Elizabeth laughed, setting her down. “No, do not look so pleased with yourself. I am not persuaded yet. But I shall admit,” she bent to stroke her dog’s silky head, “that Mr. Darcy, like his greyhound, is not without his redeeming qualities.”
Pippin barked once, as if declaring victory, before curling up contentedly at her feet.
Elizabeth gazed through the window, where the morning light caught the faint trail of the departing carriage. “Very well,” she said softly, half to herself, “we shall see what becomes of it.”
***
MR. BENNET RETURNED TO the parlour a few minutes after seeing their guests off, his expression one of mild amusement. “Well, my dear,” he said, settling into his chair, “Mr. Bingley is a most agreeable young man, and his friend, though less given to conversation, appears to possess more sense than pride, despite general opinion to the contrary.”
Mrs. Bennet looked up from where she was straightening the tea tray. “Nonsense, Mr. Bennet. Everyone knows Mr. Darcy is the proudest man in England. Did you not see the way he holds himself?”
“I did,” Mr. Bennet replied, “and I have seen men hold themselves so only when they wish to avoid being trampled by their neighbours. He strikes me as quiet rather than proud. There is a difference, though the world seldom allows it.”
Elizabeth, who had been standing near the window, turned thoughtfully. “He told me as much when we spoke yesterday, that he dislikes attention. Perhaps that explains his manner.Still,” she added, her smile turning wry, “it does not excuse the insult he gave at the assembly.”
Jane looked up, her brows knitting in gentle surprise. “An insult?”
Elizabeth hesitated, but Mrs. Bennet was already leaning forward, eager. “What insult, Lizzy? You never said a word of it!”
“It was nothing of consequence,” Elizabeth said lightly. “Mr. Bingley had suggested his friend dance with me, and Mr. Darcy replied that I was ‘tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him.’”
The room fell into an instant hush. Lydia let out a gasp. “How horrid!”
Mary frowned. “Such arrogance ought to be pitied rather than met with anger. Pride is a weakness of the soul.”
Mrs. Bennet pressed a hand to her heart in outrage. “Tolerable! Oh, I shall never forgive him. Such insolence, at our very first assembly too. And you did not tell me, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth’s tone was amused but steady. “I did not think it worth the retelling. I have no wish to be laughed at for failing to tempt a man who seemed determined not to be tempted.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Quite right, my dear. The best revenge on such a man is indifference. And if you can laugh at him, so much the better.”
“I cannot laugh,” Mrs. Bennet declared indignantly. “But I care not for Mr. Darcy’s good opinion. Mr. Bingley is all that matters, and if enduring that man’s company is the price of Jane’s happiness, I shall bear it most heroically.”
Jane blushed. “Mama, please.”
Lydia giggled. “I still think Pippin has better manners than Mr. Darcy.”
Pippin, hearing her name, raised her head from the hearth rug and gave a single, approving bark.
Elizabeth smiled down at her. “There, you see? Even Pippin has an opinion on the matter.”
Mr. Bennet laughed softly. “Then let that settle it. Darcy may be proud or merely silent, but Pippin has judged, and I, for one, would trust her instincts.”
As the laughter subsided, Elizabeth glanced toward the window once more, her smile faint but thoughtful. “Perhaps he is not so proud as he appears,” she murmured to herself. “Yet if he is only silent, it is a silence that speaks too loudly for comfort.”
Pippin rested her head on her paws again, and Elizabeth reached down to stroke her fur. “Come, my girl,” she whispered. “We shall not think of him further—at least not until he gives us reason.”
CHAPTER SIX
Longbourn – October 1811
TRUE TO HIS LETTER, Mr. Collins arrived at Longbourn promptly at nine on Saturday morning. The family had scarcely finished breakfast when Hill appeared, announcing that his carriage had drawn up before the house.
Mrs. Bennet, in a flutter of triumph and anxiety, sprang from her chair and began issuing commands as though the whole household were preparing for a royal visit.
“Girls, compose yourselves! Lydia, do not stand with your hands clasped so—Kitty, take Mary’s book from the table, it makes the room look untidy. Jane, my dear, do smile. And Lizzy—oh, heavens, Lizzy, must that creature be in here? I will not have Mr. Collins thinking we dine with animals!”
Elizabeth, seated on the sofa with Pippin curled contentedly beside her, glanced down at the spaniel, who lifted her head and wagged once in sleepy defiance.
