Page 28 of The Briar Bargain (The Rom Com Collection #3)

Elizabeth met his gaze. "That would be marvellous,” she said, and she meant it. “Thank you for informing us, Mr. Darcy."

"It is kind of you to think of us, Mr. Darcy," Jane said warmly.

The remainder of breakfast passed without further incident.

Miss Bingley excused herself early, citing correspondence that required her immediate attention even though no post could be sent yet.

Mrs. Hurst lingered only a few minutes longer before following her sister's example, and Mr. Hurst wandered off in apparent pursuit of something stronger than coffee to accompany his newspaper.

Mr. Darcy rose when the other guests departed, but rather than taking his leave as Elizabeth had expected, he moved to the window, apparently absorbed in observing something in the grounds beyond.

His profile was thrown into sharp relief by the morning light, and Elizabeth found herself noting the broad set of his shoulders and the way the sunlight made some strands of his dark hair appear almost blue.

Eventually, he turned from the window and made his way to the door. He paused as he passed their table, offering a slight bow.

"I hope you will both enjoy the remainder of such a fine morning," he said formally. "Should you require anything for your comfort, please do not hesitate to inform Mrs. Nicholls."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," Jane replied warmly. "You are most thoughtful."

Elizabeth managed what she hoped was an appropriately gracious smile. "Indeed. Your consideration is much appreciated."

He inclined his head once more and departed, leaving the sisters alone in the sunny breakfast room.

Elizabeth waited until his footsteps had faded before turning to her sister with an expression of amused bewilderment. "Is it not curious how Mr. Darcy has taken it upon himself to act as our hostess? One might almost think Miss Bingley had abdicated the role."

Jane's lips curved in a gentle smile. "You must admit he fulfils the position far more handsomely than most hostesses could manage."

She laughed despite herself. "Jane!”

"Have I said anything untrue?" Jane asked with a smile .

Elizabeth and Jane remained at the table for a few more minutes, savouring the last of their breakfast in the comfortable quiet that had descended upon the room.

"I would say that this was a remarkably subdued meal," Jane said.

Glancing at the windows where Mr. Darcy had stood, Elizabeth nodded. "Unnervingly so, I would say."

"I wonder whether something has happened," Jane mused, following Elizabeth's gaze. "Miss Bingley seemed quite unlike herself."

"You are quite right," Elizabeth agreed, though she kept her voice equally low. "But it is difficult to imagine what could have unsettled her so thoroughly.” She glanced at Jane and arched a single brow. “Perhaps her brother has finally expressed some definitive opinion she cannot care for."

Jane hesitated, then quietly changed the topic. "Lizzy, do you not think Mr. Darcy has been remarkably attentive of late?"

Something fluttered uncomfortably in Elizabeth’s chest. "To you, certainly. But that is only natural, given his friendship with Mr. Bingley. It stands to reason that he would concern himself with your comfort and well-being."

"I meant to us both," Jane corrected, her blue eyes serious as they met Elizabeth's.

"He was so attentive while you were ill.

Surely you must have noticed the care with which your breakfast was prepared this morning?

And yesterday, when you mentioned feeling a little chilled, the fire in your chamber was built up considerably before evening. "

Elizabeth shook her head, though she felt less certain than she attempted to sound.

"You are very generous in your observations. But I am quite certain that Mr. Darcy has no regard for me beyond fulfilling what he sees as an obligation to a woman he helped to rescue. He is a friend. He told me so himself. Nothing more. ”

Jane smiled. Something . . . knowing was in her expression that made Elizabeth decidedly uncomfortable. "For Mr. Darcy to offer you his friendship is no small thing, Lizzy."

“I am aware. And I shall not sully that offer by presuming, as some do, that it means more than it is.” Despite her words, Elizabeth’s mind churned with questions she was not ready to ask.

Her sister merely hummed as she lifted her cup of chocolate to her lips.

Elizabeth finished her tea and carefully placed the cup in its saucer, the small sound seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet room. Whatever the truth of the matter, she could not allow herself to read too much significance into gestures that were likely nothing more than gentlemanly courtesy.

Mr. Darcy was not the man she had thought he was, but he would never stoop to offer for her, and she was too stubborn to fall in love with a man just because he was kind to her.

She would not like to end up disappointed like Miss Bingley.

No, she would guard her heart against any hopes in that quarter.

Mr. Darcy had promised his friendship. That was all she would expect.