Miss Darcy looked at her brother in a panic, but Mr Darcy only smiled. “I—I had not heard that said of him.”
“I would wager not, for I know many of our friends are careful in courting your brother’s good opinion, but I must say that his lack of enjoyment of music explains a great many things.”
“Wh—what things?”
“First, he has expressed pleasure in hearingmeplay, but as I am well aware that I do not play half so well as you, Mr Darcy must have no understanding of music.”
“My knowledge of music has been demonstrated to you many times,” he said. “I listen with discernment to the ladies’ performances, and I only praise those I admire.”
Not to be put off, she smiled at Mr Darcy and went on. “I have further proof, Miss Darcy. Your brother despises dancing and avoids it wherever he can. The first time of my ever seeing him was at a ball where he danced only four dances! I conclude your brother avoids dancing because he is not fond of the music.”
Miss Darcy stared, and the silence prevailed until Mr Darcy answered.
“You have withheld information that you know will exonerate me.” He eyed her mischievously, and she was surprised but amused to see such an expression from him. “How do you rationalise my asking you to dance? Do you not remember that I petitioned you three times to dance and was successful only once? Since you so often decline to stand up with me, and with your self-professed lack of talent on the pianoforte, it appearsyouare the one among us who does not enjoy music.”
She grinned. “And we do know that leaves me wanting in consideration of being an accomplished woman.”
“I am afraid I do not comprehend either of you,” Miss Darcy whispered.
“I am only repeating an old debate and unfairly trying to show your brother at a disadvantage to provoke you to speak.”
Miss Darcy looked between Elizabeth and her brother then broke into a laugh. Elizabeth felt relieved to see her new acquaintance at ease, and Mr Darcy looked more charmed than distressed by her playfulness.
After a quarter of an hour passed, Elizabeth began to dread the Darcys leaving, but their visitors were obliged to stay longer when Jane and Maria Lucas returned. With the addition of two more ladies and the children, the room was alive with conversation and activity, and Mr Darcy drew nearer to her.
“Do you ladies return to Hertfordshire tomorrow?” After she nodded, he told her that Mr Bingley intended to return to Netherfield in June and had invited him along.
“Perhaps you will better acquaint yourself with the families in the neighbourhood this time? I do look forward to seeing you again,” she added.
She watched his pupils widen. “I shall attend to that with warm civility. My real purpose, however, is to ask whether, in the meantime, I may call onyouin Hertfordshire?”
Elizabeth knew what was implied and was gratified, but nervous. She felt shy of him after all that had passed between them. She could not account for what she felt for him yet, although, whatever itwas, the feeling was intense.
“I do not know what to promise you.” Darcy’s hopeful countenance shuttered. “The change of my estimation feels the work of an instant.Youraffection was not the work of a day, even if you at one time loved me against your reason. I know not yet howIshould feel.”
“Do I have any reason to hope that your feelings for me could change? Is it at least possible that I could ever earn your affection?”
Her cheeks felt hot and her breath came fast. “I, I—”
Miss Darcy approached to say how much she had enjoyed meeting her, and then she and Mr Darcy left. He was gracious to all upon leaving, even the children, but he scarcely looked at her. Elizabeth longed for more time to sort her own thoughts before she had a private moment with him to answer his question. But she was leaving tomorrow, and they would have no further opportunity to speak.
Elizabeth lay awake for hours considering Mr Darcy. Did she feel what she ought for him in order to encourage him? His disposition was better appreciated, and the improvement in his manners was undeniable. She was drawn to him, and she cared for his happiness. He was attentive to his younger sister and loyal to his friends. He had a ready wit and a willingness to laugh. Mr Darcy had valuable qualities she could respect, and she was certain he respected her and held true affection for her.
When she considered her future, she could, for the first time, imagine Mr Darcy by her side.
And tonight I refused himagain.He would surely abandon the renewal of his hopes. Elizabeth cried into her pillow where eventually sleep found her.
In the morning,the ladies were preparing to leave for Longbourn when a message delivered by one of the post boys from the inn said that all the horses were out and they would have to wait several hours for a new team. Jane and Maria Lucas were disappointed to wait longer to return home but offered to spend the morning out of doors with the Gardiner children, as Mrs Gardiner was unwell and remained above stairs.
“Lizzy, will you come with us?” asked Jane as she tied the ribbons on her bonnet.
Elizabeth formed a frantic idea; if she did not act now, she would regret the missed opportunity. “Since we are to be in town a few hours longer, we should return Miss Darcy’s call. Her companion is away, and Miss Darcy is with her brother instead of at her own establishment. She is a sweet, shy girl and would enjoy the company. It was a striking civility for her to call on us, and equal politeness on our side should be employed.”
“You wish to call on Miss Darcy today? But we only need wait a few hours for the horses. Besides, Miss Darcy called onyou. She would not expect to receive Maria and me.”
Maria went pale and stammered that she preferred to take the children for a walk.
“Miss Darcy knows we are to leave today and would not be slighted if you do not return the call,” Jane added.
