Before he could think of a reply, a servant from Longbourn delivered a second letter. This was written just as hastily as the first, with just as many blotches upon the paper, and was folded unevenly. This was an impetuous letter, so Darcy opened it with caution. His heart raced when he looked down at the scribbled words.
Mr. Darcy,
You are right.
I accept, on one condition:
Let us meet for a walk in Meryton tomorrow morning and talk about thissensibly. Allow me to take off my angel wings, at least, so that you might learn about me as a person. You set me too high! And permit me to learn a little about you. Aside from your great love for your sister and kindness towards mine, I have no notion of your mind or your manner.
If we do not lose our resolve by noon, then we can go and speak to my parents.
You are right to hurry: every passing hour could change my sister’s life forever. My mother presses her most cruelly, and she cannot bear it for much longer.
I would rather tie myself to the unknown than allow her to marry such a bland, selfish man. You, at least, are capable of love. Mr. Collins loves only himself.
Do not take my meaning to be unkind. I mean that you are an unknown to me, not that you will forever be a mystery. God willing, if we do marry, I may at least know the colour of your eyes before the year is out.
- E
Chapter 8
“Well then,” said the lady beside the well, brushing off her hands where they had rested on the dry red bricks, “You came, after all.”
“Am I late?” Mr. Darcy asked in some surprise. Elizabeth gave him a rueful look.
“Not at all. I just thought you might have come to your senses by now.”
“I am not so changeable.” he stood awkwardly for a moment and then dived into safer ground. A bow was easily made, and formalities gave him something to hide behind. Miss Bennet returned the gestures gracefully and then looked down the road. The day was already hot, and the puddles were making the air shimmer.
“I should like to walk towards Netherfield Park, Mr. Darcy. My sisters might decide to take the air themselves this morning, and I do not wish to be interrupted.”
“Do your sisters know about our meeting?”
“Only Jane. I mean, er, Miss Bennet.” Lizzie corrected herself and shook her head. Sudden frustration sharpened her voice: “This is intolerable! I feel like my hands are too large, my feetare too small, and my stomach is in knots. I cannot form a single sensible thought. Pray do not form your opinion of me today. You might think me a madwoman.”
“Would you prefer that to an angel, Miss Bennet? You seemed to dislike that, too.” he asked, offering her his arm. She gave him a sharp look as she took it.
“It is better to be an angel than a demon, sir. But I would far rather be a simple woman, if it is all the same to you.”
“It is. I am grateful to have the chance to learn about you.”
She nodded distractedly and gestured towards a branch in the path. To the left, a tree tunnel of oak branches scattered soft green shade onto the dusty path. To the right, there were potholes and humid puddles. The pretty route led towards Longbourn, and the rough road eventually wound around to Netherfield Park’s gatehouse.
“What an ill prospect.” Darcy said.
“Would you like an alternative?” Elizabeth smiled suddenly, her eyes challenging him. Before he could answer, she pointed towards a rise in the near-distance. “There’s a rabbit trail that goes around Yette Hill. Do you see it, where the rocks are? On the other side of the hill there is a stile, and then you just have to ford the river to get home. I have never gone across the river, of course.” she hastily added, seeing his amazed look, “But… the walk will take a few hours. When we get to the stile, it’s about a mile in either direction to Netherfield Park or to Longbourn. That can be where we…”
She swallowed hard then, her courage suddenly gone, and could not raise her eyes to meet his.
“Where we decide?” Darcy asked gently. She nodded, and he looked at the hill.
It did not seem far away enough to take up the whole morning. It loomed, making their decision seem much more ominous. The sun drifted idly through the sky like a ticking clock, counting away the seconds before their lives were forever altered.
Elizabeth’s life would change, whatever they decided. When she got home, everything would be settled. Her parents would find out that one of their daughters was to leave their home forever. Either Jane, or Elizabeth, would be thrown into a life that they had never asked for.
“Elizabeth…” Darcy said, and then winced and corrected himself, “Miss Bennet, I hope that there is no… no misunderstanding between us. I do not expect - that is, I would not demand anything from you that you would not allow. You asked me for a solution, and this was all I could think of. I can offer you everything gladly, madam, but you need only take what makes you happy.”
“How…” she struggled, “... kind.”
