Page 36 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

“Perfectly,” Jane replied.

“I should hope so. A man who possesses ten thousand a year should never be kept from the arrangements.”

Darcy cast me a look. In his eyes, I saw that he understood why I had developed the habit of meeting embarrassment with irony.

Mr. Bingley arrived a few minutes later. He found Jane near the window and nearly forgot to greet the others. Darcy drew me aside toward the table where Mary had abandoned several pieces of sheet music.

“You didn't have to speak to her today,” I murmured.

“I did.”

“You had already set things right with Mr. Bingley.”

“Miss Bennet is not merely a side effect of Bingley's situation. She is the one I wronged.”

This response struck me with unexpected force.

“She forgave you.”

“I hadn't presumed she would.”

“You assume very little anymore.”

“You showed me the danger of it.”

I let my fingers slide along the edge of a sheet of music to keep from reaching for him in front of the entire parlor.

“Jane asked you to respect Mr. Bingley's decisions. I could make a similar request of you.”

“Concerning yours?”

“Yes.”

“I'm trying.”

“I can see that.”

His gaze settled on my face.

“Does it change your opinion of me?”

“You promised not to demand an answer before I was ready.”

“I'm not asking for that answer—the one about marriage.”

“You're clever.”

“Desperate.”

I lowered my voice.

“Yes. It changes my opinion.”

He didn't smile. His face relaxed with an emotion deeper than satisfaction.

Under the table, hidden from view, his hand briefly found mine. His fingers pressed mine, then withdrew before my mother could turn her head.

That touch stayed with me the rest of the day.