Miss Sanders was very sweet and had a motherly quality about her. She reminded Elizabeth strongly of her sister Jane, and that made her wonder if she would be the best fit. Elizabeth was looking for more than just someone to fix her hair and maintain her wardrobe—she was also looking for a friend. She would be all alone in Derbyshire and her maid would be on intimate terms with her; it was imperative they get along and she knew that lifelong friendships of a sort often developed. Or at least they did with those women she knew treated their maids well.

She doubted Lady Catherine’s maid felt like a friend.

Elizabeth told both women that she had been very impressed by their knowledge and would take the afternoon to think about it and send them notice tomorrow.

“Did you choose one?” asked Darcy as he walked into the study. Elizabeth sat in a chair near the empty fireplace, staring at a globe on a stand next to her.

“Hmm? Oh, I want to think about it for the day. I’ll send them a note tomorrow.”

He nodded. “You seem far away. What are you thinking of?”

“It’s all very strange, isn’t it?” she touched the globe and spun it slightly beneath her fingers.

“What is?”

“This. Us. This house. Me choosing a maid. Just two months ago I had no notion of choosing my own maid, or of even ever seeing the inside of your house. And now we are to be married! It’s just a bit strange, that’s all,” she said quietly.

“Did you truly have no notion of seeing the inside of my house?”

“None whatsoever.” She smiled, and then her expression turned a bit sad. “I was woefully blind, I’m afraid. I had no idea you even cared about me. In fact, I thought you disliked me thoroughly!”

“What?” he cried. “How could you think such a thing? After all the attention I paid you.” He’d known she was a little surprised, but to be completely unaware? It seemed fantastical to him.

She shrugged. “You were quiet and grave and did not smile or flirt with me. You stared and scowled and generally behaved as if I were in your way.” She sighed. “No matter. I did not know you then as I know you now.”

He walked toward her slowly and sat in the chair beside hers, reaching out to take her hand and rub his thumb over her knuckles.

“And do you know me now?” he asked quietly.

“As well as can be expected in the circumstances, I think,” she said to the floor.