Page 76 of Her Whole Heart
“Speaking of that . . .”
“Yes?”
“I was hoping I might discuss something with you, Miss Elizabeth, but it is a rather delicate topic.”
She knew immediately what he meant. “Your friend and my sister?”
His expression relaxed in relief. “Indeed. May I?”
Elizabeth was grateful for the opportunity to speak about it. “Yes.”
Mr. Darcy paused to collect his thoughts, and then began. “Bingley is a good man, but he has always struggled in the face of his sisters’ demands. He is the youngest of his siblings, and the only one in the family, sadly, who has an aversion to argument. He will learn to stand up for his own happiness, and soon, I think.” He hesitated.
Elizabeth, however, realised that he wished to know whether to encourage Mr. Bingley in his pursuit of Jane or not, and so she offered him the information he sought. “Jane is not one to give her heart lightly. She cares deeply for Mr. Bingley. But she adamantly refuses to enter a marriage where her husband’s loyalties are divided.”
Mr. Darcy nodded slowly. “And rightly so. His wife must be a man’s first concern, and I have told Bingley so.” He hesitated, then said, “When I wed, it will be mine.”
Elizabeth smiled impishly. “But what do you expect in return?”
He lifted his eyebrows. “I am not certain I understand . . .”
“It is the talk of all the fashionable drawing rooms in London, of course. Any woman who desires to become the illustrious Mrs. Darcy must satisfy a nearly endless list of personal qualities and accomplishments. Miss Bingley is quite an expert on the topic.”
He chuckled. “I assure you, Miss Bennet, that Miss Bingley is not an expert on either my wishes or requirements. While I do have hopes for a felicitous match, I am not so particular as to compose some sort of exhaustive inventory of accomplishments.”
“No? Oh, that is a pity. I was hoping to have a peek at it, you see.”
“Whatever for?” he inquired, surprised.
“Oh,” she said very seriously, “I aim to make a fortune wagering on it, and I thought with a little information from the principal player . . .”
He laughed softly. “You never say what I think you will.”
“I cannot be blamed for that,” Elizabeth said teasingly.
“I would not call it a fault.” He thought for a moment. “In truth, my desires are quite simple. Intelligence, kindness, strength”—here he hesitated—"and though it had not been on my mind until recently—bravery, though I would wish my wife to leave the more physical acts of courage to me when she can.” He glanced at her, then looked away. “And if she is beautiful, so much the better.”
Elizabeth was deeply touched. “And what should I require in a husband, do you think?”
He had his answer ready, of course.
“A man who will honour you, be faithful to his vows, support and cherish you in good times and ill.” Mr. Darcy raised his gaze to hers. “To protect you in all ways, and do everything in his power to secure your happiness.”
Her breath caught, and she felt as though she might cry. Instead, she said, “A worthy set of promises. Any woman would count herself fortunate to be the recipient of such devotion.”
“I do not needanywoman. I have set my sights on a particular one.”
Elizabeth blushed and looked away, but a small smiled tugged at her lips. “I see.”
“I asked to call on you because I believe you may need more time to come to know me,” Mr. Darcy said. “But I do wish to tell you, Miss Elizabeth, that I am certain of my course.”
It was just as Elizabeth had suspected. Mr. Darcy was a methodical man. He had not asked even to call on her until he was prepared to proceed all the way to marriage if they found themselves well suited.
“I feel Idoknow you well, Mr. Darcy. In such unusual circumstances as we have repeatedly found ourselves this winter, it would be odd if I did not. But I am not yet entirely ready to say whether your course ought also to be mine.” Despite having trusted Mr. Darcy enough to tell him about her father, she was not sure whether she was ready to trust him with the rest of her life.
“As I suspected, Miss Elizabeth. Now, if you please, I have several questions for you before Lady Carlisle reappears and carries you away in the service of stylish superiority.”
Mr. Darcy’s dry humour made Elizabeth smile. “Several questions?” She sat up straighter. “You may proceed.”
