One cannot be expected to properly lecture someone from their lap.
"I am still angry with you because you believed the worst of me. How could you ever think I would pressure Jane to pursue Mr. Bingley for mercenary reasons?" Ire flooded me at just the thought of his accusations.
"I should not have accused you of such fiendish motives, yet you were so dogged in your scheming despite her obvious discomfort I did not know what to make of it."
"Her discomfort was not so obvious."
Darcy arched a brow.
"Fine, it was fairly obvious. But you do not know Jane. You do not understand howmodest she is. I knew it was not an absence of sentiment for Mr. Bingley that fueled her reluctance, rather it was a foolish belief that he did not return her affection. And I was correct. Not only had Jane's own modesty thwarted their courtship, but the deceit of Miss Bingley played a significant, arguably the principle, role."
I briefly laid out Miss Bingley's perfidious letter to Jane. Now that Darcy was being so apologetic it was not as great a triumph to condescendingly declare, "I told you so," however I did it anyway because it needed doing.
"I must apologize again," Darcy said when I had completed my tale and subsequent gloating. "I made assumptions I should not have. I know you well enough that I should not have assumed nefarious intent on your part despite your strange behavior."
"I did not behave that strangely."
I did not even need him to arch a brow at me this time.
"Fine," I conceded, "I can imagine how it looked. I made myself appear foolish. You must have been so embarrassed of me at Mrs. Hamilton's ball."
"More embarrassed for you than of you, I assure."
I laughed.
"You have the most beautiful laugh in the world, Mrs. Darcy."
"Flatterer!"
"I speak only the truth."
He leaned forward, looking at me with blazing eyes (desire this time). I pulled away before our lips could touch. I had something I needed to say before we ended up on the floor.
"I suppose I should apologize as well," I said. I looked at the carpet as I spoke. It was a difficult task apologizing, but I felt better for having done it.
I met Darcy's eyes to find him still staring at me expectantly.
"You know, my dear, declaring that youshouldapologize does not count as an apology."
Can you believe this man?
Do not answer that.
"You will note I did say 'I suppose'. I was not certain if I wanted to apologize and now I am quite certain I do not."
Darcy grinned.
"Stop smiling," I groused.
He continued grinning. Really, what woman could endure such tempting torture? All I can think about when he smiles so charmingly is kissing him. It is most disarming!
"All right, here it is: I am slightly sorry."
"Just slightly?" Darcy asked teasingly.
"Only slightly and getting less sorry by the moment. I was not half so wrong as you. But I will admit I misjudged you from the first. Had I not assumed the worst of you, had I revealed my concerns about Jane to you instead of assuming you plotted against me, our disagreement might have been avoided entirely."
"So I am to understand that you are a bit sorry for thinking I was a horrible brute whose every action was undertaken for the singular purpose of ruining you and your sister's happiness?"
