They found a place among the tenant farmers and their families. Children played and laughed along the lane while the young reapers from the surrounding farms marched in procession. Many of the sheaves were adorned with ribbons and flowers or woven into intricate patterns. The young men passed, bearing the sheaves and calling out, “We have it! We have it! We have it!”
“What have you?” came the reply.
“The Neck! The Neck! The Neck!”
All about her, voices rose in song and laughter, and some even danced. Elizabeth joined in the chant. As the reapers moved on, the crowd followed until all were gathered in and around the barn.
Mr. Darcy kept her close at his side as he guided the two ladies through the crowd. She lifted her gaze and found his fixed upon her. She smiled, and he returned it. He appeared pleased.
Darcy secured chairs for Elizabeth and Georgiana before serving their plates. Miss Anne joined them in high spirits. “Richard is quite a wit. He can offer an amusing remark about everyone and everything he observes.”
“What has amused you, Anne?”
“My cousin observed that, had my mother been present, she would have stared the children out of countenance and sent the farmers’ daughters packing.”
“Is my aunt so severe?”
“She is, when she believes people behave improperly or attempt to gain an advantage with one of her nephews.”
“Was someone making eyes at Richard?”
“Yes. She was flirting with him, and she was not alone. Many of the women were. He is a very handsome man, is he not?”
Georgiana and Elizabeth both agreed.
Elizabeth lifted her gaze in search of Mr. Darcy. He approached, carrying a plate in each hand.
“Here you are, Miss Bennet. Georgiana. May I bring you something to drink?”
“No, sir. Pray serve yourself. I shall take something later, perhaps when the dancing begins.”
His eyes rested upon hers with an intensity she could not dismiss. They held warmth, and a quiet thrill stirred within her, and she could not help herself. She smiled at him again.
“Miss Bennet, may I have your first dance?”
Her smile deepened. “Yes, sir, with pleasure.”
Richard returned with two plates. Darcy said, “Pray begin. Do not wait on me. I shall return with my own.”
They began to eat, and Georgiana, eager to assist her cousin, said, “Richard, have you secured a partner for the first dance, or has my brother anticipated you?”
“Indeed, my dear, the first dance has been claimed by that young farmer’s daughter in the blue gown, standing there.”
All three ladies looked where he indicated. The young woman in blue was full-figured, youthful, and striking. Her attention was fixed upon the colonel. Elizabeth saw that Miss de Bourgh was distressed.
“Colonel, how did she secure your first dance? Are you acquainted?”
“No, Miss Bennet. She walked behind us in the procession, and when I was serving our plates, she asked me to dance.”
Elizabeth’s eyes met Anne’s as his words settled between them.
He added, “It signifies nothing. Lady Catherine expressly instructed Darcy and me to accept all invitations lest we give offense. The same applies to you, though, Georgiana, I shall keep a careful watch, for you are too young to guard against those unworthy of your attention.”
“Anne, does the food disagree with you? Would you prefer a slice of chicken pie instead?” The colonel, concerned, excused himself and went to find food more likely to tempt his cousin.
Elizabeth could see that her friend had scarcely eaten a morsel. “Annie, try to eat something. It would not do for you to swoon during a dance just because you have gone without food for hours.”
“Lizzy, he thrust a knife into my soul. I believed we were coming to an understanding of the heart.” A sheen of tears brightened her eyes. “He has shown me constant attention since his arrivalat Rosings, and now he chooses to dance with that abandoned woman. Did you observe her?”
