Charlotte and Mr. Van der Meer did not pause in the doorway with me, much to my dismay. And with a surreptitious glance upward, I saw what we’d been seeking all night. The blasted mistletoe, the only one in the entire Bingley household, was hanging over the front door! And Charlotte was already walking down the steps toward the carriage.
I settled my eyes back on Mr. Darcy, my feelings toward him tending to the ungenerous. “One moment, Mr. Darcy.”
“It is to do with my sister,” he explained.
I frowned. “Miss Darcy? Is something the matter?”
“No, not at all. Well, not at present. It is only that she was hoping for an outing to the market—I assume she means to purchase a few gifts without me staring over her shoulder. Would you, and your sister and Miss Lucas…?”
I shook my head, my eyes almost dazzled by his audacity. “You wantmeto take your sister to the market?”
“If you are willing.”
“I… I do not know what to say.”
He dipped his head closer to me. “I believe the word you are looking for is ‘yes,’ Miss Elizabeth. At least, I hope it is.”
I blinked. “Yes. Of course.”
Mr. Darcy smiled. “Then I will send a note to your uncle to make the arrangements.” He paused, then his eyes flicked meaningfully upward to the arch over the door. “And I will bid you a good evening, Miss Elizabeth.”
My cheeks burned, but before I could respond, he turned his attention to Charlotte. “And Miss Lucas. I hope you also have a pleasant evening.”
Charlotte murmured something appropriately gracious in reply. I shifted impatiently, ready to extricate us from this conversation.
But Mr. Darcy seemed inclined to linger. “You know, I have heard it said that to find oneself under the mistletoe and not steal a kiss is the height of bad luck,” he mused, one corner of his mouth quirking upward.
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. Was Mr. Darcy actuallyflirtingwith me? Before I could gather my wits to respond, he simply bowed. “If you ladies will excuse me, I will return to the festivities,” he said with a tip of his head before striding away.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Well! That was… unexpected.”
Charlotte turned her knowing gaze on me. “It seems you have an admirer, Lizzy.”
I shook my head in denial, though my traitorous heart had quickened at Mr. Darcy’s words. I linked my arm through Charlotte’s again.
“Come. Let us enjoy the rest of the evening without any further thought of mistletoe or mysterious gentlemen.”
Charlotte laughed gaily and allowed me to lead her into the dancing throng once more. But my thoughts kept returning to Mr. Darcy’s provocative suggestion, and the tingling possibility it presented.
13
22 December
“Isitnotsimplydelightful?” I exclaimed, casting my gaze about the lively scene before us. “I do so adore this time of year!”
“It is quite lovely,” Jane agreed. “I always enjoy the market, and what a mercy that the snow and rain have held off for the afternoon.”
Georgiana Darcy’s face was alight, her eyes flitting from one market stall to the next with positive radiance. “Oh, I am so glad we came today. I was astonished when Fitzwilliam suggested I come with you. Truly, Miss Jane, Miss Elizabeth, I could hardly contain myself!”
I shot Jane a look, and she lifted a brow, but said nothing. Miss Darcy had not specifically requested this outing, but it was her brother’s idea? That was rather curious. “The pleasure is ours, Miss Darcy,” I said. “It is only a pity Charlotte was not feeling well enough to join us today. Now, where did you wish to begin?”
She put a hand to her mouth as she surveyed the stalls at the market. “Truly, I do not know! I had already purchased the real gifts for everyone, but I could not pass up the opportunity to come today. Perhaps I could find something small and… well, personal for a few people, like my cousin Richard, or our housekeeper—you know, she is almost like a mother to me. And Mrs. Annesley, my companion—now, I really ought to find something lovely for her. What do you suggest, Miss Elizabeth?”
I caught my lip between my teeth. “Well, perhaps if I knew what they liked. Wait—rather, I should say that if we are seeking small and personal gifts, we ought first to speak of whatyoulike. The gifts should reflect the giver, should they not?”
She smiled shyly. “That seems like a place to start.”
“Then tell me, Miss Darcy, what sort of pastimes doyoumost delight in? Are you partial to literature, or perhaps the arts?”
