“We are ready,” Mary said, indicating their state of dress. Kitty was just reaching for her bonnet, and the rest of them were pulling on their gloves. “We are waiting on you.”
“Yes,” said Kitty, “and you had better hurry, before—”
A high-pitched warble from the hall interrupted Kitty’s warning. “Cousins? Where are you?”
Elizabeth sighed. The man’s voice was a normal sort of tenor when he spoke to Papa, but any time he spoke to one of them, it seemed to pitch very high indeed.
“We shall not allow him to walk alone with you, Jane,” she said, glancing around. “We shall all take a turn.”
Lydia blew an enormous breath out of her mouth, allowing her cheeks to bulge. “We should all walk very fast. He will not be able to speak so much then.”
“How do you know that?” Mary asked.
“Lord, he cannot even take the stairs without losing his breath,” Lydia said as she swung her red cloak over her shoulders and fastened it at her neck.
Kitty lifted her eyebrows and shrugged. “It is true.”
“We should invite Mr. Darcy, in that case,” Elizabeth teased. “For each one of his strides is twice mine, and you all know I walk very fast indeed.”
“There you all are!” Mr. Collins exclaimed, stepping into the room. “Did not you hear me calling?”
Elizabeth waited, but no one spoke. “We are going to town to purchase ribbons,” she said at last, hoping it would dissuade the man from joining them.
No such luck.
“I would be happy to escort you,” he said. “I have already been out on the estate this morning, and I flatter myself that I have learnt a great deal about Longbourn’s management.”
“Such as?” Mr. Fitzwilliam inquired, appearing in the doorway, Mr. Darcy standing behind him.
“We saw most of the grounds last night,” Mr. Collins began.
“In the dark,” Mr. Darcy grumbled, and Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek. He was rather humorous when he was bearish.
“I learnt where the boundaries of the property are located,” Mr. Collins offered. “And that there is a drainage issue on the far northwest field.” He stood for a moment, thinking. “You raise corn and sheep, and your father taught me how to fix a fence this morning.”
“A good beginning,” Jane offered.
“With a great deal left to learn,” Mr. Fitzwilliam added. He stepped to Jane’s side and offered his arm. “May I escort you to town, Miss Bennet?”
Jane’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I thank you, Mr. Fitzwilliam, yes.”
Mr. Collins’s mouth hung open for a moment. “Oh, but Mr. Fitzwilliam, I—”
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said, and offered his arm, then beckoned to Mary. “Miss Mary?”
“Well done, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered. “Thank you, and not only on my behalf.”
“Your father told us you all know how to shoot,” Mr. Darcy said in a normal tone of voice. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, and Mr. Collins gasped. With the smallest of smiles, Mr. Darcy continued, though more privately, “But I thought an escort might be best.” He tipped his head in the general direction of Mr. Collins. “Prevent bloodshed.”
Lydia snorted, and Kitty shushed her. The two girls linked arms and followed their sisters.
“Miss Catherine, Miss Lydia,” Mrs. Keller said sternly as they passed her near the front door. “I am trusting you to behave whilst you are with your sisters. You know the rules of propriety for girls not yet out, and do not forget that Mrs. Quimby and I expect you will complete your music lessons when you return.”
“Yes, Mrs. Keller,” Kitty and Lydia said together.
Mr. Collins did attempt to take Jane’s other arm, but she kept it steadfastly in her muff. It was a chilly day, though perhaps not so cold as all that.
They walked through Longbourn village, and by the time they reached the road into Meryton, Brooks was running up the path behind them.