Page 31 of He Insulted My Entire Family Before Proposing

He accepted it. That mattered.

The dance moved them apart and back again.

"But not never," she said when they returned.

His eyes lifted to hers.

"Not never," she repeated, because he deserved no more ease than truth allowed and no less hope than he had earned.

After the dance, they walked with Jane and Bingley, then at last found themselves near an open door leading to a small balcony. The room remained bright behind them, near enough for propriety and far enough for speech.

Darcy stood beside her, not too near. "Miss Elizabeth, I made you an offer once in a manner that should shame me for the rest of my life."

"It was memorable."

"I loved you then, though badly."

"That may be the most accurate romantic declaration ever made."

He almost laughed. "I love you now with better understanding, though not, I fear, with perfect merit."

"Perfection would alarm me. I should suspect you of concealing a sermon."

"Then I will not claim it."

The night air touched her face. Inside, music began again.

"I cannot undo the insult at Meryton," he said. "I cannot undo Hunsford. I cannot undo Jane's pain or the contempt I permitted. I can only say that I know now a woman is not honored by being loved despite everything she loves. If I am ever fortunate enough to be accepted by you, I will not ask you to leave your family outside my respect."

Elizabeth could not speak immediately.

This, she thought, was the sort of apology she could understand: one with its hat off, its excuses absent, and its boots planted where the first wrong had stood.

It was not perfect. It did not erase the hurt. But it named the wrong plainly, and it had been done where the public room could hear him.

"My family will embarrass you," she said.

"Yes."

"Often."

"I expect so."

"My mother will speak of lace, settlements, and your income to people who have not asked."

"I will endeavor to survive prosperity being discussed."

"Lydia will flirt with any officer not nailed to the floor."

"Then I shall recommend more nails."

Elizabeth laughed. It escaped before she could manage it. Darcy looked so pleased by the sound that she had to look at the balcony rail.

"My father will tease you," she said.

"He has begun."

"Mary may play."