Darcy glanced at her. "One which you do not appear inclined to accept."
"Oh, I accept it perfectly. I merely find myself surprised by it."
"Surprised?"
"Yes. It suggests a degree of concern for my feelings which I had not understood you possessed."
Darcy was silent and when he spoke again, there was a new attentiveness in his voice.
"Have I done something more to offend you, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth laughed softly, but said nothing.
"Miss Elizabeth," he said after a moment, "if I have given you some further cause for displeasure, I would rather know it than remain ignorant of it."
"Then I am afraid you must remain ignorant a little longer, for I have no desire to explain myself."
"That seems a severe position to take."
"Not half so severe as some of the judgements you pronounce on others, sir."
At last Darcy said quietly, "I confess myself entirely at a loss. Not so very long ago you were disposed to think tolerably well ofme. Since then I have quarrelled with you once, apologised badly and apparently committed some third offence which remains unknown to me. I should be grateful if you would enlighten me."
Elizabeth stopped walking. She had no intention of enlightening him. Yet there was something so direct in the request, and something so infuriating in his apparent ignorance, that her temper finally deserted her.
"I am not certain there is much purpose in it. You have already formed your opinion and I assure you I have no wish to alter it. I am perfectly content to remain exactly what you believe me to be."
Darcy frowned.
"And what, precisely, is that?"
Elizabeth met his gaze. "A woman very fit to be admired, perhaps. But not, of course, one who has been bred for anything more serious. I do not consider my ego so very large, sir. But still, it is disheartening to hear oneself discussed as though one were a horse being inspected before purchase. Not to mention that I have not, in fact, to my knowledge, applied for the position of mistress of Pemberley."
The silence that followed seemed to hollow out the street around them. Mr Darcy stared at her, recognition lighting his eyes and all the colour leaving his face.
"Good God. You overheard me."
“That I did, sir. Good day.” With that she walked off briskly, leaving him looking after her in abject horror.
Chapter Nine
"Iam determined to find an ichthyosaur."
Mr Bingley delivered this declaration over breakfast with great solemnity. Although Darcy was fairly sure he had only learned the word the day before.
Mrs Makepeace looked at him sternly but with affection. "You are considerably more likely to find yourself at the bottom of a cliff, Mr Bingley."
"Then I shall endeavour to avoid the cliff and discover the ichthyosaur. I am told Lyme is famous for such things."
"Lyme is famous for fossils. Whether any particular fossil of note has been waiting patiently for your arrival is another matter entirely."
"I do not see why it should not be. I have arrived. The fossils are present. It appears to me that all the necessary elements are in place."
Miss Bennet laughed prettily. "I think Mrs Makepeace is attempting to explain that fossil hunting may require some degree of skill."
"Then I shall rely upon enthusiasm."
"You generally do," muttered Darcy.
