I had not intended to select poetry. I did not think that soulful odes were helpful in my current circumstances. But after having flipped open a slim volume out of curiosity, I read a few lines.
The heart, like a tendril, accustom'd to cling,
Let it grow where it will, cannot flourish alone,
But will lean to the nearest and loveliest thing
It can twine with itself, and make closely its own.
I decided to buy it.
“Are you a great reader, Mrs Darcy?” Mrs Annesley asked.
“I love to read, however, I would not consider myself a great reader. My father is, and perhaps my enjoyment of books is my inheritance from him.”
“My brother is also a great reader,” Miss Darcy said.
Her shyness was, I noted, receding somewhat, and sensing an opportunity, I enticed her into conversation. We fell to speaking of our interests and daily pursuits, and I made up my mind to poke the bear the following morning with yet another note.
Sir –
Harrison has been to Lambton to see the vicar to whom he made it known that you were recovering from a mild indisposition and suggested that wedding visits would be better received next week. I comprehend your natural preference for privacy, however, these visits must be endured, and your availability must be discussed between us. If you are unequal to the pretence of appearing at my side, we should agree upon some matter that calls you away.
Your sister has invited me to sit with her when her music master comes. I have gone a step further and asked to participate in this regular instruction. MissDarcy has also suggested the stablemaster select a mild-tempered horse for me as my riding skills are not yet even rudimentary. I believe riding is one of her dedicated pursuits, and she begs me to accompany her. I will make enquiries with regard to someone who can assist me to ultimately manage a ‘proper horse’, as your sister so charmingly puts it.
In order to finance the additional lessons, the acquisition of my own saddle &c., I have proposed that the position vacated a week ago by one of the kitchen maids not be filled with a replacement. Mrs Reynolds has supported this economy, and though my expenses cannot be expected to be immediately mitigated by this reduction, they should be covered in due time.
I am a persistent reader and am told of your own love of books. This, I believe, must somehow be presented as the believable foundation for our understanding and subsequent marriage. If you are agreeable, I suggest we meet in the library an hour before tea is served every afternoon with the caveat that one or the other of us may not always be at liberty to keep these regular appointments.
Lastly, I would like to meet your steward. My intention is to ask him to introduce me to your tenants and educate me regarding your estate, unless you wish to perform this office yourself.
I await your recommendations with regard to all I have herein suggested in order for our cohabitation, as you so aptly described it, to continue unremarked.
EMD
12
FITZWILLIAM DARCY, PEMBERLEY
Madam—
While artifice and disguise are arts unfamiliar to me, they must constitute the crown jewels of your talents, and I submit to your schemes and charades. In the event I choose to avoid your bride visits, I will be supervising the construction of a bridge at the south entrance to the estate.
I suffered a twinge of conscience over my bitterly worded reply. Had I not promised to be civil to her?
I had.
In truth, however, I was still too furious to behave as a gentleman ought, and I handed this note to my valet and took a kind of evil pleasure in it.
13
My husband’s reply took half a day to appear. Miss Darcy looked tenderly upon me when Harrison handed me a silver tray with what appeared to be abillet-doux. After excusing myself, I took this ‘love note’ into a sunlit alcove to read.
…artifice and disguise…must constitute the crown jewels of your talents…
I swallowed several times as I strove to overcome the wave of despair that threatened to send me to my room after reading this reply.
In an attempt to rally my courage, I asked for Mrs Reynolds. The housekeeper was still quite distant, but the ill will she initially harboured seemed to have been considerably blunted by both my overtures and my willingness to work.
