10. 14 November 1811
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth was humbled by Mr Darcy’s trust in her.
She was stirred to hear him speak of his sister with so much care—while also revealing so much. The secret he had vaguely confided in her was about such a young girl, it might even be ruinous—and yet he had faith that she would keep it.
Even knowing that no man was as perfect as Miss Bingley’s description of Mr Darcy…even smiling when Mr Bingley had said that Mr Darcy was the best man he knew and when Mrs Nicholls said that Mr Darcy was the most impressive man of her acquaintance….
Elizabeth was beginning to understand the uses of the superlatives in others’ descriptions of the man.
For now, her Uncle Edward remained the best man Elizabeth knew, but she was beginning to wonder if, once she had a chance to know Mr Darcy better, he might near that mark as well?
As she helped Jane refresh herself, smooth the bedding, change her chemise, brush her hair…
Elizabeth’s thoughts kept straying to Mr Darcy.
The timbre of his deep voice when he said, “thank you so much.” The quaver in his voice when he described his sister as “even more silent and practically a recluse.”
She was relieved to read to Jane, thus distracting herself from thoughts of a man who was so far out of her reach.