Page 31 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

“And I more so. Which brings us back to you.”

“I don't see why.”

“You look toward the road to Longbourn every ten minutes.”

I stood up.

“I'm expecting correspondence.”

“Naturally. Correspondence that walks, wears a dress, and has very fine eyes.”

I gave him a look that would have silenced him in the past. He laughed.

“Elizabeth still hasn't given you her answer?”

“No.”

“But she receives you.”

“She also tolerates her mother, which hardly constitutes proof of inclination.”

“You're joking.”

“Barely.”

Bingley leaned forward.

“She may already love you.”

The idea stirred such a fierce longing to believe it that I rejected it at once.

“She hasn't told me so.”

“Not all women announce their feelings with my dear Jane's frankness.”

“Miss Bennet spent months concealing hers.”

“Only because she's modest.”

“Which proves my point.”

He sighed.

“Then ask her.”

“She asked me for time.”

“Darcy, you can respect her time without behaving like a condemned man awaiting the executioner.”

I didn't answer him.

That afternoon, we went to Longbourn. Bingley was immediately absorbed by Jane and Mrs. Bennet, who had already chosen a wedding date to which neither of the engaged couple had consented. Elizabeth sat near the window with a closed book on her lap.

She looked up when I entered.

Her smile was meant for me alone.

I felt the same shock as at Hunsford when she had said yes, with one difference: I no longer allowed myself to build a future on a smile.