She studied him for a moment. "Good. Then we understand one another at least that far."
"Not as far as I should wish. We cannot ignore this, Miss Elizabeth. You know what my honour demands."
"I know," she hissed. "That is the difficulty. But this madness is not a basis for a life."
Mrs Bennet’s voice crossed the room. "Lizzy, my dear, do come here a moment. Miss Darcy and I cannot agree whether this ribbon is blue or green."
Elizabeth stepped away at once.
Georgiana held up the ribbon. "It appears blue in this light, but I think it may be greener by candlelight."
"That is a very diplomatic answer," said Mrs Bennet with a smile.
"I have placed additional brushes in your room," Mrs Makepeace said. "Mud is persistent. It has a way of sticking where it is not wanted."
"I am aware," he said.
"I have found," she continued, setting down the candlestick she had been carrying, "that knowing it does not always prevent it."
She looked at him steadily. "I would take particular care around young ladies, Mr Darcy. A gentleman’s intentions are his own concern until they begin to involve someone else, and then they require a little more thought."
Darcy met her gaze. "I take your meaning, Mrs Makepeace."
"I thought you might," she said. "You are a man of sense, in most respects."
She picked up the candlestick again. "Goodnight."
Chapter Fifteen
Mrs Purvis’ drawing room was warm with firelight and candles, the air faintly scented with beeswax and something sweet from the sideboard. The curtains had been drawn against the evening, and the room held a soft brightness that reflected onto the occupants faces with a determined cheerfulness.
Two card tables stood near the hearth. At the nearer one, Mrs Purvis arranged the players with quiet authority.
"Mr Bingley—here, if you please. Miss Bennet. Mr Darcy. Miss Elizabeth." She glanced to the side. "Mr Fletcher will make the final pair with…ah, yes, Miss Reed, you will sit in."
Mr Fletcher, a florid man of middle years with an easy manner, took his seat readily. Miss Reed, dressed in an abundance of lace and carrying herself with the authority of long spinsterhood, joined them without comment.
Elizabeth found herself seated very close to Darcy, near enough that she was conscious of him before he so much as moved.
Miss Darcy did not join a table. She had declined Mrs Purvis’s invitation with a quiet apology, taking instead a seat near Mrs Bennet and Mrs Makepeace. They were settled just beyond thetable, positioned in such a way that nothing of consequence could pass unnoticed.
The cards were dealt.
"I ought to warn you," Bingley said, gathering his hand with visible satisfaction, "that I play with great enthusiasm and very little skill."
"An admirable honesty," said Mr Fletcher. "I shall endeavour to match you in one, if not the other."
Jane smiled. "I think we shall all manage very well."
Darcy did not trouble himself to reply.
Elizabeth arranged her cards, telling herself she was attending to the game, though she was uncomfortably aware of the steadiness with which he held himself beside her.
The first few tricks passed without incident. Bingley led boldly, Jane corrected him with gentle precision, and the rest followed as they might.
Elizabeth, after a moment’s consideration, did not.
"You are throwing that away," Darcy murmured, not looking at her.
