Page 82 of The Engagement at Longbourn

Elizabeth had never loved her more.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The Cottages Beyond Longbourn

Before Darcy's accident, he had imagined Mrs. Bennet's knowledge of her neighbours consisted chiefly of incomes, marriage prospects, illnesses, and scandals.

This was not entirely wrong.

It was merely incomplete. He discovered the rest on a cold February afternoon when Mrs. Bennet informed Elizabeth that the Parkers' youngest boy had taken a fever and the Widow Clarke's chimney was smoking again.

"Hill has packed broth, and there is flannel in the basket. Lizzy, you may take it when you walk. And tell Mrs. Parker not to send the older children to school until Thursday. They will only carry illness to everyone else."

Elizabeth looked out at the sky. "It will rain."

"Then wear your old boots."

Darcy, seated near the fire, closed his book.

"May I come?"

Mrs. Bennet stared at him.

Elizabeth stared too.

"To the cottages?" Mrs. Bennet asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Darcy considered several answers and chose the true one. "Because I have heard you speak of these families for three months and know almost nothing of them." Mrs. Bennet's surprise softened into approval.

"Well. You cannot walk the whole way."

"I can walk farther than last week."

Elizabeth said, "That was not Mama's point."

Darcy sighed. "Then the carriage part of the way."

"And your cane," Mrs. Bennet said.

"Yes."

"And no pretending your leg does not hurt. Men are foolish about pain."

Darcy looked at Elizabeth.

She smiled. "You see where I inherited my tyranny."

Mrs. Bennet heard. "You inherited a great deal from me, young lady, though you prefer to credit your father."

Elizabeth opened her mouth, then closed it.

Darcy wisely said nothing. They took the Longbourn carriage as far as the tenant road and walked the final quarter mile. The day smelled of wet earth and chimney smoke. Water stood in the ruts. Darcy moved slowly, placing the cane before each step when the ground became uneven. Elizabeth matched his pace without making it obvious.

He noticed. He noticed many things now. The Parker cottage was small but sound, with a new thatch roof and a kitchen garden lying dormant behind it. Mrs. Parker opened the door with a baby on one hip.