She stopped. Was she railing against him, or against the world? He really did not know how to answer, or even if it was a question at all.
“As for Mr. Bingley, I would like to know who appointed you as his keeper? Have you ever considered that he might truly care for my sister, and that she might truly care for him?
“I have considered it,” he said, quietly.
She gave a little laugh and jumped off the swing. She still had not noticed that he was no longer arguing with her.
“Come, Mr. Darcy,” she said, “we must return to the house, or someone will shout compromise at finding us unchaperoned in the dark. Let us agree to disagree. It is hard for us to see eye to eye on anything. Since we are unfortunate enough to be trapped together for several minutes, strolling the grounds, let us speak about something bland. I will leave it to you to choose the topic.”
He gave her a faint smile. “I assure you, I do not feel unfortunate, nor trapped in the least.”
“Ah, it was a bad choice of words on my part, was it not? You will now take this as a confession that I have designs on your fortune.”
“I will not do any such thing,” he said. “You are deliberately misrepresenting me.”
“Rest assured, Mr. Darcy, you are not in any danger fromme. You are entirely safe in my hands.”
Darcy’s thoughts immediately turned in a distinctly uncomfortable direction as he looked down at Miss Elizabeth’s long fingers, encased in soft kid gloves.
I assure you, I would feel entirely safe in your hands,he wanted to say, but of course he would not say that out loud.
“I am not afraid of you, Miss Elizabeth,” he said, laughing at the irony of it all, “since I know thatyouof all people are not inclined to flatter me.”
“Then it seems we are in agreement about something, after all,” she said.
The hardness had left her voice. Her voice was light and teasing.
He could not make her out. Did she mean to tease him? Did she know he cared for her? Did she have any idea that she inhabited his thoughts day and night?
“We are more in agreement than you think,” he said, since she still saw him as an enemy. “That is why I wanted to apologize.”
When she made a sound of protest, he hurried on.
“I – made a hash of things earlier.” He hesitated. It was not easy for him to admit he was wrong. His pride rebelled. But if he wanted to redeem himself with her, he had no choice but to be humble.
“Since we had our quarrel, I have come to see things differently. Let us say I witnessed something that changed my mind about your sister’s affections. I do not believe her indifferent to my friend.”
“I am heartily glad of that, at least. There is not a duplicitous bone in Jane’s body. She is simply – reserved and serene.”
He nodded. “I know that now. More importantly, I am happy for Bingley, and happy they are engaged.” He was pleased to see her head jerk up in surprise. “As you so rightly stated, I am not my friend’s keeper. If my friend is not concerned about marrying into a title or improving his social standing, then who am I to question it?”
“But you believe he could do better.”
It was a challenge. He sensed that his reply was important to her. He considered the question carefully.
“Bingley’s father worked hard to improve their social status. I know he would have wanted his children to foster good connections. It was why he sent Bingley to boarding school and then to Oxford. Bingley’s leasing of Netherfield was intended to help establish him as a landed gentleman. Because of his wealth, there was a strong chance he could marry into a titled family that were short of funds.” He shrugged. “He might have succeeded in both these aims. Or he might not. Who knows? I think the issue is that he seems to have chosen a different path, and I cannot fault him for choosing love over pragmatism.”
Once again, Darcy felt an intense longing for a happiness he might never have. He stole a glance at Miss Elizabeth. Their eyes met.
I envy Bingley this opportunity,he wanted to say.I dream of such happiness with you.
His heart gave a little hop. Did she feel the same?
Then she looked away and the moment was gone. He did not pursue it. It was enough for him now that they had reconciled some of their differences. He did not want to push his luck.
But he parted with Elizabeth in a far better frame of mind. Their conversation had taught him to hope.
