Page 64 of Colour My World
Miss Bingley’s lips tightened. Before she could retort, Mr Bingley approached. “Miss Bennet, I do hope you will dance this evening?”
Jane smiled demurely. “If a partner is willing.” Herairedeepened.
Mr Bingley extended his hand. Hisaireremained unchanged. “Then I must claim the honour.”Does he tease her, or is he sincere?
Elizabeth turned to find Mr Darcy staring at her. She lifted an eyebrow. He glanced away.How could a man with no visible trace of feeling hold such weight?His absence of anairewas unnerving.
* * *
Mary played the final note and rested her hands. The immediate silence shattered into a chorus of delighted voices.
“Exquisite!” Lady Lucas declared. She stood and led the applause.
“Superlative technique,” Sir William replied to his wife, though his clapping was subdued.Befitting a gentleman of his station.
“I hardly breathed through the cadenza,” Maria Lucas whispered, fanning herself.
Mary smiled demurely. “You are all too kind.” She accepted her father’s extended hand. He turned her to the audience.
“Come now, let us not let praise go to her head. Perhaps a second performance? To prove it was no mere accident?”
Laughter rippled through the room. Mary’sairenever changed.How does she maintain such composure?
“Miss Elizabeth.”
Startled out of her thoughts, she turned, finding herself face-to-face with Mr Darcy.
“Mr Darcy.”
“I was not aware you held such an interest in music.”
Elizabeth arched a brow. “And what has given you that impression, sir?”
“You have spoken to the performer no fewer than three minutes on the evening’s programme,” he replied. “And dismissed two of her preferences outright.”
“The performer has a name.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“My sister, Mary, provided this evening’s entertainment.”
Mr Darcy blinked.
Elizabeth added, voice dry. “And it appears I have been your entertainment.”
Charlotte choked on a laugh behind her fan.
“You have been observing me most intently, sir.”
“You are not easily overlooked.”
A sudden warmth curled at the base of her spine. She masked it with a wry smile. “I should not wish to intrude upon your careful scrutiny any longer. I know you prefer silence to conversation.”
“That is a common assumption,” he replied.
“Then it is a false one?”
“Not entirely,” he admitted. “But there are some voices that merit being heard.”
