“Lizzy,” said Jane that evening when they were back at home, readying themselves to retire. “It seems your opinion of Mr. Darcy has undergone a rather dramatic reversal.”
Elizabeth, who had been sitting at her vanity, lost in thought, smiled at Jane in the mirror, though the gesture was tinged with the rueful knowledge that in the matter of Mr. Darcy, she had been mistaken. “Yes, I must suppose it has.”
When Jane sat down on the edge of Elizabeth’s bed, she knew this was not a brief discussion of the sort they usually indulged in. “You could not have known.”
Surprised at the comment, Elizabeth turned to face her sister. “You speak of Mr. Darcy’s behavior when he came to Hertfordshire in October.”
Jane offered her usual gentle smile. “Even I—the one you always tease about seeing only the good in people—noticed Mr. Darcy’s behavior, though I never thought as ill of him as you did.”
“And now?” asked Elizabeth, curious.
“I told Mr. Bingley that I do not hold Mr. Darcy’s actions against him. So far as I can tell, he was acting from a sincere concern for his friend.” Jane fixed Elizabeth with a teasing smile. “More than that, I cannot hold a grudge against the man who may become my dearest sister’s husband.”
“Oh, Jane,” said Elizabeth. “It seems your fancies are taking hold of you.”
“Do you deny Mr. Darcy’s interest?”
Elizabeth paused for a moment, and that moment told her sister everything. “No, I do not deny it. But it is still far too early to be making comments about my future wedding.”
While Jane smiled, she did not falter. “The question then becomes your feelings on the subject—Mr. Darcy’s appear obvious.”
Wilting a little at her sister’s comment, Elizabeth looked down at the floor. “If you are asking what I feel about Mr. Darcy’s intentions, the answer is that I do not know myself. There is still a significant distance between us.”
“That distance is lessening, Lizzy,” said Jane. “I have never seen you so open with a gentleman.” Jane smirked. “And it is not as if he is ill-favored.”
“Not ill-favored at all,” came Lydia’s voice as she entered the room, Kitty following behind. “Why, Mr. Darcy is almost as handsome as Mr. Wickham. All he needs is a little more liveliness and a red coat, and I dare say he would be perfect.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed at her youngest sister as Lydia flopped on the bed, Kitty settling beside her. Mary entered at that moment, appearing interested in their conversation, though Elizabeth had never seen Mary interested inanydiscussion of a man. Curious, Elizabeth regarded her sisters, all of whom had taken up residence on her bed and showed no inclination to move away soon.
“What doyouknow about Mr. Darcy?” demanded Elizabeth.
It was Kitty who responded. “He was very kind tonight, Elizabeth. I found him to be an excellent dancer.”
“Mr. Darcywasquite altered tonight,” said Mary. “He asked me about the pianoforte and the books I have read of late.”
“He is also wealthy,” said Lydia, throwing Elizabeth a mischievous grin. “Mama noticed, you know. I dare say she has quite forgotten about her anger over Mr. Collins’s failed proposal.”
Elizabeth groaned and put her head in her hands. “Just what I need—for Mama to involve herself and put Mr. Darcy to flight.”
“Then you confess you find him agreeable now?” teased Jane.
“I confess nothing, Jane,” replied Elizabeth, looking up with a mock glare at her sister. “Let us simply say that I am more open to the possibility than I was before.”
Jane nodded, pleased she had provoked the confession, while the rest of her sisters watched her with varying degrees of amusement, interest, or calculation. Elizabeth rose from her chair and gave them all a pointed look.
“I believe it is time to retire.”
“Oh, let us stay up and talk,” said Lydia. “Like we used to do when we were children.”
“When we were children, we were all much smaller,” Elizabeth pointed out.
“It will be fun, Lizzy,” said Kitty, taking her hand and drawing her onto the bed.
They stayed awake for some time after, speaking of various subjects and teasing Elizabeth or Jane about their conquests. It was a tight fit, as Elizabeth did not have a large bed, but eventually they all fell asleep there, sprawled across the surface and one another in undignified poses, covered with blankets and huddled for warmth. As Elizabeth dropped off to sleep, she reflected that she had not felt so close to her sisters in many years.
THE NEXT MORNING, MR. Darcy and Georgiana arrived at Longbourn at an hour that was almost too early for visiting. The first notion anyone in the house had of the visitors was the sound of carriage wheels in the drive. As was their custom, Kitty, who was nearest the window, pulled the shades aside, peering out at the dingy winter day.
“It is Georgiana and Mr. Darcy,” said she.
