“And a good thing for him, if he can secure her.” Elizabeth regarded her companion, her brow arched.
Charlotte agreed. “You know how fond I am of Jane. I would be overjoyed to see her well settled. I must say, however…”
Elizabeth’s spine straightened as she awaited Charlotte’s next words.
“While it is increasingly clear whathisopinion of her is, one could not say the opposite. Jane ought to show her feelings more.”
This irritated Elizabeth. Jane’s manners were polite and appropriate, and if Mr Bingley could not tell how much she liked him, he was a fool.
“You know that is not her way. Do you think it is so impossible for people to discern that she enjoys his company?”
Charlotte shook her head. “It is just…I would encourage her to show even more than she feels. Let him see not just that she likes him but also that she wants to be his wife. She would hate herself if he slipped away.”
Biting her cheek to avoid retorting, Elizabeth took a moment to order her words. “Jane will have to decide for herself what is right. Remember, you and I cannot know what they say to each other. I suggest we leave them to it, and perhaps we shall have something to celebrate by the end of the year—beyond Christmas, that is.”
Charlotte eyed her speculatively. “I rather thought we might have another much-anticipated event to cheer us.”
In lieu of speaking, Elizabeth made a vague noise.
“You and Mr Darcy are friends—or are well on the way to being so. I admit, I am surprised.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew warm, and she forced a laugh. “I cannot imagine why. He is clever, which I always appreciate in a person, and we are often in the same place at the same time.”
“It is just that—”
Charlotte’s words were cut off when the door opened and several young men entered; Mr Darcy was amongst them. Elizabeth watched as he said a quick word to Miss Bingley—who approached him, evidently to ask a question—then walked towards where she stood near the pianoforte. Her lips inexorably began to turn upwards, and she barely heard Charlotte’s words before she left to talk to some other lady.
“I shall leave you to your new friend, shall I?”
Elizabeth did not care for the touch of amusement that bordered on mockery in her voice but forgot it in an instant when Mr Darcy smiled and greeted her.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Disappointment was Darcy’s companion as he sat down to dinner. He had been at Longbourn for above half an hour without exchanging a single word with Miss Elizabeth, and was not fortunate enough to sit beside her. Darcy was prepared to like Mr Collins because the Bennets were fond of him, but after being introduced to him and observing him before and during the meal, he could only say that the man was unremarkable.
He acknowledged his judgment might have a little to do with Mr Collins being the recipient of Miss Elizabeth’s attention instead of himself. It was ungentlemanly, but he had not realised they weresuchgood friends. They were clearly comfortable with each other, and Darcy began to make comparisons between Mr Collins and himself, the former always the inferior. It was unkind, and he stopped, although it required effort. When Mr Collins leant towards Elizabeth, she did not pull away. She listened attentively as her cousin spoke. It discomposed Darcy, especially in light of Mrs Bennet’s remark about being able to call Mr Collins her son, meaning he would marry one of his cousins. The idea was sound, especially with five daughters who had little fortune of their own—but the only Miss Bennet with whom Mr Collins had exchanged more than a few words was the one with whomDarcyhappened to be falling in love.
As though I am not already…
Darcy entered the drawing room with the intention of immediately seeking out Miss Elizabeth to ensure they would not go the entire night without speaking. On his way across the room, Miss Bingley stopped him.
“Mr Darcy, you did not stay long with the gentlemen. I am afraid you are not enjoying yourself. Such parties can be tedious. The people—”
“Not at all. I trust you have been adequately occupied by the other ladies. If you will excuse me.”
He tried to keep his eyes on Miss Bingley, but they would drift to Miss Elizabeth. Each time he saw her, she looked lovelier than the last, whether they met in a drawing room or in the open air, the wind disordering her coiffure and dirtying her clothing. He nodded once and proceeded to Miss Elizabeth. Once with her, they fell into easy conversation.
“I am hoping you will tell me you have been enjoying yourself, Mr Darcy. My mother, sisters, and I began making arrangements for tonight only once we learnt my cousin would be home today. My mother did not want to put off celebrating until next week. I do not see why there was such a rush, and I am afraid the party might not be as well planned as it could have been.”
Although her words were serious, her manner displayed no genuine anxiety. Nevertheless, Darcy assured her everything was to his liking. “Dinner was excellent, and that is what people will most recall—unless someone does something very shocking.”
They both chuckled.
“Let us pray nothing of that sort happens. My mother would need at least a week to recover, more if it was something particularly outrageous.”
Even commonplace subjects were somehow more stimulating when shared with her, and they talked about the meal a little further, then the weather, and finally Darcy’s excursions through the neighbourhood on horseback.
“As you know, I favour going out before breakfast. I find it invigorating to start the day in such a fashion and having a new county to explore has added a welcomed novelty to my rides. Bingley and I occasionally go out together in the afternoon. I do not recall you mentioning your favourite paths, but you must have some.”
