Chapter Eight
Elizabeth remained as determined as ever to avoid Mr Darcy.
She believed she had ample justification for the resolution. A gentleman who had first quarrelled with her and then calmly informed his friend that she was unsuited to any future he might choose to imagine for himself ought not to occupy a respectable portion of a lady's thoughts.
Unfortunately, Mr Darcy seemed determined not to behave in a manner that would make him easy to dismiss.
Had he been merely arrogant, she could have laughed at him. Had he been merely disagreeable, she could have disliked him. Instead he persisted in being a better man than was convenient. She had seen the care he took of his sister, the patience with which he endured Mr Bingley's enthusiasms, and had the uncomfortable impression that he regretted their quarrel rather more than his pride permitted him to admit. It was exceedingly inconvenient.
Yet however angry she remained with Mr Darcy, she found she could not entirely dismiss the memory of his sister's face.
Miss Darcy had recovered her composure sufficiently to join the company at meals, but there remained about her a fragility that had not been there before. She smiled when spoken to and answered politely when addressed, yet there were moments when her expression altered and some shadow seemed to pass over it before she could conceal it again.
On two separate occasions she found herself on the verge of approaching the younger woman, only to lose courage at the last moment. What apology could she offer when she did not even understand the offence?
???
Elizabeth found Georgiana at the writing desk in the main parlour the next day, a letter in front of her that had not progressed beyond the salutation.
"Miss Darcy. I hope I am not interrupting anything of importance."
Georgiana glanced at the letter. "I have been writing the same sentence for nearly twenty minutes, so I do not think you can do much harm."
Elizabeth smiled faintly and took a seat opposite her. "Then I shall be brave and proceed. I owe you an apology. What I said in the parlour, about my sister and young men and being crossedin love. I spoke without thought and caused you pain. I am very sorry for it."
A delicate flush rose in Georgiana's cheeks."Thank you," Georgiana said stiffly. "It is very kind."
"No," Elizabeth said. "Merely honest. Kindness would have required me to think before I spoke."
"Yes," Georgiana said, and looked back at her letter. "Well. Thank you."
Elizabeth waited. Nothing further came. She said good morning and left.
She had made it worse. She was unsure how but still fairly certain of this. And left feeling confused and frustrated.
???
Her mother had a headache by mid-morning and Elizabeth volunteered to go out for headache powders before anyone else could offer. She needed the air. She had the powders and was turning back towards the house when Mr Darcy came around the corner and nearly walked into her.
He caught her elbow. Brief and firm and then gone. She felt the touch like fire on her skin and jerked away.
"Miss Elizabeth. I beg your pardon."
"Not at all." She looked at the paper packet in her hand. "Good morning, sir."
He fell into step beside her and she was silent as she attempted to regulate her breathing. If only his shoulders were less distracting.
At length Mr Darcy said, "I have been hoping for an opportunity to speak with you. Indeed, I begin to suspect you have been taking particular care to deny me one."
Elizabeth kept her attention upon the paper packet in her hands.
"I assure you, sir, Lyme is not so large a place that one can expect to remain undiscovered for long. And any failure to be in your company was unconsciously done." She flinched at the obvious untruth.
"Then I am relieved to hear it. For I have wished for some time to apologise for my conduct in the parlour. Whatever distress my sister may have suffered, you could not possibly have anticipated it, and I had no right to address you as I did. I have regretted my behaviour ever since."
Elizabeth felt the sting of it afresh and sighed. Had he been less honest, she would have found him much easier to dislike.
"I am obliged to you, sir. It is a very handsome apology." This was delivered with more tartness than she intended.
