Page 61 of Twice Chosen

Her expression softened. "Perhaps stop looking like my husband."

Darcy's hand tightened around hers. "Impossible."

The dance ended.

Neither wanted to release the other.

They did.

Slowly.

Bingley saw.

He turned to Jane. "Your sister is going to marry Darcy."

Jane smiled. "I believe so."

Bingley stared. "You knew?"

"I suspected."

"Since when?"

"The assembly."

Bingley looked offended. "I suspected after the assembly."

Jane laughed.

Bingley forgot his grievance.

Mr. Bennet's suspicion sharpened after a dinner at Netherfield where Darcy and Elizabeth independently reached for a fallen spoon at the same instant, both stopped, and then laughed as though the accident had recalled a private memory.

On the carriage ride home he said, "Lizzy, have you known Mr. Darcy longer than you claim?"

Mrs. Bennet gasped. "What do you mean?"

Elizabeth's pulse jumped. "No, Papa."

"He anticipates you."

Lydia leaned forward eagerly. "I said so!"

Kitty added, "They always know when the other is going to speak."

Mary adjusted her gloves. "People who read similar books may develop similar patterns of thought."

Mr. Bennet looked delighted. "Thank you, Mary. We shall blame literature."

Elizabeth smiled. "A safe culprit."

Mrs. Bennet, entirely missing the danger, said, "If Mr. Darcy admires Lizzy's mind, I see no difficulty. Gentlemen like accomplished wives."

Elizabeth looked out the window.

Mr. Bennet continued studying her.

Later, as she passed the library, he called her in.