Darcy turned towards her, almost in alarm, only to discover her smiling teasingly. In response, he bowed and silently acknowledged the justice of the accusation.
“I am pleased to know that wherever people come from, they are fundamentally the same. Titles and fortunes create superficial distinctions, but beyond that, people remain people.”
“I agree.”
“But if my uncle truly is the duchess’s saviour, then according to your own standards our place should be amongst those titles and fortunes.”
Darcy nodded, amused by her playfulness.
“Because of the people involved, that story belongs to the summit of the ton.”
“Interesting. So generosity is a pathway into the ton after all.”
“I would not express it quite so boldly, but your uncle is certainly expected in London.”
“And me?” she asked with a playful smile.
“You, Miss Elizabeth? I hope only one gentleman is waiting for you in London, and that gentleman is myself.”
The words made her tremble. Immediately, she reproached herself for becoming so impressionable. A few simple words were enough to colour her cheeks and set her heart racing. Jane’s happiness was partly responsible. Watching her sister’s joy made everyone around her long for happiness of their own.
Neither wished their walk to end, but dinner was drawing near.
“Do you already have a room here?” Darcy asked, wondering whether she would need to return to Longbourn to prepare for the evening.
“Yes, all of us do.”
Each sister had already chosen a room at Netherfield, and their belongings had begun to arrive days earlier.
“Then we shall go in together,” he said, pleased by the prospect of remaining near her. “I shall tell your uncle that you admired the horses.”
“You would lie for me, Mr Darcy?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth,” he answered, holding her gaze. “I am prepared to do anything for you.”
Chapter 13
“I will not go back to Longbourn!” Lydia declared as she opened the door to her room next to those of Kitty and Elizabeth.
“Papa will not let you stay here whilst there are gentlemen guests,” Elizabeth explained.
“Then make them leave, for I wish to stay!” she cried, slamming the door.
But there was little chance that Bingley would leave before his marriage, as his only duty now was to watch over Jane, who had told him that he was not her only suitor. She had meant it as a joke, chiefly to make him suffer in return, but he had taken it so seriously that he intended to marry her as soon as the three required Sundays had passed and, until then, not to leave his betrothed alone for a moment.
“They were to leave this afternoon, but Papa and Uncle Thomas persuaded them to remain for a few days,” Jane said as she hurried into her sister’s room, unable to stay away from her for long.
“Having separate rooms is pleasant, though annoying in many ways,” Jane declared. “I cannot grow accustomed to not seeing you all the time. I have never slept alone!”
“And now you never will,” Elizabeth replied with a smile, seeing her sister blush at the thought of spending her life with Mr Bingley.
“Yes, can you imagine that only this morning I was still alone and unhappy? Whenever I entered Netherfield, my heart ached. I did not tell you because I did not wish to spoil your pleasure.”
“I understand. In a way, I was much the same.”
“What are you saying?” Jane asked, but her absent eyes revealed that she could think of nothing beyond her future husband.
So Elizabeth allowed her newly betrothed sister to speak of her happiness, of how Mr Bingley had asked for her hand after declaring a dozen times how sorry he was and how miserable he had been since leaving her.
