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“A plan would show rather more than a list,” Caroline replied.
“Then he shall send for both,” Jane said.
Darcy found that a sensible conclusion and was careful not to smile at either of the ladies who had made it necessary.
He waited until the conversation paused before addressing Miss Bennet.
“The covering is in place. Mrs. Bell and her grandson will be comfortable at her daughter’s tonight. The mason is expected in the morning.”
Elizabeth’s attention was immediate. “You have heard from Mr. Hammond?”
“He returned before dinner.”
“I am glad.”
“What has happened to Mrs. Bell?” Jane asked.
“A difficulty with her chimney,” Elizabeth replied. “Mr. Darcy has arranged for it to be put right.”
She gave her sister no account of the dispute. Darcy had not asked her to spare him, and was unprepared for the quietness with which she did it.
“Will you see her when the work is finished?” Jane asked Elizabeth.
“I should like to.”
“I mean to call myself,” Darcy said. “You may accompany me, if you wish.”
Elizabeth hesitated. He saw it, though Charles had begun asking Jane whether the boy was the child they had seen at church and Caroline had turned her attention to the next dish.
“I should be glad to see Mrs. Bell comfortable,” Elizabeth said at last. “Thank you.”
It was an acceptance, though scarcely an encouragement. Darcy could not understand why he had come to distinguish so carefully between the two.
He returned to his dinner and found, after a moment, that he was looking forward to the walk.
Chapter Ten
MRS. REYNOLDS FOUND Elizabeth upon her knees beside the bed, attempting to recover a needle without putting her hand upon its point.
“Pray do not move the chair,” Elizabeth said. “I have just discovered where it is.”
The housekeeper stopped with one hand upon the back of the chair. “Shall I send for Sally, miss?”
“No, indeed. I have already sent her downstairs for thread, and I should like to have something to show for my independence when she returns.”
Elizabeth reached beneath the valance, caught the needle between finger and thumb, and sat back upon her heels. A little dust clung to her sleeve. She brushed it away before Mrs. Reynolds could look distressed by evidence that Pemberley possessed any.
“There. We may both be satisfied.”
“I came to ask whether the curtain had troubled you again.”
The cord which held back one of the window curtains had frayed near its fastening. Elizabeth had mentioned it that morning after catching a loose strand upon her ring. Now she regretted adding such a small matter to the housekeeper’s work when the Bell chimney was at last receiving the attention of a mason.
“It is of no consequence. I might have mended it myself if I had not become engaged in losing things.”
“Mr. Darcy would not wish you to spend your visit repairing his curtains.”
“I assure you, I have no design upon the rest of them.”
