“Forgive me. I do not mean to pry,” he said.
“It is not that I feel you are prying, but that I feel my answer will probably shock you,” she said, meeting his eyes.
Darcy raised a brow at that. Then, he saw a little smile form on her lips.
“I am comfortable hearing your answer if you are comfortable sharing it,” Darcy said with a smirk.
She gave a quiet chuckle. “Very well. What I enjoy most about visiting them is the atmosphere of their home and what I learn from them.”
Darcy was sure she could see the question in his eyes. He hoped she would elaborate because he was quite curious as to her meaning.
“Allow me to explain. As you may know, my father married below his station. My mother is the daughter of a solicitor. She was taught how to read, arithmetic, how to manage a household, but not much beyond. Even though she married a gentleman, she did not feel it necessary to provide us with an education befitting daughters of a gentleman. There was no governess, and we did not go to finishing school.”
“I assure you, there are even mothers of the peerage who fail to provide their daughters with an adequate education. My aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is one. My cousin Anne should be much more accomplished than she is. In fact, she has no accomplishments at all. But then neither does my aunt,” Darcy said.
“Well, fortunately, we have our aunt and uncle. Uncle Edward, who lives in London, is my mother’s brother. Though he is in trade, he is an educated man, and he always made sure we had access to masters while we visited. His wife, Aunt Madeleine, is a gentleman’s daughter. Her father was the third son of a viscount. She taught us propriety and comportment and so many other things. Her advice is always excellent, and she manages her household in a calm and orderly way. Another way we have benefitted is by observing their relationship. I am sure you would agree that most marriages in society are not founded on affection.”
Darcy nodded. “That is definitely true.”
“Well, theirs is a true love match, and there is mutual respect. Having the opportunity to observe such an ideal marriage and compare it with other marriages has been most instructive. With all of that said, I do not mean to imply that my mother has taught us nothing, because that is not true.”
“No, of course, I understand you. And I see why you are so attached to your aunt and uncle.”
“Yes,” Miss Elizabeth said, smiling down at the path.
“Your father said he gave you quite an unconventional education.” Darcy said, looking at her.
She stiffened. “Did he?”
Darcy watched her warily, confused by her reaction. “Yes, he did.”
“Let me guess—you do not approve of a lady receiving such an education,” she said testily, looking straight ahead.
Darcy was flabbergasted.What just happened?!He stopped in his tracks and called to her as she kept walking. “Miss Elizabeth!”
She stopped and turned at the sound of her name, looking as if she had not realized he was no longer walking beside her. They walked toward each other, meeting in the middle.
Darcy looked at her for a moment, then asked, “Why do you assume I do not approve? I think your father was brilliant to give you such an education. No, young women are not normally instructed in such things as estate management, but having knowledge and understanding of it can only benefit you.”
Miss Elizabeth stared at him, then lowered her eyes with a nod. “I apologize. I should not have assumed. There are many . . . men as well as women who do not think it is proper, and . . . I thought you likely one of them.”
“Likely . . . ?” he mumbled as he turned away from her and began walking again.
“I am sorry,” she said, then fell into step beside him.
“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me, but . . . have I offended you?” Darcy asked, then turned his gaze to her.
Her eyes met his briefly before turning back to the path. She obviously was not expecting such a question. “Why do you ask?”
“I beg your pardon, but if I have not already offended you, I will more than likely do so by way of explanation . . . if I am to answer that question truthfully.”
Miss Elizabeth stopped walking, so Darcy did as well. She turned to look at him with a wrinkled brow and a slight smile on her face. She was clearly puzzled. “Very well, I am duly warned, Mr. Darcy.”
“I ask if I have offended you because you seem more open and at ease with others than you are with me. There is even a marked difference between my first interaction with you in the bookshop and every other interaction we have had thereafter.”
Darcy watched her closely as he waited for her reply. Miss Elizabeth seemed to watch him closely as well, as if she were trying to gauge his sincerity.
“Mr. Darcy, I believe I will likely offend you as well if I am to answer your question truthfully. Really, I ought to dissemble for the sake of propriety . . . but . . . you have given me honesty, and I want to be honest with you as well.”
