“I shall not attempt to excuse my behavior, only to put it in context. The truth is, I hardly looked at you when Bingley suggested that I dance with you—with my concern for Georgiana and having endured Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for a set each, I had no desire to socialize. I did not even wish to be there that night.”
“Then why did you attend?” asked Elizabeth.
“Because Bingley was new in the neighborhood, and he needed to make a good impression. If the local gentry learned a friend was staying with him and did not appear at their assembly, it might have had adverse effects on his neighbors’ opinion of him.”
Elizabeth considered this. “You might have judged better, Mr. Darcy. At the assembly, your reticence was widely mistaken for haughty indifference—insulting us by staying away might have been preferable.”
The gentleman did not attempt to defend himself—instead, he offered a slow nod. “I had not considered it that way, though you may be correct.”
“Then you did not look at me when you spoke?” asked Elizabeth.
“I glanced, but I did not truly see you. All I could think about was my troubles and my desire to be away from the assemblyhall the moment I could. In truth, I have had nothing but admiration for you for weeks now.”
Elizabeth shook her head with exasperation. “You have a strange way of showing it, Mr. Darcy. Our arguments at Netherfield, sitting together for half an hour without a word, the hostility at the ball, our clashes since your return—all these things taught me that you held me in barely concealed contempt.”
Mr. Darcy’s earnestness turned to concern. “Please believe me when I tell you that my feelings for you were never disdainful, Miss Elizabeth. Therehavebeen times that we were at odds, but I have always had the highest regard for you.”
Unable to reconcile it, Elizabeth pushed it to the side in favor of the subject at hand. “Then what do you mean by saying it now, Mr. Darcy?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I would have you understand me. You know something of my position in society.”
“Your uncle is an earl,” replied Elizabeth, attempting to understand.
“He is. I am naught but a gentleman, but I am very wealthy, the scion of an ancient line—these things conspire to give me a place in the first circles.”
“Conspire, Mr. Darcy?” asked Elizabeth, her lips twitching.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, conspire.” Mr. Darcy smiled. “You know something of my temperament—to own the truth, I have more connections than I care to maintain, and many among those I find intolerable. Much less notoriety would suit me.”
“How does this influence the matter at hand?”
“It has always been my intention to make a society marriage to gain connections and fortune for my family. Until now.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as comprehension struck. “You mean to say you admire me?”
“I do,” confirmed Mr. Darcy. “These past days in your company have taught me not only that Bingley is in no danger from your sister, but that my interest in you runs deeper than I had thought. I am not of a mind to deny myself this pleasure.”
“What if I do not wish to accept your overtures?”
“WHAT DO YOU THINK?”asked Mr. Bingley.
“I think they are finally speaking without rancor,” Jane replied.
Given the scene before them, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in deep conversation not far from the gates of Longbourn, Jane did not think they even realized they had stopped walking. Mary, Kitty, Lydia, and Georgiana had returned to the house, citing the cool weather and the desire for the fire in the sitting-room, but Jane and Mr. Bingley lingered outside, watching their inattention to anything happening around them.
Mr. Bingley peered at them, then looked back at Jane. “Five minutes ago, I would have disagreed with you. Now, I am not certain.”
Dear man though he was, Mr. Bingleywasrather oblivious at times, especially when Jane was near. She was aware of her effect on him, one of the reasons his departure from Meryton had been such a blow. Now that he was returned, it took very little of theeffortsher mother thought were necessary to keep his attention. Jane doubted that his sister, or a hundred others like her, could draw him from her side now, a notion that brought her great comfort.
“What should we do?” asked Mr. Bingley, appearing uncertain.
“Leave them to their devices, I should say,” replied Jane. “Perhaps they will come to some accord at last.”
Uncertain, Mr. Bingley turned to her. “To what sort of accord do you refer?”
“That depends on them,” replied Jane. “A softening of their adversarial stance toward each other would be welcome. Perhaps Mr. Darcy will even give in to his fascination.”
That was a shock to Mr. Bingley. “Fascination?” said he, a strangled sound escaping him.
