Chapter 1.1 #4
“Indeed, I know you are a gentleman, and I did not think I would be in any danger from you, sir. In any case, I should rather stay like this a little longer, hoping the rain will stop shortly and I shall be able to run home rather than put both of us in an awkward situation.”
“I do not think the rain will stop soon. I shall respect your wishes, but you must allow me to insist on putting one more blanket around you at least. I am perfectly fine; I do not need any.”
“That would be a good idea, thank you, but you must take another blanket to cover yourself. In this matter, I also insist, sir.”
“Well, then thank you; I shall do that.” He stopped and then turned to her. “Miss Bennet, would you mind if I took off my coat? I should like to put it near the fire.”
“No, sir…I would not mind.”
She was upset with herself for being so uncomfortable near him.
After all, he had been all kindness and goodness and done everything in his power to make her feel easy, something she would have thought impossible only an hour ago.
What is it about him that makes me feel so strange?
Then again, I have always reacted strangely in his presence.
He took off his greatcoat and coat, remaining as suitably attired as Elizabeth had seen him once in the billiard room at Netherfield.
Well, not exactly. The last time I saw him dressed so, he was not wet. But then, neither was I.
He had been far better protected from the rain than she had; under his thick, black greatcoat, he wore a coat and a waistcoat. In fact, his waistcoat and shirt were barely wet.
He squeezed his coat thoroughly until much of the water from it dripped on the floor. Then he put it on the chair as near to the fire as possible; she knew he was trying to suggest what she should do with her own clothes.
“Will you consider at least taking off your cloak and doing the same with it? You must be even wetter than I since evidently my coat is much thicker.”
“No, thank you, sir. I am perfectly fine.”
His insistence made her uneasy. Trying to protect herself from the strange feelings he aroused, she became defensive, her voice teasingly sharp as in many of their previous conversations.
“I am sure I look remarkably ill, and it must be an unhappy, uncomfortable situation for you. You have likely never been in the company of a lady looking as poorly as I.”
Darcy turned around and stared at her. He saw her eyebrow rising in challenge as it had many times before.
On this occasion, he knew very well that she was not flirting with him but trying to tease and punish him for his conduct.
Happily, as no Miss Bingley was there to disturb them, he could finally answer her as he pleased.
“This is a peculiar experience for me, but you must not feel uneasy. I have the highest opinion of you, and I find you as charming as ever.”
Elizabeth started to laugh nervously. “Yes indeed, I can easily believe you find me as charming as ever.”
“I am afraid I do not follow you. Did I say something to offend you?”
“No, you did not, sir. I thank you very much for saying you have the highest opinion of me, but we both know what you think of my appearance. You made that perfectly clear when we first met at the assembly in Meryton.”
Darcy froze; this was the second reference she had made to being offended by him. Now having the confirmation that she heard his remark, he quickly tried to form an apology, but her eyes wore a daring expression filled with mischief, and he could tolerate it no longer.
Holding her gaze, he answered in a deep, serious voice.
“Miss Bennet, you could not be farther from the truth. My behaviour that night was unpardonable, and I made an unfair comment about you, which I regretted almost the following moment. Since then, having been in your company many times, I have found nothing wanting in you. For some time now, I have considered you a remarkable young lady, truly accomplished and equally charming.”
She looked at him incredulously, her eyes wide and her mouth half-parted.
She was not sure whether he had spoken in jest or was trying to flatter her to take advantage of their situation.
However, his eyes and face appeared set in stone.
He was not only serious but almost grave, and his voice was calm and even.
He was not paying her a compliment or trying to flatter her; he was merely stating a fact.
Seizing the opportunity arising from her sudden silence, he continued.
“If I appear insistent insofar as your removing your clothes, I assure you it is not because your appearance is unpleasant but, rather, that I am concerned for your well-being. I also find you to be absolutely charming but perhaps not entirely proper in that wet gown.”
He cursed himself for speaking so to her. He knew she would be frightened by his presumption, but if she could be persuaded to remove her cold, wet clothes, which were a threat to her health and even to her life…well, that was all that mattered.