“Good day, Mr. Darcy.”

“Good day, Miss Bennet.” He bowed over her hand and left, his countenance still looking happier than she had ever seen it before. How odd.

Monday he walked her home while she discussed the weather and a little of the book she was translating. Tuesday he was absent.

Wednesday, he was there again. She did not stop to greet him but merely nodded in his direction and carried on, knowing he would step beside her.

“Are you always so diligent in your music practice, Miss Bennet?” he asked.

“No, quite the opposite, actually. I promised my father that I would practice when I could on this trip. When Lady Catherine offered the opportunity, I couldn’t say no.”

He nodded. “Are you also practicing your drawing and French while you are here?”

“Yes, to an extent. I draw most days on my own, and I have a French book my tutor sent with me to translate.”

“I speak French. I would be happy to assist you if you’d like,” he offered.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, that is very kind of you, but I’m satisfied with my progress at present.” He nodded and they walked on silently a few minutes more. She felt relieved he had accepted her refusal so graciously. She was half afraid he would be like Lady Catherine and insist she practice French daily in the butler’s office. She could not fathom spending an hour alone with Mr. Darcy, studying or not.

“What has brought about the change in your family?”

“Excuse me?”

“Pardon me. You said your father has changed his parenting habits and that things were now being done differently. I merely wondered what the cause was.”

“In truth, I do not know.” She hesitated, not sure what to say and uncertain if she should confide in Mr. Darcy, but knowing she desperately needed to talk to someone. “Mr. Darcy, might I ask you something? I mean, your opinion on something?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I will have to ask you to keep this in strict confidence, for it is only my own conjecture and I have no facts to corroborate my thoughts.”

“You have my word, Miss Bennet.”

She nodded. “You see, my father has never taken much interest in his children before now. He has always been kind to me and those of us that wanted to learn never lacked for instruction, but one could certainly be indolent if one wished.” Darcy nodded again, saying nothing. “But last winter, just before Christmas, everything changed.

“Suddenly there were masters in the house and he was assigning books to read and actually discussing them. He insisted we help my mother with the household accounts, though only Jane and I had done so previously, and he took a house by the seaside for the summer, when he never travels. My sisters Catherine and Lydia are no longer out, and he even moved Lydia back to the nursery!”