Half an hour of walking allowed Elizabeth to think over the previous day. The loss of the parsonage was a tragedy. Staying at Rosings would have its trials, but if the gentlemen continued to be so amiable, she believed the remainder of her stay would be pleasant enough. At least it would not be tedious, whether sitting through Lady Catherine's edicts, Mr. Darcy's unswerving gaze, or Colonel Fitzwilliam's brilliant stories. She could easily laugh at them all and save plenty of stories for her father to enjoy.

She wondered if she ought to suggest she return home early. Mr. Collins had hinted at it, but Charlotte managed to convince him they must stay and please Lady Catherine. Elizabeth chuckled at the thought. She had no intentions of moderating her behavior to be more pleasant for Lady Catherine. She would be polite, and that was enough. Her goal would be to reduce Charlotte's suffering.

After a turn around the bushes, she walked up to the ruins of the parsonage. Two chimneys stood proudly amidst a few boards that had not yet fallen. The parlor at the front of the house still had one wall, though the window was broken. The workmen had paused for lunch and were sitting in the shade far enough to keep the soot out of their food.

"The home shall be rebuilt." A deep voice said from behind her.

Elizabeth startled and turned to regard Mr. Darcy. She ought to have heard him coming as his horse was still pawing at the ground behind him. With a brief greeting, she agreed with his assessment. "I have no notion of how long it will take to rebuild a home."

"I should say it ought to be completed within a few months or perhaps a year, depending on how swiftly the materials can be purchased and delivered." He placed her hand on his elbow as they walked closer to the rubble. "The stove looks to be mostly undamaged, and that is a good thing. The chimney pieces might be able to be preserved, which will save quite a bit of effort. If they must be torn down, that will add to the cost and time."

"Your aunt is very generous to allow us to remain at Rosings. I had wondered if Maria and I ought to return to Meryton as we are unnecessary. We should hate to be a burden."

Mr. Darcy chuckled. "You could never be a burden, Miss Bennet. Your company livens the house, as I had predicted." He paused as he realized what he had said. In her astonishment, Elizabeth stared at him openly, wondering what he could possibly mean, but he changed the subject too quickly for her to come to any conclusion, and she soon forgot the moment as they began discussing the warm weather and how that would speed efforts to rebuild.

After a quick circle of the ruined parsonage, they turned toward Rosings, a path Elizabeth had undertaken many times. Mr. Darcy had never been her companion before, and it lent a new curiosity for her to ponder. She also kept an eye on the horse following behind them.

"Have you visited the library at Rosings yet?" Mr. Darcy asked.

"I have not had the pleasure."

"While it is not managed well, there are quite a few tomes that might divert you. Sir Lewis, my uncle, was a great reader, and the library was his pride and joy." He paused as an unhappy thought crossed his mind. "My aunt is not as concerned that the library should be kept up. While everything is at least a decade old, there is plenty of choice. Colonel Fitzwilliam and I have passed many hours together in the room, as it is the least likely place for my…" He coughed suddenly, realizing his poor choice of words. "Forgive me. It is the least likely place for us to be disturbed when we wish for meaningful conversation."

Elizabeth smiled. "Then perhaps my perusal of it would be unwelcome. I should not like for your sanctuary to become just another room."

"I should like to hear your thoughts on the room. Lady Catherine would prefer to turn it into a saloon as it faces north and is exceptionally cool in the summer. The books are a nuisance to her. Only at my insistence does she keep it stocked."

Elizabeth scrunched her eyebrows as she wondered how her thoughts could have any sway to influence Lady Catherine. As she attempted to think of something to say, Mr. Darcy continued.

"Is your room to your liking?"

"Of course, my room is more than adequate. I should be reluctant to think any room at Rosings could be thought too plain for the likes of me."

With another chuckle, Mr. Darcy continued, "Yes, nothing at Rosings is plain. Every new piece of furniture was selected by Lady Catherine for its ability to inspire admiration. Comfort was not as important. The colonel always brings his own chair with his luggage that he might sit in his room in peace."

