Page 8 of Not Without Me, Miss Elizabeth

"Mr. Darcy has looked this way a great deal this evening, Lizzy. I have counted at least three times."

"I cannot think why, unless it is to find some new fault in me,” Elizabeth replied, shaking her head.

Charlotte turned back from Mr. Darcy and looked at her friend, "I should be surprised if fault were his object. Perhaps he likes what he sees rather better than he lets on."

Elizabeth’s eyes grew wider, "Charlotte! You go too far."

"You needn't look so astonished. You are very handsome this evening, Eliza. I have half a mind to insist you play tonight, so the whole room might admire your looks along with your talent." Charlotte responded with confidence.

"You would not dare, you dreadful creature," Elizabeth had a playful tone, but it suggested to Charlotte that she should not push the subject further.

"Would I not?" Charlotte laughed, a twinkle in her eyes.

The two friends laughed together, and, preferring punch and a little quiet to any public exhibition, made their way out to one of the adjoining balconies to escape the closeness of the ballroom. The evening remained close and warm, and Elizabeth felt the heat gathering uncomfortably at her neck; Charlotte looked scarcely more at ease. Much as Elizabeth might have wished to make Mrs. Forster's acquaintance that evening, she found herself content enough to remain with her friend, having already gathered what news of the regiment she could from Mr. Brookes.

Within the ballroom, the dancing continued in high spirits, Mr. Bingley among the most animated of the company, his attentions fixed entirely upon Jane, with whom he danced as often as propriety would allow, both growing rather warm with the exercise and the closeness of the room. Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, stood apart from it all, having resolved that if he could not dance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he would not dance at all that evening

CHAPTER 6

The following morning, Elizabeth set out somewhat later than was her custom, the sun already well risen and beginning to warm the countryside. Not a cloud marked the sky, though the wood offered some shelter from its heat, and the birds sang on with their usual cheerfulness. Even without the relief of a breeze, Elizabeth found much to delight her in the familiar sights and sounds of the wood.

She had very nearly reached the last rise before Oak Hill's summit when she stopped short, hearing the unmistakable sound of a horse somewhere ahead. It was uncommon indeed to meet anyone at Oak Hill during such an early part of the morning, and rarer still to meet one on horseback.

She knew very well she would do no such thing. Curiosity, and a certain obstinacy of temper she was not always inclined to master, carried her onward, that she might discover who had claimed her hill before her.

Goodness, I ought to have turned back,she chastised herself, as rounding the last bend, she came upon Mr. Darcy and his horse; the gentleman entirely occupied with the view.

He turned at the sound of her approach, and Elizabeth's heart sank a little, for there could now be no retreat without impropriety; she must acknowledge him before continuing on her way.

"Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. Have you come to admire the view?" Internally, he immediately reproached himself.Of course she has, you fool,he thought, with no small measure of embarrassment.

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I had thought only to reach the summit before turning back. It is a fine morning. Good day to you, sir." And she made to continue on her way.

"Miss Elizabeth, if I might," he called out quickly.

"Yes, sir?" She stopped, turning towards him.

"I… a good day to you," he abruptly said, clearly struggling to find the words to say.

Elizabeth offered a curt nod, and replied, "Then, good day, Mr. Darcy," before turning back down the path.

She had not gone far before she heard the horse's hooves behind her, and knew without looking that he had chosen to follow.

"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy called out.

She took a steadying breadth, feeling some annoyance at the repeated disruption he was causing that morning. She turned around again, and asked, “Yes, Mr. Darcy?”

He replied rather bluntly, “Do you walk out alone every day?"

She considered her answer before giving it. His tone sounded accusatory, and she felt the need to defend herself perspicuously, "Do you mean to ask, sir, whether I walk every day, or whether I ever walk in company?"

He did not take long to reply, though he gave a look of serious displeasure, "Both, madam. I have never known ladies to be great walkers in general, nor a gentlewoman to walk without a companion in particular."

"Do you suppose, then, that women are unequal to the exertion," she asked. He had dismounted from his horse to walk alongside her, and she decided to continue down the path, increasing her pace, rather than slackeningit, "or only that a gentlewoman, whatever her constitution, must never be seen walking without one?" Elizabeth could not entirely keep a note of irony from her voice.

He was not to be discouraged, pulling his horse along to keep up with the pace she had set, "I do not think women incapable of such exertion, only that I am unused to seeing it. I do think, however, that it is unwise for a gentlewoman to walk alone, and more particularly in so isolated a wood as this."

This caught Elizabeth’s attention, and she stopped immediately, looking directly into his face and speaking rather harshly, "You think me unwise, then, Mr. Darcy?"