Her cousin smiled patronisingly. “Cousin, you have been a wonder of good advice since I came to Longbourn, but I flatter myself that Ihavebeen out in the world, and know what society expects of me. Being a man of the cloth, I have the liberty of approaching those above me, and it is expected of me to carry tidings of relations to one another.”
“Cousin, I beg you, at least ask my father to obtain an introduction,” Elizabeth begged.
“Do not trouble yourself, Cousin Elizabeth. I assure you, Mr Darcy will welcome news of his aunt.” Collins bowed and made his way across the ballroom. Elizabeth watched in horror as he spoke thrice, loudly, to gain Mr Darcy’s attention. As soon as Mr Darcy turned, the man began making his excited explanations for why he had approached him. Mr Darcy looked at the parson as if he were a bug, and cut the man before he finished speaking. Insufferable man! Of course it was impertinent for Mr Collins to approach him without invitation, but could not Mr Darcybe a bit more magnanimous toward someone so obviously and innocently lacking in sensibility? Elizabeth had heard enough of Lady Catherine to know that Mr Darcy must be well acquainted with the behaviour of his aunt and thus ought to be more condescending to an obviously nervous man, dependent on the good will of his relation.
Elizabeth watched as Mr Darcy stalked away from her cousin, who stood in shock with his hand still outstretched, then hid his mortification and approached Kitty, whom he had not yet danced with. Their cousin had promised to stand up with all of them, and while Eliabeth could still not call him graceful or light on his feet, his skill had improved so that he was, at least, not an embarrassment to dance with.
A short while later,Elizabeth and Charlotte had each participated in another dance, and were now conversing quietly in a small alcove. “You were lucky indeed, Eliza, that I noted something was wrong and followed you. What would you have done if I had not followed, and Captain Carter was indeed alone?”
“I would not have considered myself compromised, I assure you that, Charlotte.” Elizabeth said. “Why should I marry to save Lydia when she is the one who attempts to put me in such a position?”
“You have three other sisters, Eliza,” pointed out Charlotte.
“And when have any of them, save Jane, ever hesitated to mortify me, or trod upon the credit of our family?” Elizabeth said scathingly. “Did you see Kitty, stealing an officer’s sword and shrieking abominably? What about Mary, overstaying her welcome at an instrument she had never even been invited toplay? I hesitate to sound cruel, but none of my sisters save Jane care for my chances, I would not give up my chance to marry for love for such an ill return.”
“What about Jane?” Charlotte asked. “I suppose you think Mr Bingley is above abandoning her.”
“I think he likes her very much, Charlotte. Do not you agree?”
“But does shelike him, Eliza? Jane is all aloofness,” said Charlotte.
“If he cannot perceive her interest, then he is a simpleton who does not deserve her,” said Elizabeth decidedly.
“New love makes simpletons of all of us,” Charlotte insisted. “She should express more regard than she feels, if she wants him. She may fall in love all she chuses after the wedding.”
“And if she does not?” Elizabeth said. “Then her dreams are over, and her life is a prison. You know that Jane and I have sworn never to fall into such a nightmare. We will take our time in courting, and be certain of our matches. There is all the time in the world for falling in love as we chusebeforethe wedding, in my opinion. Neither of us will accept a man for anything other than the deepest love, which is whyIwill end up an old maid.”
“I hope not, Eliza,” her friend said softly, as she left her to her thoughts. “It is not as romantic as you believe, being an old maid. And I do not believe you. You would do whatever you must to save your sisters, and you know it.” Elizabeth said nothing as her friend left her.
Darcy leanedhis head back against the other side of the wall where they were speaking. It was wrong of him to eavesdrop, he knew. But once he heard Elizabeth’s voice, he had been rooted to the floor. What were the chances that the handsomest womanof his acquaintance, the cleverest, most witty, and caring female that he had ever met, was also blessed with a sincerity and authenticity that a man might trust,andshe was determined to marry only for love?
He would be an idiot not to explore a possible mutual affinity with the lady. If his father knew he sacrificed such an opportunity, he would box his ears. It was inevitable, and he had known for some weeks that this magnetism that drew him to Elizabeth was something significant. He sensed that she was the partner of his soul, the one woman he could trust to always tell him the truth. He would seek her out for a private audience without delay. He had seen her many mornings while out on his rides. Even when she had been out late at a party or entertainment, like him, nothing except the worst weather kept her from her exercise. She walked the same route nearly every day, he would meet her in the early morning tomorrow, and beg her for a courtship.
CHAPTER 11
Early the following morning, Darcy obtained two of Netherfield’s excellent scones, and wrapped them in cloth napkins, putting them into his saddle bag along with two apples and a corked bottle of cider. He mounted Alastor, and made his way towards the small mount on the border between Longbourn and Netherfield.
As expected, he saw Elizabeth making her way up the path to Oakham Mount. He dismounted and removed his hat. “Miss Elizabeth. I am exceedingly pleased to meet you here this morning. You are very fine in looks today, if I may be so bold. Your exercise agrees with you.”
“Am I?” Elizabeth said in surprise – and did he hear a small touch of irony to her voice?
“I assure you that you are,” he said gallantly. “Your fine eyes are brightened by the exertion. May I join you?”
“You may,” answered Elizabeth in bewilderment. She had been prepared to meet Mr Darcy with derision, for she had still not forgiven him for his remarks at the assembly, but she had to admit that his words about his reticence the night before had plagued her through the night, and for all his previous unpleasantness, she found him an enigma, and feltunaccountably drawn to know more about him. His address this morning was so pleasant, she decided that she would be churlish indeed to meet him with incivility.
They were both quiet as they ascended the small mount, his awkwardness and uncertainty returning, her mystification and perplexity making her unsure how to proceed. Soon they reached the top, and looked over the view together.
“I am certain our little mount boasts nothing compared to the views you must enjoy in Derbyshire,” she ventured. “I hear much of that county from my aunt. She hails from a town called Lambton.”
“Why, that is not five miles from Pemberley!” he exclaimed. “What is your aunt’s name?”
“She is Madeleine Gardiner now, Miss Madeleine Nye as was,” Elizabeth informed him.
“Miss Maddie! Why I remember her well, she was the youngest daughter of the rector in Lambton.”
“I believe that her father was also the younger son of a local baron, a Sir Walter Nye,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, I am aware of the connection! I recall an enterprising tradesman who visited the area on business and courted Miss Maddie. I was only a boy of fifteen, but I attended her wedding with my father. Was that Mrs Bennet’s brother, then?”
