She had not perfectly caught the middle portion. As was her habit when uncertain, she silently repeated the movement of his mouth.
Not handsome enough to tempt me.
Her eyes widened.
There was no other arrangement of words that suited the movement she had observed, and the phrase fit the remainder of his speech perfectly.
While Elizabeth reflected upon the rudeness of such a declaration, and upon the degree of pride required to speak so publicly of an entire stranger, she observed an unexpected stillness come over him.
Recognition lingered upon his features.
As though he had witnessed something remarkable.
A tap upon her shoulder startled her so thoroughly that she nearly jumped.
Turning, she found her mother at her elbow.
"Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet said at a volume sufficient to overpower the musicians, "you appear far more interested in Mr. Darcy than in securing a partner for the next set."
Recovering herself, Elizabeth shook her head. "My observing Mr. Darcy has nothing to do with my not dancing."
"He is very stiff," Mrs. Bennet declared, to Elizabeth's no great surprise. She suspected her mother's sudden interest in her had far more to do with gossip than with securing her a partner for the next set. "Ten thousand a year is no excuse for incivility. I do not like his look at all."
"Is that your own opinion, Mama, or are you speaking on behalf of every mama in the room?"
"He has not asked a single young lady to dance."
"No, Mama."
"Which is exceedingly rude. Everyone thinks so. A gentleman of consequence ought at least to be civil. I shall never like him, Lizzy. I have entirely made up my mind."
Snapping her fan shut, Mrs. Bennet swept away in the direction of Mrs. Kings before Elizabeth could reply.
With her mother gone, Elizabeth allowed her gaze to wander in search of her sisters.
Lydia and Kitty had attached themselves to the Goulding brothers with considerable enthusiasm. Mary sat in a corner with a glass of lemonade, observing the room with an expression of mild disapprobation which suited her admirably at social gatherings. Jane was being led back to the floor by Mr. Bingley, who had apparently determined another set with her was worth whatever notice the neighbourhood might take of it.
Across the room, Elizabeth's attention returned briefly to Miss Darcy.
She had not moved.
She remained in almost precisely the same posture she had occupied for the better part of an hour, observing the dancers with quiet care.
I wonder, Elizabeth thought, whether she wishes to dance and does not know how to begin. Or whether someone has persuaded her that she ought not.
She glanced once more toward Mr. Darcy.
He was looking at his sister again with that same unguarded concern he seemed entirely unaware of displaying.
Having satisfied her curiosity, Elizabeth returned to a pastime she had long since perfected.
She watched mouths moving across the room, silently shaping the words she could discern, smiling at those she deciphered and frowning at those which defeated her. It was an old habit, a private one, and it served her exceedingly well in assemblies such as this.
She did not once look again toward the corner where Mr. Darcy stood.
She had no need.
From the moment he had declared her not handsome enough to tempt him, he had not ceased watching her, and she saw no reason to grant him the satisfaction of knowing she had noticed.
