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E lizabeth relaxed onto the sofa, and listened as her mother regaled Papa with all the news of the assembly. She thought she knew exactly what Mama would say about Mr. Darcy, and waited with interest to see if she was right.

Finally, Mama took an indignant breath. “But as for his friend, Mr. Darcy! Such a proud, disagreeable man. He would stand up with no one, not one suited him. And do you know what?” She leaned over Papa, her ample frame heaving with outrage.

“He slighted poor Lizzy and flatly refused even to be introduced to her.”

Papa glanced over at Elizabeth. She knew what he was thinking, and smiled cheerfully. “I did not care for him either, Papa. There is no point thinking anything can come of future civility, and I will not pine away in anticipation of it.”

His eyebrow was raised, and she returned his mischievous look. She knew they would both wait with pleasure his discovering the truth, but she was quite decided the memory of what he’d said was not forefront in her mind.

“Good.” Papa closed his book and rose to his feet. “Well, I am glad you all had an enjoyable time examining the characters of our new neighbours. I will see you in the morning, my dears.”

Over the next few weeks, Mr. Bingley called several times at Longbourn, always accompanied by Mr. Darcy.

Mama, who wanted nothing more than to express her displeasure to the proud man from Derbyshire, found that desire warring with her innate sense of hospitality.

It was certain which would win, and Elizabeth decided that Mr. Darcy had no understanding of the offence he had caused.

As Elizabeth prepared for a gathering at Lucas Lodge on Thursday, she enjoyed the lack of any upset between Lydia and Kitty.

At last Kitty seemed to understand the best way to stop dispute was to ensure she was dressed first, and Elizabeth thought the whole house was the happier for it — except for Lydia, of course.

She smiled at her reflection; she’d have to think of a new tactic soon when Lydia discovered how to circumvent what was happening.

But she was looking forward to the evening.

The gatherings were always crowded, and she would be able to avoid the enigmatic and uncomfortable gaze of Mr. Darcy, whose unremitting stare was beginning to vex her exceedingly whenever he called with his friend.

When they arrived, she hurried over to Charlotte, and the pair sat down in a corner to catch up with each other’s news.

The room soon filled with all the gentlefolk from town, and Elizabeth relaxed.

She had known them all her life, and could hardly imagine how different it would be in the future. It could not be long, she knew.

Soon she was blushing with embarrassment as Lydia’s loud voice rose over the general conversation. The carpet was rolled back, and Mary ordered to play dance music. The eager young officers from the newly arrived militia were dragged to the floor by Lydia, Kitty, and several other young ladies.

“Don’t worry, Eliza.” Charlotte laid a comforting hand on her arm. “Everyone knows what she is like, and no one holds you or Jane accountable.”

“Dear Charlotte.” Elizabeth sighed. “Thank you. But I would not have the party from Netherfield looking down their noses at us. I am sure they think Mr. Bingley ought not to pay such marked attention to Jane because she belongs to such a family.”

Charlotte looked over at Jane, who was attentively listening to Mr. Bingley’s conversation. “I wish she would show him more that she is interested. I fear his party will try to persuade him of her indifference.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Jane likes him very much, Charlotte. I’ve told you that.”

“Yes, but if you try to look from the eye of an observer, not knowing her as you do, then you must acknowledge that her feelings are not so easy to discern.”

Elizabeth nodded. It was true. Perhaps the next time Mr. Bingley asked her to dance, she could drop a few hints that Jane’s interest was engaged, but she hid it well.

Sitting in the corner, her view of the room was circumscribed by everyone, and she had been enjoying not seeing Mr. Darcy every time she turned round.

But it could not last. Charlotte finally shook her head.

“I will have to go and seem more sociable, given that I’m supposed to be helping Mother with her hostess duties.

” She stood up. “Come along, I will charge you to talk to Colonel Forster.”

“Very well, I will allow myself to endure the constant scrutiny of Mr. Darcy.”

Charlotte laughed. “He certainly watches you a great deal, Lizzy. But you surround yourself with people, so he cannot bring himself to approach you.”

“Oh, Charlotte!” Elizabeth was vexed. “He has no intention of approaching me, you know. A merely tolerable young woman, slighted by other men?”

Her friend sighed. “You know he spoke under some duress, Lizzy. And it was obvious to me that he regretted it at once. If you would not make sure he could not approach, I’m sure he wishes to apologise.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I give you leave to speak to him and accept the so-called apology on my behalf, then.”

Feeling suddenly lighter, she darted through the groups to find Colonel Forster, and was soon deeply involved in making cheerful conversation; pretending she was unaware of the intense gaze of the man she would not acknowledge as compelling. She would never admit that, even to herself.

But as she talked, he drew nearer, and listened to the conversation, which soon began to falter. Elizabeth took a deep breath. She wouldn’t allow the group to be embarrassed by the unsmiling presence of Mr. Darcy. She turned again to the colonel.

“So you do intend to host a ball, Colonel Forster? You will find yourself the object of gratitude by all the young ladies in town!” Her teasing tones lightened the group, and the older man glanced at Mr. Darcy first before turning his attention back to her.

“If you say it will be welcome, then of course I must believe you, Miss Elizabeth.”

“And you will need to speak to Sir William at once, you know. He will be able to assist you in obtaining use of the assembly room. I believe it is larger than the mess rooms you have available.” Elizabeth was determined not to look at Mr. Darcy.

However, the group began to disperse, and he was close to her. He reached for two glasses from the tray of a passing servant, and offered her one.

“A glass of wine, Miss Elizabeth?”

She looked around hastily. It was not possible to escape without drawing attention to herself, and a calculating gaze from Aunt Philips made her realise that if she was to try, the wrong motive would be applied to her. She must act it out.

“Why, thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she spoke as coolly as she could, and took the glass, failing to quite avoid the touch of his fingers, and the warmth of them. She stepped back hastily, but he was still before her.

“I am glad to have the opportunity to speak to you, madam.” His voice was low and she almost had to strain to hear him. She arched an eyebrow.

“Yes.” He glanced round. “You must forgive my direct speech, but I think we may not have many minutes before you are approached again, and I …”

“I think you have as much time as you need,” she interrupted. “I don’t think anyone will approach you, sir.”

He frowned, and she knew disquiet. “I apologise, Mr. Darcy. I was teasing, but it could have been taken wrongly.”

He looked rather surprised. “I was meaning more that you are a popular person to speak to at these events, Miss Elizabeth. I had not considered I might get longer.”

She dipped her head in acknowledgement. “So why did you wish to talk to me?”

His expression was pained. “I think you must know, Miss Elizabeth. I am sorry not to have had the opportunity before, but I wish to apologise for my deplorable comments at the assembly last month. Not only was it unmannerly and inexcusable, it was patently untrue.”

Elizabeth smiled wryly, surprised at his apparent sincerity.

“I thank you, sir, for your politeness, but I am not in agreement with your final comment. I am constantly being compared to Jane, and have no illusions that my looks are in any way the same.”

He smiled then, his features softening. “They are not the same, of course. Miss Bennet is classically handsome, but your own appearance is far more than merely tolerable. I was entirely wrong in uttering such an opinion.”

She had to look down. She didn’t think of him as anything other than honest, but there was something amiss with his words.

He couldn’t possibly have discovered her, could he? No, she must be wrong.