Page 32 of You Willfully Misunderstand Me

The notion, however, was as quickly dismissed as it had arisen. One look at his countenance was enough for her to knowthat there would likely be expectation of love. Instead, it bore the quiet gravity she had come to associate with matters that genuinely troubled him. Her own pulse, which had momentarily quickened, settled again. "Has something happened?" she asked, as concern replaced embarrassment.

Darcy hesitated only a moment, "I wonder whether I might speak with you about your correspondence with my cousin."

Elizabeth released a breath she had not realized she had been holding. The subject was, at least, a safer one. Whatever uncertainty lay in the mystery of Anne's letters was infinitely preferable to revisiting the far more perilous subject of Mr. Darcy's affections, or, still more alarming, her own.

“Of course, please sit, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth pointed to a chair across the room. And, for a few moments he remained standing, as though uncertain how best to begin.

"You are alarming me, sir," she remarked.

He shook his head, and walked over to the chair to sit, before drawing a measured breath, "I have made several discreet inquiries during the past few days about your correspondent."

Elizabeth frowned, "You asked about Anne?"

"I have spoken with the harbor master, several merchants, the parish clerk, and two gentlemen whose families have resided upon the island for generations."

She looked at him with growing confusion, "And?"

"No one has heard the name de Bourgh." He arose from the chair and began pacing slowly before the fire. "But I have not merely asked whether they know Miss de Bourgh. I haveinquired after any family of that name, any estate connected with it, any visitors from Rosings, any connection whatsoever."

Elizabeth struggled to reconcile his words with everything she believed she knew. "And there is none?"

He shook his head, "None."

"But Anne wrote so particularly. She described the island, and she recommended the journey." Elizabeth looked toward the fire. "Then how can no one know her?"

Darcy was silent for several moments before answering, "I do not know." He disliked mysteries, and he disliked unanswered questions even more.

Elizabeth folded her hands together, her expression thoughtful and troubled, "Do you believe Anne deceived me?"

His answer came immediately, "I do not believe my cousin capable of deliberate cruelty."

The certainty in his voice reassured her, though it did not entirely settle the uneasiness that had begun to form. Darcy resumed his slow pacing before the hearth, his thoughts clearly still unsettled. "But I have begun to wonder whether there are circumstances she has not disclosed."

Elizabeth relaxed slightly, "What sort of circumstances? She shook her head slightly, struggling to reconcile the idea with the Anne she had come to know through their letters. "I cannot imagine what would have caused her to do such a thing." A pause followed, "I have been reflecting upon it all week, if I am honest."

She looked down briefly, gathering her thoughts. "From the very beginning, the correspondence seemed unusual. I wassurprised when her first letter arrived. We had scarcely spoken during my visit to Kent."

A faint crease appeared between Darcy's brows, "Yet you answered.”

"Because I believed she wished for friendship." Her expression softened. "And because I thought perhaps she had been overlooked by others for much of her life. She struck me as a person who had much to say but had rarely been given the opportunity to say it." Elizabeth looked back at him, "I know that may sound foolish. It is only that the letters became so familiar. She wrote of books, of music, of the countryside, of her wish to see places beyond what she had always known." She paused, "She seemed lonely."

The observation affected him. "My cousin has often been lonely," he admitted.

Elizabeth looked at him, "Then perhaps you understand why I never suspected anything improper."

Darcy's expression softened, though a shadow of regret crossed his features. "Yes," he said quietly. "Of course you did not." He paused, his gaze lowering for a moment before returning to hers, "You have been nothing but thoughtful and kind toward my cousin, as you are with everyone.”

Elizabeth looked away slightly, uncomfortable with the praise, "I do not think that is entirely true."

Darcy's eyebrows lifted, "No?"

She smiled faintly, "I am certain there are people who would disagree. I have not always been kind with all people, Mr. Darcy."

The admission was offered so plainly that Darcy was momentarily surprised, but he did not speak, so she continued. Her expression became more thoughtful, "I have been quick to form opinions. I have been certain of my own judgment when perhaps I ought to have listened more carefully. I have mistaken confidence for truth on more than one occasion."

Darcy remained silent. There was something remarkable in hearing Elizabeth Bennet acknowledge their time in Kent. He knew she spoke of his proposal and her response to it. His heart began to race.

She smiled a little, "You see? I am hardly the perfect creature you seem determined to describe."