Mr. Bennet shook his head. “This business of associating with the highest members of society is vexing, sir. I must wonder if it is at all worth it.”
Mr. Darcy appeared worried, though Colonel Fitzwilliam only grinned. “Perhaps it is not. However, I hope you will surrender to your daughter’s wishes on the subject, Mr. Bennet.”
“Oh, of course, we welcome you, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, put out with her husband’s apparent betrayal. “Jane welcomes you—that is all that matters.”
“I do,” said Jane.
“Then I suppose I have no choice but to endure it.” Mr. Bennet turned to Mr. Darcy, the light of mischief in his eyes. “And what of you, sir? Did your confession to your aunt spring from more than a desire to avoid some hypothetical future argument?”
“The future argument wasnotconjecture so much as a certainty. Yet you are not incorrect—I judge it early for the sort of discussion you are implying, but I am not disinterested.”
“That is curious, sir,” said Mr. Bennet, his lips now twitching in amusement, “for as I understood it, you did not... admire so much then as you do now. How can you account for it?”
While Mrs. Bennet looked on with understanding approaching terror, the rest of the company showed varying degrees of amusement, curiosity, or anticipation. Elizabeth was no less interested to hear his response than her family, and Mr. Darcy did not hesitate to explain himself.
“There were several reasons for my behavior in the autumn, but the night in question arose from annoyance with Bingley and a failure to apprehend the worth of what he was proposing. Even before the end of the evening, I understood my colossal error in judgment.”
“Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed Lydia, never one to remain silent for long, “do you now suggest that youadmireLizzy after declaring she was not handsome enough to tempt you?”
“Lydia!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “It is not proper to ask such things!”
“Lizzy is correct, Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet. “We have pushed propriety enough. Now I suspect it is best to allow Mr. Darcy’s actions to speak for him.”
Though the girl sulked, she did not gainsay her father. Elizabeth noticed that her focus appeared fixed on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but so long as she remained silent, Elizabeth was content.
As Colonel Fitzwilliam settled in to speak with Jane, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet offered the invitation for dinner that her husband had suggested, and Colonel Fitzwilliam accepted it on his cousin’s behalf. Then she departed to speak to Mrs. Hill, and Elizabeth turned her attention to Mr. Darcy.
“That was most curious, Mr. Darcy,” said she before the gentleman could say anything. “I had not thought you would be so open.”
Mr. Darcy shrugged. “Other than perhaps your youngest sisters, I judged the truth was not unknown to your family.”
“No, I suppose it was not,” said Elizabeth, regarding those sisters as they leaned their heads together in quiet consultation. “The question is, Mr. Darcy, how open you wish to be. It will not take much for it to come to the attention of Meryton’s gossips.”
A snort interrupted their conversation—Elizabeth turned to Mary, who was sitting nearby, and her sister did not hesitate to speak.
“Lizzy, you know our mother better than this. Now that she has a suspicion, she will spread it around the community without delay.”
At Mr. Darcy’s pained expression and knowing the gentleman’s wish for privacy, Elizabeth hastened to speak. “I shall attempt to advise my mother to keep the matter in confidence for the moment, Mr. Darcy.”
Mary appeared dubious, and Elizabeth knew she was correct. A cleared throat interrupted them, and Elizabeth turned again to see her father regarding them. When he gave a slow nod, Elizabeth knew he would take a hand in curbing his wife’s enthusiasm. Elizabeth smiled her thanks, but she noted Mr. Darcy’s returning gesture, indicatinghisappreciation.
“Then there are a few matters we should discuss.”
Drawn back to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth nodded, though wondering what he meant. “The first is that Fitzwilliam and I have resolved to search for another estate to lease in the district. We cannot impose on my friend’s hospitality forever.”
Elizabeth understood the unspoken meaning in his declaration. Mr. Bennet, again having overheard, said: “Then perhaps you should tellyour man of business to investigate Pulvis Lodge. It is not so grand as Netherfield, but it will provide shelter, which is all you require.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy with a nod. “I shall see to it at once.”
When Mr. Bennet said nothing, Mr. Darcy returned his attention to Elizabeth. He must have seen something in her demeanor; he regarded her for a few moments before speaking.
“You suspect something more in our intentions than a wish to avoid imposing.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Can I suppose you are concerned about Mr. Bingley’s response to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s recent interest in my sister?”
“That is part of it,” confirmed Mr. Darcy. “We do not wish to stay at Netherfield too long—that much is the truth. Yet I cannot predict what Bingley will do.”
The conversation hummed around them, but Elizabeth heard nothing of it, focused as she was on Mr. Darcy. “Do you suppose your friendship will survive?”
