increasingly annoyed by how quickly she noticed him now.
He removed his gloves while speaking to Mr. Bennet, snow still melting against the shoulders of his dark coat. The cold suited him unfairly well. Something about winter sharpened his already serious expression into greater distinction.
Miss Bingley noticed Elizabeth noticing him. That awareness arrived quickly and with uncomfortable clarity. She smiled all sweetness afterward.
Elizabeth distrusted it at once.
Mr. Wilson appeared not long after the party from Netherfield, bringing with him enough energy for three gentlemen and immediate praise for the weather despite visible discomfort with the cold.
“This reminds me of winters at home,” he declared while warming his hands near the fire. “Though there the snow turns gray by noon from the mills.”
“That sounds grim,” Kitty said.
“It is practical,” Mr. Wilson corrected.
Darcy said nothing. Elizabeth noticed his attention sharpen slightly at the remark.
Mrs. Bennet proposed a walk before the weather worsened further, and the entire company prepared accordingly. Cloaks appeared. Boots were fetched. Lydia nearly forgot her gloves until Mary forced them into her hands.
During the confusion Thomas and Toby vanished.
Elizabeth noticed. Unfortunately, she noticed too late.
The party set out together along the lane bordering Longbourn’s lower field. Snow crunched beneath boots while breath clouded pale in the cold air. Bingley attached himselfhappily beside Jane. Kitty and Lydia ranged ahead throwing loose handfuls of snow at one another despite repeated warnings from Mrs. Bennet.
Mr. Wilson claimed Elizabeth’s other side before she could avoid it.
“You prefer the country in winter too?” he asked.
Her response was neutral. “I prefer Longbourn in every season.”
“A loyal answer.” Mr. Wilson seemed to approve.
“It is a truthful one.”
Darcy walked only a few paces behind with Charlotte Lucas and Miss Bingley. Elizabeth remained aware of him anyway.
The lane curved gradually toward the lower meadow where an old wooden gate separated the main path from pastureland beyond. The twins stood waiting beside it with expressions of remarkable innocence.
