Chapter Two #4
Miss Elizabeth sat straighter, her eyes wide with excitement as she exclaimed of her own fondness for books of every sort.
The subject occupied them for the rest of the meal, and William could hardly repine the pleasant discovery of their similar tastes for poetry, philosophy, and history.
He was even content to receive several recommendations of recent novels, and being of the opinion that anything which could delight such an effervescent creature as Elizabeth Bennet must certainly have merit, he promised to look out for copies of a few titles.
Perhaps they might even discuss the latest titles from Maria Edgeworth or Frances Burney.
It would certainly gratify Kitty if he returned to Wildewood well versed in one of her favorite pleasures.
That his ward would welcome any female addition to their household was amongst his many favorable thoughts as he sought Miss Elizabeth out again after supper, when their party withdrew to the parlor.
In particular, he was certain that she would like Miss Elizabeth, for they shared open, artless manners and ease in conversation, speaking with great animation and listening with equal enjoyment to what was new and interesting.
Like his ward, Miss Elizabeth possessed a humorous and whimsical mind.
She seemed ready to laugh at his attempts to be clever, and her own intelligence only heightened William’s admiration.
When they had exhausted their discourse on books and poetry, and then shared their similar hopes of amusement in London by taking in the art and culture of the metropolis, Miss Elizabeth began a rather impudent assessment of their companions.
“People fascinate me more than anything,” she confided in a wry tone that dared him to think her frivolous.
William did not especially enjoy the company of his neighbors in Surrey, for they were mostly older and all rather dull, but Will Darcy reveled in the vast panorama of life in London, even when he felt himself unequal to matching the ease of his companions.
He joined Miss Elizabeth in surveying their friends with irreverent scrutiny, and he could guess what would amuse her most.
“My friend seems quite besotted with your sister; I have never seen him look such a great fool.”
“I daresay he may feel himself to be a great fool,” she agreed. “I suppose you are aware of his obstinacy in refusing to satisfy Lady Catherine’s demands.”
“I shall tease him mercilessly for it at the earliest opportunity.”
“I hope you do, sir; I should be happy to take up your cause myself, once I have taken the measure of my cousin. I have not seen him since I was thirteen or fourteen, but I recall that his constitution can bear considerable vexation in tolerably good cheer. How it must nettle him already that he has, through his own stubborn avoidance, deprived himself of the most wonderful person he is likely to ever encounter!”
Her praise of her sister was endearing to William, and she had much of it.
She spoke warmly of Jane Bennet’s many perfections; Lady Catherine had given the sisters every advantage in growing quite accomplished, it seemed, though Miss Elizabeth assured him that her sister was far her superior in nearly every pursuit.
“Only in absolute candor have I exceeded her,” Miss Elizabeth said with a rueful laugh. “Mamma finds it quite shocking how freely I give my opinions; it is a relief that you do not seem at all scandalized, sir. If you are, you have at least made a valiant effort of concealing the fact.”
“I am quite in awe of you,” William said without thinking. It was to be an easy thing to do in her presence, and he was astonished that it seemed to please her.
When they had satisfied their own sense of mischief in speculating upon the budding attachment of Richard and Miss Bennet, who received her cousin’s attentions with serenity, William drew Miss Elizabeth’s attention to poor Bingley.
The dowager countess dozed in her chair by the fire, still wearing the smug smile of satisfaction that had graced her noble envisage as her son dutifully paid court to the heiress of Rosings.
With Richard completely absorbed in recommending himself to Miss Bennet, Bingley had been left to the dubious company of the Fitzwilliam sisters.
“They are an odd pairing, do you not think? I have always pitied Lady Rose and Lady Rebecca for being such a great distance in age – I believe it is seven or eight years. Jane and I are separated only by two years, and of course by the disparity in our dispositions. But we are not half so different as my two cousins – I wonder what they ever talk of – assuming they are not actually in a constant state of quarreling, as Lady Rebecca claims.”
Miss Elizabeth tapped her chin thoughtfully as she observed them, her eyes narrowed as if studying them for secrets. She turned and gave William a playful look. “I fear your friend may be in want of rescue.”
While Lady Rose flirted and fluttered at Bingley’s side, Lady Rebecca’s lips twisted in such a way that though William could not hear what she was saying, he had little doubt that it was far too satirical for Bingley.
Fortunately, his friend had drunk enough wine at dinner to be past any awkwardness, and thus William was spared any sense of obligation to rescue him.
Instead, he was more agreeably engaged than he had ever been, and though he knew it was no small thing, he remained at Elizabeth Bennet’s side for the rest of the evening, not for a moment in want of any other amusement.