“Do you suppose we should prevent her?”
“No need,” said Mr. Bingley. “Darcy will not listen to her, and your sister is more likely to flay her with words than accept her unkindness.”
Jane nodded and put Miss Bingley from her mind. But she remained watchful, wondering how Lizzy would handle her. IfJane knew her sister at all, she suspected Miss Bingley would not relish the experience.
“DO YOU SEE, MR. DARCY? This is what happens when you pay undue attention to those who are unworthy of it.”
Elizabeth had been enjoying a pleasant conversation with Mr. Darcy when Miss Bingley inserted herself like a thunderstorm with an attitude. Though she had not been ignorant of the woman’s activities, she had paid more attention to Mr. Darcy, knowing that a confrontation with Miss Bingley was nigh inevitable. She had not expected it to appear so suddenly, but Elizabeth was not taken aback. For the moment, the first right of response was Mr. Darcy’s, so she allowed him to take the lead.
“Yes, Miss Bingley, I suppose you are correct.” His eyes fell on Miss Bingley, leaving her in no doubt of whom he was speaking. “Those who display misplaced pride and a haughtiness far beyond their actual standing are the most contemptible of all, would you not agree?”
Miss Bingley glared at Elizabeth as if it were her fault. “And you, Miss Eliza? Do you stand there and smirk before your betters, enjoying the sight of your sister imposing upon my brother?”
“If there has been any imposition, Miss Bingley,” replied Elizabeth coolly, “it has been on your brother’s side. Jane has never attempted to capture his attention—she had it without artifice.”
“You claim sophistication and intelligence when I know you are nothing but a pretender.”
“And I understand your character is as vicious as your behavior is lacking.”
Miss Bingley’s eyes blazed, but she instead turned to Mr. Darcy. “I shall not endure the mewling of a witless woman. Come, Mr. Darcy. We shall speak together until we escape the pollution of this place.”
“I am comfortable where I am, Miss Bingley,” replied Mr. Darcy, his dislike plain to see. “You may keep yourself aloof if you wish, but I am not so fastidious as to push good people aside for your vanity.”
When it appeared as if Miss Bingley would make a greater fuss, Mr. Darcy stepped closer. “Your best option is to retreat. Do not make me call you out in front of everyone.”
“Do you suppose I care for these people’s opinions?”
“Not at all. But if you persist, Bingley is even now considering removing you from the room. I would not test him if I were you.”
Though Elizabeth thought she might persist, she proved she was not as confident as she portrayed, instead turning and stalking away. Miss Bingley took a position away from everyone else, glaring at them all and counting the minutes until she could leave. Elizabeth shook her head at the woman’s determination, which was quite misjudged in this instance.
“What a woman she is, Mr. Darcy. I have never seen one as blind as she, and willfully so.”
Elizabeth had not intended it, but it seemed Mr. Darcy had heard something in her comment, considering his response.
“Pardon me for bringing up objectionable subjects, Miss Elizabeth, but might I suppose you once considered me in the same light?”
Surprised though she was by his comment, Elizabeth did not retreat. “When you came to Meryton in the autumn, I will confess that I did, Mr. Darcy.”
The gentleman nodded, having expected her response. “I suppose I have my own behavior to blame for your opinion.”
“You were not in the best humor,” said Elizabeth, trying to be diplomatic.
Mr. Darcy offered her a soft smile. “As my cousin Fitzwilliam would say, I was cranky as a bear newly awake in the spring.”
“Perhaps you were, but you are different now.”
“It is possible that I have discovered a woman worthy of being pleased.”
For the first time in Mr. Darcy’s presence, Elizabeth’s heart fluttered a little at his words. To cover her sudden breathlessness, she turned to teasing.
“You have? But I thought I was not handsome enough, Mr. Darcy.”
The gentleman’s gaze never wavered from her. “More than handsome enough, Miss Elizabeth. The man who said those words was out of his wits—either that or completely blind.”
“This is all so new,” said Elizabeth, not knowing what else to say.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Mr. Darcy fell silent, regarding her. “Miss Elizabeth, I shall not dissemble. When I came to Meryton, I did so expecting to find nothing that pleased me, carrying an exaggerated opinion of myself. What I found here, however, was a rare woman, the sort of woman I can imagine knowing for a lifetime. I am not perfect, but I am a man you have captured without effort. It is much too soon, but if you are willing, I should very much like to discover what we can be to each other.”
