Page 6 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

She held me in a penetrating stare. “And now, you must satisfy my curiosity. How did you come to have this extraordinary conversation with Mr. Darcy?”

“I shall enlighten you.” We resumed our walk, and I recounted the pertinent details of Mr. Darcy’s marriage proposal, which elicited a gasp from Jane. In my summary of our subsequent discussions, I conveyed Mr. Wickham’s lack of honour without any mention of Miss Darcy; the young lady’s ordeal seemed too personal for me to disclose.

“I always thought better of Mr. Darcy than you did, and his choosing you affirms his excellent taste. He must love you very much.”

“Maybe so.”

Her pale eyebrows lifted. “Why do you doubt him?”

“Although hebelieveshe loves me, what he feels could be a passing infatuation.”

“Well, his affection for you has endured since last autumn.”

“For most of that time, we have been apart. Maybe he fell in love with a pretty notion of who I am, and not my true self.”

“What do you feel for him?”

“I am uncertain. I misjudged him before, so I never really knew him. I am glad he kept his word with regard to Mr. Bingley. They must have had an uncomfortable conversation.”

“Yes, I imagine so.” She beamed at me. “I hope you are prepared to encounter Mr. Darcy again. He and Charles are expected to call this afternoon and stay for dinner.”

So soon?I swallowed. “Yes, I am ready. If nothing else, I hope we shall be friends. After all, due to his connexion with Mr. Bingley, we could be in company often. After you are married, you may call upon me to assist you with your ten children.”

Jane’s giggle blossomed into a silvery laugh. “Tenchildren?” Her shoulder nudged against mine. “Heaven forbid!”

***

Jane, my aunt and uncle, and I gathered in the drawing-room. My aunt asked me to describe Rosings Park House. I attempted to appear nonchalant whilst relating my account, but Mr. Darcy’s imminent arrival absorbed me, and my speech degenerated to a plodding pace. I broke off mid-sentence at the faint sound of the front door-knocker.

My uncle’s butler, Barnet, announced Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, and my aunt and uncle went to meet them. A gleeful and congenial Mr. Bingley darted to Jane and greeted her with a kiss upon her hand before addressing me. He accepted my congratulations for his engagement with a wide grin.

All the while, though, Mr. Darcy, who displayed faultless manners with my aunt and uncle, never strayed from my notice. He made a dashing figure in his fine olive-green coat and tan trousers without being showy.

In an earnest tone, Mr. Darcy expressed his best wishes to Jane for her engagement, then he moved before me. “Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you again.” An entrancing smile enlivened his well-favoured features.

“I am glad to see you as well, Mr. Darcy.” Before I could say more, Aunt Gardiner urged everyone to take seats. Mr. Bingley hastened to the settee beside Jane; but rather than take the unoccupied seat nearest to me, Mr. Darcy sat between my aunt and uncle Gardiner.

In contrast to my would-be suitor, Mr. Bingley displayed his usual attentiveness with Jane. I fought the inclination to pout. Was Mr. Darcy not eager to speak with me?

But his conversation with my aunt and uncle—an astute discussion of the latest political dispute reported in the day’s newspaper—made a fascinating display. He engaged them with an ease one exhibited with friends. I perked to an erect posture, following their every word. After having witnessed my family in Hertfordshire at their worst, Mr. Darcy now benefited from my most refined and intelligent relations.

At the first lull in their conversation, Mr. Bingley addressed the group to suggest a walk to the nearby park. My aunt and uncle decided to remain; thus, the four of us departed, trailed by Noah, one of Uncle’s trusty footmen.

Mr. Darcy and I took the lead, and we soon outpaced Jane and Mr. Bingley. When I conveyed my gratitude for his confession to his friend, Mr. Darcy’s expression clouded.

“You need not thank me for correcting the wrong I had done to him and your sister. I am gratified by their current felicity.Yet…if not for my interference, they would have become engaged sooner.”

I fell silent, lost in my musing over the changes in Mr. Darcy. In contrast to his conduct today, he had shown my family and friends in Hertfordshire the bare minimum of civility. Would his cordiality prove to be temporary?

“Your hair is most becoming today.” Mr. Darcy perused my tresses. “I have not seen you with this precise arrangement before. The curls frame your beautiful countenance so well.”

What rubbish!Warmth suffused my face. His candid opinion of my appearance had been revealed at the Meryton assembly last October. With a glance about us, I ensured no one came near enough to overhear. “You ought to know I despise false flattery. I should never have expected this from you.”

His mouth fell open. “I meant every word, and I am not in the habit of dissembling.” He raised his hat to run his fingers through his hair. “Why would you doubt me?”

My lips formed a hard line. “You once stated I was not handsome enough to tempt you. It is apparent you have learnt to overlook my physical faults in favour of other qualities you admire.”

Lines converged on his forehead. “I am heartily sorry. It is mortifying to acknowledge I ever uttered anything so coarse and untrue. Even worse, I had suspected you may have overheard my remarks. Later, when we spent time together at Netherfield Park, I assumed the attention I paid to you would smooth over any possible indignation on your part. I am conscious of the conceit in that outlook. I ought to have apologised then. Do you suppose you can forgive me?”

---