Page 10
Darcy rose. He reminded Martha about the linen, though she had given him no reason to think she would forget, and thanked them before going out with Thomas.
At the gate he tried to straighten his cravat. Anna had pulled the knot crooked.
“She is always pleased when you come, sir,” Thomas said.
Darcy looked back at the window. He could hear Martha talking to Anna, her voice too low for him to distinguish the words.
“I shall come again tomorrow.”
“We shall be glad to see you.”
He left the cravat as it was and walked back toward the house. Tomorrow he would come earlier. He did not want to miss another laugh.
Chapter Three
THAT EVENING, DARCY kept his promise to join Bingley at billiards. They left the ladies in the drawing room after dinner, with Caroline choosing music and Elizabeth winding wool for Jane. Bingley had lingered until his wife assured him that she meant to sit up a little longer and would send for him if she grew tired.
Now, in the billiard room, he bent over the table, took careful aim, and missed.
“I generally play better than this,” Bingley said.
“I remember,” Darcy replied.
“You need not agree quite so readily.”
Darcy smiled and took his place at the table. It was pleasant to have Bingley opposite him again, complaining of a game he had every intention of continuing.
“Your wife enjoyed her walk this morning?” Darcy asked.
“So much that she means to go out again tomorrow. Elizabeth is determined to discover where every path leads. Jane has asked her to begin with the level ones.”
“There are several along the lawn. Mrs. Reynolds can direct them.”
“I shall tell them. Jane has been describing the gardens all evening. I begin to fear she will find every house I show her a disappointment after Pemberley.”
“She need not have grounds as extensive to find them agreeable.”
“No, but I should like to find her something she can enjoy without waiting years for me to improve it.”
Darcy took his shot, then moved aside to let Bingley approach the table.
“You must take care in choosing. Once you buy, the defects are yours.” rest.”
“I shall have you find them before I do.”
“I cannot promise to find everything.”
“Find the roof and the drains. Jane and Elizabeth will attend to the
Darcy thought of Elizabeth sitting beside her sister that evening. When Bingley had asked whether Jane wished to retire, Elizabeth had continued winding the wool without answering for her. Jane had declined, and Elizabeth had smiled at something she said. Darcy had wanted her to look up and include him, though he had done nothing to invite her attention.
“You place a great deal of confidence in Miss Bennet’s judgment,” he observed.
“She has earned it.”
Bingley missed again, sighed, and stood aside.
Darcy had heard little of the early days at Netherfield beyond the first enthusiastic letters and the more restrained reports supplied by Caroline. He had known that his friend admired a handsome girl, that the girl’s mother promoted the acquaintance, and that no fortune accompanied her beauty. The conclusion had seemed sufficiently ordinary. Bingley’s attachment might prove less lasting than he supposed, but there could be little doubt of the encouragement he would receive.
