Page 6 of Her Whole Heart
Her brows lifted in challenge. “Why do you say that?”
Was it not obvious? “You are far more likely to see a man frown at a ballthan a woman.”
Miss Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. “That is because we have it drilled into us that it is impolite to do so. I do wonder that men do not receive the same training.”
Was she calling him impolite? “I beg your pardon?”
Her eyes danced, and her feet soon followed. They moved to the centre of the circle before moving back again. Then they took hands and began to follow the leaders.
“Forgiveness is yours again, Mr. Darcy,” she said, “though I do not know why you insist upon asking for it.”
He had been signalling his affront, not asking for forgiveness, but her quick repartee interested him. “You are asserting that women are not naturally more polite but that they receive more training fortheirpositions in the world than men?”
She glanced at him. “Undoubtedly.”
They separated, skipped back to their original places, made a small, tight circle, and skipped forward to take one another’s hands again. As they traversed the circle in the other direction, he replied, “And what languages have you learned for use in town, Miss Elizabeth?”
“French and Italian,” she told him.
“But neither Latin nor Greek? I fear your argument is already in peril.”
“I admit little success with Greek, Mr. Darcy, but I do know Latin.”
This surprised Darcy. “You do?”
“It aids in the study of other languages, I find. But you did not ask me which languages I knew, sir, only those I meant to employ in town. I do not expect to require Latin at a ball or a dinner party.”
They turned to dance round again in the other direction, and she fell silent as the dance required more of her energy. Darcy was grateful for it, for he needed time to regain his composure. Miss Elizabeth had noted that his invitation to dance had not been due to any admiration of her person,and she had chosen to laugh at him rather than be offended. That ought to put him off, truly, but it did not. Perhaps she saw, as he did, how absurd this entire ritual was. But then why would she be here in town for the season?
Despite her perspicuity, she must be in want of a husband. All unwed women were.
It was their turn to wait again, and he took up their conversation, pointedly not observing how her fine eyes were brightened by the exercise.
“And what else have you studied, madam?”
“Oh, the usual. Playing, singing . . .”
“Whereas men study fencing and riding.”
“Indeed,” she said with a small smile. “Women’s accomplishments are meant to be used for the benefit of others while men learn for themselves. I do not suppose you were taught art or needlework?”
He had never thought of it that way, but she might be right. Still, there were exceptions. “Netting purses? Painting tables? Who are these accomplishments for, madam?"
Miss Elizabeth smiled. “I must concede your point there, for I have not spent my time in the attainment of either skill and cannot say for certain.”
“For men there is serious reading, remaining current on the news of the day, and of course a man’s business takes a good deal of his time.”
“I would say that these things are a woman’s lot as well, if only so that she may hold a rational conversation on such topics with her husband or his guests. Though not the business, I suppose. May I ask what a man’s business consists of, Mr. Darcy?”
Was she teasing him? He met her eyes, which were holding his. He felt a little jolt but quashed it immediately. “I have the management of my estate, Miss Elizabeth, and many other family concerns.”
“Ah, so you could add the study of estate law to your catalogue. That is an accomplishment indeed.”
Darcy could not claim as much. “My steward is also an attorney. He keeps current on the law.”
“Then I shall have to strike knowledge of estate law from your list of accomplishments. I will add to my own dancing, reading, and the art of conversation.”
“Is that what this is?” he asked, the words sharper than he had intended.
