“Ladies!” called Mr Shelley, shaking his head as he gave us a bow, so that his flowing locks caught the sunlight that lanced between the tree limbs. “We were just now speaking of how it was time to put aside childish things, and turn to lovely ladies, la, and love.”
“Ah, Mr Shelley,” cooed Lady Croom, “very poetic!” She took his hand. “Mrs Darcy, Elizabeth, would you mind if Mr Shelley and I were to take a stroll through these lovely woods and take in the sunset?”
With as careless an air as I could affect, I bowed my head and said, “Of course, Elizabeth. The skies seem to have cleared. It should be a lovely evening for a walk. After, if you should care to dine with us, we would be delighted for you to join us.”
As she and Mr Shelley skipped off into the woods, Mr Hodge fixed me with an
