Ashley's suggestion was like a lifeboat, and Lizzie was grateful to her. It would buy her some time to clear her head, write to Jane, shake away any lingering silliness she felt over it. She knew that she had no reason to be upset, but the heart was a foolish thing.
"Oh, yes. I would not want to alter any plans my aunt and uncle had for the evening," she said, because that sounded like a perfectly reasonable thing to say, and it wouldn't seem like a personal slight against Mr Darcy or his fiancee.
"Of course, we would not wish you to. Where are you staying?" he asked. If he knew, then he could write her uncle a proper invitation later in the week, save her any social embarrassment there.
"At the inn in Lambton," she responded, understanding the reasoning, and appreciating it. Her uncle would be pleased at the formality of it.
"Of course. How long are you staying in this part of the country?" he asked, in case he would miss them.
"Some two or three weeks yet, I should think." It was getting lighter, easier, the more they went on.