"I must confess I have never been accused of being too quick to forgive." He replied gravely, but with a half-smile that showed, just barely, that small dimple she had discovered during one of their first earnest talks. As she looked at him and wondered how she could have missed, so completely his humor, kindness and genuine good looks which appeared so evident now as he gazed down at her Elizabeth took the arm he offered and determined to start anew.
"Well it should not surprise you at all that I must disagree with you and will insist on your conceding this point. You have been exposed to a very poor part of my character and have graciously chosen to overlook it. However, it is not only today that I have rushed to judgment regarding yourself," she sighed knowing she must make her apology now and her confession. "But at the Assembly . . ."
"Miss Elizabeth, I beg you would not continue. There can be no blame to share from that evening. The fault is entirely mine."
"That is not true, Mr. Darcy. Your words were harsh and unkind." She said, looking directly into his eyes and letting him see her hurt, unwilling to make light of his behavior. "But I was equally so in my response. I allowed my wounded pride to blind me to any good qualities you might possess and to guide all of our subsequent interactions. Your behavior can be no excuse for mine. In addition, you were a stranger here. I made it almost impossible for you to find a ready welcome. For all of that I apologize."
"I cannot . . ."
"Mr. Darcy, I have recently endowed you with the quality of graciousness. Are you now to be so lacking in it that you endeavor to prove me wrong so soon after my proclamation?" She smiled at him hoping this was the moment they could start anew. It was not often a man of sense and education came into their neighborhood and she was grateful to have the opportunity to explore an acquaintance with him now free from the encumbrances of their first impressions, if he would allow it. Allow her apology to stand alongside his and not insist they continue to dwell on their muddled beginnings.
"I suppose that would be ungentlemanly of me." He offered after a long pause.
"Indeed it would." She agreed with alacrity. "Now that we are in complete accord I suggest we put some distance between ourselves and Longbourn lest we have a repeat of the interruption we endured the other day."
"Of course." He said with a smile and offering her his arm they exited by the far gate making their way down the lane.
So began a pattern that would repeat itself over the course of the next few weeks. Mr. Darcy came to call each day with Mr. Bingley and their nascent friendship began to grow. They found common ground in books and a love of history and philosophy. They found opportunity for debate in differing opinions on almost everything else. It was only their shared love of the outdoors and ability to walk long distances at greater than average speeds that allowed them to occasionally escape the ever-present Mr. Collins and the increasingly on hand Miss Bingley. Thus, when, after the first week, the rain began and continued for several days it was a most unwelcome development to some and a relief to others.
Although the drawing room of Longbourn was not was not as pleasant as the walk to Oakham mount or the even the road to Meryton they believed they could make do and continue their lively discourse among those present.
"Miss Bennet, I am pleased to see you returned to health." Mr. Darcy greeted Jane on the second day the rain kept them all indoors. Miss Bingley was hard on his heels offering her own effusive congratulations to her friend on her recovery. However, as soon as Mr. Darcy moved away to find a seat Miss Bingley did likewise. The seat beside Elizabeth was, as usual, take by Mr. Collins. Thus, he chose to resume his old habit of standing apart and gazing out the window while the conversations of the others danced around him.
"Mr. Bingley, as Jane is now well you promised I could name the day of your ball." Lydia proclaimed as she bounced into the room. "You must keep your word and I will insist you hold it soon for I have had no opportunity to dance with the officers since Sir William's gathering ages ago."
"And the most handsome of them had not even arrived at that time." Kitty giggled.
"Enough." Elizabeth admonished. Although she was grateful for any respite from her tedious conversation with Mr. Collins she was none the less embarrassed by her sisters' brash behavior.
Lydia glared at her, but Mr. Bingley responded with his typical amiability.
"I would be happy to comply, Miss Lydia. In fact, I am eager for a ball. What say you to tomorrow week?"
"Charles, before you commit to such a plan perhaps you should discuss it more privately with your own party. As you know there may be some among us for whom a ball Is not a welcome prospect."
"If you mean Darcy you are quite mistaken, Caroline." Charles told her with a smile at his friend who had turned around at the mention of his name. "He told me just this morning that he hoped I had not abandoned the idea of hosting a ball."
"Is this true, Mr. Darcy? I am all astonishment." Miss Bingley said, attempting a lightness she did not quite achieve.
"Why should you be?" Mr. Darcy asked. "I have recently been made to understand that balls are events to be eagerly anticipated and not avoided. So I have encouraged Bingley in his desire to host his own as I understand his neighbors would welcome the prospect. As would I."
"I see you have been brought you around to my way of thinking, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth said with a laugh.
"She can be very persuasive." Offered Jane.
"Indeed." Mr. Darcy agreed with a smile. "After so many conversations on the subject how could I help but be converted."
"You attribute your changed opinion to the quantity of our discourse rather than my very considerable skills at the art of persuasion?"
"Not precisely, I mean only that after being exposed so regularly to your convincing views I had no choice but to be won over to your way of thinking."
"Yes, exactly." Mr. Bingley agreed. "Miss Elizabeth can convince anyone of anything I am absolutely certain. This must be true if she has persuaded Darcy to look forward to a ball!"
"Yes, yes Lizzie is amazing." Lydia said impatiently. "But you will set the date for certain? Miss Bingley does not seem especially eager."
"Lydia, let us allow the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy to determine their plans on their own." Jane admonished with gentle firmness. "They will let us know what they have decided."
Lydia rarely listened to anyone who attempted to advise or direct her, but on occasion, and likely when it seemed to suit her purposes, she listened to Jane. Therefore, she relented and gave her attention to a bonnet she intended to remake. When Mary asked Mr. Collins for his help in discerning a particularly difficult portion of Fordyce's sermons Mr. Darcy claimed the seat beside Elizabeth and they resumed a conversation they had begun the day previously regarding Napoleon and British war policy.
Shortly thereafter Mrs. Hill announced the arrival of several additional guests.
"Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny"
