Not less observant.
The quality of the observation had merely altered.
It seemed less guarded. More settled.
Elizabeth was so absorbed in watching him that she did not notice her mother sit beside her upon the sofa.
"Is there something I ought to know, Lizzy?" Mrs. Bennet leaned closer and lowered her voice.
"Mama?"
Elizabeth followed the direction of her mother's gaze and immediately understood the implication.
"He is looking at you again," Mrs. Bennet continued. "In much the same manner he did at the Meryton assembly. And do not imagine I failed to notice you speaking together at Sir William's gathering."
Elizabeth shook her head.
The absurdity of her mother's conclusions was almost impressive.
"Mr. Darcy merely wished me to make his sister's better acquaintance. Nothing more."
Mrs. Bennet's mouth curved with playful scepticism.
"I am merely observing."
"You are always merely observing," Elizabeth replied. "It is your greatest talent."
Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips and withdrew.
Elizabeth looked back towards the window.
Mr. Darcy was not looking at her.
He was listening to something her father had said, his expression open and genuinely interested, entirely lacking the reserve she had come to associate with him in company.
She picked up her book.
She did not read a single word for the remainder of the visit.
SIX
2ndNovember 1811
Longbourn.
Darcy
The gentlemen from Netherfield had been gone perhaps an hour when Jane came in search of Elizabeth.
She had retired to her bedchamber in hopes of taking a short nap, but was instead lying upon her bed with a book and making genuine progress through it for once. Elizabeth lifted her head from the page at the sound of the door opening.
One look at Jane's face was enough. There was mischief there. This was not a mere sisterly visit.
Jane sat upon the edge of the bed without preamble and folded her hands in her lap with an expression of such innocence that Elizabeth distrusted it immediately.
"Well," Elizabeth said. "Out with it."
Jane smiled. "I have said nothing."
