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Miss Bingley took a step closer to Elizabeth, looking as though she might weep.

It was evident that she had indeed been suffering considerable discomfort.

Mr. Darcy stared at her inscrutably; Elizabeth could not account for his silent lingering, when surely he must be eager to make his way to the stables and get on his high horse.

Unable to resist herself, Elizabeth turned to him and said, “We did not see you there, either, sir; perhaps you are similarly afflicted. It may be that the air in Hertfordshire does not agree with you, and you would fare better in London.”

“On the contrary,” he said - of course he would disagree with her. “I believe country air is often said to be superior to London’s unhealthy vapors.”

Elizabeth bit back a retort on the banality of his observation, for she could see by the furrowing of his brow that he already felt it keenly. She simply smiled brightly at his discomfort.

“Certain Pemberley must be the most….” Miss Bingley brought a hand to her temple and sighed. “Perhaps some of these herbs in a cup of tea would be just the thing. Thank you, Miss Bennet.”

Mrs. Nicolls declared she would have some hot water sent up directly and hurried away.

Wishing also to be on her way, Elizabeth was on the verge of bidding them good morning when Mr. Darcy spoke again.

“You and your sister are to be commended for your resourcefulness - and your generosity. I presume it is your elder sister with whom you share your interest in flora?”

Elizabeth merely inclined her head. His insult at the assembly had amused her with its insolence; his compliment disconcerted her, and she wished he would simply cease to notice her.

“I hope you will convey my thanks to your sister - with any luck, the herbs will work their magic, and I might soon convey my gratitude in person.” Miss Bingley smiled and raised the bundle of herbs to her nose, sniffing them curiously.

“How quaint I imagine it must be, to share such a bucolic interest with a beloved sister - I would not know - that is, Louisa and I have been too often in town for such a charming pastime.”

“It is never too late to improve one’s mind,” Elizabeth said wryly, producing a small book from her pocket.

“I brought you this, as well. It is a beginner’s primer on herbal remedies.

You need not take my word on the efficacy of lavender , chamomile, valerian root, and peppermint.

I have been known to sometimes be too stubborn to heed the word of others, preferring to learn for myself - such discovery is often more satisfying. ”

She grinned at Miss Bingley, who glanced at Mr. Darcy, then turned pink and began to cough. “Forgive me, I - perhaps I shall save this edifying read until after the headache passes. Would you care to join me for tea, Miss Bennet?”

Elizabeth briefly imagined how such a stilted encounter might progress, but despite the promise of awkward absurdity, she demurred.

Miss Bingley gave a convincing appearance of disappointment, while Mr. Darcy continued to stare at her with inexplicable intensity.

Elizabeth declared she would continue her walk.

“Surely you are not serious - I thought you were in jest - you really walked all this way? No, you must let me send for the carriage,” Miss Bingley said, clutching the herbs and booklet to her chest in dismay.

“I am perfectly earnest in wishing to resume my morning exercise,” Elizabeth insisted.

Mr. Darcy scowled at her. “Do you ride, Miss Bennet? I could have another horse saddled, and see you safely home.”

“I do ride sometimes, but I am much fonder of walking. Having done so in this area all my life, I am certain of the safety hereabouts.” Elizabeth finally managed to take her leave, and she departed Netherfield vastly diverted by the strange interaction with her imperious new neighbors.

She later recounted the particulars to Jane, who was glad that Miss Bingley was well enough to come downstairs, and pleased at their offering being well-received. She saw none of the strangeness that Elizabeth had attempted to describe.

“Surely you found them as you expected, dear Lizzy. Neither made a favorable impression on you at the assembly - indeed Mr. Darcy was very wrong to speak of you as he did. Miss Bingley might be excused for her want of cordiality that evening, as she was so soon afterward taken ill - she must have already been feeling out of sorts. But there was nothing uncivil in the meeting you describe this morning.”

“Not uncivil, perhaps, though neither would I say that I am on friendly terms with either Mr. Darcy or Miss Bingley. She may have the excuse of illness - I have quite made up my mind about what afflicts Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth screwed up her face and laughed.

“I cannot expect you to forgive him so quickly, but you must own that it was kind of him to offer to escort you back to Longbourn,” Jane said.

“I wonder that he should fear that I would be set upon by brigands - surely I am not handsome enough to tempt them , either - the many villains that lurk about the rolling meadows of Meryton!”

Jane giggled and shook her head. “Dear Lizzy! Perhaps they were eager for you to depart, so that they might make sport of your oddities, just as you do of them.”

Elizabeth’s mouth fell open and she gaped at her sister’s playful banter before sputtering with astonished laughter.

“That must be the explanation! As soon as I departed, Miss Bingley must have observed that my hem was six inches deep in mud before fainting into Mr. Darcy’s arms, and all the while he simply stared at her like so.

” She mimicked the grimace he seemed always to wear.

“It is a pity you did not see Mr. Bingley,” Jane said with a sigh. “Surely his amiable manners would have improved the encounter.”

“And that must be what we are to expect while they are amongst us - surely their manners will not seem to be wanting when tempered by his irrepressible affability.”

Jane blushed as a smile spread across her face. “I think he is just what a gentleman ought to be - sensible, good-humored, lively….”

“And handsome, too, which a young man ought to be, if he possibly can.” Elizabeth grinned and waggled her eyebrows at her sister, determined not to think of how impressive Mr. Darcy had looked in his riding clothes.