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Despite her disappointment on Jane’s behalf, Elizabeth found herself enjoying the lavish supper.

Though Mrs Bennet enjoyed setting an ample table, she usually employed some restraint.

Here, there seemed to be none. There was roast quail, duck, souffle, and scallops in a beautiful bechamel sauce.

There seemed to be endless side dishes and a different wine with every course.

Though Elizabeth had never longed for French chefs or elaborate courses, she had to admit that it was pleasant.

During the fruit and cheese course, she sipped at a glass of watered wine but declined to take another bite of anything, for fear that she would burst her stays.

She was grateful when the meal came to a close and the ladies excused themselves to await the gentlemen in the drawing room.

To her astonishment, it was not a quarter of an hour before the gentlemen joined them.

Elizabeth looked them over curiously, for it seemed they seemed gone for too little time even for the usual drink and smoke.

Even more to her surprise, Mr Darcy came to seek her out.

He bowed, then looked about the room for an awkward moment.

“I hope you are enjoying the evening so far, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked.

“I am, thank you,” she replied. She watched as Mr Bingley went to speak with Jane as soon as they came through the door.

If she had to endure a few hours of stiff conversation and stern judgement from Mr Darcy so Jane could have her moment with Mr Bingley, then so be it.

Watching them, she thought again what a handsome pair they would make.

“And you, Mr Darcy? Are you enjoying the evening?”

“I am, yes,” he said. “I was very intrigued by the discussion you and Bingley were having about reading and walking. Pray tell me, do you walk every day?”

“As much as possible. If only the weather would cooperate, I would walk every day. I will admit that I sometimes walk even with a little rain, but I never read on such occasions. I do not like to see books unnecessarily ruined.”

“Quite right,” Mr Darcy said, almost too brightly. Was he nervous? Elizabeth could think of no reason for him to be. He had made it perfectly clear that she was far below him, and thus presumably incapable of discomposing the great man. “Do you ever read while you are on a walk, Mr Darcy?”

“No, I do not think I could manage it. I would be constantly tripping over my own feet,” he said, surprisingly good-naturedly. “But I am happy for anyone who can have occasion to improve their minds and gain their exercise at the same time. Most commendable.”

Elizabeth nodded, but said nothing further on the subject.

Her mind seemed oddly blank. It was a long moment of silence before she succeeded in grasping for another topic.

“And are there many fine walks around your estate, sir? When we danced together, I believe you told me it was near Lambton. My aunt tells me the countryside is very fine.”

“There is no place dearer to my heart than Pemberley. It is an outdoorsman’s paradise,” he said. “My grandfather and father put a lifetime of work into the estate, and I am honoured and humbled that they have entrusted it to me to carry on the legacy.”

Elizabeth wondered if they had had much choice, since he was the only male child, from what she had gathered from Mr Bingley during supper. “I see.”

After another pause, Mr Darcy went on. “Tell me, do you have any plans for your inheritance?”

Elizabeth tried not to let her mouth hang open in surprise at his bluntness.

It was hardly a question for a casual acquaintance to ask.

“I have no real plans as of yet. The money will not come into my hands until I marry, or turn twenty-five. I am not even sure how much the legacy is worth, nor anything about the estate.”

“You have never seen the estate your uncle meant to leave you?” Darcy asked.

“No, never. When I visited him as a child, he did not yet own such an estate. The only detail that we were apprised of in the letter is that it is by the seaside.”

“And you are fond of the seaside?”

Elizabeth was growing a little annoyed by his line of questioning. He seemed to be auditioning her as a suitable candidate for Mr Bingley. He did not seem to realise that Elizabeth was not interested in the slightest. No, indeed, it was Jane who was in danger of losing her heart to the young man.

“I am not sure, Mr Darcy. I have never been to the seaside.”

Mr Darcy looked almost alarmed. “I am sure you would find it most diverting. It is a place filled with adventure and romance…” he let his words trail off as if there was something more he had wanted to say.

She would never know what it was, for he closed his mouth and hung his head.

“That is, it is filled with romance for some. I would not know.”

“Do not tell me you have never been to the seaside, Mr Darcy,” she laughed. “And here you are giving me advice on what it is like?”

“No, indeed. I have been several times. I only meant —” He cleared his throat. “That is, I do not know what I meant. Only that I hope you are pleased with your new estate, when you have occasion to see it.” He looked around the room for a moment. “Were you very close to your great uncle?”

“Not particularly, although I wish I had known him better.” Elizabeth recounted the story of the one visit on which she had met her great uncle and her misadventures in trying to rescue his beloved cat.

“And so he gave you his fortune?” Mr Darcy asked when she had finished.

Elizabeth grew annoyed with his continued judgment of her and her family.

Why did he believe it was his right to presume to judge her?

If he disliked her so, why had they been invited to Netherfield that evening?

They could have just as easily invited Jane on her own, and it would have been all for the better.

Jane would have had all the time she wanted to converse with Mr Bingley, and she would not have had to endure Mr Darcy’s patronising conversation.

“He did not leave me his entire fortune, only a part. His son will inherit most of the estate. But it was very generous of my uncle to think of me.”

