26th November

Elizabeth was strolling through the rose garden, pondering what her father was up to, when she realised Mr Darcy was advancing along the path toward her.

'Miss Bennet, may I join you on your walk?'

She inclined her head with a smile. 'You may.'

He fell into step with her as she moved along the path and after a short silence, said, 'I spoke with Dr Williams earlier. He is very pleased with Miss Lydia's condition.'

'Yes,' replied Elizabeth with a smile. 'She is feeling so well now, I was having trouble persuading her to remain in her room. The only way I could do so, though it was much against my inclination, was to bring her a mirror. I believe her exact words were "Lord! I would scare everyone half to death were they to see me." I have promised to find her some more fashion magazines, although I have already raided the library bare.'

'Maybe Miss Bingley can help? She always seems to have a ready supply to hand.'

'That is a good idea. I will ask her when we return.' There was a silence, and then she continued. 'Is it my imagination, or has Miss Bingley… changed?'

He thought about it for a moment. 'She did seem rather subdued at dinner last night. She is grieving, I suppose it is to be expected.'

'I think it may be more than that. She was… nice… to me. It was rather worrying at first, but as the evening went on became rather pleasing. I wonder if the days she shut herself away…'

'…caused her to rethink her entire life?' he finished for her.

'Something like that. Her hard edges had disappeared last night and she was pleasant company. I think I could come to like this version of Miss Bingley. I do hope it lasts.'

He nodded, and gestured to the leafy arch leading from the rose garden to an untamed area closer to the woods. 'Shall we venture this way?'

'That was my original plan. I like these manicured gardens well enough but must admit to preferring the wilder parts. There is a very pleasant walk through the outer edge of the woods around to the small lake yonder.'

He offered her his arm, 'Let us walk to the lake then.'

She hesitated, then threaded her hand through the crook of his arm and they strolled in companionable silence for a time. Elizabeth's hand tingled where it touched his sleeve, and her concentration was disturbed by his closeness.

The pleasing scent of sandalwood drifted across as he turned his body to hers. 'I must admit to feeling some concern for you. So many things have happened recently, with little time between them. I have watched you bear them all with strength and grace, but I can see the hints of pain when you think no-one is watching.'

She turned her face away as a flush rose in her cheeks, her spare hand fiddling with one of the black ribbons she had attached to her dress.

He placed his spare hand over hers, and gave it a slight squeeze. 'If you need someone to speak with, I offer my services as confidant. I… I will not distress you with anything more, I simply offer my services should you need a sympathetic ear while you are here at Netherfield and away from those you would normally confide in. I am, I hope, friend enough for that.'

The tingle in her hand was increasing. She nodded, too overcome to look at him, and managed to utter, 'You are very kind, I thank you.'

He gave her hand a final squeeze then released it and fell into silence.

They walked on for some minutes before she could calm her mind sufficiently to recollect another topic they could converse on. 'I see my father was here again this morning. I wonder what brings him here again so soon after his last visit.'

There was a short pause, then Mr Darcy said, 'He was finishing some business with Mr Collins, I believe.'

She looked up at him, 'What business could they possibly have. We now know Lydia does not need to marry that monster?'

'Let me just say that you are not the only Bennet that has knocked him down.'

She stopped walking, and a smile lit her face as she looked up at him. 'Papa hit him?'

'He did. It was a fine punch and inflicted solely for your sister.'

'Well,' she said, 'I must admit to some surprise. I suppose I never imagined my father being able to punch someone. He has always been so easy going. Was Mr Collins much hurt?'

'He was knocked down and I suspect he bit his tongue, or lost a tooth, judging by the mess.'

'It is no less than he deserves,' she said, the smile gone. 'He deserves much more.'

'He has lost something that he considered the most important thing in his life,' said Mr Darcy, a satisfied tone in his voice. 'I am not at liberty to say more, but I think you will be very pleased with the result.'

She stamped her foot. 'No-one every tells me anything. Why must it be a secret?'

