She did not step away.
Instead, she said, with a quiet seriousness that matched his own, “You must not think me entirely without sense, Mr. Darcy.”
“I have never thought so.”
“I know very well what I am about.”
His expression deepened at that. “I believe you do. But perhaps… you might call me Fitzwilliam, just now.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she said, “Did you hear the door open?”
Darcy turned. “Now that you speak of it…” There had been a sound – slight but not imagined.
Elizabeth drew back just enough to restore propriety, though not distance. “We should return,” she said. “If we remain much longer, my mother will begin to suspect that something of consequence has occurred.”
Darcy allowed himself the smallest hint of amusement. “And she would not be entirely mistaken.”
Elizabeth smiled – that familiar, lively smile – though softened now by something new.
“Elizabeth, before we go through. I wish to say that when I decided to pursue you, I only thought of myself. I… It waswonderful to see you with Georgiana, not just now but before. You are beneficial to both of us.”
“Indeed? And how am I beneficial to you… Fitzwilliam?”
Darcy smiled at her use of his name. “You are beneficial to me in that you make me happy. You make me wish to begin, in earnest, to live.”
The words had been spoken simply, without display, and for that reason, they struck more deeply. She had meant only to tease him. She looked at him – really looked – as though trying to reconcile this man with the one she had once so readily dismissed.
Elizabeth looked away then, only for a moment, gathering herself. When she turned back, her expression was composed once more – but not unchanged. “You place a great deal in my power, sir.”
“I place it where it already is.”
Her eyes held his. Elizabeth did not speak. She only inclined her head, and in that small movement there was more feeling than she would have trusted to words.
***
As they stepped into the hall, they saw Mr. Bennet standing some distance away – with an expression of composed interest which left little doubt he had not long been there. They looked at each other.
“Mr. Darcy, I thought we could discuss the extra steps we should take that you had mentioned.”
“Yes, very good.” He made a show of clearing his throat. “Shall we retire to your book room?”
Mr. Bennet nodded.
“E… Miss Elizabeth, why do you not join the others? I shall follow soon.”
Once Mr. Bennet sat at his desk, he observed Darcy longer. He raised his brow when he saw Darcy not shrink back.
“Tell me, Mr. Darcy – how is your courting prospering?”
“I believe I have little reason to complain.”
***
Later, as the horses were brought round, there was some delay in mounting, occasioned partly by Lydia’s last-minute observations, and partly by Mrs. Bennet’s renewed assurances that the gentlemen must not stay away too long.
Bingley, however, seemed less attentive to either. He had already taken his seat yet did not immediately set off. Instead, he turned once more toward the house.
Jane stood at the window.
