Darcy said nothing, He just looked at her, deep into her eyes. Her stomach was flipping again.
He broke the gaze and looked at the fire with high color. “Nay, nay…some great men have been deficient in the body, but not the mind — Homer, Milton, the blind poets. The difference between man and woman is not a matter of the body alone.”
“Sappho — and Wollstonecraft. A greater thinker thanBurke.”
“You dislike Burke?”
Georgiana laughed. “NowI understand why Bingley separated you two.” She took Anne from Elizabeth’s arms. “Fitzwilliam, whether Miss Bennet or you are right about which sex is the cleverest, she is as learned and clever asyou.”
Darcy blinked as his sister walked away. “Miss Bennet, what did you say to my sister?”
“Perhaps you two have not spoken often about the intrinsic inferiority of my sex? For my part, I think anything that makes her begin to see you more as a mere human is salutary.”
“I beg you to leave my sister to my management.”
“I shall treat her as anyadultwoman of my acquaintance.”
Darcy grimaced. Handsomely. It was unfortunate: He dideverythinghandsomely.
“You worried she was lonely. Now you worry when she has friends.”
“She is my sister. In my care. And I love her — I shall always worry, no matter what.” The mischievous glint returned to his eyes. “I expected her friends to have the nature of Mrs. Bingley.”
Elizabeth swooned and fluttered her eyelashes. “I am one ofthosewomen! Not safe for impressionable young girls? Youdoknow how to flatter a woman.”
He smiled, also handsomely. “And you claimed flattery could not move you. Youlikebeing said dangerous.”
“I have never been called that before.” Elizabeth grinned unabashedly. He did know how to flatter a woman. “I beg you not to hide your sister from my influence.”
“You are too good hearted to intend her real harm.”
“I am good hearted? Am I also an angel?”
“An imp.”
Elizabeth laughed. She placed her hand on his well-muscled arm. “Mr. Darcy, we shall be friends.”
He grinned back at her. “You like my manner of flattery.”
“No one flatters me like you do.”
“None of the hordes of gentlemen circling round you?”
“At mine age, spinster already, how many gentlemen do you think there might be?” Elizabeth dramatically touched her breast, and then she laughed buoyantly. They both knew they were flirting with each other. Her whole body was oriented towards Darcy, and he faced her.
“You have as many admirers as you wish.” Darcy paused for a beat and grinned boyishly again, showing that he knew how arrogant what he would say was, but that he said it for the fun. “We are very much alike inthat.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Your pile draws every rational or passionate woman — I refer to your hair, not your home or your rents.”
He shrugged, roguishly smiling, and pulled at his locks. “Deuced fine head of hair.”
“I empathize with your difficulty in fending off admirers — Idohave many.”
Darcy laughed. “Miss Bennet, I declare, we shall be good friends.”
Chapter Eight
The following afternoon Darcy found himself in the midst of yet another shooting expedition arranged by Bingley. Oddly his friend had not improved his aim despite his enthusiasm for the sport. Once again Mr. Bennet was part of the party, and Darcy found himself coming to like the sarcastic wit of the older gentleman.
