“If she had not suspected me of having an interest in you, she might have considered better.”
Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy, curious. “As I recall, you have never mentioned the origin of Miss Bingley’s suspicions. Do you care to explain?”
Mr. Darcy shifted, appearing a little uncomfortable, but he did not demur. “It happened that first night at Lucas Lodge, not long after the assembly. Do you recall Sir William putting you forth as a desirable dance partner?”
“I do,” said Elizabeth, wondering what this had to do with anything.
“After you departed, Miss Bingley approached me.” Mr. Darcy thought about it then shook his head. “Though I do not remember her exact words, she made her disdain evident and suggested that I would not appreciate many evenings in such company.”
When Elizabeth arched a brow at him, Mr. Darcy nodded, smiled, and continued. “Yes, you are correct to suppose that I was not best pleased at the time, but my answer quite astonished her. You see, I informed her that my mind was otherwise engaged.”
“With what?” asked Elizabeth.
“Contemplating you.”
Though she knew in a general sense what he would say, it still caught her off guard. “You were thinking of me in such a manner as early as the night at Lucas Lodge?”
“I was,” said the gentleman. “As I was distracted, I did not measure my words. Again, I do not recall the exact content of my reply, but I mentioned that I was enjoying the sight of your fine eyes.”
Elizabeth could not help the giggle that escaped, though she still found it all incomprehensible. “Miss Bingley could not have appreciated that.”
“No, she did not,” agreed Mr. Darcy. “But she made some comment about how astonished she was and left me alone. It was not until later that I realized my error in judgment, especially when you stayed at Netherfield and she was barely civil to you.”
“Then the reason for her antipathy is revealed,” replied Elizabeth, shaking her head with wonder. “I cannot understand if I am more amazed by your frankness or your early interest in me when I had no notion of it.”
“If you recall, I am considered by most to be quite inscrutable—perhaps nearly as much as your sister.”
“Yes, that must be why,” teased Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy glanced over at Miss Bingley, Elizabeth following his gaze, noting the woman’s growing agitation. Her patience almost exhausted, Elizabeth knew it would not be long before she rose and approached them. Mr. Darcy appeared to sense the same, for he turned to her and faced her directly; Elizabeth felt a fluttering in her stomach from both his closeness and the earnest expression on his face.
“Miss Elizabeth, I apologize, but I believe that I must speak now. Unless I am mistaken—not an unreasonable assumption—you are not ready for me to declare myself.”
“No, Mr. Darcy,” agreed Elizabeth, though she surprised herself with the pang in her heart. “It is too soon to know my heart.”
“That does not harm you in my eyes,” said Mr. Darcy, catching and raising her hand to his lips. “The situation at Netherfield is not comfortable, and Miss Bingley will be a problem.”
“Youaretaking precautions?” teased Elizabeth.
“I am, and Snell, my manservant, is like a gatekeeper, denying access to anyone he deems unworthy.” Mr. Darcy offered her a wry smile. “You need have no fear of her entering my rooms at night, for Snell has everything well in hand.”
“Then what do you propose?”
“A courtship,” said Mr. Darcy. “It would formalize our relationship but would not bind you to anything before you are ready.”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Miss Bingley, apparently unable to sit by any longer, confronted them. “Mr. Darcy!” cried she, her tone approaching desperation. “How good of you to pay such attention to Miss Eliza.”
Miss Bingley turned a poisonous leer on Elizabeth. “I see you are making a spectacle of yourself again. Perhaps you should join your sisters and not impose upon Mr. Darcy.”
“Standing in a sitting-room and speaking with a gentleman?” asked Elizabeth coolly. “That is an interesting definition of the word spectacle.”
“I could have left at any time of my choosing, Miss Bingley,” added Mr. Darcy.
Then he turned to Elizabeth. “What say you, Miss Elizabeth? Have I your agreement?”
It was a breach of propriety to speak of a subject to which one of their number was not privy, but a minor one. Miss Bingley looked on with suspicion and opened her mouth to speak, but Elizabeth replied before she could unleash her vitriol.
Elizabeth gazed into Mr. Darcy’s eyes, then decided she had no desire to deny him. “Very well, Mr. Darcy. You may make it official at any time of your choosing.”
