Page 10 of Before She Knew Him

“I am relieved to hear it. I should not like to discover that I have been excluded from some new fashion in informality.”

Elizabeth accepted her own glass, careful not to allow her fingers to linger against his. “You were gone for several minutes, sir. There is no knowing what customs might have changed in your absence.” She took a sip of her lemonade before adding, “Although, as I have an elder sister, I am rarely Miss Bennet even at home. You may call me Miss Elizabeth, if you wish.”

His gaze held hers. “I should like that very much, Miss Elizabeth.”

Something in the way he spoke her name sent warmth into her cheeks, which she resolutely attributed to the sun. She raised her glass again, hoping the cool lemonade might restore her composure.

Conversation continued around her, but Elizabeth remained acutely conscious of the gentleman beside her. After several minutes, she set aside her empty glass and rose.

“I believe I shall take a closer look at the prospect from the ridge,” she said.

The picnic had been arranged near the edge of a wooded ridge, and a short distance away, an outcropping of stone offered an uninterrupted view across the valley. Elizabeth walked towards it, remaining well within sight of the party. The breeze wasstronger there, stirring the ribbons of her bonnet and cooling the warmth that still lingered in her face.

She had been standing there only a few moments when footsteps sounded behind her.

“May I join you?”

She turned to find the younger Mr Darcy approaching. “It is your prospect, sir. I could hardly deny you.” Smiling, she hoped her reply appeared teasing rather than harsh, and she watched him smile in return before approaching her.

“The land belongs to Pemberley—and therefore to my father,” he said as he came to stand beside her, “but the view is free to anyone who stands here. Still, I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“You are not,” Elizabeth answered, though her voice sounded rather less certain than she would have liked.

For several moments, they both appeared to devote their attention to the prospect before them.

“I apologise if I made you uncomfortable earlier,” Mr Darcy said at last. “Georgiana has taken to you, and I would not deprive her of a friend through any fault of my own.”

Elizabeth drew a steadying breath before turning towards him. “You did not make me uncomfortable. I was merely… discomposed for a moment. That is not quite the same thing.”

Something shifted in his expression, though she could not determine whether it was surprise or relief.

“And Georgiana is a delightful girl,” she continued. “She is near in age to my youngest sister, and I am very pleased to have befriended her. I gather that she is somewhat shy in company,but she has spoken quite freely with me. She has asked if we might correspond after I leave, and I have gladly agreed.”

“She is not ordinarily comfortable with new acquaintances,” Mr Darcy said. “I have rarely seen her speak so easily with someone she has known for so short a time.”

Elizabeth glanced back towards the picnic, where Georgiana now sat beside Mrs Livesay. “Perhaps it is because it does not feel as though we have known one another for only two days. Your family has been remarkably welcoming.”

When she turned back, she found his attention fixed upon her.

“We have all been delighted by the opportunity to know you better.”

The warmth in his gaze made Elizabeth want to lower her eyes, but despite her discomposure, she made herself hold his.

“And I have been delighted to know more of your family,” Elizabeth replied, the flush once again creeping into her cheeks. This exchange seemed to alter something, for Elizabeth felt as if the air had shifted. She was no longer able to meet his gaze and returned to looking at the distant scenery.

“You will leave Lambton in less than a se’nnight,” he said after a moment had passed in which she thought his eyes likewise turned towards the prospect.

“Yes. My aunt and uncle must return to their children and his business, and I have already been absent from Longbourn longer than my father would like. I had a letter from him this morning asking how much longer I would be away.”

She heard him draw a breath beside her and dared to look at him again.

“I find I do not like the thought of your leaving,” he admitted.

Elizabeth turned towards him more fully.

“Our acquaintance has been very brief,” he continued, “and I know such an admission may appear premature. Nevertheless, I should regret allowing it to end merely because you must return to Longbourn.”

Elizabeth’s heart beat so forcefully that she feared he might perceive it. “Georgiana and I have promised to write.”