Page 26 of A Question of Character

“I imagine she would be delighted to tell them.”

“She probably would.”

Lady Matlock received them with evident satisfaction.

“There you are,” she declared. “I was beginning to think my nephew intended to hide Miss Bennet behind the musicians.”

“I assure you, Lady Matlock,” Elizabeth replied, “he merely rescued me from a gentleman determined to praise every lady in the room equally.”

“A terrible offense,” Lady Matlock said gravely. “Any man who admires everyone admires no one.”

Darcy’s aunt cast her nephew a brief look before continuing with perfect innocence.

“I hope Darcy exercised better judgment.”

Elizabeth’s glance drifted toward him.

“He was...particular.”

Lady Matlock appeared unsurprised.

“I have always encouraged particularity.”

Darcy cleared his throat.

“Aunt.”

“Yes?”

“I begin to regret introducing you.”

“My dear boy, you have regretted introducing me to people for twenty years.”

The older lady dismissed him with a wave of her fan.

Lady Matlock watched him cross the room before leaning slightly toward Elizabeth.

“He is happier this month than he has been in years.”

Elizabeth blinked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“My nephew smiles.”

“I had already observed he is capable of it.”

“So had I.”

The countess’s expression softened.

“You may consider that a compliment if you choose.”

The evening fell into an easy rhythm.

Another young lady performed on the harp.

A gentleman recited several verses of Milton with commendable feeling and questionable pronunciation.