Chapter Five #3
“He told me that I would understand when I was older. Well, I am older, and I do not understand. Why should a woman not attain an education if she is inclined toward it?”
The traditional argument was that men needed to attend to business, government, and war, while women stayed at home. However, reading Herodotus had never helped Darcy manage his estate. Still, he would have found his life quite empty without the knowledge gained at university.
I have always wanted to know. To understand. Apparently, Miss Elizabeth did as well. The only difference was that he was allowed and she was not.
Why should a woman not have the opportunity as well? Had Georgiana ever wished she to learn more? Darcy had never inquired.
“I have never thought of it that way,” he said.
Miss Elizabeth colored. “I can become rather animated on the subject. Forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive.” No woman of the ton would have spoken so. They affected an elegant languor that suggested they experienced no passion for anything. He never noticed how exceedingly dull that affectation was. “Is there no one in your family who shares your interests?”
She sighed. “Jane is sympathetic, though she is rather mystified as to why I want to know all these things when they have no effect on my life. But it is all so interesting! Why would I not want to know?”
“I would never have supposed you did not have a governess,” Darcy said. “You quoted Aristotle while we danced. That has never happened to me before.”
“I am happy to provide you with new experiences.” Her eyes sparkled. “Unfortunately, most gentlemen are not seeking a wife eager to converse about Greek philosophers.”
Darcy longed to protest that he was such a man. But he would not be marrying this young lady. Not that it signifies. I hardly require a wife who can discuss the ancient Greeks. Nobody did. Yet he was haunted by a sense of sorrow. Am I sad for Miss Elizabeth or myself?
Now I am being ridiculous! They possessed an arrangement which would expire at the close of the Season. Nothing more.
Miss Elizabeth fell silent again.
He cleared his throat. “Perhaps you will find a husband who excels at Greek.”
She gave him a spirited smile. “And how is your Greek, sir?”
Darcy’s stomach knotted. “Adequate. But there must be no misunderstandings between us. I am not in a position to offer you a true betrothal. I would not have you give your heart and have it broken.”
Unexpectedly, she laughed. “There is no chance of that! I apologize. You have made your position quite clear. I was just teasing. You need not worry. I do not plan to marry.”
He stared at her. She might as well have suggested swimming to the East Indies. “But all women desire to marry.”
Miss Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “We are not such simple creatures. All horses like apples. All women want to marry. I am in London to help Jane find a husband. She and I are in accord. She will wed, and I will spoil her children with too many sweets.”
His perplexity must have been written on his face.
“Even if I were interested in marrying, you are not at all the sort of man I would hope to marry.”
“Am I not?” Perhaps she was joking? Surely he was the type of man every woman hoped to wed.
She patted his arm with her free hand. “I am certain your estate is exceedingly lovely, and your fortune is quite vast, but if I marry, it will only be for the deepest love. I could not imagine myself falling in love with you. You are quite safe.”
She was in earnest? Why was Darcy not more relieved? “You could not love me?”
“Oh no! You are a great deal too stern and solemn for me. I always take a liking to men who are merry and easy with their conversation.”
Truthfully, he could not claim to be such a man.
His cousin Richard always said Darcy was too particular and too concerned about his responsibilities.
Indeed, Darcy often envied Bingley’s ease in company and ability to charm.
But Darcy could no more emulate his friend than he could fly to the moon. It should not bother me.
He realized he had been silent too long. “It is just as well, Miss Elizabeth. I have no designs on you either.” His voice was frosty.
“I am sure there are any number of women who find solemn men quite appealing,” she said hastily.
Are there? Do I have any qualities a lady might appreciate?
Beyond his fortune, Darcy was not sure what they would be.
Most women would not appreciate his excellent seat on his horse or his vast knowledge of Medieval history.
What were women seeking when they fell in love?
Darcy had no idea. What if I do not possess those qualities?
Unease agitated his stomach. Is my fortune the only thing women find attractive?
At least he could be assured that Miss Elizabeth was no fortune hunter. Even the most inept fortune hunter would not profess to find Darcy unappealing.
He increased his pace to the pond, forcing Miss yhElizabeth to keep up. “I am not always solemn,” he said suddenly.
One of her eyebrows rose. “I do not believe I have heard you laugh.”
Darcy’s body stiffened. “I laugh. I laughed at the ball.”
“Perhaps two or three times,” she said dismissively. “Not nearly enough. I shall make it my mission to elicit your laughter.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “You need not trouble y—”
“I see the swans!” Miss Elizabeth cried out and ran toward the pond, her skirts held in one hand. Darcy could not picture Miss Bingley doing anything remotely similar. Really, it was unseemly, and yet Darcy found himself charmed.
Georgiana enjoyed swans, but would she reveal her appreciation so openly? Should he want her to? No, of course, Miss Elizabeth’s conduct was no example for his sister. What an outrageous idea.
She watched a swan glide across the pond.
“They are majestic creatures,” she observed when Darcy caught up with her.
“I would indeed have extolled their virtues to you if the subject had ever arisen.” She smiled as he flushed.
“I longed to keep one as a pet when I was a girl, but then I learned they have foul tempers.”
“It is just as well,” Darcy said. “Swans in Britain are property of the Crown.”
“Why does the King own swans and not ducks or geese? Or hawks for that matter? Hawks are quite majestic as well.”
It had never occurred to Darcy to wonder. “I do not know.”
One of the swans swam to the edge of the pond and settled down among the rushes along the bank. They were several feet away, but it regarded them warily. Perhaps it had a nest there?
“Fortunately, the hawks do not know they are neglected by the Crown, or their sensibilities might be injured. Poor hawks!” Miss Elizabeth said.
Darcy actually laughed. He would have expected that keeping company with a provincial miss would be a chore, but she was exceedingly entertaining.
“Ah!” she cried triumphantly. “I did make you laugh!”
Darcy belatedly covered his mouth. “I told you I am capable of laughter.”
“But now I have seen the proof.”
The woman was rather absurd. He should find her vexing, but he did not.
They should return to the terrace. They had been away long enough for his aunt to credit their attachment, but too much time out of everyone’s sight would give rise to rumors.
“Perhaps we might secure refreshments at the terrace,” he suggested and held out his arm.
But before she could reply. A small brown dog streaked across the lawn, straight at the resting swan.
“Oh no!” Miss Elizabeth hurried toward the dog, waving her arms. “No, no! Shoo! Go away. Do not bother the swan!”
The dog, some kind of terrier, paid her no heed. It halted at the edge of the water and barked loudly—as if the swan, not the dog, was intruding in the pond. The swan responded instantly, opening its wings, curving its neck backward, and hissing.
Miss Elizabeth attempted to pick up the dog. But it evaded her, intent on its mission of protecting the pond from an aquatic bird.
The swan’s patience reached its limits. The bird attacked, displaying its enormous seven-foot wingspan and darting its head forward to peck. Unfortunately, believing Miss Elizabeth to be the source of its vexation, the swan attacked her.