Page 54 of A Question of Character

She halted beside him.

A carriage rolled slowly along the drive beyond the trees, while a pair of boys attempted to launch a small wooden boat from the bank under the anxious direction of their nurse.

Darcy removed one glove and held it loosely in his hand.

“When you have returned to Hertfordshire...”

He paused.

“I hope you will forgive the liberty of the question.”

“I cannot forgive or refuse until I have heard it.”

The corner of his mouth turned up.

“Very true.”

Another brief silence followed.

“When you are once more at Longbourn, may I have the honor of calling upon you?”

Elizabeth had expected many things.

That request had not numbered among them.

“Hertfordshire?” she repeated, buying herself a moment she scarcely required but very much desired.

“If your family would receive me.”

She attempted a perfectly sensible answer.

Instead she discovered an absurd interest in the ribbons of her gloves.

“I...I believe they would.”

He waited.

She realized with growing mortification that he had asked about her wishes rather than those of her family.

Elizabeth raised her eyes.

“I should be very happy to see you.”

The words emerged more softly than she had intended.

Relief transformed his countenance with such unmistakable sincerity that she nearly forgot every sensible resolution she had ever formed concerning gentlemen.

“I thank you,” he said simply.

Before either could add another word, Georgiana’s cheerful voice floated toward them.

“Brother!”

She approached with surprising animation, one gloved hand lightly gathering her skirts.

“You must come at once. There is a mother duck with eight ducklings I saw the other day, and now I can see only seven.”

Darcy blinked.