Chapter 6
Chapter six
Elizabeth entered the dining room early the next morning, dressed in her dark green riding habit. She took a muffin and a cup of tea and seated herself at the table. Soon after, her father entered.
Observing her attire, he lifted a brow. “Off on another adventure, are we?” He went to the sideboard and helped himself to sliced ham and eggs.
“The coachman says the roads are still too muddy for the carriage to fetch Jane,” Elizabeth replied. “Harris and I will ride over and take Jane’s horse with us.”
Mr. Bennet sat opposite her. “And will you be off to London this week?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “The wagons will go, but I am not needed there this week.”
Mr. Bennet smiled slightly. “That is well. I much prefer it when you are at home, Lizzy. Then I may be assured that all is taken care of.”
Elizabeth paused, then returned his smile, though it did not linger. “I had best be on my way.” She rose, crossed the room, and kissed his cheek. “We shall not be long. I mean to make a brief stop in Meryton on our return.”
The sun was shining, and a gentle breeze stirred the hedgerows as they rode.
The steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves was almost soothing, and Elizabeth felt some of the tightness leave her shoulders.
She glanced toward Harris, who led Willow behind him.
The journey took longer than usual, for the ground was slick in places and the horses could not safely do more than walk.
Soon Netherfield came into view, and Elizabeth straightened in her saddle.
At the house, Harris assisted her down. “We shall not detain them long,” she said quietly.
The butler admitted her at once. “Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet has just come down for breakfast.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied. “Pray take me to her.”
He led her to the breakfast room and announced her before withdrawing. Elizabeth observed Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Jane at the table.
Mr. Darcy rose immediately. “Good morning. I gather you rode over. The roads are still most disagreeable.”
“Our coachman thought so as well,” Elizabeth answered. She turned to Jane and lifted the small bag she carried. “We have brought Willow. You may ride back with us.”
Mr. Bingley stood and gestured toward a chair. “You must join us. Pray take a seat.”
“Thank you. A cup of tea would be most welcome.”
Darcy rose and drew out a chair beside his own. “May I serve you?”
“I have already breakfasted at Longbourn, but thank you.”
He inclined his head and resumed his seat.
They had conversed for several minutes when Miss Bingley entered. She paused upon the threshold, her gaze taking in the arrangement at the table.
A faint frown touched her expression as she observed Elizabeth seated beside Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth. What an unexpected pleasure.”
“Good morning,” Elizabeth replied evenly. “I came to bring Jane home.”
“Yes, dear Jane,” Miss Bingley said lightly as she crossed to the sideboard. “We were quite surprised when the carriage did not return for her.”
Darcy looked up at that but said nothing. Mr. Bingley frowned slightly.
“They could hardly send the carriage in such weather,” he said. “It was fortunate Miss Bennet remained.”
Miss Bingley gave a small shrug and took her seat.
At that moment Mrs. Nichols appeared at the doorway. “The east room fire was slow to draw this morning. Shall it be aired before company gathers?”
Her eyes moved instinctively toward Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gave the slightest shake of her head and glanced toward Miss Bingley.
Darcy, who had just lifted his cup, paused before taking his tea.
Miss Bingley waved her hand. “Yes. See that it is done.”
Jane rose. “I shall go and change.”
Elizabeth stood as well. “I will assist you.”
Miss Bingley watched them depart, then turned back to the gentlemen with a small smile. “Well, at least they will soon be on their way.”
“Caroline,” Bingley said mildly, “you invited her.”
She shrugged. “Really, Charles, you concern yourself over nothing. You would do better not to give her too much attention.”
Darcy did not reply. He set down his cup with measured care.
When Elizabeth reached the doorway, she could not help but glance back. Mr. Darcy stood where she had left him, his attention fixed in her direction, though no one had spoken.
She turned away at once and followed Jane from the room.
***
As Jane and Elizabeth rode away from Netherfield, Elizabeth glanced toward Willow.
"I believe she is favors her left foreleg. We ought to stop at the blacksmith and have it examined.”
Jane looked down at the leg in question and nodded at once. “Yes, of course.” She leaned forward to pat Willow’s neck. “We shall see to you directly.”
When Meryton came into view, some of the tension left Jane’s expression. “Almost there.”
At the forge, Harris dismounted first and assisted the ladies down. He led Willow forward while Elizabeth stepped toward the open doorway.
“Good morning, Mr. Harding. I trust you are well.”
Mr. Harding looked up from his work and set down his hammer. “Miss Elizabeth. Very well, thank you. And Miss Bennet, good morning to you.”