Elizabeth laughed lightly at his jest. "The colonel must learn that the complexity of a chair only heightens the pleasure of sitting, even if your legs and back ache afterwards."

After a few moments' silence, he asked, "When were you originally planning to return home?"

Elizabeth noted the stiffening of his arm as he waited for her to respond, though she could not account for it. "We are to leave in about a fortnight."

"Mrs. Collins must be in need of your company more now than before when she could escape…" He paused and looked away. "When she had her own house to manage. Perhaps you will extend your stay to help your friend."

"I do not think your aunt would approve." She looked at a gaudy carriage that sat at the front of the drive. Surely, she would be in the way of Lady Catherine's sensibilities if she were to intrude for so long.

"My aunt enjoys having people listen to her."

"Then she will have all she needs in Mr. Collins, for he does nothing except listen and follow her dictates." Elizabeth tried to laugh off the fact that she was speaking unkindly of her cousin, though Mr. Darcy had done the same for his aunt. Perhaps she ought to have followed his example and rephrased her words to prevent insult outright.

"Mrs. Collins bears it well. I have noticed the parsonage is, I mean was very well cared for, and clearly she made her own improvements in ways Lady Catherine could never have imagined. I cannot imagine remaining after you depart will be anything but overwhelming for Mrs. Collins. You will be able to deflect my aunt long enough for Mrs. Collins to select her own decorations. If I convince my aunt to encourage you to remain, will you accept?"

Elizabeth looked at him in astonishment. She had never thought that he could care for the feelings of others so beneath his notice. His rationale was reasonable. "I shall consider it."

"And perhaps, the next time you come to Rosings, you will be more familiar with the house." He placed his free hand over hers, and through her gloves, she could feel the slight pressure of his fingers as he grazed them over hers. Flustered, she declared that she did not ever envision visiting Rosings again, and that the future parsonage would be more to her liking. Quietly, she pulled her arm from his and decided she had walked enough for one day. The house was upon them, so it did not appear that she broke away from him purposely. In the hall, they heard Lady Catherine speaking in her usual manner to whomever sat with her in the parlor.

Mr. Darcy offered her his arm again once their outerwear had been removed. "Lady Metcalf is a very particular friend, and they have much in common. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to view the library."

Unsure how to avoid his offer, she capitulated and allowed him to lead her to the library. She wished she could have made an excuse to leave his confusing company, but when the door opened to reveal Mrs. Collins, Maria, and Colonel Fitzwilliam together by the fire, she relaxed and moved quickly to the seat beside Mrs. Collins.

"Everyone seems to have found a perfectly secluded room to avoid persons who shall remain unnamed." Colonel Fitzwilliam explained. "Mr. Collins is in the parlor listening to not only Lady Catherine but also Lady Metcalf dictate the only way to rebuild a home, as though either of them has any idea what that should entail."

Elizabeth smiled but would not join in his conversation as it was not her place to condemn Lady Catherine's manners. Instead, she spoke of the remains of the parsonage. "The workers have cleared most of the rubble. Mr. Darcy indicated that construction would begin as soon as the first delivery of wood arrives. It shall be fascinating to see its progress. After I leave, I hope you will keep me informed, Charlotte. I should hate to miss the reconstruction."

"I suppose you will have a purpose to continue your daily walks, then. I hear the first delivery will be on Friday." The colonel continued to describe the plans they had made with the steward and the builders, giving Elizabeth a chance to look about the room. The library was a small, yet clean room surrounded by shelves thickly stocked with books that appeared slightly faded by time. She imagined that she would find many classics upon the shelves that could easily amuse her during her stay. As she wondered how long she would remain, she noticed Mr. Darcy perusing the shelves, occasionally selecting a book and placing it on a table with a glance toward her each time. She supposed he was hoping she would read the books to give him someone to speak to. He must be incredibly bored. With a sigh, she returned to the conversation, and they remained pleasantly engaged until time to dress for dinner in some hastily altered dresses from Miss de Bourgh.

AN: Thanks for reading!