Jane smiled and touched his hand. “Did you not know? Mr. Darcy has hidden it admirably, but as I am as reticent as he is, I fancy I can discern something of the gentleman’s sentiments.”
“You think Mr. Darcy admires your sister,” said Mr. Bingley, disbelieving.
“No, I cannot say if it goes that far,” replied Jane. “But it has long been clear to me that he is not as disapproving as he appears, or as Elizabeth thinks.”
Mr. Bingley paused and considered this, then offered a slow nod. “To own the truth, I have often thought that Darcy’s behavior toward her is a little... strange. His usual mode is to ignore young ladies altogether, but Darcy has always met Miss Elizabeth directly, engaged rather than aloof.”
“Then you have your answer, Mr. Bingley—or perhaps part of an answer. To what extent he is interested in her, I do not know, but I do not think he is indifferent.”
“And your sister’s sentiments?”
Jane laughed. “You must have seen something of them yourself. Elizabeth has long thought him proud and disagreeable. Whether he can change her opinion, I cannot say.”
“Then I think your notion is for the best,” said Mr. Bingley. “Let us leave them be.”
Jane rested her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her into the house. Behind them, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy continued to speak, and Jane hoped they would resolve matters between them. Perhaps it was too early to tell, but she thought theremight even be reason to hope for her sister’s future, though she knew how stubborn Lizzy could be. Intervening herself might be necessary, though Jane knew trying to lead her sister would fail. Instead, she resolved to observe and learn, and nudge Lizzy when necessary.
DARCY REGARDED MISSElizabeth, certain she was not refusing to consider him. Her confidence and indomitable resolve were qualities that most recommended her to him. When Darcy had considered his future wife and how he would go about courting a woman, he had always assumed the woman would be eager for his attentions and require very little persuasion. He was Fitzwilliam Darcy, after all, master of a great estate, with a grand fortune and connections to the highest levels of society. No woman in her right mind would reject what he had to offer.
Unless the woman had little interest in such things. Darcy did not think Miss Elizabeth had little interest, but he was certain she valued other things more. Unlike the Miss Bingleys of the world, she did not covet wealth and standing—she had never told him what shedidvalue, but if Darcy were to guess, he suspected it was compatibility, the regard of a good man she could return in kind. That was the reason she had rejected Lady Catherine’s oafish parson out of hand.
Fortunately, Darcy did not suffer from the same defects as Mr. Collins. Darcy’s defects, though they had harmed him in her estimation, were not those that would expose one to ridicule. And with Miss Elizabeth’s assistance, Darcy thought he could overcome—or at least mitigate—the reticence that had plagued him for much of his life. First, he would need to convince her that he could be the man she needed. The way to do that was not to try to present himself as something he was not, but to display his good qualities and his willingness to attend to his faults.
“If you are not of a mind to accept me,” said Darcy, feigning unconcern, “perhaps I shall simply allow the knowledge of my interest to slip to your mother.”
Miss Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but he caught the tiniest hint of a smile. “Oh, yes, of course,” said she, her tone desert dry. “That workedsowell with the last suitor who had my mother’s support.”
“Ah, but I am a much greater prize than your cousin, am I not?”
“Greater, perhaps, but not more important in my mother’s eyes,” said Miss Elizabeth, throwing him a knowing smile. “Mr. Collinswillinherit Longbourn, after all. Mama was most interested in a arrangement that would allow her to remain here for the rest of her life.”
“And yet, she can live at Pemberley if Mr. Bennet precedes her in death,” replied Darcy, considering himself reasonable. “Or better yet, the dower house is unoccupied—Mrs. Bennet would have the house to herself and have access to you and our children at any time of her choosing.”
Miss Elizabeth shook her head. “That does not change the fact that my father is the one who must approve a proposal and force me into compliance. As he has declined to do so once, you cannot suppose he would do anything other than support me, even if I refused one hundred suitors.”
“As for one hundred suitors, I know nothing of them, but I am inclined to induce you to accept one.”
Though she stared at him with wonder, Miss Elizabeth looked away, a hint of embarrassment staining her cheeks. She then looked about and seemed to remember where they were—if anything, her blush grew more pronounced.
“We must have created a spectacle, Mr. Darcy,” said she, gesturing around them. “All my sisters, your sister, and Mr. Bingley have retreated to Longbourn while we were speaking.”
“Would a spectacle improve my chances of persuading you?”
Darcy stifled a chuckle at her sudden, sharp glance. “Not at all, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Elizabeth. “I can cheerfully endure the ridicule of my family if it means I do not marry a man I do not wish.”
“Then it appears that I must redouble my efforts.”
“How do you propose to do that?”
“In the usual way—by attention and constancy.”
Darcy extended his arm to her. “Shall we proceed to the house? You can tell your family that you stopped to show me something of interest.”
“I doubt they will believe me.”
“Then let them think what they will,” replied Darcy. “There is no need to speak or make any announcement. If you are of a mind to give me a chance to persuade you, let this be a matter between us.”
Though Darcy could see how Miss Elizabeth studied him, he knew at once that he had convinced her. Not to accept his overtures—that would not come for some time yet, and not until after he had made complete amends and shown her what sort of man he truly was. The truth was more subtle and grounded: an openness and willingness to withhold judgment. It was perhaps the best he could reasonably hope for.
