Still, he could not claim to be entirely immune to her loveliness. There were those very fine dark eyes, for example. She could not help but relay what she was feeling through every look. Elizabeth glanced up at him then, meeting his gaze with an unwavering resolve. The corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile at the compliment he had paid her. “I hope you will be pleased,” she replied, lowering her voice as the others moved on to another subject, seeming to forget all about him and Elizabeth.
And that was just as well for Darcy, for he felt that he and Elizabeth were the only two people on earth for a moment. It was difficult to resist the urge to lean forward and touch his lips to hers, shocking as it would have been. He found he could not take his eyes from studying her smile.
“A winter wedding has always been my aim,” Bingley said of a sudden. “To be married while the frost is on the trees, blanketing everything in the purest white — it is the perfect time.” He gave a meaningful glance in Jane Bennet’s direction.
“I quite agree,” Mrs Bennet said. “What say you Mr Darcy? The frost will last for at least a few more weeks.”
Darcy cleared his throat. “I would not wish to share a date before I have discussed it with Elizabeth. I am sure you understand, Mrs Bennet.”
“But of course,” Mrs Bennet replied. She looked at her daughter and raised an eyebrow, no doubt alluding to the importance of haste in choosing the day. “As you have a special license, there is no need to worry about having the banns read. But I am sure you will not keep us in suspense for too long, hmm?” No doubt she thought Darcy might change his mind. But Darcy had no intention of doing any such thing. He would only release Elizabeth from the engagement if she asked it of him.
And even then, I would try to dissuade her.Darcy shook his head at his own foolishness and resolved to stop wool-gathering. With an effort, he turned the conversation to works of literature. When Elizabeth and Miss Mary seconded his attempt, the change of topic was soon established, and the conversation continued pleasantly.
When it was time for the Bennets to depart, he walked Elizabeth out to the carriage, handing her in instead of allowing the coachman to assist her. “It was a wonderful evening, Miss Elizabeth.”
“It was indeed. Thank you for arranging it, Mr Darcy,” she smiled.
He let go of her hand reluctantly, standing back to watch the rest of them climb into the crowded carriage and drive away. He flexed his hand, relishing the feel of the tingles running up and down his arm. That simple touch of their hands made him long for so much more.
He could only wonder if she was still averse to the idea of becoming his wife. When the incident had first occurred, there could have been no mistaking her disappointment — even horror — at becoming Mrs Darcy. But tonight — tonight, Elizabeth had seemed quite different. Was he a fool to hope that she might be softening to the idea? Toward him? No matter how they had begun this adventure, they had come to understand each other very well. If his feelings had transformed from fascination to love, might not hers have changed from dislike to esteem?
Chapter 19
“Well, you seem to be in a happy daze, Lizzy. What has put you in such a frame of mind?” Jane asked as she stood up from the breakfast table and came around the other side to join her. The rest of the family had gone their separate ways to prepare for the various tasks and appointments they had for the day. Elizabeth’s cheeks filled with heat at being found out. Of course, Jane knew her better than anyone else in the world. She should have known her sister would confront her about her happy mood sooner or later. Indeed, even a loud bout of squabbling between Lydia and Kitty at breakfast had not been able to remove the smile from her face.
Yet Elizabeth was loath to explain her happiness, even to herself. “Whatever do you mean?” Elizabeth asked, linking arms with her sister as they headed out of the dining room.
“You know very well. Do you realise you have not stopped smiling since you came into breakfast? I cannot help but wonder what could account for such behaviour.” Jane gave her a sly smile, or at least, as sly as one so good could offer. “What is it?”
Elizabeth was unsure how to answer. She tried to keep a straight face. “Have I been smiling the whole time? I did not think so.” She could not conceal her joy, however. She laughed, and Jane soon joined her as they started up the stairs toward their room.
“Then stop smiling,” Jane challenged her.
Elizabeth halted on the stairs, facing her sister. She tried, but she could not manage it. “I cannot!” she said gleefully. “I do not know what has come over me. Perhaps it is the sunshine.”
Jane raised a brow and glanced out the small window cut into the stairwell. “It is as grey as charcoal out there.”
“Well, the sun was shining earlier,” Elizabeth argued.
Jane was silent for a moment while they climbed the stairs. Once they were in their room and the door was closed, she pinned Elizabeth with a mock-serious stare. “Come now, tell me everything. Ever since the little party at Netherfield, you have been happier than usual.” She settled down on the edge of the bed to listen while Elizabeth paced in front of her.
She raised her hands and gave another quick laugh. “I do not know. You are right in that there is nothing special to account for it. I am simply happy.” She turned and retrieved a cloak. The butterflies swirling in her stomach gave her little desire to sit about the house doing needlework all day. “Let us go into Meryton.”
“Meryton? But it will rain!” Jane protested.
Elizabeth went to the window seat and leaned on the well-used cushion to look up at the sky. “It will not last long, even if it does rain. Come along, we could both use some fresh air and a brisk walk.”
Jane sighed. “Very well,” she replied. “I believe Mama had a message for the butcher, in any case. I shall deliver it while we are there.” She retrieved her cloak and bonnet, and they were soon out the door, walking toward town.
They walked in companionable silence for most of the way, giving Elizabeth time to think about why she was in such good spirits. She supposed that the dinner party had gone so much more smoothly than she had expected. She had feared her family might subject them to another bout of impropriety, and so she had given Lydia and Kitty their warning. The results had been beyond her expectations. Kitty and Lydia were behaving themselves so much better that even her father had commented on it. The day after the party, Elizabeth had hinted to her father that a little guidance was needed to bring the girls to heel. She did not want to see their spirits broken, only guided toward a more positive outcome. And as their behaviour at Netherfield showed their potential for improvement, so the squabble this morning showed the need of it.
Better still, Mr Darcy had been so attentive to Mary and the rest of her family. There was so much more to him than she would have thought even a month ago. She smiled to herself and linked arms with Jane as they walked the last hundred yards into town. “I am glad that Mr Darcy arranged for the dinner party. I suppose I am so happy because it went so well. Do you not think it went well?”
“I do. It was lovely to spend some time with the Bingleys and Mr Darcy, away from the crowds. I hope we shall have the occasion to meet again.” Jane sighed contentedly and looked up at the sky. The wind had picked up, but instead of bringing the rain, had pushed the gloomy clouds away towards the horizon.
“You do like Mr Bingley a good deal, do you not?” Elizabeth asked.
Jane started, then looked away as if she had been caught — like a child who had snuck into the larder. Her mouth twisted this way and that as she tried to work out what to say. “I think he is an upstanding gentleman, yes. He is well-mannered and sensible —”
