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Eyes lighting up with curiosity, Darcy sat up straight in his chair. “Is she from the area?” He never would have thought someone here would have a connection to his home.

Mrs. Bennet was happy to have hit on a topic that seemed to bring some cheer to Mr. Darcy’s normally solemn face.

“Her father was the rector there. She said that exploring the surrounding hills and dales on picnics was one of the best parts of her childhood.” She was very fond of Mrs. Gardiner, nee Wallace.

Matilda was a sweet girl who had married Fanny’s brother for love.

She gave Fanny hope that her daughters could find their own fortunate outcomes.

Mrs. Bennet heard approaching footsteps and observed her daughters as they came into the room.

They both had pink cheeks from being outside on the cool fall day.

Kitty, the daughter that she sometimes worried about, appeared to be benefiting from her time learning archery.

Her smile did not seem as timid today. Elizabeth always seemed brighter after having spent time outside.

Her eyes twinkled with laughter, and her tousled hair only added to her cheerful aura.

Fanny noticed Elizabeth pause, her smile widening slightly as she saw Mr. Darcy in the room. It appeared the quiet gentleman had her daughter enamored. How delightful.

“I am sorry to arrive late, Mama. We quite lost track of the time while practicing.” Elizabeth took in the guests scattered around the room and moved to sit near her mother and Mr. Darcy.

Kitty moved to sit near Mary. She was not out but would come out soon and had joined the at-homes as an observer.

“How was archery today, darling?” Fanny Bennet was always happy when her daughters could enjoy themselves.

“I always enjoy being outside, and Kitty is very much improving.” Elizabeth looked at her sister, noting her blush.

Still trying to gain the upper hand, Caroline laughed derisively.

“Oh, do not tell me you practice something as archaic as archery. Can you not spend your time on something more refined, such as painting or practicing an instrument?” Caroline stared at Darcy, her face full of contempt, as if to say, ‘Can you believe how provincial these people are?’

Elizabeth often wished that she had Lydia’s skill at lifting one eyebrow at a time.

This would be the perfect moment to display such a skill.

“Well, with five girls and only one piano, we take turns. Mary and Jane will practice today. As for painting, I have found no skill at it. I fully understand your skepticism about archery. My aunt’s cousin suggested I take it up when I was fifteen.

I hesitated myself, but she insisted, and I noticed that as I worked at it, I truly enjoyed myself.

I have passed the skill on to any of my sisters who care to learn.

” Elizabeth held her head high, her smile unwavering as she refused to back down.

She had grown up listening to her father’s cutting remarks.

Caroline Bingley would have to become far more skilled at this if she wanted to ruffle her feathers.

“Well, since you have no chance of being accepted into high society, you may as well take part in a rustic activity; it’s not like you have any prospects.” Caroline’s smirk faded as she saw her brother’s thunderous look. It disappeared altogether when she saw Mr. Darcy’s.

Elizabeth saw the expressions shift around her and intervened.

“It is disappointing to learn of my lack of prospects. I had such hope.” Elizabeth punctuated her point with a dramatic sigh.

“I will just have to become your very closest friend and live vicariously through you. You simply must tell me about all of your prospects. As the daughter of a man of trade, just how many proposals have you received from the men of the Ton? I know this is not the time, but you will have to tell me all about them when we have a moment alone together.” Elizabeth’s eyes crinkled when she brought her napkin up to her lips to hide her smile when she saw the woman’s expression.

Nearby, Darcy burst out in an unfortunate coughing fit.

Jane could not hear what Caroline Bingley said to Lizzie, but she recognized that look on her sister’s face. There was a need for a change of scenery. “Mama, what do you think of Lizzie and I showing our guests around the garden?”

“I think that would be lovely. The rain we have had recently has cleared up and the paths have dried out nicely.” Mrs. Bennet smiled at her peacemaker daughter, who always sought to make everyone around her comfortable.

Darcy jumped at the opportunity to escape Caroline Bingley’s oppressive presence. “Miss Elizabeth, it would be my pleasure to explore the garden with you.”

He extended his arm to the woman he was eager to get to know better. Elizabeth’s eyes drew him in. They were aglow with a captivating spark that had not faded since her verbal sparring match with Caroline.

