“One good thing has come of this evening,” said Darcy unexpectedly.
“What is that?”
“I got to see you looking so incredibly lovely.Is that a new gown?”
“Yes.I feel quite decadent in it,” she replied with a smile.
“You look decadent in it,” he said with such a look that an entire flock of butterflies set loose in her stomach.
She swallowed heavily.“Thank you, Mr.Darcy.”
They walked back to the house in silence, and then Mr.Darcy left with a kiss to her hand and a lingering look.
Upstairs, Elizabeth prepared for bed as quietly as she could and dismissed the maid, then tiptoed into Jane’s room through the inner door connecting their chambers.Her sister was curled on the bed and Elizabeth thought she was sleeping until Jane spoke.
“Don’t stand in the door, Lizzy.Come here.”
Elizabeth curled up in the bed beside her sister.“Tell me truthfully: what do you think of Mr.Darcy’s family?”
Jane was silent for so long Elizabeth was afraid she had fallen asleep.
Finally, Jane said, “Lady Clara was kind to me.”
“And Lady Hopewell?”
“She was very inquisitive.”
Elizabeth laughed darkly.“Only you would say such a thing, Jane.”
“I did not speak to him much, but Sir Daniel seemed a courteous sort of man.He was certainly taken with you.”
“I do not know about that, but I think we liked on another well enough.He reminds me of Father in some ways.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.He has no great esteem for titles or the rich, it seems, and he is terribly intelligent.I could have asked him questions all evening and been happy to listen to his answers to the exclusion of all else.”
“That is certainly a good basis for a friendship.”
“He said he wished to introduce me to his daughter, Lady Hightower.She is a viscountess, but he loves her anyway.”
Jane laughed.“What an odd thing to say!”
Elizabeth shrugged.“He is an odd man, I think, but I rather liked him.”
“I am glad there was someone you got on with this evening.”
Elizabeth nearly teased her sister about finally saying something bordering on rude, but she was too tired to tease and squeezed Jane’s hand instead.
“Yes, I am as well.I hope his daughter is as open-minded and kind as he is.It would be good to have a friend in Town.I would hate to go to parties and balls and have no one to talk to.I had not thought about that before,” she added in a small voice.
Jane sat up and wrapped her arm around her younger sister.“Are you worried you will be friendless as Mr.Darcy’s wife?”
“I shall not be, for you will marry Mr.Bingley and we shall be together always.”
Jane looked down.“He has made no declaration, Lizzy.”
“He will.He only wants time.”
