“Stop teasing me!”
“Then answer me honestly for once!”
Mr. Collins stood up. “Gentlemen, I stand as guardian to Miss Bennet in her father’s absence. I demand an explanation!”
There was a minute’s silence; it was broken by Mr. Darcy. “I apologise, Mr. Collins; you are quite right.”
“Whatever can you mean by all this?”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I have long held a…certain regard for Miss Bennet.”
“Do you plan to offer for her?”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes snapped to Mr. Collins’ face. “I do.”
The Colonel gasped and then began to chuckle. “At last he sees sense!”
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins continued to stare at one another. Mr. Darcy added, softly, “But I do not know if she will accept me.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am struggling to believe – but you are my cousin Elizabeth’s superior in every way!”
“I am not; in a good many ways, I am her inferior.”
“I cannot allow you to hurt her; do not toy with her affections,” Mr. Collins warned him, solemnly.
“I received similar advice from her father some months ago, Mr. Collins. I assure you that I have no interest in toying with her. I mean to marry her, if she will have me. But I beg you to say nothing of this to anyone. I must be allowed to try to regain her regard.”
Mr. Collins looked at Mr. Darcy in consternation. “You wish me to say nothing to her?”
“Precisely.” Then he added, softly, “Please.”
Mr. Collins sighed. “Very well; but I shall be keeping an eye on both of you.”
Upon their return to the drawing room, the Colonel had the pleasure of watching Mr. Darcy try to make himself agreeable to Miss Bennet, who pointedly ignored him. He begged her to play for the company, saying that he would be happy to turn pages for her, but she turned to Mary and asked her sister to do so, saying that Mary was able to read music and so would be of more help.
When he asked after Mrs. Bingley, she shrugged and simply said, “All my family are well.”
“And Miss Kitty? Miss Lydia?” He was desperate now for something from her, but what? An acknowledgement of him, some sign of – anything!
But she simply stared at him and then turned to Mrs. Collins, saying that she was weary. Mrs. Collins obediently turned to her husband, and they soon thanked their hostess most sincerely, made their farewells to everyone, and departed in Lady Catherine’s carriage.
Mr. Darcy stared after them, utterly shocked.
Chapter Fifty-Three
The next morning saw Elizabeth quite pale, causing Mary a good deal of consternation. “Lizzy! Are you unwell?”
“I think not; I just slept rather ill.” Indeed, that was quite the understatement. Elizabeth believed she had gotten little more than an hour’s rest from her turbulent thoughts.
“Perhaps you should go back to bed once you have broken your fast.”
“I shall, Mary; I thank you for your concern.”
Elizabeth managed a cup of tea and a single slice of toast before she felt that she must return to her room. But sleep still eluded her, as her thoughts whirled about, reliving every moment of the previous night. What on earth had Mr. Darcy intended, payingher such attentions? Had he not told her, as plainly as could be, that she had no chance with him? Why, now, did he seek her favour so plainly?
She was as resolved now as she had been the night before; she would continue to treat him as a casual acquaintance and no more. But oh! It was so very difficult! Those dark eyes, by turns serious, amused, thoughtful! His manner, his bearing, the tone of his voice, all still so very dear to her!
***
