Page 36 of Colour My World
He expects me to stumble. I shall not give him the pleasure.
She watched him. She read his aire. They exchanged pawns centreboard. He hesitated as he looked towards his rook. The brown mist about him darkened.
She moved her knight, blocking the move before he could make it. His brows lifted.
Elizabeth said nothing. They exchanged knights in front of his king. The match continued. The only sounds were the faint slide of felt over wood and the whispers of the December wind against the windowpanes.
After a time, Mr Bennet exhaled through his nose. “You are unnervingly quiet.”
Elizabeth removed his bishop from play with her queen. “You have always said I talk too much.”
He studied the board. “And yet, I find I miss it.” His queen awakened and pressed her bishop.
“You prefer I prattle on, then?” She castled on her king’s side.
“Perhaps.” He retreated his queen.
She chased it with a pawn. He castled on his queen’s side. She commanded the centre with her bishop pair.
He steepled his fingers. Seven moves later, he slid his rook to the strong corner. Hisairedeepened to brown when Elizabeth countered. A bishop sacrificed to advance her rook.
His face turned stony. “You have never bested me before.”
She moved her queen into position. “No, I have not.”Elizabeth saw the moment he realized he would have to concede.
Her father changed his posture. “You are different.”
Is he speaking of my accident?“You noticed.”
He smiled wryly. “It would seem I am not as dim as I pretend to be.”
“Nor are you given to self-reproach.”
“No, I daresay, I am not.”
“This match.” Elizabeth glanced down at the board. “You have not made sport of me.”
“No.”
“You often do.”
The silence pressed on her. She looked up. “Some things are not for jest,” he said.
“And this?”
His eyes softened. “Thisis no laughing matter.”
He is not speaking of our match play.“You mean—”
“I imagine you have been waiting for this moment.” He crossed his legs as he sat back in his chair.
She swallowed. “Have I?”
“Yes, my dear. You have.”
The world narrowed. Hisairemelted to a homogenous tan. “Shall I speak the truths you have not named?”
She shook her head, afraid of what it would unleash.
