Page 106 of Colour My World
They met each other’s eyes. In unison: “Longbourn.” Chairs scraped against the floor, boots struck polished wood, and minutes later, they met at the stable.
* * *
The breakfast-parlour at Longbourn had become a stage, curtains drawn, players in place, and Bennet had the best seat in the house.
Mrs Ecclestone had returned. And she had fixated upon Bingley.
The poor fool had entered cheerful, untroubled, and blissfully ignorant of the fox circling him. He smiled upon Jane, offered the usual pleasantries, and even inquired after Mrs Bennet’s health. Now, he squirmed.
“Mr Bingley,” Mrs Ecclestone said, her gimlet eye unblinking. “You are yet in residence at Netherfield?”
“Er—yes,” Bingley replied, shifting in his seat.
“How singular.”
Mrs Bennet caught her gaze and gave a small, conspiratorial nod.
Bennet watched the exchange with amusement. His dear wife believed herself the mistress of orchestration, but it was Mrs Ecclestone conducting the symphony.
“Singular indeed,” Mrs Ecclestone said, tapping her fingers against the chair arm. “A young man, unwed, lingering in the country past his usual amusements.”
“I am fond of the country.” Bingley, eyes wide, reached for his teacup. “It is quite…refreshing.”
Mrs Ecclestone’s eyes sharpened. “Refreshing, is it? And yet, your sisters have returned to Town.”
“Yes, well.” Bingley coughed and set the cup down. “They prefer London.”
“As does Mr Hurst, no doubt.”
“Indeed.”
Mrs Ecclestone turned slightly, her fan twitching. “And you, Mr Darcy? Do you, too, find the countryrefreshing?”
Bennet did not miss how his least talkative guest startled upon being addressed.
“I do.”
Mrs Ecclestone’s gaze flicked to Elizabeth, who was studiously not looking at Darcy. “How convenient.”
Kitty and Lydia, for once, behaved admirably. Their usual chatter had ceased; their eyes sparked with interest in the spectacle unfolding before them.
“Miss Kitty,” Mrs Ecclestone said suddenly.
Kitty nearly dropped her teacup. “Yes, ma’am?”
“How is your reading progressing?”
Kitty sat up straighter. “Quite well, ma’am. I have been reading Milton.”
“A worthy choice.”
Lydia opened her mouth, but Mrs Ecclestone turned to her before she could speak. “Miss Lydia?”
Lydia, apparently caught off guard, clamped her mouth noisily, her eyes wide.
“Lydia has been readingShakespeare,” Kitty replied quickly, hands folded primly in her lap.
“Yes.Much Ado About Nothing.” Lydia added.
