My profuse apologies for the fact that this late and short! I hope to make amends by posting another chapter soon. Thanks so much for the follows and favorites – so happy that people are enjoying it and really appreciate the feedback!
Elizabeth could not help but smile wider as she could see even as his mask of haughty indifference slipped back into place that Mr. Darcy recognized her test as soon as their eyes met. Lifting her brows in challenge she moved to quietly take a seat and that she might watch the scene unfold. Once again Mr. Darcy had other plans.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said before she made good her escape, "I believe this is your cousin who you were so eager to introduce to me." With that he turned toward her, an eager expectant expression on his face and his brows raised in a matching challenge to hers.
It was hard to believe but Elizabeth was fairly certain Mr. Darcy was teasing her. He had quickly discerned that her cousin was the means by which she would study his character and he was either refusing to play the game or, it seemed, he was insisting she play too.
"Of course, Mr. Darcy." She said, unwilling to back down, "this is our cousin Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins, this as you have correctly surmised is Mr. Darcy."
"Sir, it is always a pleasure to meet any acquaintance of my fair cousins'." Mr. Collins began, not giving Mr. Darcy a chance to even acknowledge him. "However in this instance the pleasure is considerably enhanced by knowing that you are the nephew of my noble patroness, the cousin of her fair daughter and that I can provide you the pleasure of answering any questions you might have about the present comfort or activities of your noble relations. I assure you I am at your disposal."
Mr. Darcy looked slightly less confused by this speech than the first, perhaps having been prepared for some form of superciliousness this time.
"I assure you I have no such questions." He said when he was allowed to respond. As he continued Elizabeth noted that while his voice could certainly not be called warm neither did it hold a trace of hauteur which one could reasonably expect from any man in response to such absurdity and which one absolutely expected from the proud Mr. Darcy. "My regular correspondence with both Lady Catherine and Miss De bourgh keep me well informed as to their well being and the goings on at Rosings Park."
He had turned his attention to Mr. Collins as he conversed with the man, but during the last part of his response he looked pointedly at Elizabeth. She thought she understood him.
"We understand your Aunt is a great lady." Mrs. Bennet broke in to the conversation, having previously been occupied with Mr. Bingley and her youngest daughters discussing Jane's health and the latter's visit to Meryton. "You must come and tell us all about her." Indicating the seat next to her Mrs. Bennet looked up expectantly at Mr. Darcy. For his part Mr. Darcy looked caught and without being completely certain as to why Elizabeth decided to save him.
"Mama, you must excuse Mr. Darcy he has recently expressed to me his very great admiration for the gardens around Longbourn and a wish to see more of them. I had just promised him a tour."
When her mother did not look entirely convinced, likely weighing the prospect of learning more of Mr. Darcy's exalted position and keeping him in the company of the daughters she deemed most amiable against complying with his wishes Elizabeth moved to take the matter out of her mother's hands.
'You know Mr. Collins can provide you a great deal of information about Lady Catherine and delights in doing so and I would not wish to deny Mr. Darcy's particular request."
With that she turned to Mr. Darcy arching her brows in her mother's direction – they seemed quite able to communicate this way.
'Yes," he said after looking at Elizabeth for a long moment. "I am quite indebted to Miss Elizabeth for agreeing to my request."
It was not much, Elizabeth thought, but it should be enough to tip the scales.
"Very well." Mrs. Bennet conceded, but before Elizabeth could sigh in relief she added, "Mr. Collins, why do you not join them. You too would enjoy seeing the pretty wilderness that surrounds our home, I am quite certain."
In the two days since his arrival Mr. Collins had ventured outdoors only when absolutely necessary and then with great reluctance. Her mother's machinations could only mean one thing – she was the daughter chosen to be the next mistress of Longbourn. Either Mr. Collins or Mrs. Bennet was singling her out for this unwanted honor. This was something of a predicament. Fortunately, being a member of the Bennet family made Elizabeth something of an expert at managing predicaments.
"Mr. Collins is of course welcome to join us outdoors, however; I would hate for him to miss an opportunity to partake of Hill's blueberry tarts and speak of Lady Catherine with those who so desire hear about her goodness and greatness."
Mr. Collins looked torn and so Elizabeth pressed her advantage. Indicating with a sweep of her hand that Mr. Darcy should follow she left the room by the same door they had entered.
"Mr. Darcy I do apologize if . . ." she began as soon as they had gained the small landing.
"Not at all, Miss Elizabeth," he interrupted. 'I appreciate your demonstrating to me that skill which you earlier claimed I lacked. I now see how to effectively excuse myself from company in such a way that is plausible and brooks no opposition."
She was taken aback because it was now clear Mr. Darcy was in fact teasing her.
"I am glad to see you are amenable to such lessons, Mr. Darcy." She said after a moment. "I do mean to show you our little piece of wilderness, however we must do something first."
"Lead the way."
Mr. Darcy stood aside as she stepped into the kitchen. When she returned moments later he had a question.
"I assume that stop was to ensure a delivery of blueberry tarts to the sitting room?" he asked with a smile.
Elizabeth was distracted both by his insight in to her machinations and the fact that Mr. Darcy had a dimple on his right check. How singular.
"Perhaps." She said with a smile of her own. "Shall we?"