Elizabeth sat up abruptly.“Such as?”
Charlotte raised a brow.“Perhaps he does not despise you as thoroughly as you have believed.”
“You think he may despise me only a little?”
Charlotte shot her a look.“I suggest he may not despise you at all.I have long suspected he likes you rather well, as you know.”
Elizabeth nearly groaned again, then remembered something.“You know, the colonel told me that Mr.Darcy thinks very highly of me.I confess I did not believe him at all.”
“Why would he lie about such a thing?”
“I do not think he is lying, but a person may be mistaken about such a thing.It is not so difficult to believe him mistaken.”
“No.What is difficult to believe is that despite evidence to the contrary and the word of two people who are older and wiser than yourself, you still insist on thinking Mr.Darcy dislikes you!”
“What evidence do you speak of?”Elizabeth asked with a doubtful look, though she had lost assurance in her own claims.
“He asked you to dance at the Netherfield ball, and only you.”
“That does not prove so very much.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes.“He asked you to dance at my father’s party, and you refused him.”
“Your father pushed him into it.He did not ask of his own volition.”
Charlotte pursed her lips.“Mr.Darcy does not strike me as a man who bows to others’ desires.And you have said yourself that he does not care for social niceties.You cannot have it both ways.”
Elizabeth looked confused and Charlotte pressed her point.
“He has met you on your walks several times, has he not?”
“Yes, but that is merely chance!”
“Is it?”
Elizabeth was thoughtful.“I did tell him the grove was my favorite walk.”
“Eliza!”
“So he could avoid it!”
“Clearly he did not understand you!He likely thought you were requesting his company.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened.“Do you truly think so?”
Charlotte gave her a look that declared Elizabeth the stupidest woman to ever set foot in Hunsford.
“Oh, dear!”
“Yes!”
“What am I to do?Does Mr.Darcy think I have beenencouraginghim?”
“I cannot know.How often has he met with you?”
“I cannot recall exactly.More than three times, less than six.”
“Oh, dear.”
