Chapter 39 #2
“Her station, obviously. But it is a little beyond belief that the two of you, a handsome woman and you, would go about town together, walking and riding and whatnot, only the two of you, if you are nothing but friends. If you were to be in a group, it may pass without comment, but if it appears from the outside that you are courting, imagine what she must think. She must assume you would never court her, so either she thinks the prattlers are correct, that you are wishing to make her your mistress—” Richard held up his hands in surrender at Darcy’s dark look. “Or she is greatly confused.”
“Then why has she not sent me away? Why will tonight be my fourth time seeing her in twelve days?”
“Perhaps she has missed your friendship, as well. But depend upon it, she can have no idea that you intend to propose marriage to her.”
Darcy resumed his pacing.
“It is too soon to tell her how I feel. Vauxhall proved that.”
“Why? Because she cared about you enough to save you from yourself?”
“No, Richard. Because I expected gossip and the loss of friendships if I pursued Elizabeth. I cannot let the detractors upset me if I have any hope of convincing Elizabeth that my love is real. You have called her inferior to me, but I do not think she is. I overcame that belief before Christmas. Now I must steel myself against society’s prejudices.
I should be the one comforting her in the face of insults, not the other way around. ”
“Very chivalrous of you, Darce, but have you considered she has been managing society’s view of herself for years, while it is all new to you? Perhaps she would be able to help you accept her situation better if you were getting a little more from the relationship.”
Darcy glared at his cousin.
“I only mean that if you were married, you would be happy enough to ignore the naysayers. And you could hie yourselves to Pemberley and ignore it all.”
“Yes, that is my plan, but first I need to convince Elizabeth I am trustworthy. Without revealing my love for her.”
“Good luck, Cuz. You walk a fine line between friend and seducer.”
Darcy shook his head in exasperation. Elizabeth would never think he was attempting to seduce her.
“So, are you volunteering to go riding with us next week?”
His cousin laughed. “Very well. But it would be better for you to have a larger party, and not only her chaperones. Why do you not get Bingley’s sisters to invite her somewhere where you can see her? They are friends, are they not?”
“Not so much anymore. I had counted myself lucky that they are in the country for a while. Elizabeth’s cousin arrives in a month, though, so they will likely go everywhere together.”
“Good, then you are all set.”
“What? Are you suggesting I not see her for the next month?”
“You are the one determined to move at a snail’s pace, Darce. I do not know how you can court her more quickly if you refuse to court her until she is already won to your cause. It is as though you think Wellington should not have begun to fight Napoleon until the war has ended in victory.”
Darcy nodded. Richard had a point. He still was convinced he needed trust and friendship before he could gain her love, though, so perhaps he should act more as a friend and less like a suitor. It was possible he had begun courting her more than he had intended, causing her current confusion.
With a little embarrassment, he remembered leaning close to her at the theater more than once before realizing it and pulling away.
He had also perhaps been too familiar and possessive of her at Vauxhall Gardens.
Though he was trying to keep her safe in the crowd, would he have behaved that way toward another female friend?
He did not have many female friends to compare.
He would not have behaved toward Miss Bingley in that way at Vauxhall, but he did not see her or other grasping women like her as friends. She was someone to avoid. Darcy sighed.
“I am not sure how to behave…Do you have female friends?”
“Of course I do. Your Miss Elizabeth is quickly becoming my favorite.”
“Yet you were flirting with her at the theater.”
“Was I? I apologize. I sat with her such a short time and barely spoke to her after the first act, so I do not imagine she felt that way…What about Anne?”
“Anne? As in our cousin Anne? What of her?”
“She is your friend whom you refuse to court but who also will not attempt to entrap you.”
“Yes.” Darcy nodded. “So, if I can treat Elizabeth as I treat Anne, then—”
“Then you will never marry her, but you will also dodge her thinking you wish for more than friendship.”
“Thank you. You are most helpful.” Darcy rolled his eyes. “I could speak with her casually until she is more comfortable around me.”
“You think Miss Elizabeth is not comfortable with you?” Richard looked truly surprised.
“Well, I have confused her, and I am not prepared to clear up her bewilderment yet, so she is off-balance around me.”
“Darcy, you are being an idiot.”
“I know.”
“Take Bingley when you go out on horses or anywhere you will be seen. He is almost a relation to her, and you are his friend. It will be much less remarked upon than if I go.”
“Of course.”