Elizabeth drew hers back at once. “I thank you, sir.”
Darcy served her without further remark.
Yet the smallest pause followed, and Elizabeth felt it.
She did not look at him.
“Lizzy, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet, “you are eating nothing. You must take more. Mr. Darcy will think we starve you.”
Elizabeth forced a smile. “I assure you, Mama, I am very well provided for.”
Darcy said quietly, “I should not presume to form such a judgement.”
Elizabeth risked a glance toward him.
His expression was perfectly composed.
It was most provoking.
Mr. Bennet, who appeared to find the whole scene of some private amusement, addressed Darcy with deliberate ease.
“I hope, sir, that our humble table does not suffer too much in comparison with those to which you are accustomed.”
“I find it entirely agreeable,” Darcy replied.
“That is fortunate,” said Mr. Bennet. “For we cannot compete with Rosings.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “Few houses attempt it.”
Elizabeth bent her head quickly, though she could not prevent the faintest smile.
The conversation moved on, yet Elizabeth remained acutely aware of everything that passed beside her.
Once – only once – she allowed herself to look at him directly.
Darcy was already looking at her.
There was nothing in his expression that could have been remarked upon by any other person at the table – nothing butcomposure, and the same quiet attentiveness he had shown throughout.
And yet – she felt it.
The understanding. He knew that she knew.
Elizabeth looked away at once, her composure shaken in a manner she could not entirely account for.
When luncheon at last drew to a close, Mrs. Bennet declared herself quite fatigued by the exertion of the morning and proposed that they return to the parlour.
Darcy rose immediately, as did the others.
As they left the room, Elizabeth found herself walking beside him once more.
Neither spoke.
Yet the silence between them was no longer uncertain.
It was… different.
And though Elizabeth could not yet name the feeling that accompanied it, she knew – very certainly – that something had begun which could not easily be undone.
