Page 53 of A Question of Character

“I fear so.”

“And after Ireland?”

“We shall return directly to Hertfordshire in September. Aunt wishes to spend several weeks at Longbourn before the weather grows cold.”

“Hertfordshire.”

He repeated the county absently.

“I shall not remain in town myself.”

“You are bound for Ramsgate.”

“My sister has anticipated it since Christmas.”

Elizabeth smiled.

“I believe Miss Darcy counts the days.”

“She has done so aloud.”

“And after Ramsgate?”

Darcy folded his hands behind his back.

“Bingley returns from the North shortly after our departure. Once we have come back from the coast, I promised to assist him in finding an estate to lease.”

“Then your autumn will be occupied.”

“I expect so.”

“What sort of estate does Mr. Bingley desire?”

“One sufficiently pleasant to persuade him he need search no farther.”

“That sounds delightfully indefinite.”

“It is exactly the difficulty.”

“You may spend months examining properties.”

“I hope not.”

“Because your friend is impatient?”

“Because I have another journey I should like to undertake.”

She looked up.

“Indeed?”

“If circumstances permit.”

His expression had altered very little, yet she found herself paying unusual attention to the answer before it had even been spoken.

“Miss Bennet...”

He stopped walking.