Nodding her thanks at her mother, Elizabeth stood and moved to take his arm.

The rush of sensation that flooded her when they first touched surprised her.

A shiver ran down her spine when she took his arm, and she bit her lip to mask the feeling as they walked out of the room.

“And it would please me to show it to you. We have put a lot of work into it.” She hoped they would have a moment to talk without the antagonistic presence of Miss Bingley.

Bingley eyed his sister suspiciously. She looked ready to chase poor Darcy down.

“Caroline, you look rather flushed. Stay inside. I would not want you to feel poorly.” Bingley passed his sister with Jane on his arm.

He knew Darcy needed some time away from her and was happy to help.

Following Darcy and Miss Elizabeth out of the house, he wondered at how comfortable they seemed to be together.

“Mr. Darcy, I was happy to see you in the drawing room when I came down. Seeing you converse with my mother was reassuring. I fear I had the thought that you were one for staring gloomily out windows.” Elizabeth peeked over at Darcy and became dismayed to notice his slight blush.

It was not her intention to embarrass him.

“Well, in most cases, you would be correct. However, today several things are different.” Darcy replied, his fingers twined in a lock of his hair.

“How so?” Elizabeth asked. She noticed Darcy was not looking her in the eye and was instead inspecting the garden. She accepted it was easier to talk about hard emotions without gazing at each other and, in addition, it was a wonderful patch of wilderness.

“Well, first off, I tried the tea you gave me. Not only does it have a pleasant taste, but my distress feels as if it has decreased in magnitude. And second, our recent conversation has stirred something in me to look at the world in a more positive light. It did not hurt that your mother is also very good at making me feel at ease.” In a reflexive action, Darcy stretched out his arm to remove the low-hanging branch from Elizabeth’s path.

She smiled up at Mr. Darcy in appreciation.

“I will have to tell Jane that you enjoyed the tea, and it has given you a beneficial outcome. She stumbled across a book of recipes left in the stillroom by my great-grandmother and has been carefully recreating them ever since. Jane makes up teas for the tenants’ various ailments, along with the usual ointments and treatments found in stillrooms. My mother, for example, has a nervous disposition, and the tea she drinks regularly helps to soothe her anxious thoughts.

” Elizabeth felt immense pride for her sister’s tireless work in providing comfort to others.

Darcy glanced back and saw the woman they were discussing, her kind expression radiating as she spoke with Bingley. “It is a very noble undertaking to use her skills to succor those around her.”

Elizabeth reached over to rub her fingers along some sage, enjoying how the scent permeated the area.

“Yes, my sister Jane is a veritable angel. Most only see that she has a classic beauty and an outward appearance of serenity but overlook her inner strength. More than the tea, I am curious about how you saw the world in a more positive light.” She looked up at the tall man beside her.

Darcy hesitated, trying to decide what exactly to tell her.

As he looked into her eyes, he knew she would not use it against him, but was he ready to let her into his past and make himself vulnerable?

Deep down, he wanted to say yes, though he could not understand his own impulse.

“Ever since I was a young child, my parents made me aware that I was a disappointment and that I would never gain genuine approval anywhere.

I had a lifetime of fear and apprehension any time I had to interact with people, but then you and Kiernan came along and gave me a more hopeful outlook.

I'm trying to take a fresh approach and see things in a more positive light.” Darcy looked to the ground, feeling exposed after such a speech.

Elizabeth wished she could not so easily imagine how a small boy would struggle under a parent’s disapproval.

“I am sorry that those closest to you did not seek to aid you as they should have. I know from experience that those who are supposed to shelter you can fail in that regard.” Elizabeth gently squeezed his arm, her touch radiating warmth and comfort.

Darcy rubbed at the warm ache in his chest, and the feeling of his heart swelling from her sympathetic words.

It was too much, too quickly. Eyes moist, he knew he had to change the subject.

“Kiernan told me you and Mary teach the children of the area twice a week. I myself have thought of instituting such an endeavor at Pemberley but have not known where to begin.” Darcy shifted his weight, hoping she would not perceive his change of subject as impolite.