Did he begrudge her even that, thinking her undeserving of increased wealth and consequence? His need to look down on others truly had no bounds.

“Of course. I am sure he was very fond of you,” Mr Darcy replied with a stiff smile. He was soon called away by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth was relieved to have a few moments to herself. Mr Hurst had already disappeared, and so she joined Mr Bingley and Jane.

“It is a pleasure to see Netherfield inhabited again, Mr Bingley. Are you enjoying your time in Meryton thus far?” Elizabeth asked.

“I am, immensely, thank you. I am looking forward to the shooting, which I believe will begin shortly. Your sister was just telling me you have quite a good flock of birds that come through every season?” Mr Bingley asked.

“We do. Papa does not shoot as much as he did when he was a youth. I am certain he would be most obliged if you would come and use our property for the purpose of your sport,” Elizabeth offered.

“Yes, I agree. Our father would be delighted to oblige,” Jane agreed.

Though her voice was soft as always, Mr Bingley clearly had no trouble hearing her.

Indeed, Mr Bingley seemed to be hanging on her every word.

Though Elizabeth would have liked to give them greater leisure to speak together, she did not wish to stand alone and run the risk of Mr Darcy coming back to talk with her.

She understood trying to protect one’s friends and loved ones, but she could not understand why he would subject himself to conversing with her when he so obviously thought her beneath him.

Elizabeth had not the least objection to his considering her unworthy of his friend, if only he would concede that Jane was worthiness itself.

Surely he could see her beauty and elegance, the constant rightness of her manners and, more importantly, of her judgment.

If Mr Bingley had the sense to choose her, he would be a lucky man.

“I would be most happy to help him thin the flocks. It is important to do so every year, for it keeps them strong,” Mr Bingley was saying when Elizabeth rebuked herself for her inattention and returned to the conversation.

Jane responded with intelligent agreement, and Elizabeth smiled, well-pleased that her companions had not even noticed her distraction in their absorption with each other.

The evening passed with alarming speed, and when it was time for them to go, she was sad to see Jane and Mr Bingley parted. As the carriage pulled away from the house, she leaned close to Jane and linked an arm with her. “Well, how do you feel the evening went?”

“I had a wonderful time. Did you not?” she asked.

“I did.” Elizabeth suppressed a sigh at the mild untruth, but could not bring herself to admit otherwise.

She knew it was wicked of her, but she could not help but think it would have been so much more enjoyable if Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst had not been in attendance.

Of course, it would not have been appropriate for two sets of single couples to be alone together, but Mr Bingley’s sisters were not half as pleasant as their younger brother.

He was so warm and genuine, while nearly every word that had come out of either of their mouths was sarcastic or patronising.

“It was odd, though. It seemed to me almost as though Miss Bingley did not wish me to speak with her brother. Did you notice that?” Jane asked. She sighed. “I suppose I should not judge her. Surely it is only natural that she would want the heiress for their brother, not me.”

“I do not care what they want. I think it should be up to you and Mr Bingley to follow your own hearts,” Elizabeth said. “Do you like him?”

“I have an even greater respect for him after this evening. I do esteem him.” Jane said, then paused for a long while. Elizabeth could hear the smile in her voice when she spoke again. “I like him, yes.”

“That is good to hear, for I would pity the poor man otherwise. I think you are in great danger of making him fall madly in love with you, Jane,” Elizabeth said laughingly.

“I hate to think that I would ‘make’ him do anything,” Jane said. “Surely it is not right to use such forceful words.”

“Perhaps you are right. You know what a one I am for speaking nonsense. But I am happy for you. You and Mr Bingley would make such a fine pair. And how convenient it would be to come and visit my dear sister, if you were to marry. To have you so near would make me happier than I ever thought possible.”

Even in the faint light of the moon, Elizabeth could tell her sister was blushing.

“I am not at all sure that it is wise to start speaking of marriages. We only met the gentleman three days ago.” Jane lifted her chin and looked out the small window.

“Besides, Mr Darcy might be interested in you. You may not live in the vicinity very long, for I believe you may be on the brink of finding a husband as well.”

Elizabeth laughed out loud. “Mr Darcy is not interested in me for any reason —” Elizabeth stopped short.

She had thought to say that the only reason they had been invited to Netherfield was to see if Elizabeth was suitable for Mr Bingley.

Mr Darcy had likely already reported to Miss Bingley and her older sister that that was far from the case.

“Anyway, I do not think he is interested in me. He already has a fortune of his own and has no need of an estate by the sea. No, I do not think Mr Darcy will be persuaded to take an interest by my inheritance.”

Jane said little more on the subject, and they were soon home again. After greeting their family, they could finally go to bed.

Yet Elizabeth sat up late into the night, thinking over the question that Mr Darcy had posed to her earlier in the evening: what was she to do with the inheritance?

If she wished, she could simply hold out for five years and collect it, without having to marry.

And then she would be free to live, with no worries or cares, no one hurrying her to find a husband.

That was a good fate, surely. There was no reason to feel downcast — no reason to hope she might yet find the man she could love with all her heart.