He laughed and tugged her back into a walk, 'I promised Mr Bennet that the tale is his to tell. In turn he assured me that once everyone was back at Longbourn he would inform you all then.'

'I suppose he is waiting for mamma to be well enough to hear it, although if it is good news, it might help with her recovery were he to tell her.'

'Maybe he will. I do not know, and it is too nice a day to fruitlessly speculate.' He patted her hand, maybe sensing her frustration, and changed the subject. 'Tell me how you are getting on with the book you borrowed?'

They spent a happy half-hour wandering the path to the lake, returning via the front door, which was looking mournful with the mourning wreath over the door, black ribbons drifting in the breeze.

They parted after entering the house, Elizabeth, to her own amazement, deciding to voluntarily search out Miss Bingley.

Elizabeth discovered Miss Bingley in the Library, where her black-clad figure was sitting by the fire, flipping through a fashion magazine.

'Miss Bingley, I was hoping to find you.'

'Oh, were you? I am so glad you found me, then. Can I help you with something?'

'I hope so. Now my sister is recovering, she is suffering from such boredom she is threatening to come downstairs and I had to show her what she looked like to deter her. I was hoping you could help with something to keep her occupied. She has read all of the fashion books I could find here.' Elizabeth gestured at the magazine Miss Bingley was holding and then waved to indicate the room. 'Do you know of any located elsewhere that she could borrow? Maybe even a novel – I have caught Lydia and Kitty giggling over The Monk before now, so something similar might be of interest.'

Miss Bingley tilted her head to one side as she thought about it. 'I do have more of these in my room. I will gather them together. It might be worth investigating the attics, there may be some hidden away there. I have to admit, I have not investigated them since arriving here.' She blushed and looked away. 'If you promise not to tell anyone where you obtained them, I can also let you borrow a couple of novels of mine that Miss Lydia might like, The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Romance of the Forest.'

'I do not think Lydia has read those – they would be perfect. I can only thank you. Keeping an invalid happy, when she feels quite well but should not be out of her bed, is a difficult task.'

'I will bring them to her room later, once I have gathered them together, but for now, would you like some tea? I was about to ring for a tray. I was hoping to pick your brains, as you are more familiar with this area than I.'

Curious, Elizabeth nodded her assent, and sat in the spare chair by the fire. 'Some tea would be lovely.'

They made small talk until the tea tray arrived, and Miss Bingley had poured them both cups.

'Please, would you call me Caroline,' she asked, as she handed Elizabeth her cup.

'Of course, if you wish. I am Elizabeth or Lizzy, if you prefer.'

Miss Bingley nodded and sipped her tea. 'Very well, Lizzy. I was hoping you could help me with my attire. I have had some of my old gowns dyed black, as you see, and would like some fabrics and a seamstress to make me up some new. I would normally have sent to town for them, but I have decided that I should give my custom to the local area.' She hung her head, 'It is the least I can do to begin making amends. Can you help me?'

Elizabeth smiled. 'Indeed, I can. We can send to the milliner's shop for samples of suitable fabrics and ribbons; black crape, gauze, bombazine, sarsnet, I'll ask him to bring along any other fabrics that might suit.' She looked at her companion and lifted an eyebrow in query, 'Black lace, too?'

Miss Bingley considered for a moment and then nodded.

'Once you have made your choice and placed orders it can be delivered, or maybe your brother can collect it on his return from visiting Longbourn.'

'Very well. And a seamstress?'

'There is one in the village that we use. She is a widow with three young children, so will be thankful for the extra income. I will send her a message and, by your leave, send the gig to collect her. She will need to take your measurements.'

'That is very kind, Lizzy. I do hope her schedule is not too busy to fit me in.' She picked up a plate of biscuits and held them out, 'These are lemon flavoured, one of my favourites receipts that I gave the cook here to make. Please do try one and tell me what you think.'

Happy New Year, everyone!