The reason for her trouble in sketching his character was that she had been observing him through prejudiced eyes: his disposition was truly nothing like what she had been attempting to prove to herself. In essence, she had tried to force his honour and integrity into a template several sizes too small.
Over the past few days, she had grown to understand the gentleman much better.
Perhaps these odd emotions she was experiencing could be that simple? Naturally, now that she saw him in a different light, she could appreciate his good qualities.
Of course! She had not fallen in love with Mr. Darcy! She was only glad to find his character was not as flawed as she had been trying to make herself believe.
Determined to prove this new theory to herself, she glanced at him over her shoulder.
Her breath hitched when he turned, as if he had somehow detected she was looking at him.
Mr. Darcy met her stare.
Elizabeth’s face heated. Heart fluttering against her ribs, her stomach flipped over, then back again.
She quickly returned her gaze to the papers in her hands, barely seeing them.
Good heavens! Her poor heart was doomed, for if, upon their first meeting, Mr. Darcy had deemed her not good enough even to dance with, it was certain he could never fall in love with her.
Why had she allowed her guard to lower so she might feel something for this man other than dislike?
To save herself some heartache, she must avoid spending time with him at all costs.
Chapter 11
Darcy stared across the room at Elizabeth’s profile.
What had just happened between them? It was only a glance, really, but when their gazes met, his heart had lurched in a bewildering manner. It was the only way he could describe it, for, though it had been quite pleasant, he had never felt anything quite like it in his life.
He looked away from her only when Aunt Adelaide stood.
One of his aunt’s talents was to easily command attention without delay, and this was no exception. All conversation immediately quieted.
Through his peripheral vision, he watched as Elizabeth moved to the seat she had occupied earlier.
“We have only this one day to assemble all of the gift packages,” his aunt said, “and then we must move on to constructing the decorations for the orphanage, in addition to the centerpieces that shall be placed on the supper tables at the ball next week, and if at all possible in the time allotted, I would like to prepare a few decorative pieces for the Gardiner household, as well.” She took a breath. “Since we seem to have finished our refreshments, it is time we begin.” She gestured towards the girl who had been helping to serve tea. “My personal maid, Sarah, came along with me today, and she will assist me. The remainder of you will pair up, for two sets of hands are necessary at each station for this task.”
She looked at Elizabeth’s sister. “Miss Bennet, I have assigned Mr. Bingley to be your helper.”
Both appeared quite content with the arrangement, as did Elizabeth, which pleased Darcy to no end.
“Georgiana, you and Mrs. Annesley shall work together.”
For a moment, his heart took flight, for there were only two of them left—Elizabeth and him—but suddenly that lady did not seem as delighted as she had a few moments ago.
Darcy’s gut tightened. Would she rather be paired with someone else?
“Darcy, you will work with…” His aunt looked around the room. “Oh, of course! Miss Elizabeth.” She hesitated, arching her right eyebrow slightly.
Darcy’s breath caught. He knew the expression; his cousin Richard had pointed it out repeatedly through the years, whenever his mother was trying her hand at matchmaking. It was her attempt to make it look as if her decision to pair them up for the day was quite innocently done.
But that could only mean—if his aunt were resolved to have him spend an entire day in close quarters with Elizabeth, it implied Aunt Adelaide hoped for a match between them. Which also suggested his uncle already consented, for Aunt Adelaide would never do such a thing without her husband’s support.
Had his attraction to Elizabeth been that noticeable?
It must have been… to his aunt, at least.
He let out a long breath. It was a curious matter. He never would have expected it, but it looked as if the Fitzwilliam side of the family actually hoped he would choose Miss Elizabeth Bennet as his future wife.
Most importantly, Georgiana enjoyed Elizabeth’s company. It had been a torture last night, after everyone had left, when his sister could not stop talking about the lady. Georgiana liked her so much, she had even sought his permission to ask both the Bennet ladies to call her by her Christian name, though really, she did not need his approval to do so.
Therefore, in essence, there was no one left to worry about, for he knew his father’s side of the family would accept anyone he selected. The few Darcys who were still living were not as concerned with connections as the Fitzwilliams had always been. His Fitzwilliam cousins would not object if their parents did not. His only other kin was Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and he was well prepared for her reaction. It was guaranteed Aunt Catherine would not sanction a match between him and anyone other than her own daughter, though both he and his cousin Anne had told her many times that neither desired to marry the other.
Oh, but of course! Elizabeth and her family would have to acquiesce. How could he forget?
He almost laughed aloud.
Yet, he anticipated no trouble in convincing her parents, for he was certain a gentleman of his stature would be welcomed into the fold with pleasure.
Nonetheless, when his aunt made the announcement that they would be working together just now, he did notice that Elizabeth had paled significantly.
That did not bode well for him.
Would Elizabeth rather avoid spending the day with him?
If that were the case, he was certain she would not wish to dedicate an entire lifetime to him.
Could it be possible the prospect of becoming his wife might actually be disagreeable to the only woman he had ever considered worthy to offer the position?
Becoming a bit dizzy at the possibility of what this could mean, he locked his knees and placed a hand on the back of his sister’s chair to steady himself. If his aunt were not still standing, he might allow himself to fall into the sofa, situated along the wall behind him.
He had never contemplated such a possibility before. Ladies of the ton had always behaved as if he—or at least his wealth and connections—were a desirable prize. He had spent his entire adult life avoiding most ladies’ attempts at competing for his attentions. It had never been the other way around.
How did he remedy the situation?
His aunt continued speaking without a trace of recognition of her nephew’s personal crisis.
“For those who are not already aware, my maid, Sarah, is a former resident of the orphanage. In fact, tomorrow, we shall have additional assistance—three maids from my household and everyone who can be spared from their work at Darcy House, all brought up at the Children of Saint Nicholas Orphanage, who have found gainful employment as a result of their education. The footmen we sent to the country to gather the greenery for the decorations were hired from there, as well.”
Darcy had always evaded acknowledgement of his part in the orphanage’s success, for he was not involved for the purpose of gaining admiration. It was simply an excellent cause.
Though, perhaps if Elizabeth was aware he not only supported the orphanage, but also hired many of the men and women who were trained there, it might influence her opinion of him for the better?