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“First of all, sir, if we are to engage in intercourse of such an intimate nature as this, may I prevail upon you to address me as Miss Elizabeth? I often find myself looking about in search of my eldest sister, Jane, whenever I hear, ‘Miss Bennet.’”

“I shall be honored to address you as Miss Elizabeth. In fact, I am delighted to do so. That said, my question remains unanswered.”

“Sir, I might as well ask the same question of you. I am not unaware of your presumed engagement to your cousin Miss de Bourgh. Surely it is not an arrangement with any manner of love or affection as its basis, were one to judge by your attentiveness towards her.”

“I would beg you not to give credence to any notion that I am engaged to marry my cousin.”

“Why ever not? Is it not widely circulated among those who know you and your family best?”

“Which still does not make it true. The truth is that Lady Catherine desires the match. She heralds it as a favorite wish of my late mother as well as herself. Anne does not wish it. I certainly do not.”

Elizabeth could hardly believe what she was hearing. It was true that between the gentleman and his cousin there existed no evidence of anything beyond a familial affection for each other. What did that matter? She knew enough about people of their ilk to understand that upholding family loyalty overrode all else, even the heart. Especially the heart.

“If that is indeed the case then my question stands. Do you desire a love match, Mr. Darcy?”

“I can say with utter conviction that, yes, I do, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth and Darcy, as involved in their own discourse as they were, did not notice that the colonel was quickly heading their way.

“What a pleasant surprise this is seeing the two of you,” he said when he reached them.

Darcy said, “I am accompanying Miss Bennet to the parsonage. Shall I look for you at Rosings upon my return, or do you have other plans?”

“If the two of you do not object, I would much rather turn back and walk to the parsonage as well.”

Darcy’s countenance spoke of his objection to the scheme. The colonel ignored his younger cousin, preferring Elizabeth’s warm smile as sufficient encouragement instead.

Elizabeth was grateful for the addition to their party. Such an arrangement afforded a most convenient means of evading a topic she would rather not discuss with anyone save Jane. Of course she would prefer to be passionately in love with the gentleman who would one day be her husband—to know that manner of love that one truly ever feels but once in a lifetime. During their younger days, she and her sister would spend long hours talking about what it would be like to one day be carried away to live in a beautiful castle in a land far, far away with each of their own handsome princes. But such was the very essence of fairy tales. Elizabeth herself was nearly one and twenty and Jane even older. In some circles, both of them would be considered spinsters. Both young ladies were sensible enough to know their meeting with such happy endings as they fantasized would take more than a miracle. The prospect of marrying a gentleman whom she honored and respected was certainly within Elizabeth’s grasp. She was confident she would recognize it when she saw it, and she would not settle for anything less.

The next day when Elizabeth was returning to the parsonage with Mr. Darcy at her side, she sought to avoid any further discussion on those topics she had theretofore successfully avoided by speaking on matters of books and even the weather. Normally, she would not have endeavored so hard to eliminate the silence between them, but Mr. Darcy had been particularly quiet that day.

“Do you have plans to leave Kent very soon?” Elizabeth inquired.

“I hope that is not your polite way of telling me that you have grown tired of my company.”

“That is not for me to say. You are Lady Catherine’s guest—and your cousin Anne’s.”

“Indeed. In truth, I would have returned to town long before now if not for—” Still unsure of how he might express his growing feelings for Elizabeth in a manner that would not give her false hope, Darcy held his tongue.

“If not for what, Mr. Darcy?”

“It is not important. Pray when do you plan to return to Hertfordshire?”

“I will remain here for another month. After that I shall spend time in town with my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.”

“I suppose they are your relations in Cheapside whom you spoke of before.”

“Indeed, they are my relations in trade. You will recall how abhorred your aunt was when she learned of them. Do you share her sentiments?”

“You will recall my telling you that my aunt and I are not always of the same mind.”

“Then you do not find people who earn their living by trade to be wholly objectionable?”

“Not as a rule,” he replied. Darcy noticed a hint of skepticism in Elizabeth’s countenance. “Do you doubt me, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Do you know anyone who earns a living in trade?”

“A man in my position can hardly escape such associations.”