“If that is what she is waiting for, she is bound to be disappointed,” he murmured just loud enough to make his horse’s ears twitch.
To be sure, there were some people he would prefer to avoid as much as possible, but many of the gentlemen and a few of the ladies—one in particular—were excellent company.
The sound of voices alerted him that he was not alone on the path. It curved in several yards, and as he approached the bend, he heard Miss Elizabeth telling someone they would not have to face ‘her’ alone. The man with her agreed, called her ‘my dear’, and said, “I do not know what I would do without you.”
Darcy experienced a sinking feeling in his stomach. It grew worse when he came upon them. The horrible proof was before his eyes as he looked down at the pair from atop his stallion. Far more distressing than the words Darcy had overheard, which implied a great deal, was that their arms were linked, both of Miss Elizabeth’s hands holding close to Mr Collins, and one of his hands covering hers.
If he had been standing, Darcy would have doubled over from the blow the scene gave him. Did Miss Bingley have the right of it? Was Miss Elizabeth—lovely, generous, tender-hearted, and everything he could ever want in a lady—destined to marry another?
But then she dropped her cousin’s arm and grinned athim, instantly alleviating—but not banishing—his pain. She showed not the barest hint of embarrassment.
“Mr Darcy! I see you are also taking advantage of the day. Is it not a relief to be free of rain? Are you having a pleasant ride?”
Darcy dismounted. “Miss Elizabeth. I have been furthering my explorations of the county, and yes, it has been agreeable. How are you this afternoon?” He allowed his eyes to flicker to Mr Collins as briefly as possible.
“I am very well. My cousin and I escaped from Longbourn to take some exercise, as you can see.”
“Lizzy will always be out walking here or there, regardless of the weather, and she encourages me to follow her example, though I admit I am not the walker she is. I suppose if it was actually raining, she would not go out. I do not mean to suggest anything improper about her behaviour—” Mr Collins said.
“I am sure Mr Darcy realises that,” Miss Elizabeth said, her tone soft, almost reassuring.
Although Darcy had not had much occasion to see the pair together, he believed her voice was different when she spoke to Mr Collins. It reminded Darcy of something, but he could not quite decide what.
Mr Collins’s expression was apologetic before he returned his gaze to Darcy and spoke.
“I cannot claim I am as fond of the activity as she is, but there was a matter I wished to discuss with her. Lizzy is very sensible, truly one of the most reasonable people I know, and she is able to see things I do not. It is not an exaggeration to say I have not made any decision of a significant nature without her advice—”
The man stopped speaking abruptly and glanced at Miss Elizabeth. Darcy presumed she had indicated he was saying too much by employing some signal that had escaped his notice.
The three of them spoke for a few minutes longer, Darcy weighing every word Mr Collins and Miss Elizabeth said, every slight change in their demeanours, looking for clues as to the depth of their attachment. By the time they parted, he was as puzzled as he had ever been in his life, even more so than he was after the debacle in Ramsgate. Then he had been able to consult with his cousin Fitzwilliam and Lady Romsley. In this instance, just as he was convinced the lady he admired only considered Mr Collins a friend and cousin, one or both of them did or said something that left him believing there was more to their connexion, even if they would not admit it publicly.
At present, he did not know whom he could ask for clarification, or whether doing so would be appropriate. He debated the matter with himself as he slowly made his way back to Netherfield on foot. If he made any such enquiries, there would be no hiding his particular interest in her. How could he risk exposing himself to such a degree without knowing whether she was even free to bestow her affections on him? It would be humiliating if his worst fears proved correct, and he was not on intimate terms with anyone who would know for certain and who would keep his curiosity secret.
Darcy stopped walking and gripped the leather reins of the bridle tightly. His eyes focused on the horizon, he shook his head.
“Shecannotbe engaged to him! Everything in me revolts at the idea. Unless I am offered some greater proof, I will not believe it. I refuse to.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
It was several days before Darcy saw Miss Elizabeth again. He and Bingley were in Meryton when Darcy spied her and Mr Collins in the general store. Miss Bennet stood in the street, speaking to an older woman whose name Darcy did not know. He and Bingley dismounted, and while Bingley remained with Miss Bennet, Darcy entered the shop, approached Miss Elizabeth and Mr Collins, and acted surprised to see them. The deception brought him no little shame. After the usual greetings, he discovered they were looking at jewellery together.
“My dear cousin is helping me select a gift,” Mr Collins said.
“He is never quite sure what will suit best and prefers if I give my opinion.” Miss Elizabeth accompanied her words with a teasing roll of her eyes.
Darcy was truly beginning to detest Mr Collins, even though the only thing he had done was—possibly—win the love of the lady Darcy had come to admire. Studying the man, it was galling to think thathewas Darcy’s rival. While he did not have an excessive amount of self-regard, Darcy knew he was better looking than Mr Collins, and he was more intelligent and better educated, to say nothing of having a large fortune and connexions that were envied by many. How could a lady of Miss Elizabeth’s worth prefer a Mr Collins when there was a Mr Darcy close at hand, ready to be captured by her? The answer could only lie in her having known the former longer and in a strong sense of familial duty.
Bingley and he had ridden into the market town to visit Colonel Forster and some of his officers. After spending only a few minutes with Miss Elizabeth and her cousin, they went to the meeting.
* * *
At dinner that evening, Miss Bingley asked about their call and whether they found the officers agreeable.
“I liked them well enough.” Bingley was evidently more interested in his soup than conversation.
“My cousin introduced me to Colonel Forster some years ago. He is a capable man, and several of his officers are well-connected. You will not object to knowing them, Miss Bingley,” Darcy said.
“More dancers for our ball, I say!” said Bingley.
