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Mr. Collins remained a moment longer, turning her words over with visible discomfort, as though the notion that Lady Catherine's approval might not attend the match had only just properly settled upon him.

"I perceive, cousin, that your refusal proceeds less from settled inclination than from a degree of female pride and delicacy which I cannot but admire, though it has perhaps carried you somewhat too far.” He bowed, rather more stiffly than he had entered. “I shall leave the matter for the present. Your honoured parents will no doubt speak with you, and I flatter myself that, upon further reflection, you will see fit to alter your determination."

With that, he took his leave without further ceremony.

Elizabeth had scarcely drawn a full breath in relief before her mother's voice sounded from the passage with all the impatience of expectation.

"Lizzy! Lizzy! Come here this instant!"

Sixteen

Oakham Mount

11th November, 1811

Elizabeth

Elizabeth left Longbourn before the rest of the household had begun to stir. Her refusal of Mr. Collins occasioned her no regret, though the confidence with which he persisted in regarding it as temporary had tried her patience exceedingly. Her mother had proved no more willing to accept the truth, but Elizabeth had spoken so plainly the evening before that even Mrs. Bennet had been left, for once, without a single useful argument.

The freedom of the morning air was particularly welcome after so disagreeable an evening. She walked briskly, grateful for the silence and for the prospect of an hour beyond the reach of persuasion, reproach, and Mr. Collins's solemn conviction that a young woman's judgment could not possibly be trusted where matrimony was concerned. Yet neither her cousin nor her mother occupied her thoughts for long.

It had been six days since she had last met Mr. Darcy upon Oakham Mount. Their morning conversations had become so settled a part of her days that the interruption seemed far longer. She had missed the quiet ease of their walks, the unexpected turns of their discourse, and even those silences which, with him, had long since ceased to require explanation.

The recollection brought a smile to her lips, though it faded as Mr. Wickham's account returned to her mind. She had resolved the previous evening that Mr. Darcy must be told of it. Whatever had passed between the two gentlemen, Mr. Wickham had spoken with the evident expectation that she should believe him. To conceal such a conversation from Mr. Darcy, after all the confidence he had shown her, appeared little short of dishonourable.

She quickened her pace as she ascended the mount and had scarcely gained the summit when Mr. Darcy turned towards her.

The pleasure that crossed his countenance was immediate and unmistakable. Elizabeth felt an answering warmth, heightened by the knowledge that he had made no attempt to conceal his satisfaction. Before either had spoken, however, she perceived that something in him was altered. His features were composed, yet the composure seemed deliberate, as though assumed against thoughts which would not readily submit to his command.

"Miss Bennet." He came forward to meet her, and the gravity of his expression softened. "I had begun to fear you would not come again."

"I hope you did not suppose I had abandoned Oakham Mount merely because I had missed a few mornings."

"No." He hesitated, his gaze searching her face. "Though I confess the possibility had occurred to me."

Elizabeth smiled. "Then I am glad to relieve you of that apprehension. My absence was not voluntary."

"I am very glad of it." The words escaped him with such unaffected sincerity that her smile deepened, though his own soon faded. "You are well?"

"Perfectly." She regarded him more closely. "I am not persuaded you can say the same."

Darcy turned his gaze towards the valley. The morning was clear, though a faint mist still lingered over the lower fields, softening the hedgerows and distant farms.

"I have passed several unsettled days," he admitted. "But I would rather hear what has occupied yours."

Elizabeth had intended to introduce Mr. Wickham's name with some caution, but the opening he afforded rendered all artifice unnecessary.

"You saw me in Meryton on Saturday."

His expression hardened almost imperceptibly.

"I did."

"You recognised the gentleman walking beside me?"

"Yes."

The single word confirmed more than any elaborate reply could have done. Elizabeth drew a breath and began walking slowly along the ridge, leaving him either to accompany her or remain behind. He joined her immediately.