Page 76 of Colour My World
Mrs Ecclestone’s expression shifted.Approval? Amusement?He could not tell.
Miss Elizabeth stared at him from across the room.
Mrs Bennet beamed. “Oh, how true! Mr Bingley finds ourlittle community most welcoming, does he not?”
“Indeed, he does,” Darcy said.
Miss Bennet looked down, her blush a tinge on her cheeks.
Mrs Ecclestone tapped a single finger against the arm of her chair. “And you, sir? Do you find Meryton welcoming?”
Darcy hesitated.
Miss Elizabeth finally spoke. “I suppose that depends on whether one values sincerity over civility.”
This was no longer an examination. This was a duel. He forced himself to appear unmoved. “I find civility is often mistaken for sincerity.”
She arched a brow. “And have you mistaken sincerity for civility?”
A ripple of amusement crossed Mrs Ecclestone’s face.
The trap had already sprung. He had spent years mastering restraint, measuring words before releasing them. But Miss Elizabeth wielded language like a stiletto, forcing him to retreat before he had even considered his footing.
He took a measured sip of his drink. “I find sincerity to be a rarer quality than civility.”
“Then perhaps you have been looking in the wrong places,” she parried.
Mrs Ecclestone exhaled noisily through her nose, a whisper of laughter.
Darcy had never wanted so badly to escape and yet remain.
Hill appeared in the doorway.
Bennet intervened, merciful or mischievous, but Darcy could not yet tell. “Dinner, I believe, is served.”
The ladies rose, and Darcy followed suit.
“Mr Darcy?” Mrs Bennet prompted.
He offered his arm without hesitation.
Miss Bennet stepped forward with her father close behind.
Darcy led his hostess into the dining room and assisted her toher chair.
As Bennet passed behind him, he clapped a hand to Darcy’s shoulder.
“You are in for a long evening, Son.”
* * *
Elizabeth took her seat beside Jane, across from Mary. Mr Darcy sat to her mother’s right, the place of honour.
The moment they sat, conversation flowed naturally. Mr Bennet made a wry comment about the local harvest; Mrs Bennet remarked on the fair weather and the delight of good company, including, with unmistakeable cheer,allcompany. Elizabeth was fairly certain it was meant as a barb. Mr Darcy, if he noticed, gave no sign. Lydia attempted to convince her mother to visit Meryton the next day.
“If Mrs Ecclestone deems it worthy.”
Lydia huffed but did not press. Mrs Bennet turned to Kitty.
