“Whatdoyou believe, Mr Darcy?”
“I now believe my arrogance, my conceit, and my selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form thegroundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events built so immovable a dislike for me in your sister. If she looked at me with implacable resentment and disgust, it would show nothing but good sense. She never desired my good opinion, and I certainly bestowed it most unwillingly.”
He sighed again. “Miss Elizabeth is likely lost to me, or at the very least, frightfully angry, and probably afraid. She is just hiding to gain her majority so she can say what must be said without fear of being forced into marriage.”
With that admission, even Anne did not have the heart to say anything. Nobody could think of anything to alleviate his misery for quite some time.
After several minutes, Ellen timidly asked, “Might’n I ask a question, Mr Darcy?”
“Of course. You can ask any question of me at any time, for the rest of our natural lives.”
Ellen blushed a bit. “All’a those things as-you say about Fate. Do you believe ‘em? Am I to meet your Mr Breton based on fate when you seem to have nary a hope for it yer-own-self?”
Darcy regarded her quizzically, so Ellen continued. “Listen to yer dear Mother. You’re just despairin’ acause you only have three of your horsewomen. You’re not defeated—you’re giving up.”
Surprisingly, Jane laughed uproariously. Everyone else joined in because they had no idea what else to do.
Finally, Jane spoke. “What was it you said? ‘I am hoping the horsewomen signal redemption and renewal.’ Are you so certain you are beyond redemption?”
Ellen, not to be outdone, reached across and clasped his hands, which already held Jane’s. “Are you to give up at the first obstacle?”
His spirits lifting, Darcy laughed. “Only if that first obstacle is my last breath.”
Jane laughed, released his hands, and leaned back against the squabs. “Much better! Much, much better. I was not finding the hangdog, defeated Darcy to my taste, nor do I think my sister would think much of him. Prepare yourself, sir. You have some courting to do.”
Darcy started in surprise. “Do you know where Miss Elizabeth is?”
“Annie, rap this knucklehead a few times, if you would.”
“Consider it done.”
“You have a narrow-minded idea of courting. Your—what did you call it—selfish disdain, offended nearly everyone Lizzy loves and respects for a ten-mile circle. If you want her love and respect, you need to court the good opinion of those who can convey that to her. It is either that or go north and ride aimlessly in search of her.”
Darcy stared, and slowly, a smile spread across his face.
“Miss Bennet… Miss Taylor… Anne… Your words have taught me to hope, as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before. I now know enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you thought your sister absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would now acknowledge it and send me packing with my tail between my legs.”
Jane laughed, then leaned forward. “I can promise you nothing, save my every effort to allow you to make a less abominable proposal.”
“I shall follow your counsel to the letter.”
Jane leaned forward again and met his eyes. “As for the other questions: no more spineless worms! I find them distasteful. I have no idea whether I should severely chastise you for interfering in my courtship—which was none of your business—or kiss you for pulling an inconstant man from me. In future, I would appreciate it if you let me make my own mistakes.”
Darcy gulped and nodded.
Jane smiled brightly. “Cheer up. Three of your horsewomen are on task! Oh, and one other thing you said was in error. Yours was not really the worst proposal in the history of the English language. In fact,it was only the second worst proposal Lizzy received since Michaelmas.I believe Mr Collins’ was worse—and this is important—my mother tried with every tool at her disposal to force Elizabeth’s acquiescence, and she was never certain if my father sided with her out of concern, indolence, or perversity. You should give my sister some clemency for running from you.”
Darcy shook his head, trying to order his scattered thoughts, from the absolute horror of any man—let alone Mr Collins—being wed to his Elizabeth, to a final reckoning of how much worse his error was than even he had believed.
“I do not blame her for running from me,” he said at last. “The fault was entirely mine, and so must the remedy be.”
“No-no-no. Though I applaud your industry and desire to make amends, remember that your pride brought you to this impasse in the first place. You have friends; trust in us to put you to rights. I am no Lady Anne, but I know a thing or two.”
“I shall follow your instructions to the letter,” Darcy said with a laugh. “Would it disturb your uncle if I sent one of my maids from Darcy House to take Miss Taylor’s place for a while, that she might properly recover?”
“You only want her present to protect yourself from Anne and me.”
Everyone joined his laughter. “In my position, would you not do the same?”
