If Lady Catherine had realised that nothing is more appealing than when it is forbidden, she might have stayed away, and hoped against hope that the rumour about her nephew was no more than that... and she would not have been so helpful in teaching him to hope...

from chapter 58:

The gentlemen arrived early; and... Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed their all walking out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the habit of walking; Mary could never spare time; but the remaining five set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others to outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy were to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly forming a desperate resolution; and perhaps he might be doing the same.

They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to call upon Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a general concern, when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him alone. Now was the moment for her resolution to be executed, and, while her courage was high, she immediately said,

``Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding your's. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express.''

``I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,'' replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise and emotion, ``that you have ever been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.''

``You must not blame my aunt. Lydia's thoughtlessness first betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering them.''

He sighed, walked on. She knew not what he thought or felt and wondered how long they would walk in silence if she did not speak again.

She was saved from such ponderings when he soon spoke, "It was through my mistaken pride, my reserve, that his character was not made known to the world."

She looked at him in wonder. "You claim responsibility?"

"Not for his actions, but for my own inaction. I could have done more. I protected my own family, and poorly at that, but none beyond."

"It was not your responsibility to do so. Others are culpable."

"You must let me carry some portion of blame."

"I must do no such thing." She sighed. "Perhaps we are safer speaking of the weather."

"The state of the roads."

She turned, surprised to see his mouth turned up in mischief. "Perhaps not."

They walked on for a minute before she spoke again.

"May I ask one thing? And then we'd best leave the subject behind."

He nodded, catching her eye. His look made no promise he would answer her, but she could ask.

"Does Miss Darcy know of it?"

"No."

Elizabeth let out the breath she'd been holding.

"I told her a matter of business called me to London. As to your sudden departure: she assumed one of your family was unwell."

"Thank you."

He shook his head, her thanks, again, unnecessary. "She was disappointed to lose your company. I have rarely seen her so open and comfortable with new acquaintance."

Elizabeth smiled.

"She will have her first season in town this coming year."

"Is she looking forward to it?"

"I can hardly say."

"But you are not."

He smiled at her apt observation. "No."

"Have no fear; I will not tease you about your distaste for balls, Mr Darcy. It is too easy."

"You are too kind."

"Hardly." She laughed. "But you will suffer through it for your sister – an ideal elder brother."

He blushed, turning away, and kept walking in silence. Eventually, he spoke. "Do you ever visit your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner during the season?"

"I have – and you know Jane has. Not anually by any means."

"I ask because I am sure, given the opportunity, Georgiana would like to reknew the acquaintance."

Elizabeth could hardly believe it. This was his way of asking if she would be in town, if she would in fact become more acquainted with his sister, and by connection, with himself. She knew she must give him some response, and soon, but her mind spun with wonder and disbelief. "I too would be happy to see her again. But I have no fixed plans for the winter. Well," she caught the sound of Mr Bingley's happy laughter on the breeze and turned to see her soon-to-be brother take Jane's hand and press it to his chest, a way back along the road, "I suppose there is one certain event planned for the winter."

"Yes, and a happy one at that."

She had rarely seen him smile so widely and found herself wishing to witness it more often. "I must ask whether you were surprised."

"Not at all. When I went away I felt that it should soon happen."

She smiled, guessing he had given his permission, or something similar.

"Dare I ask what amuses you so?"

"You may."

He waited, watched her expression, shook his head ever so slightly and chuckled. "What amuses you, Miss Bennet?"

"You do."

He sighed, wondering if there was any way to get a straight answer, and at the same time enjoying the conversation too much to wish her more direct.

"I am teasing you, Mr Darcy. If we are to be friends you will have to get used to it."

"I did not complain." Longbourne came into sight and he turned to see how far behind Jane and Bingley had lagged. "So you will not tell me?"

"I am not certain you would wish to hear my thoughts."

"And when has that stopped you?"

She was surprised by his abruptness.

"I am sorry, I should not have..."

"Nay," she stopped his apology with the lightest of touches to his arm. "If I cannot take a little teasing in response I would be poor company."

"I think there is an art to teasing – one which I am yet to have mastered."

She smiled. "I should write to Miss Bingley as soon as we return – I have discovered your fault."

"I should have thought you knew them all."

"See – you are already improving. Perhaps you should take your Aunt's advice and practise. But I would give you one piece of advice."

"By all means."

"Serious topics should be avoided, or only touched on. Self deprecation is usually safe, but in this case..."

"Somehow I am proud, and self-deprecating."

"No." She shook her head as they slowed to a stop, letting Jane and Bingley catch them up, though the couple were clearly in no hurry to do so. "You are not so proud; a little shy perhaps. A family trait I think."

"Indeed." he seemed to study her face, perplexed about something.

She dare not ask what. Their conversation seemed too daring, and she had one more difficult thing to say before Jane and Bingley interrupted them. "I had hoped for an opportunity to apologise and I doubt I will find another such opening to do so – though my courage is failing me."

He looked even more confused.

"For my words that day. I abused you horribly. I, who prided myself on observing and understanding character, was entirely wrong about yours."

He shook his head to disagree as the crunch of approaching footsteps halted their conversation.

"Well, Darcy, shall we be off?" Bingley reluctantly let Jane's hand drop from his arm and all too soon they were gone.

Elizabeth had hoped to feel more of a burden lifted, but without his reply she felt her apology half-done. Would she revisit it again? Would he? She had to wonder.