Harris brought Willow forward. "She’s been favoring the left foreleg.”
Mr. Harding ran a practiced hand down the leg, then lifted the hoof. “Aye. The shoe is working loose. I will set a new one. It will not take long.”
“That would be most appreciated,” Elizabeth replied.
As he gathered his tools, Mr. Harding added, almost as an afterthought, “Miss Elizabeth, my brother-in-law, Matthew Carter, he is a wheelwright in St. Albans. He has been speaking of setting up on his own.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Then he should speak with Mr. Wilmot. There may be space near the lower yard. “If he is in earnest, we may arrange an introduction.””
Mr. Harding’s expression brightened. “That would suit him well. Thank you, miss.”
“We shall return shortly,” Elizabeth said. “Take your time.”
She and Jane stepped back into the street, Harris following.
“I promised Mama some of those biscuits she favors,” Elizabeth said lightly. “And perhaps a cup of tea while we wait.”
“Tea would be most welcome,” Jane agreed.
At that moment, two riders approached at a walk. Mr. Bingley raised a hand in greeting.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”
Jane smiled. “Good morning. We are detained only briefly while Willow is shod.”
“Then we are fortunate,” Bingley replied. “Might we join you?”
“You would be most welcome,” Jane answered.
They entered the bakery together and took a table near the window. The gentlemen followed them inside after securing their horses.
Tea was served, and conversation settled comfortably. Jane and Bingley leaned toward one another, speaking in low tones.
After a moment, Darcy said, “Your horses are very well bred.”
Elizabeth set down her cup. “You are kind to say so.”
“He is remarkably steady,” Darcy continued. “Even amidst the noise of the forge.”
Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile. “Bramble has always been so.”
Darcy regarded the horse through the window. “Was he bred locally?”
There was the faintest pause before she answered. “At Longbourn.”
Darcy’s expression altered only slightly, yet his attention sharpened.
Outside, Mr. Harding led Willow forward and tied her beside Bramble.
Elizabeth rose. “Willow is ready. We must return.”
Darcy stood at once. “May we accompany you home?”
Elizabeth met his gaze. “We should be glad of the company.”
They rode together a short distance from Meryton, Jane and Mr. Bingley engaged in easy conversation ahead.
After a moment, Elizabeth sat a little straighter.
“The biscuits.”
Jane laughed. “You must endure Mama’s reproach.”
Elizabeth exhaled, half amused, half resigned. “I believe I shall survive Mama’s disappointment.”
***
Mr. Bennet paused at the entrance to the drawing room before taking a seat near his wife.
“You do not usually join me here during the day,” Mrs. Bennet observed. “Shall I request tea?”
“If you please.”
He waited until the tea had been brought and poured. Only after Mrs. Bennet had served him did he speak again. “Lizzy informed you that my cousin arrives tomorrow?”
Mrs. Bennet stiffened. “It is very hard that the man who is to take my home should visit it so comfortably.”
“Your sentiments on that subject are already well established.” Mr. Bennet replied mildly. “You need not fear for your comfort. You will be properly provided for.”
Mrs. Bennet gave a small huff. “Lizzy says he intends to marry one of the girls, and she has made it plain that she will not have him. If she refuses, who is to secure us? No one will marry a girl who conducts the estate as though she were its steward.”
“Do you wish her to marry him?”
Mrs. Bennet hesitated. “If she did, I should no longer be mistress here.”
Mr. Bennet regarded her for a moment. “Mr. Collins will be received civilly. Nothing more.”
She bristled. “Naturally he shall be received civilly. But he may suit Jane, though Mr. Bingley might suit Jane better. Mary could answer, perhaps, unless he prefers Jane.”
“None of the girls will be pressed,” Mr. Bennet said, his tone still mild. “If one of them should form an attachment of her own accord, we shall consider it. But they are not to be urged, particularly not Lizzy.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned. “It is easy for some to refuse when they do not consider the rest of us.”
Mr. Bennet’s expression altered slightly. “She considers us more than you know.”
There was a pause.
Mrs. Bennet lifted her cup again. "Very well. He will be received civilly, if he must.”
***
Elizabeth glanced up at the sun, still high above the hedgerows.
There was ample time to call on Mrs. Smith before returning home.
Harris followed at a short distance, the leather satchel tied securely to his saddle.
The September breeze was warm, and after a morning spent at her desk, the open air was a relief.
Before long, they reached the Smith cottage.