Page 47 of A Question of Character

Mrs. Gardiner gave up all pretense of indifference and laughed as well.

“You cannot mean to terrify people in that manner.”

“At times.”

Elizabeth dabbed at the corner of one eye.

“I might have been intimidated once.”

“Once?”

“When we first met.”

“And now?”

She waved one hand dismissively.

“I know far too much.”

“Too much?”

“You rescue servants from broken dishes. You negotiate peace between dragons and wooden soldiers. You untangle hopeless knots in handkerchiefs. You admire gingerbread.”

Mrs. Gardiner coughed suspiciously into her handkerchief.

“I fear your reputation has suffered beyond repair, Mr. Darcy.”

He allowed the severe expression to dissolve.

“I was beginning to suspect as much.”

“I shall never again believe that face.”

“That places me at a considerable disadvantage.”

“You ought to have thought of that before allowing me to know you.”

Darcy’s gaze lingered upon her with unmistakable warmth.

“I have never been more grateful for an acquaintance than the one I formed with your aunt and uncle.”

Mrs. Gardiner pretended to occupy herself arranging the tea things.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes briefly to the saucer she held.

“You surprise me every day.”

“How so?”

“I confess that when Aunt first spoke of your friendship, I imagined you an exception.”

“To what?”

“To gentlemen of your standing.”

He frowned slightly.

“You expected me to disdain connections in trade.”