Page 59 of Mrs. Hurst's Return
Mr. Darcy shook his head. “No. If anything, she has appeared puzzled.”
“Oh, aye,” replied Elizabeth, shaking with mirth. “Sheis the far superior option, is she not? Do you not feel chagrinned at your lack of discernment, Mr. Darcy?”
“Superior?” snorted Mr. Darcy. “No, Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bingley will no doubt make a creditable wife for the right man, but I have never had any interest in her.”
Elizabeth sighed, though she fixed the man by her side with a mischievous grin. “I might never have thought your taste was so deficient, sir.”
“Not deficient, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Perhaps it differs from what most men in my position prefer.” The gentleman shrugged. “Then again, I do not suppose most would consider Miss Bingley either.”
“I dare say they would not.”
Elizabeth shifted just a little closer to Mr. Darcy. “When we were walking, we spoke of keeping our own counsel.”
“We did,” agreed Mr. Darcy.
“Then I think the time has come to speak more of such things.”
Mr. Darcy watched her, a slow smile coming over his face. “Dare I hope that an application at this time would be met with a favorable response?”
“To discover that, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth archly, “I believe you must take a leap of faith.”
“Then I shall do so at the first available opportunity.”
Elizabeth sighed and leaned a little more toward him. Seeing Mrs. Hurst watching them, she offered a slight nod, the woman responding in like fashion and appearing pleased. Elizabeth considered the other woman, reflecting on how much her opinion had changed these past months. It would be no trouble to count her among her acquaintances, for Elizabeth was sensible to the good the woman had brought about by returning to Hertfordshire. For that, she suspected she would always be grateful.
THE END
