“Not many, no. We are due at a neighbor’s for tea and cards this evening, and there is an assembly Thursday. I am sure you will not be expected to attend. Where are you staying?”

“At the Dorcester.”

“I’ve heard it’s beautiful inside.”

“Yes, it is.” He paused and looked down at her. “I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

She took it awkwardly and thanked him.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” he asked.

She smiled uneasily and pulled the top off the small box. Inside were two shining blue hair combs. They were very pretty and not gaudy, thankfully, but neither were they a style she favored.

“Thank you, it’s very kind of you. It really isn’t necessary to buy me gifts.”

“I enjoy giving them to you.” He waited for her to extol the virtues of the gift and by extension, himself, but the words never came. She slid the small box into the pocket of her dress and continued walking as if nothing had just occurred between them.

Darcy was confused.

“I made the mistake of bringing bread for the birds once,” she said. “I was completely surrounded. I had to hurry back to the house.” She laughed as she told the story and he smiled tightly.

Is she really not going to say anything at all?

They continued on in silence, him deciding not to think about the gift anymore and her looking towards the water with a distant look on her face. After a lengthy silence, Darcy spoke.

“Would your mother allow you to stay behind this evening? I assume your younger sisters will remain?”

“I do not know. Kitty was going to accompany us this evening to visit with the daughter of the house. Lydia is not much of a chaperone,” she said awkwardly.

“Your father will not mind. I shall speak to him when we return,” he said decidedly.

She was shocked by his presumption, but quickly dismissed the feeling. Why should she be shocked? Had he not always done what pleased him exactly when it pleased him and expected everyone to go along with his plan? Even his own cousin had been at Mr. Darcy’s mercy. If a colonel in His Majesty’s army and the son of an earl was no proof against his high-handedness, what chance had she? She, merely a Miss Bennet of Longbourn, a small estate in the country. How could she expect him to consider her in his plans? How could she expect him to allow her to make decisions as simple as whether she would stay home or go out?

She took a deep breath and said, “I do not know if my mother can spare me this evening, though I’m sure you would be welcome to join us if you’d like.” Though they are likely too low for you to suffer their company.