Darcy Came to Dinner Chapter 14MONDAY MORNING DAWNED BRIGHT and cold, not surprising for late November. It was too chilly for Elizabeth to walk out before breakfast, so she postponed her ramble. At the table, she learned that more than her own plans for the morning had changed. Kitty was pouting that Mrs. Annesley had cancelled drawing in the rose garden for fear of freezing their subject, Mr. Darcy. As Jane and Georgiana entered the room, Elizabeth realized not all outside activities had been abandoned.“What a lovely riding habit, Miss Darcy,” gushed Mrs. Bennet. “And Jane, you look very smart, indeed! Are you to ride this morning?”Miss Darcy, well-bred, polite, and still a little reserved, did not laugh at the older woman’s folly. Instead she said kindly, “I received a note from Colonel Fitzwilliam last evening. My cousin returned from Town yesterday and has brought my horse. He and Mr. Bingley will call this morning, and we are to have a ride. Jane — that is, Miss Bennet, was invited as well.”“Oh!”Elizabeth turned at Lydia’s disappointed cry.
