“Yes, it is!”She laughed.“I am generally desired for my conversation, not the serenity of my presence.That is Jane’s purview.”
“I would not call it serene exactly.”He had a teasing look on his face that she wished to know the root of.
“What would you call it?”
“I cannot know what you were feeling—likely annoyance at my lack of conversation—but I was joyful.”
“Joyful?”
“Yes.And anxious upon occasion.Being with you makes me very happy, Elizabeth.And very nervous.”His cheeks flushed slightly at this confession.“Surely you realize that?”
She looked down at his familiarity, the look in his eyes too much for her at the moment.But she was not a coldhearted woman.She could not hear such things and not be moved at least a little, so she brought her free hand up to his arm, squeezed it, then interlaced her fingers so she was holding his arm with both hands.He seemed inordinately pleased by this, and she felt guilty that his feelings should be so much stronger than her own.
But no matter.She had agreed to get to know him better, and she was well on her way.If stronger feelings wished to develop, she would give them leave to do so.
A Dull Sunday & an Exciting Monday
Sundaytheyattendedchurchseparately.The only contact between them was a quick greeting outside the church, then they were whisked away to their respective relations’ homes.Darcy spent the afternoon avoiding his aunt and thinking of Elizabeth.The lady herself was not so lucky as to be left alone.After a satisfying meal, Charlotte took Elizabeth to the garden and insisted on knowing all.
“Eliza, you must tell me what has happened!It is clear there is something between you and Mr.Darcy!”
“Is it?”
Charlotte gave her a look.“Do not be coy with me, Eliza Bennet.I have known you too long to be put off by such maneuvers.”
Elizabeth chuckled.“Very well.Mr.Darcy has asked to court me.”
“To court you?”
“Yes.”
“And you have agreed.”
“Yes.”
Charlotte looked both befuddled and vindicated, a combination that amused Elizabeth greatly.
“Are you terribly pleased to be proved correct in your belief of the gentleman’s intentions?”
Charlotte smiled a little smugly and lifted her chin.“I am not displeased.”
Elizabeth laughed.“A great understatement, I believe.”
Charlotte took her hand eagerly.“You must tell me all, Eliza!What did he say?How did you respond?I confess I feared you might let your impulsiveness get the better of you and refuse him.”
Elizabeth flushed a little and looked down.“You know me too well, I think.Had he asked me before my conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, I believe I would have refused him.”
“So did your dislike rest so strongly on Mr.Wickham’s report?Or is knowing he is in your power an attractive enough inducement?”
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably.“It was many things, truly.Yes, I had thought him a villain by Mr.Wickham’s information, which led me to realize my own vanity and folly.That in turn made me realize how much my dislike of Mr.Darcy was founded on his having insulted me at the assembly.”She sighed.“Coming face to face with one’s greatest shortcomings is not an enjoyable pastime.It is humbling.”
Charlotte squeezed her hand, remembering her friend’s very great distress the day of her discovery.“So you came to see him a different light, then?”
“Not immediately, but I am beginning to.At first, I thought I would merely thank him for his kindness to me that evening and be on my way.But he does seem to have sincere feelings for me, though I find them difficult to credit.”
“Why should you?Is it yourself you believe undesirable?Or is it the gentleman’s feelings that are lacking?”
“Both, I think.”She spoke quietly, her eyes on the flowers growing next to the bench.“You know what my opinion of Mr.Darcy was.I did not think him capable of love.Affection perhaps, if the lady were of the right circles and suitably wealthy, but passionate, consuming love?I thought not.”She flushed a little.“I am learning I am mistaken in that regard.”
