Elizabeth choked on the wine she had just drunk.She coughed and spluttered as she felt her face grow red, and she could feel several pairs of eyes on her.
Sir Daniel reached out and smacked her back, a little harder than necessary, and said to the table, “Nothing to worry about.She is perfectly well.”
Elizabeth glared at him, then took a shaky breath and dabbed her mouth with a napkin as the other guests returned to their conversations.She did not look at Mr.Darcy.She could not stand to see his disappointment, or worse, that he was not even looking her way.
“All better?”
She looked wryly at the judge.“Well enough, Sir.”
“Good.”He looked at her with narrowed eyes, and she wondered if he was trying to read her mind.
“What interests you so, Sir Daniel?”
“I have known my nephew his entire life.I have never seen him enamored of a woman, nor even mildly interested in marrying.Both are now happening at the same time and I find myself curious about the object of his affection.”
Elizabeth blushed.“Is that all?Am I to be subject to another inquisition then?”
“Not at all.I would simply like to get to know you.If my nephew admires you, you must be extraordinary.”
She flushed.Again.“I do not know that I am extraordinary, but I am pleased if your nephew finds me so.”
“So you will marry him then?”
“Sir Daniel!”
The judge chuckled quietly as Elizabeth sat red and embarrassed.Eventually her own mirth could not be denied, and she laughed alongside him.
“You shall lower her ladyship’s opinion of my manners,” she teased.
“Do you care for her ladyship’s opinion of your manners?”
“We are not all judges past the need to make a good impression.”
“And here I thought you uncaring of popular opinion.”
“I am not overly concerned about it, but I do not wish to make things awkward for Mr.Darcy.This is his family, after all.”
“You care for him.”It was not a question.
“I would hardly allow a man to court me if I did not.”
Sir Daniel shrugged.“Many women would.”
“I am not that sort of woman.”
“I see that.And may I say I am glad of it.”
“Thank you, Sir Daniel.I think.”
They smiled at one another, she more cautiously than he, and the footmen arrived to remove their plates and serve the next course.Elizabeth took the opportunity to look down the table at Jane.She seemed to have enjoyed her conversation with Lady Clara, but now she would turn back to Lord Hopewell and his indifference.
“Do not worry overmuch.My nephew is an insufferable snob.He will come around.”
Sir Daniel’s quiet assurance helped her to relax, but she was still unhappy that sweet Jane was being subjected to such behavior.
“She has a very sweet nature.Such behavior will distress her,” she said, just as quietly.
“Ah.It would be better if she could see the ridiculousness in it.He does not recognize his own rudeness, but we may laugh at it if we choose.”
