Chapter 38 Nuptials #2
“My dear, are you certain that Mr. Darcy has no intentions towards you? He has not stopped looking at you since we first sat down.”
“He does enjoy my company, Charlotte, and thinks me handsome; but it does not follow that he will offer for me. Men of his sphere are raised to marry among their own, and attraction or love has little to do with it.”
Charlotte took Elizabeth’s hand in her own. “I am sorry, Eliza. I can see you have feelings for him; however, you are right in your estimation. Such are the ways of those who move in elevated circles of society.”
Elizabeth began to speak when Charlotte pressed her hand. She raised her eyes and saw Mr. Darcy standing before her.
“Miss Elizabeth, will you walk with me? I am in need of exercise.”
Elizabeth rose. “Allow me to fetch my things.”
She turned to her friend. “You will excuse me, Charlotte.”
Mr. Darcy stepped forward to follow Elizabeth when Miss Bingley approached from behind and slipped her arm through his.
“Mr. Darcy, where are you going, sir? You must remain with me and offer diversion, for I am quite bored.”
Charlotte watched as irritation vanished from his face almost as quickly as it had appeared.
Thinking to assist her friend, she rose and took Miss Bingley’s arm.
“Come, Miss Bingley. If it is diversion you seek, I am renowned among my neighbors for chasing away ennui. Come with me to the blue parlor, and I will show you something that will set your nerves tingling with excitement.”
Charlotte turned to Mr. Darcy and gave him a knowing look.
He grinned, then turned away to join Elizabeth.
He found her in the entryway with Mrs. Hill, who was assisting her with her pelisse.
Mr. Darcy picked up her gloves and bonnet and said, “Come, Miss Elizabeth. If we do not depart now, Miss Bingley will join us.”
“You surprise me, Mr. Darcy. I did not suppose you capable of such spirits.”
“No? Why, Miss Bennet, are you daring me?”
His rakish smile was bold, and the look in his eyes held a warmth she had not seen before. She answered hastily, “No indeed, sir. I would not dare.”
“Come then. I shall assist you with your bonnet once we are outside.”
He took her by the elbow and led her to the front entrance, and from there they passed around the house toward the hermitage. When they had gone a short distance, he stopped and handed her the gloves. After she had drawn them on, he offered her the bonnet.
“Sir, I am ready. I believe you intend to walk to the hermitage.”
“I do.”
She took his offered arm and the pair walked in silence for several minutes.
She could detect the faint fragrance he wore, and when she raised her eyes to his profile, she worked to set his beloved face in her memory.
When they reached the hermitage, he said, “My aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, wrote to me about her new parson and his very agreeable wife.”
Elizabeth looked toward him as he spoke to her.
“True to her character, my aunt declares that she has done a great service to the parish in selecting him for the living.” He ended with a chuckle.
“For my sister’s sake, I am glad to hear that your aunt is pleased, even if she claims the credit for his labors.”
“She writes that your sister makes visits as well. She has become a favorite among the parishioners.”
Elizabeth pressed his arm lightly. “Thank you for telling me. I shall pass this compliment on to my sister. She will be very pleased to hear it.”
“Miss Bennet, what are your plans? You have two sisters who are now married, your eldest and the one just younger than yourself. Do you not intend to marry?”
“Sir, do women possess the privilege of planning to marry? In our society, it is the woman’s lot to wait and be chosen. It is the man who plans, Mr. Darcy, not the other way around.”
He stopped walking.
“I see that I have vexed you, Miss Bennet. Pray forgive me. What you say is true. It was unfeeling of me to ask such a question. Please pardon me.”
She was still nettled. “Yes, of course. I imagine it is difficult for a gentleman to place himself in a woman's situation. You have had a choice in all you do throughout your life, while I am bound by the rules of society. A woman cannot attend university, in some cases cannot inherit an estate that supports her family, cannot retain her property after marriage, and cannot even keep her own children should her husband choose to take them from her. Sir, I may not even seek employment to support myself, for I would lose my standing in society. And most importantly, I cannot even decide whom I shall marry. I must simply wait and discover whether a gentleman in my neighborhood decides that he wishes to marry me.”
Darcy pressed his lips together. “I see that you are truly angry. My question was unfeeling, and I regret that I asked it. Shall we return to the house?”
“Yes, perhaps that is best.”
When they entered the house, Georgiana and Kitty were descending the stairs. Both girls hurried toward Elizabeth.
“Lizzy,” Georgiana asked, “may I remain at Longbourn tonight? Kitty says the three of us may spend time reading together in her room, and she will persuade Mrs. Hill to bring us a few refreshments. Kitty says we may sit about in our nightgowns just as sisters do.”
Elizabeth laughed with the two girls.
“That sounds like great fun, Georgiana. I should like it very much. If your brother approves, you may remain with us.”
All three turned to look at Mr. Darcy. He studied Elizabeth’s face for a moment, then turned to his sister.
“If Mr. Bennet approves, you may spend the night.”
Kitty took Georgiana’s hand and drew her away. “Come, let us ask Papa now.”
Elizabeth watched them hurry away, and she realized that Kitty would be well.
Mr. Darcy spoke, his head inclined near hers. She turned to face him.
“Miss Bennet, I did not mean to touch upon a matter that caused you pain, though I see that I did. I had given very little thought to the condition of women. For the first time in my life, I understand that men possess every advantage. My question revealed how little I have considered it, and I regret that I asked it.”
She could see that his apology was sincere.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It was an ill-considered question, yet your manner is so contrite that I cannot remain angry with you. I expect this is true of all women who have anything to do with you, sir; you must be quite spoiled by now.”
He chuckled. “Since you speak in jest, I shall take it as proof that you have forgiven my blunder.”
Before he could continue, the two girls returned. Georgiana threw her arms about Elizabeth.
“Your father said yes. We shall have such fun together. I can hardly wait.”
“Georgiana,” Mr. Darcy said, “comport yourself well.”
“She is a child, Mr. Darcy, filled with the joy of living. Let her enjoy it while she may, for life will intrude upon her soon enough.”