The words fell quietly.
But they did not yield.
Lady Catherine stood perfectly still. For the first time, she seemed uncertain – not of her authority, but of its effect. Her eyes moved once more to Elizabeth. “You are resolved, then,” she said.
Elizabeth answered with calm steadiness.
“I am resolved not to act against my own understanding.”
“And you imagine that sufficient?”
“I imagine it necessary. As Mr. Darcy said.”
Lady Catherine drew herself up once more. “This is not the end of the matter,” she said.
“No,” Darcy replied. “It is the beginning.”
That, at last, provoked a visible reaction.
Not anger – no, never so open. But something sharper.
“You will regret this,” she said.
“I do not think so.”
She turned away.
“I must say I am thoroughly disappointed.”
Her ladyship looked at both of them one more time and, without a word, she straightened – if that was at all possible – and stormed out of the room. She left the door ajar.
***
Darcy and Elizabeth both looked toward the now empty door with mixed feelings.
The room, which had so lately contained tension, seemed now almost too still. Elizabeth moved a little further into it, as though uncertain whether to remain or withdraw; but finding no reason to do either, she turned instead toward Darcy.
He had not yet moved from where he stood. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he said, “I must beg your pardon, for having exposed you to such a scene.”
“You must do no such thing,” she returned at once. “Had I not been present, I should have been very ill satisfied.”
“I cannot doubt it,” he said, with a faint inclination of the head. “You have shown a degree of composure which I had no right to expect – and every reason to admire.”
Elizabeth smiled slightly. “I cannot claim composure throughout,” she said. “Your aunt was determined to try it severely.”
Darcy stepped closer to Elizabeth.
The tension that had filled the room before had altered – but it had not vanished. It lingered, though softened now into something quieter.
Darcy looked at her. He took her hand in his. “May I ask you something?”
“You may.”
“This morning – before my aunt arrived – you seemed… to have something on your mind – did you wish to tell me something?”
Elizabeth hesitated – but only for a moment. “I did.”
“And may I now hear it?”
