They had nearly reached a turn in the road.
“I know you have not much experience with the world at large, but I saw you with Wickham. I saw you with your family, the people around here. What is more, I saw you with Miss Bingley. You can stand your ground; you are not afraid. There will be people, even family, who will not look upon us with favour.”
Elizabeth’s voice softened slightly. “Your confidence in my courage may be somewhat misplaced.”
“I do not think so.”
She met his gaze.
“In any case, I have no intention,” he said, more firmly now, “of allowing you to be treated with disrespect.”
The words were spoken quietly – but with a steadiness that admitted of no doubt.
Elizabeth felt the warmth rise again to her cheeks.
Darcy saw it. He inclined his head.
Ahead of them, Lydia called out something triumphant, and Kitty laughed – still carefully maintaining her balance.
The moment passed. But not entirely.
Elizabeth turned her gaze forward again. And though she said nothing more, she was very much aware that the world around her had altered, and that she was no longer entirely at ease in the way she had once been.
Nor, she suspected, did she wish to be.
Chapter 19
The Question of Happiness
When they reached the house, Darcy made every indication of taking his leave.
“I must not trespass further upon your time, madam,” he said. “You have already been most obliging.”
“My dear Mr. Darcy, you cannot mean it,” Mrs. Bennet returned. “You must stay for luncheon. It would be quite improper to send you away so soon.”
Darcy bowed. “You are very kind, but I would not…”
He paused.
Elizabeth had turned toward him, and their eyes met.
It was only a moment – yet something in her expression, quiet and unguarded, was very easily understood.
Darcy’s answer followed at once. “In that case, I shall remain.”
Elizabeth smiled – not at the invitation, but at his readiness to accept it.
The weather, however, was not inclined to favour his departure.
Before the hour of luncheon had quite passed, the sky darkened once more, and the rain returned with a steadiness that madeany immediate leave-taking entirely impractical. Mrs. Bennet declared herself both surprised and justified and insisted that Mr. Darcy must on no account think of venturing out again.
Darcy, who might earlier have found such confinement irksome, now submitted to it with perfect composure.
To pass the time, a book was produced – not, as might have been expected, a work of improving seriousness, but a novel, which Lydia pressed upon him with unceremonious eagerness.
Elizabeth watched with some curiosity.
She half expected hesitation – perhaps even polite resistance. Yet Darcy accepted it without the smallest appearance of reluctance.
