Page 108 of Colour My World
Elizabeth gave a short laugh. “Mrs Ecclestone is a welcome fixture at Longbourn.”
“And you? You are quite at her mercy as well, I take it?”
“I have learned the wisdom of compliance.”
She turned back to Jane and Mr Darcy. Her sister was speaking. Mr Darcy’s ear nearly touched Jane’s lips.
The air around her thickened like damp wool against her skin.
Jane’saireremained soft and unchanged. That should have reassured her, but it did not.
“Miss Bennet is quite admirable. She never pushes too far,never speaks without thought. Always knows precisely how to manage a conversation.”
Was that a comparison?“I imagine you find that quite soothing.”
Mr Bingley chuckled. “You mean unlike yourself?”
Elizabeth arched a brow.
“No, no. That is to say, you are the most engaging conversationalist I have ever encountered.”
“Mr Bingley, you ought to know by now that flattery does not work on me.”
“You wound me,” he said.
Elizabeth glanced back at Jane and Mr Darcy. He spoke; Jane nearly stumbled. He righted her.
Is she blushing?There was something discomfiting about seeing them so at ease with each other.
She turned back. “And you, sir? Have you truly no plans to return to London?”
He hesitated. “I am…undecided.”
“That is hardly an answer.”
He winced. “You and your father are quite alike.”
“That is hardly an answer, either.”
“I have been happy here, truly, but I begin to wonder if I have misjudged certain—”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Certain what?”
He shook his head. “Nothing, nothing at all.”
Elizabeth turned back to Jane and Mr Darcy. Jane’s smile, the curve of her lips, told Elizabeth she was genuinely enjoying herself.
Mr Darcy said something. His expression seemed pleased, relaxed, even.
Elizabeth’s stomach twisted.
“You disapprove?”
Elizabeth startled. “Of what?”
He gestured behind them.
Elizabeth forced a laugh. “Of course not. It is just…unexpected.”
