“The very same.”
Elizabeth walked a few steps in silence.
The words ought to have amused her. Only some days before she would have found the idea impossible, perhaps even ridiculous. Yet now the thought did not provoke laughter. Instead, it produced a strange and unfamiliar sensation – something very near to shyness.
She felt suddenly conscious of herself in a way she had never been before.
He was a man of the world – educated, clever, and, she could not deny it, handsome. He moved in a very different circle. And this same man, who had once declared her not handsome enough to tempt him, had now asked her father’s permission to court her.
At first, she had been offended by that remark and determined to prove him wrong. She had enjoyed putting him in his place. Yet afterwards, he had proved her wrong more than once. When she began to discover qualities in him that any woman might admire, she had resolutely checked such thoughts. A man of his rank could never seriously think of her.
And yet…
How could it be?
Her heart beat faster, and she felt the warmth rising to her cheeks.
He had chosen her – not merely to admire, but to pursue.
The recollection of the previous day returned suddenly to her mind. The gravity of his manner. The attention with which he had listened to her. The question he had asked so unexpectedly.
What do you dream about, Miss Elizabeth?
Elizabeth stopped for a moment in the path.
Had he looked at her then with admiration? With feeling?
“My dear Lizzy,” said Mr. Bennet mildly, “you appear to be conducting a very serious meditation upon the gravel.”
Elizabeth started slightly and resumed walking. “I beg your pardon, Papa. I was only thinking.”
“So I perceived.” He regarded her for a moment with quiet amusement. “I hope you appreciate my discretion in this matter.”
Elizabeth glanced at him. “Your discretion?”
“Yes. I might very easily have announced Mr. Darcy’s request at the breakfast table this morning.”
Elizabeth stopped again. “Papa!”
Mr. Bennet continued calmly. “I believe Lydia would have found it highly entertaining, and your mother would certainly have had many observations to make.”
Elizabeth covered her face for a moment with one hand. “I am very grateful that you did not.”
“I thought you might be.” He paused, then added with a faint smile, “Though I confess the temptation was considerable.”
Elizabeth could not help laughing at last, though her cheeks were still decidedly warm. “Mama will soon discover it,” she said. “If he truly means to come again.”
“Oh, she will discover it whether he comes or not,” said Mr. Bennet calmly. “Your mother possesses a remarkable talent for uncovering information that has not yet been revealed.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly, then grew thoughtful again.
“Have you decided how you feel about this development?” he asked.
“I believe I am still in shock,” she admitted, looking down for a moment. “Yet I cannot dismiss his interest. He is… it is an honour, is it not?”
Mr. Bennet regarded her with unusual seriousness. “Mr. Darcy is certainly a man whom few fathers would think proper to refuse.”
Elizabeth glanced at him quickly. “You did not hesitate.”
