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gentlemen.
    Elizabeth stared at her aunt with a puzzled expression, trying to remember whether she had ever heard Mr Darcy speak with such warm politeness. Her aunt smiled.
    ***
    Darcy remained in the hall, close enough to hear the ladies’ voices chatting amiably. He had yet to recover from the shock of seeing Elizabeth in his uncle’s house, and he was yet unable to breathe, talk, or behave properly.
    This could not be; he had left Netherfield a month before, trying to put her out of his memory and ease his conscience for his participation in Bingley’s departure.
    Yes, he had been certain that his judgement of Miss Bennet’s feelings for Bingley had been correct. Yes, he was certain that it was better for Bingley to escape from marriage to a beautiful lady who did not share his affection. Besides, he was not sure that Bingley’s feelings for Miss Bennet were real or would last more than a month; he had seen him in love many times before.
    But he could not deny his own interest in removing from Netherfield, and that was the reason for his lack of sleep during the last month. He was also in danger of being trapped. Her smiles, sparkling eyes, teasing and witty replies, dark hair playing along her nape—all made his days and nights at Netherfield a torture, and there was little improvement once he left. But he had been certain that, with time and distance, his strength and self-control would conquer the feelings he battled.
    And now she was there, and she likely would be around for some time as his uncle made it clear that he found the Bennet ladies pleasant company.
    Darcy felt the urge for a glass of brandy as he remembered the conversation with his uncle the previous day. The earl allowed him to make a fool of himself when he related his disapproval of the Bennet family. He had not felt so dreadful in a long time. He was tempted to take Georgiana and return home that instant. But did he have the right to ruin everyone’s evening by behaving in such a savage manner? And what explanation could he find for an impromptu leaving? Besides, Georgiana seemed to be enjoying herself. She seemed to feel at ease with the Miss Bennets, which was surprising—or was it? Was it surprising that anyone, even a person as shy as his sister, felt at ease with Elizabeth and Jane Bennet? His uncle had met them the day before and liked them instantly, and the earl generally liked few people on such a short acquaintance. On the other hand, it was not a surprise that the colonel was charmed by both of them as he himself declared. But he was not to be taken seriously; he was even worse than Bingley when it came to beautiful, young ladies. Darcy was more cautious in judging people; he did not approve of either sister at first meeting. Miss Bennet used to smile too much. And Miss Elizabeth was not handsome enough to tempt me to dance with her.
    Suddenly, his thoughts sounded ridiculous. Surely, those were not the reasons he disapproved of them in the beginning! There must have been other things to form his poor opinion of them, and the most important was their family’s behaviour and situation, which could not be forgotten or dismissed. But Miss Bennet does not seem to smile any longer—not at all! And Miss Elizabeth… He could not think of any lady more handsome—or more tempting.
    “Darcy, what on earth are you doing here? Let us return to the ladies; dinner is ready.” The earl’s voice startled him, and he could not reply before his gleeful uncle continued.
    “And I absolutely need your opinion: Which of my sons should marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet, do you think? We could not reach an agreement, and you seem to be an expert on difficult problems of the heart. I shall put her near you during dinner so you can observe her behaviour towards both of them and inform me whether you sense any partiality to one or the other. Oh—and do not worry about her family’s faults; I dare say her charms are adequate compensation.”
    His uncle and