Miss Elizabeth regarded him, and for several moments, Darcy wondered if she was about to accuse him. Then she sighed and shook her head.
“No, Mr. Darcy, I do not blame you. It is a man’s responsibility to declare his interest in a woman—if Mr. Bingley felt enough for my sister to wish for a closer connection, it was his responsibility to listen to your counsel and discover the truth for himself.”
“That is true,” said Darcy. “If I were enamored of a woman, no one would move me from my purpose.”
Miss Elizabeth nodded, but she did not belabor the point. They continued to talk for a time until the chill in the air drove them back indoors. When they rejoined the rest of the company in the sitting-room, Mrs. Bennet invited them to stay for dinner, and Fitzwilliam did not hesitate to accept. For Darcy’s part, he did not object, by now more comfortable here, despite Mrs. Bennet’s ways, the youngest girls’ silliness, and his previous eagerness to avoid the place. Darcy even found it easier to speak with the mistress, though he still felt a little of her company went a long way.
When the housekeeper entered with the call to dinner, Darcy rose with the rest of the family. Fitzwilliam, due to his position as the son of an earl, rose to escort Mrs. Bennet into the dining-room, though he also took Miss Bennet’s hand, ensuring she would be next to him for dinner, not an uncommon occurrence. Of more significance to Darcy, when he rose, he saw Miss Elizabeth glance at him and saw theobvious invitation in the glance.
Without hesitation, Darcy approached her and offered his arm.
“Shall I escort you to dinner, Miss Elizabeth?”
The woman rested a light hand on his arm with a bright smile. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I should like that.”
Those words hit Darcy more than anything else she had ever said to him. It was the first time he knew of her welcome without error. The conviction grew in his breast that this was right, that Miss Elizabeth was his future. Warmth building, Darcy guided her into the dining-room, assuring her comfort before taking his seat by her side. Darcy had no attention to spare for anyone else for the rest of the night.
Chapter IX
Breakfast the following morning was when Darcy confronted the thoughts that had plagued him since the previous day.
“What is troubling you, Darcy?” said Fitzwilliam, ever perceptive. “And before you ask, I am well enough acquainted with you to understand when something is weighing on your mind.”
Darcy sighed and pushed the food around his plate, feeling little appetite. His concerns were not ones he wanted to share with his cousin, but he knew Fitzwilliam would not allow him to demur now that he had noticed. As the matter concerned him, Darcy knew he should speak up at once—yet he could not until he understood the situation better.
“Tell me, Fitzwilliam,” said Darcy, choosing his words with care, “are you set on Miss Bennet as a bride?”
Fitzwilliam’s expression was far too knowing for Darcy’s taste. “Far more certain than I was a few weeks ago, but I have not yet resolved to have her.”
“Perhaps not, but I know you well enough to understand that you would not pay her this much attention if you were not considering an offer.”
“Then I wonder why you are asking at all, Darcy,” repliedFitzwilliam. “If you understand that much, then you already know the answer. So I shall ask again—what is troubling you?”
“A conversation I had with Miss Elizabeth yesterday,” said Darcy, capitulating.
“Oh? I would not have thought she would discompose you so thoroughly—or more than she already does without trying.”
“It is about Jane Bennet and Bingley.”
Fitzwilliam offered a slow nod—Darcy suspected he had confirmed his cousin’s suspicions. As Fitzwilliam was not bereft of the ability to read between the lines, Darcy was not surprised.
“Tell me, Darcy, what particularly troubles you?”
“That my friendship with him may dissolve.”
For a long moment, Fitzwilliam considered this. “Do you suppose Bingley will accuse me of betrayal, of using his hospitality to pursue a woman he rejected?
“Before you protest, Darcy,” interrupted Fitzwilliam, “what Bingley did waspreciselythat. Perhaps he did not speak the words, but his silence and his failure to returnwasa rejection. There is no other way to look at it, regardless of what held him back.”
Darcy sighed. “I shall not argue with you, Fitzwilliam. In answer to your question, I cannot say that I know what Bingley will do. While he appeared smitten with Miss Bennet when he was in Hertfordshire, he did not mention her name in London, except when his sisters pointed out the deficiencies in her situation.”
“And what has brought on these ruminations? I might have thought you recognized this possibility when you learned of my interest.”
Pushing his plate away, Darcy turned and stared out the window in moody silence. “At first, I was too shocked to consider it; then I was distracted by Miss Elizabeth. It was only when she spoke of it yesterday that the implications became clear to me.”
Fitzwilliam snorted. “If you will forgive me, Darcy, your affection for Miss Elizabeth has clouded your senses. Usually, you are quick to consider all possible angles.”
“I suppose I cannot argue with that,” muttered Darcy.
