“Betsy is quite lovely too.”
“Let us go now,” Mrs Gilroy said. “I beg you to forgive me, sir, miss…I must feed the children and then finish my work.”
“Of course.”
“Mama, can we come tomorrow and talk to Mr Darcy again?” Peter asked as they walked away. “I love his dog — did you see how large it is? These puppies will never be so big, Mr Darcysaid. I think Mr Darcy knows everything. He is very clever. And very kind.”
Their mother tried to silence them, but the children continued to chat, glancing back and waving at Mr Darcy and Elizabeth.
When they were finally alone, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy looked at each other. Only then did she notice he was wearing no hat and there were some leaves in his hair from sitting under the trees.
“Miss Bennet, are you returning to the Parsonage?”
“Yes…”
“Do you mind if I keep you company?”
She was stunned again.
“No, not at all…”
She glanced back, seeing that both his dog and his horse were following him freely. Both were tall, impressive, and looked frightening, yet they followed their master so calmly.
“I am surprised Colonel Fitzwilliam is not with you.”
“He went to the village. He should be back soon. I preferred to spend a little time with my new friends.”
Elizabeth smiled and turned her head away. He looked at her, clearly intrigued, and she decided to reply.
“Calling those lovely children your friends and seeing you play with them is something I would have never imagined.”
“May I ask why not?”
“Why not? Because nothing I have seen since we first met suggested such partiality for playfulness or that sort of kindness.”
The last word slipped from her lips, and he gazed at her.
“I see…so your opinion of me forbade you from believing I might send food to a young widow who is raising three children,” he asked with some severity.
“Oh, no! That I can easily believe. I have long heard that you are an excellent master and landlord, and I am sure you show kindness and generosity to those in need.”
“Then…I do not understand your meaning…”
“Perhaps we would do better to change the subject, sir. I should not have said anything.”
“Please speak your mind, Miss Bennet. I have always admired your sincerity and will certainly not be bothered by hearing your honest opinion.”
She knew she should not speak further, but she did, and her irritation grew with every word. Things that she had not imagined would be said came out with frightening and imprudent haste.
“I know you are a man of many qualities, Mr Darcy, but I have never believed gentleness, kindness, and friendliness to strangers outside your circle of family and friends to be among them. I find it easier to believe that you might provide food and shelter to someone in need than that you play with children and their puppies.”
“You speak of my many qualities, but what I hear sounds more like flaws of character.”
“I apologise. I only spoke my mind as you requested. I might be wrong. I told you a while ago that I failed in sketching your character as I hear such different accounts of you that puzzle me exceedingly.”
“I remember. And I also told you that I know you received reports that vary greatly with respect to me, so I begged you notto sketch my character as there were reasons to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either of us.”
“I would have gladly waited to complete that performance, Mr Darcy, and perhaps to enquire further in regard to the various reports. However, I did not have that chance as you left unexpectedly and never returned. Neither you nor Mr Bingley, who promised to be back in one week. Perhaps in London, weeks are longer than in Hertfordshire.”
