Chapter 7 #4
"You are very pretty too, Cousin Lizzy. In fact, I think you are the prettiest of all our cousins." John paused for a moment before adding hastily, "Though, of course, they are all pretty. You are simply prettier."
Elizabeth burst into laughter.
"The park is just beyond the next corner. There is plenty of open space there for the two of you to teach me how to fly this kite. You must be patient with me, however, because I know absolutely nothing about it."
"Do not worry, Lizzy. I shall teach you everything I know," John declared with such solemn self-importance that Elizabeth could not help smiling.
When they reached a wide grassy clearing, John and Laura immediately began teaching Elizabeth how to fly her kite.
Elsewhere in the park, Georgiana and her brother were walking with Lady Claire and her uncle, General Sinclair. After the customary greetings, Georgiana and Claire strolled ahead, followed by Mr Darcy and the General.
"I thought your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, was coming with us," Claire remarked.
"I invited him, but he is not in London at present. His regiment has taken him to the north of England, and he will not return until the end of the month."
Georgiana went on to tell Claire more about Richard's duties as a colonel.
Claire could not help feeling disappointed, but she consoled herself with the thought that she would at least spend a pleasant afternoon with her new friend.
Mr Darcy found General Sinclair to be excellent company.
The general had fought in numerous campaigns in defence of his country and possessed a wealth of fascinating experiences.
For his part, General Sinclair quietly tried to discern Mr Darcy's intentions towards his niece.
The gentleman appeared honourable, yet reserved and distant.
If his interest amounted to nothing more than a marriage of convenience, the general had no intention of allowing his gentle, timid niece to become a means to such an end.
After talking with Claire for a while, Georgiana quietly contrived to leave her brother and friend walking together.
Turning to General Sinclair, she began asking questions about Colonel Fitzwilliam's regiment.
The general answered her with great kindness, and, almost without realizing how she had overcome her shyness, Georgiana slipped her arm through his and continued the conversation.
Left with little choice, Mr Darcy offered his arm to Lady Claire, and together they followed behind.
"This is a lovely park," Mr Darcy remarked, making an effort to begin a conversation. He knew this was an opportunity to become better acquainted with Lady Claire and ought not to waste it.
"Yes, it is very pleasant," Claire replied, her attention fixed on a group of laughing children attempting to fly kites.
"The weather has been remarkably fine today," Mr Darcy added, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
"Much finer than yesterday," Lady Claire agreed.
"Do you enjoy walking, Lady Claire?" The moment the question left his lips, he regretted it.
"Not particularly. I much prefer staying at home." After a brief pause, she asked politely, "And do you?"
"Sometimes."
It was all he managed to say before a bright, melodious laugh reached his ears.
Instantly, he thought of the one woman with whom he could have walked for miles, happily listening to her lively wit and delightfully impertinent remarks.
At that moment, Mr Darcy could not help comparing Lady Claire with Elizabeth.
Besides Elizabeth's sparkling conversation, Lady Claire's company seemed painfully dull.
"Lizzy, I never imagined teaching you to fly a kite would be so difficult. You must pay closer attention," John said.
"I am trying, John. It is my kite that refuses to cooperate," Elizabeth replied between fits of laughter, while Laura guided her own kite through the air with perfect ease.
Suddenly, Elizabeth accidentally let go of the string, and the wind immediately carried the kite away. Laughing, she ran after it, while John and Laura could do nothing but laugh even harder.
The general's attention was divided between his conversation with Miss Darcy and listening to his niece speak with Mr Darcy. Suddenly, he noticed a kite hurtling straight towards him. Reaching out, he caught the string just in time, preventing the wind from carrying it away.
Mr Darcy stood utterly dumbfounded. The young woman laughing and playing with the two children was someone he knew all too well. Before him, Elizabeth Bennet—more beautiful than ever—came running after her runaway kite, while the two children followed behind, laughing with unrestrained delight.
"Is this your kite, Miss?" General Sinclair asked the charming young lady before him. Her smile was so radiant that he could not help smiling in return.
"Yes. Thank you very much, sir, for catching it," Elizabeth replied, slightly out of breath.
Then, unexpectedly, she heard a familiar voice.
"Miss Bennet," Mr Darcy said, almost breathless.
"Mr Darcy," Elizabeth replied, inwardly cursing her ill fortune.
"Miss Bennet?" General Sinclair repeated, looking at the young lady before him with growing curiosity.