During this exchange, Darcy had remained perfectly still. The words had reached him clearly enough, yet for several seconds he scarcely trusted them.
Not Elizabeth.
Mary.
“So,” he said at last, still struggling to collect himself, “you are not engaged.”
“No, indeed,” Elizabeth replied lightly.
“No, it is not Lizzy, which is just as well. It is my middle daughter, Mary,” Mrs. Bennet explained, sending a disapproving look to her daughter.
A most extraordinary sensation of relief passed through him – so sudden and so powerful that he was obliged to steady himself before speaking again.
Only then did he realise that Elizabeth was watching him with a curious expression.
“Pray come into the parlour, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet said briskly, recovering her command of the situation. “You must sit down after your ride.”
Darcy bowed and followed her and Elizabeth across the hall.
The parlour was bright with the late morning light. Mrs. Bennet scarcely allowed them to be seated before declaring that some refreshments must certainly be brought. “A gentleman cannot ride all the way from Netherfield without requiring something,” she said, already moving toward the door. “I shall see that tea is brought directly.” With this determination, she hurried away, leaving them alone.
For a moment neither spoke.
Elizabeth took a chair near the window. Darcy remained standing for an instant before seating himself opposite her.
The silence, though brief, was not entirely comfortable.
“If I do not have the pleasure of seeing Miss Mary and Mr. Collins on this visit, pray give my congratulations to them.”
“I will.”
“Did he not arrive only recently?”
“He arrived when we came home from Netherfield.”
“That is less than a fortnight.”
“Indeed. Mr. Collins appears to have discovered that a walk in the garden was all that was required.”
Darcy paused a moment. “I believe they may suit one another very well.”
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly. “I think they might.”
After a short silence, he added, “Though I understand why you would not have suited him.”
Elizabeth looked at him with a hint of amusement. “Indeed? Am I not fit to be a parson’s wife?”
“Miss Elizabeth, you know perfectly well I meant no such thing.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Darcy hesitated a moment before answering. “You appear to value something more in a marriage.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “That is a very cautious way of putting it.”
“You yourself said he could not make you happy.”
“And that I could not make him happy.”
