There were murmurs of appreciation as the members of their party broke up to tour the ruins in smaller groups. Mr Bingley and Jane were in the company of Mary and Mr Elwood. Mr Whittaker escorted Elizabeth, though she longed to be in the company of her sisters or perhaps Miss Crawford and Miss Bertram, who were a great deal of fun, even if one must listen to more of Mr Mercer than one liked when accompanying them.
“The atmospheric conditions are most agreeable this morning, Miss Elizabeth,” The reserved man attempted haltingly. “Though one cannot put too much belief in the predictions of that ridiculous swan, I believe we can indeed set faith in the likelihood of continued fair skies.”
Elizabeth smiled politely. “Indeed, one could hardly ask for finer weather.”
Mr Whittaker seemed to struggle for another topic, and tried again. “I recently undertook a study of Dr Johnson’s Dictionary, Miss Elizabeth. His definitions are most enlightening, particularly his entry on the word: lexicographer. Are you fond of lexicons?”
“I have used the dictionary my share of times, but I cannot claim that I sit down to study it,” Elizabeth confessed. “Although I have seen my father read the dictionary for pleasure.”
“I knew your father must be a scholar, Miss Elizabeth, for only a scholar could have nurtured such a quick mind as yours.” Elizabeth had impressed Mr Whittaker some nights before during a game of wordplay, and he had been testing her education and knowledge eversince. Elizabeth found it tiresome. She too, wished for an intelligent mate, but one must avoid outright quizzing the knowledge of one’s suitors.
Happily, Mr Brentwood chose just that moment to pass by with Miss Penfield, and Elizabeth said loudly, “Mr Brentwood was just discussing Dr Johnson yesterday, I believe. Mr Brentwood, are you fond of lexicons?”
“Of course,” answered Mr Brentwood seriously. “There is much satisfaction to be found in the precision of words. One might argue that the crafting of a sentence mirrors the artistry of embroidery, though naturally with less immediate application to household management.”
“Have I told you that I possess in my library a copy of the original Latin-English Word Book by Sir Thomas Elyot?” said Mr Whittaker in a superior manner.
“Have you?” exclaimed Mr Brentwood in excitement. “I once had the good fortune to hold the later version by Richard Mulcaster!”
“I owe you for that.” Miss Penfield smiled at Elizabeth as they left the two men debating the merits of two word books published in the sixteenth century. “Everyone thinks that because I was a governess, that I must be a bluestocking.”
“I take it that a scholar is not to your taste, then.” Elizabeth returned the woman’s smile as they walked. “What sort of man are you looking for?”
“A serious one, if I can manage it.” Miss Penfield rolled her eyes. “A scholar will bore you to death about the same few topics forever; whatever subjects interesthim. I should rather eat mud than listen to a man’s views on the downfall of the Roman empire until I die.”
“I always thought a scholar might suit me, and then when I arrived, I learned how similar they all seem to be to my father, who is only serious about matters that interest him,” Elizabeth acknowledged.
“Precisely!” Miss Penfield insisted. “They are serious about their books. I wish for a husband who is serious about his duty.”
“I cannot argue with you,” Elizabeth agreed. “Although, I also hopethat my husband, whoever he is, will be intelligent, and enjoy his books to an acceptable degree once his duties are fulfilled.”
“I could not care less what the man’s interests are. He can collect butterflies, or study botany for all I care, as long as the man understands his duty and puts it above all else!” Miss Penfield continued. “I wish for a genteel husband, but I have had enough with lackadaisical masters and their frivolous sons. I even lost a position, because one family was so bad about neglecting their duties, they could not afford me anymore. The gentleman ignored his estate and his wife in favour of his books for too long. These scholars can often be as dangerous to their families’ fortunes as gamblers. What does it matter if you are clever if you will not apply it to your duty?”
“I think you are right,” Elizabeth said. “My father could have added to our dowries if he would only have applied himself more to the estate. He could have set something by for our mother, or built her a dower house. Instead he sat and read books, my whole life. What he did not lose on cards, he spent on books.”
“Well I have no idea if I will be mistress of an estate or not once I am married, but landed or not, I wish for a man serious enough to take his duty to heart,” Miss Penfield said decidedly. The ladies parted, and Miss Penfield hurried towards Mr Fletcher, who was standing alone watching them.
I do hope Mr Fletcher is serious enough for her, Elizabeth thought as she pressed on, listening to the murmurs of the groups examining the ruins around her.I find him fartooserious for my taste.
She had seatedherself some distance from the abbey and was creating a memory of it in her mind when Mr Darcy approached her. “Do you enjoy the view, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I find it charming.” she smiled at him sincerely. “As I always do when I travel, I am wishing that I drew, for then I could sketch a picture to take home with me as a keepsake. Sadly, though I did persevere for some years in my youth, I have not the talent.”
“Your sisters do not draw?” he asked in surprise.
“My youngest sister draws, but she is in London visiting my aunt and uncle.” Elizabeth made room on the stone bench she was occupying. “Do make yourself comfortable, sir.”
“Just one moment, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr Darcy turned and made his way to his sister who was sketching with Miss Bates. He bent down and whispered in her ear, and she smiled widely and nodded. He straightened and patted his sibling affectionately on the head and returned to Elizabeth.
“Your sister is delightfully accomplished,” she said to him as he seated himself next to her. “I have never seen a young lady with such a thorough knowledge of music, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages. You must be very proud of her.”
“I am, though those are not the only accomplishments I hope she will learn, those are just the ones that she was fortunate enough to be blessed with. They are not accomplishments I consider necessary,” answered Darcy. “To all this, she must add something of grace and elegance to her air and manner of walking. She must be a gentle and kind mistress to those who depend upon her. And she must improve her mind by extensive reading. So far, she does very well. But she is young, and she is naturally kind and gentle. The rest will come naturally as she matures.”
“You perceive a great deal in the word accomplished!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I have never seen such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.”
“Not so fearsome, I think,” replied Mr Darcy. “Radiant, I think, would be a better way to describe her.”
Elizabeth smiled uncertainly. Mr Darcy never sent her the same signals. One time they would meet, and he would seem attentive and interested, in a very intense manner. Then they would meet again, and he would be intensely distant. He seemed to be trying to tell her something now, but he could not mean to complimenther.Shewas certainly no accomplished woman, not by anyone’s measurement.
