Page 48 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

“If I ask her opinion, she might feel obliged to reassure me.”

“And if you don’t ask her, she might feel abandoned.”

I looked away, toward the bookshelves.

“I no longer know how to act without influencing her.”

The voice that emerged sounded strange, even to me.

Mr. Bennet softened.

“Perhaps that is your first reasonable decision: admitting that you don’t know. Speak to her.”

Elizabeth was waiting for me in the small parlor. She wore a pale blue dress. Her face was grave, but she rose eagerly when I entered.

“You saw my father.”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“He thinks I’m foolish.”

An involuntary smile touched her lips.

“His opinion of you is improving. He usually reserves that judgment for people he likes.”

I could not smile.

She saw it.

“What do you intend to do?”

“To announce that our engagement is off and leave Netherfield today.”

The blood drained from her face.

“You're leaving?”

“I don't want your reputation to suffer any further.”

“You think you're protecting it by letting everyone believe you discovered the Bennets' unworthiness too late?”

“No. I'll make it known that the decision is mine, for personal reasons.”

“Which will fuel three times as much speculation.”

“I see no other way.”

“You haven't looked for one with me.”

Anger lit her eyes.

“I was trying not to pressure you.”

“You're still trying to decide alone what's best for the people you love.”

The words struck exactly where her reproach at Hunsford had left a wound.