Page 13 of Idle Gossip

“Yes, I noted you following me about.”

“I will not deny it. Your discourse is among the most engaging I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. It is admirable, the way you can ease someone’s discomfort or brighten another’s countenance in the space of a few sentences.”

“It was unsettling,” she admitted.

“What was? Me hovering about?”

She nodded. “I thought you looked to find fault.”

“After my abysmal behavior at the assembly, that is understandable. I could not risk you knowing how I felt. If I was forced to flee Meryton due to family expectations, I did not wish to leave you broken-hearted. But I did not realize you hated me.”

“Hate might be too strong of a word,” she admitted. “I had resolved to dislike you forever and took great pains to inform my friends and neighbors.”

“Ah. Your mother’s news will certainly be a surprise, then.”

“You can see my predicament. Though my opinion has changed considerably in the space of a day, there is still much to be done to resolve everything entirely.”

They reached the base of the mount and continued down the path toward Longbourn. Elizabeth stepped on a pile of leaves and gasped as they slipped out from under her feet. Darcy’s arms came around her, steadying her as he pulled her close. Elizabeth’s feet found secure ground and she turned to face him.

He was but inches away, and she could smell sandalwood and cedar on his coat.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You are welcome.”

As he released her, she stepped away. His presence was far too comfortable. That was dreadfully inconvenient, for it upended her plans to end this farce of a courtship.

“Miss Elizabeth!”

Mrs. Long and one of her nieces stood a few paces away.

Elizabeth turned, as did Mr. Darcy. He stepped closer to her and touched her elbow briefly.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Long, Miss Long.” Elizabeth dipped a curtsey.

“Your mother was not lying, then!” Mrs. Long looked enormously pleased. “You and your sister are engaged. Who could have imagined?”

“Mr. Darcy and I are courting,” Elizabeth corrected.

“I thought you hated him,” Miss Long pointed out.

“The line between admiration and hate is very thin,” Mr. Darcy said smoothly. “It seems Miss Elizabeth has stumbled across it.”

“How wonderful a thing for your family!” Mrs. Long attempted to be sincere, but Elizabeth noted the jealousy in her eyes. She had been trying to marry off her nieces for some time.

“My mother’s intelligence travels considerably faster than events themselves,” Elizabeth continued, hoping to convey that she was not, in fact, engaged.

“That is the nature of news,” Mrs. Long said, waving a dismissive hand. “A courtship has a natural conclusion. We will look forward to the happy day.” The ladies excused themselves and Darcy and Elizabeth continued on their way.

“I am sorry,” she whispered.

“For?”

“The gossip. My mother is intent on ensuring everyone knows of our family’s good fortune.” That would make it considerably harder for her to bow out later. Does Mama know that? Elizabeth had not thought her mother that conniving, but perhaps she was mistaken.

“I see no cause for embarrassment. You have corrected the misapprehension, and that is enough.”

For now. But perhaps not forever.