Page 41 of Master of Himself

Riding down the lane, he wondered if he would have changed back to his own form by then. Would he still want to attend if he had? If he were being honest, assemblies and balls had never appealed to him, but he refused to deny himself the pleasure of dancing with Elizabeth. Either as Darcy or as Bingley, he would dance with her at that assembly.

While riding to Netherfield, Darcy doubted that the solution to his problem would present itself, as Elizabeth had suggested. He agreed that this was the normal course of things, but in this case, he rather thought that the gods preferred to keep the solution beyond his grasp.

He briefly contemplated not telling his friend that he had seen Elizabeth, but acknowledged that Charles had to be told what had been said about them at church. Especially after Charles’s set-down last night, he owed his friend an apology for another poor performance in public. However, he need not mention that he had gone out in search of her.

Upon entering the breakfast parlour, he greeted his housemates and headed for the sideboard.

“How was your ride, Charles?” Caroline inquired.

Since he was wearing Charles’s riding coat and buckskins, she could have had no doubt of his recent activity. “Shadow needed a good run.”

“You should have had Hobbs wake me,” Charles said. “I would have joined you.”

Darcy took his place at the head of the table. “We can take the horses out after breakfast, if you want.” In all truthfulness, after last night, Darcy rather thought Charles had had enough of his company for the time being.

“The weather is still fair,” Caroline said, smiling sweetly at Charles. “Shall we walk out again today, Mr Darcy?”

Charles grinned. “What do you say, Charles?”

Observing Charles’s carefree smile, Darcy supposed that his friend had already been restored to his usual amiable demeanour, but then he’d never been prone to foul temper. “Yes, the trees are past their peak, but we may still discover some autumnal beauty. We can ride out after our morning constitutional.”

The party agreed, including Hurst.

Once the ladies had donned their pelisses and bonnets, the group set out on one of the paths. As expected, Caroline clung to her unfortunate brother’s arm, while Hurst followed with Louisa, leaving Darcy to walk alone behind the group.

Although this arrangement suited Darcy’s dark mood, Louisa reached for him. “Come and walk beside me, Charles.”

He accepted, but if he’d had his druthers, he would have preferred Elizabeth’s company. How odd, that his life had taken this new course. Prior to this turn of events, he never would have considered socialising with people he merely tolerated, attending a country assembly, or admiring a woman well below his station.

Previously, he did exactly as he chose, without regard to anyone else’s preference. Had Charles consciously conceded to him in the past? He must have done so, but Charles’s nature was so carefree and unassuming, he probably hadn’t even noticed or taken offence.

That was, not until recently. Last night’s tirade was evidence enough of that alteration in his friend.

Caroline chattered relentlessly as Charles trudged onward. “Isn’t this comfortable? How I long to see Pemberley in the Autum. I imagine that Netherfield is nothing compared to it.”

Darcy didn’t catch Charles’s mumbled response, but he doubted that Caroline had any interest whatsoever in Pemberley’s noble woods. He rather supposed that she imagined herself as mistress of the estate and wanted him to picture her there.

“When do you suppose we’ll return to town, Henry?” Louisa inquired.

Darcy had no doubt that the ladies had planned that particular topic of conversation.

“There’s no rush, my dear. The shooting season is still open, and I’m enjoying the country far too much to think of ending our sojourn just yet. I’ll be content to remain as long as our brother desires,” Hurst said with a nod to Darcy.

“With weather like this, who would want to leave such an idyllic place?”

He didn’t suppose that Caroline would appreciate Darcy’s congenial response, and her stoney silence proved him correct.

***

Mounted on each other’s horses, Charles rode through Netherfield’s gates with Darcy. Finally escaping his sisters, he allowed Bart free rein, ready to leave his troubles behind, if only for a short time.

After an invigorating ride, they slowed their pace and allowed the horses to wander and graze.

“I saw Miss Elizabeth earlier,” Darcy said.

Startled by this announcement, Charles wondered why he hadn’t mentioned it at breakfast. “Did you ask after Miss Bennet’s health?”

He nodded absently while keeping his focus on the ground ahead. “We spoke only briefly, but she assured me that her sister is recovering well.” Darcy finally turned to face Charles. “She remarked on my behaviour after services. It seems that everyone noticed that I was out of sorts.”