A/N: Thank you again for all the encouraging reviews. This chapter is short but there will be more to come soon.

Darcy found himself unable to focus during the hours that followed. Books, correspondence, billiards, even the company of other members of the household could not engage his mind for long. Every activity drew his mind back to the conversation with Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth, he corrected mentally. Yet he knew his heart had been penetrated by her candid questions and liberal agreement of true friendship. Safety. She offered him safety to enjoy communion with another intelligent, caring, inquisitive mind without fear of entrapment. Darcy doubted she could even begin to understand the significance of what she was providing him. Elizabeth. Who was he fooling? She was already Elizabeth in his heart, but her presence, he warned himself, could only be temporary.

It was not until the evening meal that Darcy laid eyes upon her again. She acknowledged him with a polite nod of the head as their eyes met across the room, but made no attempt to draw near. As the meal progressed she seemed quieter than usual, but perchance that was just his imagination. It was conceivable she was now feeling unsure about their frank conversation. He could, however, sense her observation as he interacted with the rest of the party: her eyes often upon him when he spoke to others, or if he was being spoken to.

Confess it Darcy, he challenged his disappointed heart, you were hoping she would seek your attention. Man up and talk, if you want her engaging with you.

'Miss Elizabeth,' ventured Darcy before he could over think it, 'I am pleased to hear your sister is doing better. Do you believe she will be well enough to join our party sometime soon?'

A genuine smile graced Elizabeth's countenance and Darcy was glad he had spoken. 'Yes, Mr Darcy,' she replied, 'now that her fever has broken, I believe Jane will improve quite quickly, provided she continues to sleep well. Ordinarily, we Bennets have a strong constitution. It was only when I heard that she was suffering from a fever that I became concerned. It was most unlike her to decline in health so quickly. Though Mr Jones cannot identify her malady, he is convinced she is over the worst.'

'I am very glad to hear it,' Darcy replied. 'Her company, when she is well enough, will add pleasure for us all.'

'Thank you, Mr Darcy,' Elizabeth said with a warm amused twinkle in her eye.' It is kind of you to express such sentiment, for it reinforces the welcome that my sister and I have received here at Netherfield.'

There was that, in her manner, which enabled Darcy to pick up every one of her undertones; her encouragement toward himself via the warmth in her smile, her gratitude for Bingley's open welcome as she nodded toward the head of the table, and the amused acceptance of the barely civil, and sometimes wanting, hospitality of the ladies of the house, with the twinkle of mischief in her eyes. He held her gaze when it returned to his own, nodding in response, a small smile upon his own face.

'Oh yes, dear sweet Jane,' interjected Miss Bingley, 'she will be a wonderful addition to our party when she is well enough to grace us with her presence. She has remarkable poise and such a sweet disposition.'

'Remarkable poise?' smiled Elizabeth, turning her head toward the lady. 'That is quite the compliment Miss Bingley, but one Jane surely merits. I will be sure to pass it on to her.'

Miss Bingley lifted her chin slightly with a hint of disdain, before inclining her head faintly in bare acknowledgement.

Darcy did not even register Miss Bingley, fascinated as he was by the transformation of Elizabeth's countenance now that they were conversing. There is the radiance of her soul, Darcy considered with satisfaction, his eyes never leaving Elizabeth's face. Never a dull moment when you nudge open an invitation for her to speak.