Rather to her own shock, though perhaps not to the shock of those who consider that Elizabeth was a healthy and active young woman who had little sleep for two nights in a row, she slept soundly this whole night, and woke refreshed and with a face that evenshethought looked as pretty as the spring dew.
Elizabeth took some pains over her appearance before they went to dinner, but not as many as she might have if she was not forced to share one maid with both Charlotte and Maria, and if she had not been wholly aware that Charlotte was watching her and snickering at her occasional claims of disinterest in Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine’s carriage came to pick them up — her second one, Mr. Collins proudly informed them. It took longer for them to be driven round to the front entrance than it would have taken them to walk if they’d cut across the park.
Mr. Darcy was solid and calm when they arrived, while Lady Catherine was loud and ebullient. She was delighted to have her nephews as guests, and proud to show them off to the visitors.
Elizabeth observed the behavior of Mr. Darcy with Miss de Bourgh, and she could detect no sign of any particular attention towards her. Elizabeth felt quite certain before dinner was half done that her refusal had not changed the match between them into more than Lady Catherine’s happy delusion.
Elizabeth’s eyes moved naturally towards Mr. Darcy whenever they had the chance. His expression seemed to have some satisfaction in watching her talk with Miss Darcy, as the two of them became more friendly. He had a ruddy glow to his cheeks, tanned skin, deep eyes, and lips that looked very soft. Such dark, serious eyes…
During Jane and Charlie’s engagement, Elizabeth had taken her turns at being the “chaperone” — a creature, who, like the excise man, was best liked when they did a poor job of their assigned task — Elizabeth had seen Jane and Charlie kiss many times from the corner of her eye.
She wanted Darcy’s lips.
After dinner, Elizabeth found herself chiefly in conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy, with Darcy sitting to the side, clearly watching her, but saying very little. But presently he addressed her directly and said, “It surprised me very much when I heard that you were present at Rosings.”
“I hope it was not anunpleasantdiscovery.”
“Quite the opposite.”
Darcy looked at her and as she smiled back at him, he flushed and glanced away. “That is to say, I am very happy to renew our acquaintance. We have not seen each other since… oh it was the 26th of November when Bingley held his ball.”
It was now Elizabeth’s turn to flush and look down at his precise memory.Shewould not have been able to recall which day the ball had been on.
“An eventful night.”
“Mostly unpleasant — but in the midst of the unpleasantness we danced together, and the band was exquisite.”
“You remember the music when we danced?” Elizabeth flushed. She wished that there was no one else there, and she could talk more openly to Mr. Darcy.
“My brother has the best taste in music!” Miss Darcy exclaimed. “He has always encouraged my love of playing.”
On consideration, Elizabeth was rather glad to have the previous subject of conversation interrupted — though she hoped dearly it would at some later point be resumed.
“So I have heard! I have been toldyourplaying is exquisite.”
“Well, no…” Miss Darcy blushed and smiled shyly. “It is only that I practice a great deal. I enjoy the sound and effort.”
“We must play a duet,” Elizabeth said, “and I shall take the singing part, as my voice is superior to my playing.”
“No! Brother told me that you have a perfect love for music.”
Elizabeth laughed, flushed, and looked at Darcy who met her eye with a pleased smile.
“I have never enjoyed something so much as watching you listen to music,” he said.
“Ah! Listening to music.” She said, “I canlistenwith more enthusiasm than any other woman of my acquaintance. That I’ll confess to. I have alovefor music, but my talent to produce it is ratherlessthan that of many. I never applied myself, having no need to do so as many of my friends were amply capable of providing that entertainment.”
During the course of the night Elizabeth played, and then Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and smiled, letting the flow of the notes go through her. She could happily listen to Miss Darcy play every night of her life. Pieces by Beethoven, Mozart. Robin Adair by Cramer.
The way Miss Darcy brought an extra feeling, an extra bit of heart and emotion to the music caught Elizabeth’s heart and made it soar.
She once played a favorite of Caroline’s, the same piano concerto that Caroline had played one night at Lucas Lodge when Elizabeth made Darcy sit next to her to turn the pages for her.
This time Elizabeth could not help it. The sad rolling sweep of the first movement brought tears to her eyes.
