Page 10 of The Crown’s Gift

Then he said, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

He turned back to Bingley.

Darcy's quiet words carried across the space between them.

Heat touched Elizabeth's cheeks. It was not heartbreak; she had no wish to dance with an unwilling man. It was the casual certainty of his judgment that stung, the sense that he imagined a woman placed before him existed chiefly to be measured against his appetite.

Charlotte heard. Her mouth tightened.

Mary heard too.

Before either could speak, Elizabeth lifted her fan. "A narrow escape. I had feared Mr Bingley might persuade him."

Charlotte searched her face. "Lizzy—"

"Truly. What conversation could we have sustained? I know nothing of silent Derbyshire dances."

She smiled until Charlotte's concern eased. The hurt did not disappear. Elizabeth folded it into humor and placed it where no one might touch it without permission.

Mary touched her sleeve. "You are handsome enough to tempt people with sense."

Elizabeth's smile became real. "My dearest Mary, that is almost a compliment."

Mr Denny asked Elizabeth for the next dance. She accepted and enjoyed herself with determination. When the figure brought her near Darcy, she laughed at something her partner said and did not look toward him.

Darcy looked toward her.

He had known almost as soon as the words left him that Bingley was right. Miss Elizabeth was more than pretty. Animation transformed features he had first judged irregular. Her dark eyes held intelligence and mischief in equal measure; her figure was light; her movements unstudied.

But he had been tired, crowded, and irritated by the room's scrutiny. Refusal had become habit before he understood the offer.

Then Bingley told him which Bennet sister she was.

"The Bennets of Netherfield?" Darcy asked.

"Of course. Sir Thomas owns this half of the neighborhood, or near enough."

Darcy frowned. "I thought the Bennets lived at Longbourn."

"They did. Longbourn is entailed. Netherfield was granted to Sir Thomas by the King after he saved His Majesty's life. Did Caroline not tell you?"

Caroline had said only that Bingley's landlord was a country knight with too many daughters and a royal story repeated beyond endurance.

Darcy looked again at Sir Thomas. The man stood near the wall speaking with the local apothecary, not soliciting notice and not appearing impressed by the wealth Darcy carried into every introduction. Lady Bennet was animated, but her attention remained upon her daughters rather than the room. Miss Mary Bennet sat beside Charlotte Lucas, discussing the music. Miss Bennet danced with Bingley and smiled at him with gentle warmth.

And Miss Elizabeth had heard him insult her.

"You might ask her for the next," Bingley suggested.

"She is engaged."

"The one after."

Darcy watched Elizabeth turn beneath Mr Denny's raised hand. "I do not believe she would accept."

Bingley laughed. "You have known her only one evening and already fear her?"

"I fear no such thing."