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Elizabeth acknowledged his sentiment and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, Mr. Darcy addressed her a second time. “You are quiet, Miss Bennet—uncommonly so.”

She smiled and assured him that whatever he wished her to say would be said.

“Very well, that reply will do for the present. Perhaps, by and by, I may remark on this dance. I find it quite exhilarating. Now we may be silent.”

Silent! She was livid that he had treated her as abominably as he had when last they saw each other, and she could no longer pretend otherwise. “Why did you not speak to me the other day, Mr. Darcy?”

“The other day?”

“Yes, you could not have missed seeing me.”

“Well, you were with Lord Holland.”

“When has my being with your friend ever been a deterrent?”

“I suppose it was the manner in which the two of you were speaking.” They were soon separated by the dance. Once reunited, Darcy said, “You might say I was jealous.”

“Jealous? By your manner, you surely fooled me.”

“Surely you do not suppose I am incapable of such a sentiment.”

“No, I suppose we all have it in us to feel jealous from time to time, although I do not know why you would have been jealous of seeing me with Lord Holland any more than I would feel jealous to see you with Lucy. It does not signify. Are we not all friends?”

“It may not signify. It may seem entirely unreasonable, but it is what it is. I did not like seeing you with him, and I am not ashamed of admitting it. What I am ashamed of is that my behaviour gave you cause for concern. How can I make amends?”

“It is simple. You must promise never to behave that way again.”

“Is that all?”

“Do I have your promise?”

“I shall do my best not to become jealous when I see you with other men. I value your good opinion—more than you know.”

“And I yours, although I hardly know why that is the case. Your manner from one moment to the next is so varying as to frustrate me exceedingly. How am I truly to sketch your character when your demeanour fluctuates from warm and amiable to cold and aloof in the blink of an eye?”

“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,” he replied. She said no more, and they went down the other dance in silence. They were soon to part when Darcy delayed Elizabeth with an invitation to escort her to the beverage table. It was more of a demand than a request, and when Elizabeth glanced around to determine what might have prompted him to do as he did, she espied Miss Bingley hurrying their way. For a moment, Elizabeth was tempted to leave him to Caroline’s devices, but she decided nothing he had done warranted such a fate.

After handing her a glass of punch, Mr. Darcy persuaded Elizabeth to accompany him to the balcony. Once outside, Elizabeth breathed in deeply. The balmy air, the muted sounds of the orchestra, and the clouds dancing across the bright full moon conspired to make it the perfect night. Elizabeth was happy to spend time with Mr. Darcy. She felt a certain calm when in his presence, despite her firm resolution at the start of the evening not to be upset should the haughty and aloof Mr. Darcy from the earliest days of her acquaintance be the one who made an appearance at the ball that evening. This Mr. Darcy was very agreeable even if he was silent. She felt as though she were the only woman in the room when the two of them danced, for his eyes were only for her.

His wonderfully brilliant eyes.

Elizabeth turned away and fought mightily to keep from smiling in recollection of Betsy’s pronouncement that if one were not careful, one might easily drown in Mr. Darcy’s eyes. She was inclined to agree, and it was for that reason that she always found herself tempted to look deeply into his alluring eyes whenever she was afforded a chance.

Everything about this beautiful man tempted her, which explained her even being alone with him at that moment. However, if she were to remain with him, then some conversation needed to be had.

“I find that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones,” said Elizabeth.

“I agree.”

“Lady Clarissa seems very much in her element. I should imagine she welcomes any opportunity to entertain guests here at Avondale.”

“Holland has always said the same of his mother.”

“She is so fortunate as to have a house full of guests here at Bosley during a time when one would expect so many to be in London, what with this being the start of the Season.”

Darcy said nothing. He turned away and leaned over the balustrade.

“Are you planning to set off for London soon, Mr. Darcy?”