Jane felt fully recovered after a morning nap but stopped abruptly before she began down the stairs, as she heard Mr Darcy's words to her sister, stifling a gasp of surprise. Both that she should be shocked that Lizzy was admired, for that was expected and well-deserved, but rather from whom it came. Her astonishment increase every moment as he continued pouring out his heart, soul, and even his logic in what could only be considered the second most ridiculous proposal she had ever heard of. Mr Collins had surpassed the awkwardness of the scene she was surreptitiously overhearing. Mr Darcy quieted and Jane waited for Lizzy to give one of her set-downs, a skill she had learned from their father.
"In such cases as these, I believe the established mode is to express a sense of obligation," Lizzy began and Jane began to smile in as kind a way as can be achieved while anticipating the hurt that would result from rejection of such an impassioned suit.
After an uncharacteristically long pause, she had never known her sister to be speechless or purposefully silent in such a situation, Elizabeth continued in the most unexpected manner.
"I am flattered by your sentiments in equal measure to my extreme surprise. Indeed there seems to exist between the two of us an extraordinary misunderstanding for I had come to suppose you more than indifferent to my person and I to yours. The honor of your proposal is also not lost on me nor are the extreme advantages which such a union would provide, yet I cannot in good conscience bind us without gaining a proper understanding between us and so I will accept only a private courtship. My previous understand of your thoughts and behavior are clearly misinformed and I'm sure yours are of me as well. I expect my father would laugh inwardly and mock you should you request his permission to exchange letters so I advise you not to make him aware of our current understanding, nor do I plan to disclose it."
Jane was sure her jaw would fall to the floor and she sat down silently, leaning against the banister and continued her rapt attention on the discussion unfolding below. She heard Mr Darcy puff out an agitated breath. His tone seemed agitated in a distinct manner than it had as he declared his conflicting feelings but she did not know the man well enough to discern his feelings more precisely.
"And how, pray tell, will we come to an understanding if not through correspondence? You are to leave Kent next week and I have no current plans that would take me to Hertfordshire, excepting to court you. I am willing to do so but my presence there will not but invite gossip surrounding our persons."
Elizabeth stirred and must have been about to reply crossly, for Mr Darcy hurried on,
"Which should be avoided due to your evident desire for privacy in this matter. Is it not so?"
"It is" replied Elizabeth tersely and sighed. There was a few beats of silence and then the sound of them both pacing. Jane smiled to herself at the similarity in the seemingly opposite characters of the two in the morning room. After another silence, Mr Darcy continued,
"Then what you have me do Madame to court you? I assure you it will be done to the best of my ability so long as I am truly given the opportunity and your sincere thought."
"I…" Lizzy gathered her thoughts and her breath, "I should think a house party at Netherfield would put us in one another's company, would you not agree Mr Darcy? We both know our friend Mr Bingley is an amiable host and familiar with hastily laid plans. He would not ask for any specific reason for a summer in the country."
Not wishing to hear more of that particular man, Jane returned quietly to their bedchamber.