Elizabeth stared at him, and he continued, “You need not agree or disagree. Truth is truth, even though we have an entire code of propriety and decorum designed to hide it at every turn. Can we at least agree on that?”
Completely off balance, Elizabeth nodded.
He added more softly, “I do not get taken to task often. You were correct—it was condescending, even if you were toopolite to say it. May I offer an apology—or, more importantly, a commitment to mend my ways? I thought it was a compliment when I said it, and when I explain the conversation to my sister, even at 16, she will firmly assert that I am a lunkhead of the worst order.”
Elizabeth could not help laughing at that final statement. “Well… who would have thought? Mr Darcy has a sense of humour—”
She stopped abruptly and blushed.
To her surprise, he laughed. “Perhaps I am not the only person in Kent to suffer from a surfeit of pride or confusion?”
The smile on his face eliminated any sting, so Elizabeth said, “Perhaps.”
The front door opened, interrupting her next statement, and the Collins family entered. Mary chatted brightly with William, which, considering the topic of their short tête-à-tête, probably disconcerted Mr Darcy—or perhaps being caught in a potentially compromising situation by one of the highly suspect Bennet women left him fearful for his reputation.
Whatever the motive, Mr Darcy jumped from the chair as if he suddenly found Mrs Bennet sitting a foot to his left and Lady Catherine flanking his right, made a deep bow, and started for the door. When he reached the Collins family, he paused long enough to take his leave with brief but proper civility and walked away at a brisk pace.
Mary wandered over to her sister. “What in the world have you done to poor Mr Darcy?”
“I have no idea!”
Mary laughed. “You must change your tactics, Elizabeth. You are no longer talking to a mutton-headed man, so you cannot fool me.”
Elizabeth laughed and kissed her sister on the cheek. “You have caught me out. I was talking about you.”
“How so?”
“I asserted that women are not idiots, and a good wife can be the making of a man. I think I may have overtaxed his mind.”
Mary shook her head. “He must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in so familiar a way.”
“I think not. He is like the colonel—bored at Rosings and desperate for diversion. When he entered, he was surprised to find me alone and could not think of a polite way to escape.”
“If you say so, Lizzy, but you must admit, it is peculiar.”
“Perhaps, but think on this. All field sports are over. Within doors there is Lady Catherine, books, and a billiard-table, but gentlemen cannot always be within doors. I suppose he finds us amusing, and so meant to pass a few hours of his duty visit by being entertained by us.”
Mary stared at her a moment. “I know you are theMistress of Uncomfortable Conversations, but allow me my share of the entertainment.”
Elizabeth’s laugh came out strangled. “Go on.”
“No matter how much I tease, I would never wish you unhappy. You know how much I love my husband, but you must admit it seems the most fortuitous fluke in history. When you worked your magic on him, I was only looking for a roof over my head and a man that was not entirely disagreeable.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Now think on this rationally. I sometimes like to reduce a complex problem to one simple true or false question, with many variations and sub-variations. Do you agree?”
Elizabeth nodded again.
“Very well… True or false: Mr Darcy is in love with you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “All evidence suggests false.”
“Notallevidence, but I agree with most. There is no harm in assuming it false and living your life accordingly. But suppose… well, just suppose Lizzy, that the answer wastrue. When you found out, what would you do?”
“I have no idea. I suppose it depends on how I found out.”
“Think on it. Suppose such an awkward man offered for you. We may assume it would be as bad as William’s proposal or worse. How would you react?”
