15. Chapter 15 #2
“Miss Elizabeth, while you are in town, perhaps you and your sisters can join Georgiana and me for a ride in Hyde Park.”
“That would be lovely.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at her, then looked back to the path. “I believe this is a good time to revisit the list. What say you?”
“Very well, I shall let you go first, or rather, go twice. I believe I have added three things to the list, whereas you have only added one.”
“Hmm . . . I am afraid that, at present, I can only think of things that apply to my situation personally. Will that do?”
“Yes, that will do,” she said.
“Well, I would add to the list that I want someone who will set a good example for Georgiana and have her best interests at heart,” he said.
“Yes, those are very important considerations,” Elizabeth said.
“Indeed. I would also add to the list that it is important the next mistress of Pemberley bring honor to the role and not reproach.”
“As mistress of such a great estate, her actions will affect many people.”
“Exactly,” Mr. Darcy said, turning to look at her.
She looked at him as well, but looked away a moment later when her sisters and Mr. Bingley joined them. They all continued together a while longer until they met Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana. Everyone agreed on returning to the house, so they did.
It was about an hour before dinner when Jane knocked on Elizabeth’s door. They were sitting on her bed, discussing the day.
“Lizzy, I apologize for interrupting your conversation with Mr. Darcy in the garden,” Jane said. "At the time, I was only thinking of gaining some space away from Mr. Bingley, but as soon as we joined you, I sensed that we had interrupted something.”
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. “Oh, it was fine.”
“Are you sure?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I am sure,” she said. “Was Mr. Bingley making you uncomfortable?”
“Not really, I just did not wish to spend the entire time walking in the garden speaking only with him. Mary was walking with us, of course, but he was mainly focused on me,” Jane explained.
“Really?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes! Sometimes, I feel like he cannot make up his mind about me. At least, that is what it seems from his behavior. There are times when he avoids me entirely, and others where he is constantly seeking me out,” Jane said with exasperation.
“You may not be far off from the truth, Jane. Maybe he is struggling with the decision to not pursue you.”
“Well, his friend is certainly consistent with his attentions to you,” Jane said, grinning at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth jerked her head back in surprise at Jane’s words.
“Do you mean to say that you think Mr. Darcy is—”
“Interested in you? Yes, I do think it,” Jane replied.
Elizabeth looked at her sister for a moment. “I believe he is just being friendly.”
“I believe you like Mr. Darcy, Lizzy.”
“I do . . . yes, I do like him. If you will recall, I told you that he is a very amiable and considerate gentleman.”
“Yes, you did. Since then, you have had even more opportunity to get to know him better, and he has grown in your esteem.”
“He has, but that does not mean I expect him to pursue me."
Jane gave her a sympathetic smile. "Lizzy, he is not Mr. Nichols. He can afford to marry a woman with no money if he chooses to."
Almost two years ago, Elizabeth was invited to a dinner party in a neighboring village.
It was there that she met Mr. Nichols. He was a very nice gentleman, good-looking and intelligent.
He called on her a few times, but on the third visit he told her that it would be the last time he would call.
When she asked why, he told her that as a second son, he had to be prudent where he married.
He told Elizabeth that he admired her a great deal and he had hoped to learn that she had at least a modest dowry.
In the end, they parted as friends, and his obvious disappointment softened her own.
"But think of our family, Jane! Kitty and Lydia are unrestrained and basically allowed to run wild. Then Mama is . . . Mama. Mr. Darcy has connections to the nobility. What in the world would he want with me?” Elizabeth asked.
“Well,” Jane said as she got up to leave, “I remember you telling me not to assume there was nothing between Mr. Bingley and me simply because he was not acting on it. Now, it is my turn to tell you, dear sister, do not assume that you have not caught the eye of Mr. Darcy just because he is wealthy and highly connected. I see the way he looks at you, Lizzy. I think he has found a great deal to admire in you.”
Jane squeezed Elizabeth’s hand and left the room.
Elizabeth watched her sister close the door behind her.
She continued to stare at the door as she thought about what Jane had said.
Was she right? Did Mr. Darcy admire her?
He certainly had caught her off guard this morning when he playfully asked her what was needed for an ideal marriage.
Then he brought the topic up again this afternoon!
Was he just teasing her and making conversation, or was there another motive behind it?