“There is nothing, Miss Elizabeth, that could take me from your side.”
“Then yes, Idokeep my own counsel.”
“And if you were to receive another proposal of marriage?”
Elizabeth laughed and tapped his hand. “That would be telling. Let us only say that I am not displeased with my current situation.”
“Soon, Miss Elizabeth,” replied he. “I am not renowned for my patience.”
“Thatisa surprise. Why, I have heard that you never rush into anything without due deliberation.”
“But when I decide, I do not hesitate.”
“Then I shall wait to witness the truth of your assertion for myself.” Elizabeth took his arm again. “Now, shall we not return to Longbourn? My mother will send a search party to look for us if we do not appear soon.”
DARCY WAS SO CLOSEthat he could almost taste it. Which was why he had no choice but to fill his mind with other matters, so he did not speak with haste. Though he was ready, he could sense that Miss Elizabeth, though she had warmed to him, needed a little longer. Having her forever was worth the wait, so he practiced patience and emulated her—he kept his own counsel.
Longbourn was, as usual, lively that morning, the chatter from the sitting-room reaching them the moment they entered the vestibule. Knowing Bingley was to visit that morning—Bingley never allowed a day to pass without being in the company of his angel—Darcy was not surprised to see his friend when he stepped into the room. As he had expected, Georgiana sat with the youngest Bennets, and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had also come that morning.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy!” cried Mrs. Bennet the moment they stepped into the room. “How good of you to escort my second daughter this morning.”
“Not at all, Mrs. Bennet,” replied Darcy, knowing that she could speak at length if he let her. “I enjoy walking with Miss Elizabeth.”
Mrs. Bennet appeared to believe it was best to leave well enough alone, for she said nothing further. That the lady now vibrated with expectation of having a second daughter engaged was not unknown to Darcy, nor to the rest of her family, though he had made no explicit overtures. It was a fiction he clung to for the moment—seeing the waters Bingley navigated now that he was engaged to Miss Bennet, Darcy had no desire to wade into the current until he must.
“Well, that is curious, to be certain.”
“Oh?” asked Miss Elizabeth of her father, fixing him with a look. “What is that, Papa?”
“Why, that your mother has not seen fit to take you in hand and ensure you ‘capture’ your suitor.” Mr. Bennet fixed Darcy with a wide grin. “I must attribute it to your beau’s tall stature and stern demeanor. Bingley possesses no such protection.”
“Perhaps that is so,” said Darcy gravely, though Mr. Bennet’s wit amused him as always. “What of you, sir? Do you not feel the need to promote your daughter’s interests?”
“No, indeed!” said Mr. Bennet with aplomb. “You are getting on charmingly without my interference, Darcy. Besides, any man knows the perils of getting between a daughter and her suitor.”
The man paused as if in thought, then added: “Well, if you were that scoundrel Wickham, I would need to take a hand. As it is, I am content to observe and laugh at the folly of youth.”
“Papa!” said Miss Elizabeth in that exasperated tone she often used with him.
“I hope, sir,” said Darcy, “that you do not suggest admiring your daughter is folly.”
Mr. Bennet was vastly amused. “Not at all, sir. I hope you will forgive the imprudence of a proud father, but I will declare that Lizzy is one of the most remarkable young ladies in England and dare anyone to prove me wrong.”
“You will receive no argument from me, Mr. Bennet,” replied Darcy, his eyes finding Miss Elizabeth with no intention of looking away.
“Yes, I can see that,” said Mr. Bennet, appearing content.
“Shall we not sit together, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” said she.
Darcy led her to a nearby sofa, determined to keep her attention for the rest of the visit. It would not be much longer—of this he was determined. Soon, she would be his forever.
LOUISA OBSERVED THEroom, feeling a great sense of contentment, the satisfaction of a task completed well. Content, however, was not an adjective that could describe Caroline.
Though Caroline had grown silent these past weeks, Louisa knew she watched everything. The reasons for her observation were not unknown to Louisa, though she was uncertain whether her sister yet understood them herself. When Caroline muttered to herself and looked away from Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, Louisa decided it was time to speak to her sister.
“Is something amiss, Caroline?”
