Page 84 of The Briar Bargain
Their eyes met briefly, and Elizabeth felt that now-familiar shiver of awareness that seemed to accompany her every interaction with him. Before she could examine the feeling too closely, they had reached the stairs, and the moment passed.
Elizabeth climbed the stairs, her mind spinning in confusion. How strange, that in so short a time her heart should have been entirelyoverthrown. Had it truly happened so swiftly? A treacherous little voice whispered that perhaps the seeds had been sown from the first moments she saw Mr. Darcy enter the assembly. She had told herself that he was not worth her regret, but the way he had struck a bargain with her to keep her safe, the steadfast way he had fulfilled it more generously, more attentively than she had ever imagined he might—it had all changed the way she saw him.
And she had to admit that knowing he had saved her from the river, had saved her when she could not save herself . . .
The day’s events had only deepened the impression. His assistance. The way his strong hand had felt on her back. The way he had appeared behind Mr. Bingley to end Miss Bingley’s haranguing of Jane. The way their minds had moved together with an unspoken accord during whist.
The truth pressed upon her now with a force she could no longer deny. She believed Mr. Darcy was the one man she could honestly love. That she might love him already.
What he intended—if indeed he intended anything—remained unclear; but her own heart, which she had attempted to guard so assiduously, had slipped its chains.
She found Jane in her chamber, seated by the window with her hands folded in her lap and a serene expression of happiness. The late afternoon light caught the golden threads in Jane's hair, and she appeared almost to glow with contentment.
"You look as though you have discovered the secret to perfect felicity," Elizabeth said with affection, settling beside her sister.
Jane's smile deepened. "Perhaps I have," she said softly. "Oh, Lizzy, is it possible to be this happy? I feel as though I am able to fly."
"Then we must ensure you remain properly anchored to earth," Elizabeth replied. "I should hate to lose you to the clouds before you have had a chance to properly enjoy your engagement."
"Tell me, how did you pass the time whilst I was—" Jane paused, colour rising in her cheeks. "Whilst I was otherwise occupied?"
Elizabeth found herself smiling at the memory. "I played whist with Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, and Mr. Darcy, who served as my partner. It was most entertaining, particularly Mr. Hurst's creative rewriting of the rules."
"Mr. Darcy?" Jane's eyes became even brighter if such a thing was possible. "And did you find him an agreeable partner?"
"I must admit that I did," Elizabeth admitted, conscious of the blush that accompanied the confession. "He possesses a quick mind, and we seemed to understand each other's play quite naturally."
Jane reached for her sister's hand, her expression growing thoughtful. "Lizzy, I have been thinking. When we return to Longbourn, I shall have such wonderful news to share with Papa and Mamma. I cannot help but hope—" She paused delicately. "That is, I should be so very pleased if, in time, I might not be the only daughter with happy tidings to report."
Elizabeth felt her heart perform that peculiar little skip that had become distressingly familiar. "Jane, you must not—"
"I make no presumptions," Jane said hurriedly. "I merely observe that your manner when speaking of Mr. Darcy has altered considerably since our arrival at Netherfield."
Elizabeth gazed out the window, watching the last golden rays of sunlight paint the grounds in warm hues. "I find myself uncertain of many things that once seemed perfectly clear," she said at length. "Perhaps that is enough for now. You waited for Mr. Bingley to speak, as was proper. I must do the same in regard to Mr. Darcy."
Jane squeezed her hand with gentle understanding.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The afternoon had surrendered to dusk with unseemly haste, though the clock had barely struck four. Already the servants had lit the candles in the library, their flames dancing against the shelves, most of them empty, from floor to ceiling. The fire in the grate had been built up, sending heat into even the furthest corners of the room.
Darcy had not stirred from the library after whist. Hurst and his wife had gone up to prepare for dinner, as had Miss Elizabeth. But he knew that Harrison would have him ready in less time than the ladies required, and he hoped that Bingley would seek him out before he went up himself.
The house felt peculiarly still, and he took a deep breath. After so much activity in the past week and a half, the silence was calming. It was not long before he heard a cheerful whistle that could belong to only one person in the house.
"Darcy!" Bingley called as he pushed open the door and looked about. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
"Only my attempts to appreciate Cowper's observations on rural life," Darcy replied, closing the book with more relief than regret. "I find myself unequal to the task."
"Excellent. Then you will not object to being thoroughly defeated at cards." Bingley brandished a well-worn deck with the air of a man presenting a prize. "I have it on excellent authority that you have been playing cards with Hurst and did not bother to summon me."
Darcy raised an eyebrow. "I believe you were otherwise engaged."
Bingley did not take the hint. "We have time before dressing for dinner. Let us play now."
Despite himself, Darcy felt his mouth quirk upward. "Very well. What manner of defeat did you have in mind for me?"
"Beggar My Neighbour," Bingley announced. "A game of pure chance, which gives me some hope of victory."
