"It is true. Ask anyone."
"She has not asked anyone."
"Then she ought."
Mrs. Gardiner set down her wine.
"She will be lost the moment Darcy takes her into the library."
"The library?" Lady Ashford looked scandalised. "The grounds alone are enough to settle the question."
"I should like to form my own opinion."
"You may," Lady Ashford assured her. "Provided it agrees with ours."
Ashford lifted his glass. "There is still hope for her."
"Very little," said Lady Ashford.
Across the table Darcy had set down his glass and appeared to be studying the ceiling.
"You are all discussing my future as though I were not present."
"That," Colonel Fitzwilliam informed her, "is one of the principal advantages of family."
He settled back in his chair. "Darcy, I find I owe you an apology."
"Only one?" said Darcy.
"On this particular subject. I confess I did not look closely enough when Miss Bennet was first introduced to us. Had I done so, I should have known at once."
"Known what?" Elizabeth asked.
"You have the look of your mother about you. I always thought Margaret a great beauty."
"Richard," said Darcy.
"I am making an observation."
"You are flirting with my fiancée."
"I am paying a compliment to my cousin."
"There is no practical distinction."
"Cousin," said Elizabeth sweetly, "since you have claimed the connection so freely, I think you can hardly object to the use of your Christian name."
Colonel Fitzwilliam reached for the decanter.
"Darcy," he said, "I like her exceedingly."
"I know."
"You sound resigned."
"I am."
Ashford raised his glass slightly in Elizabeth's direction.
