“Well, I just wonder if Miss Bingley knows that he might be engaged.”
Jane frowned at her sister. “It is not for us to tell her.”
“No, though I would treasure the look on her face!”
The gentlemen returned from the dining room, and looked about for seats. Mr. Bingley took a chair beside Jane. They began to speak together at once, and were soon laughing softly, Elizabeth thought them a very handsome pair indeed, both fair-haired and blue-eyed.
Mr. Darcy found himself again pulled by that troublesome invisible string; he was completely unable to stop himself from making his way to a chair beside Miss Elizabeth. He sat in thought for a moment, wondering frantically why he was so compelled to be near her, and finally managed to say, “You found your dinner to your liking, I hope?”
“Very much so, Mr. Darcy. Everything was delicious, and so elegantly presented.”
“Mrs. Hurst will be gratified to hear your praise of it.”
“I shall be certain to tell her. How long will you stay in Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy?”
“Several weeks, I should imagine. Bingley has a good deal to learn about estate management. I understand you and Miss Mary shared your knowledge of estate responsibilities to the tenants with Bingley’s sisters. That was good of you.”
“We were happy to do so; my sisters and I have done our best to care for them in the absence of the owner, but our resources are limited. It would be advantageous to the tenants were Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst to take an interest.”
“And do you think they will?”
“That is not a fair question to put to me in this particular drawing room, Mr. Darcy.” Her tone was reproachful, but her green eyes danced with mischief. He could not help but smile at her.
“Do you approve of his lease on Netherfield?” she asked.
“I like it very well, as a sort of practice for Bingley.”
“Might he choose to purchase it, when his lease is up?”
“He might; a good deal will depend on how I advise him.”
“He depends on you a good deal, I think.”
Mr. Darcy did not want Elizabeth to think less of Mr. Bingley, so he quickly said, “He is a very good man. He simply has no experience in estate matters.”
Feeling that a change of subject was in order, Elizabeth asked if he had heard from his sister of late.
“No, sadly not,” he replied. “She does not write as often as I would wish.”
“Perhaps she feels the same about you,” Elizabeth suggested, making certain to keep any hint of criticism from her voice.
“You are likely correct,” he said. “I will mend my ways this very evening.”
“I hope you will be able to tell her that you are enjoying your stay in Hertfordshire,” Elizabeth said.
“I certainly will tell her that.” Mr. Darcy replied. “Miss Elizabeth, Bingley says you study Latin and Greek.”
She replied, “Eiscipulus tantum sum, Mr. Darcy. My father is a scholar, Mr. Darcy, and I am honoured to be his pupil.”
“I am impressed, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Darcy was, in fact, extremely impressed. This Miss Elizabeth was beautiful, trained to be an estate mistress, and a student of the classics. A rare combination, indeed!
“I beg you not to be so, Mr. Darcy. I hardly had a choice in the matter. He taught me to read Latin before I was allowed to learn to read English!”
“Indeed? That is most unusual. Did your sisters receive the same tutelage?” He glanced at Jane as he spoke.
Elizabeth could not help colouring as she replied, “Not all of us had the same interest in receiving his instruction, Mr. Darcy.”
The tea tray came in then, and Elizabeth rose to help Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley hand round the teacups. Miss Bingley seemed to know exactly how Mr. Darcy preferred his tea; she was ready to take it to him, when Mrs. Hurst interrupted her with a question. Elizabeth whispered, “I will bring it to him, Miss Bingley,” as she took both her cup and his.
