“No, but the Gardiners did take Jane and me to Brighton two years ago. I have been grateful that they include Jane and me when they can, since our father dislikes travelling.”
“Ah, I do remember that Georgiana was in raptures about your letters from Brighton. I believe that you included some sketches. Whoever made them, they were quite well done.”
“Thank you; I drew the sketches we sent.”
“All five of them?” Mr Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “I assumed at the time that two or three people had made them. They looked quite time consuming to have sent so many off to my sister.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I made an abundance of sketches that summer; never fear, I still have plenty.”
“Does Miss Bennet draw at all?”
“No.”
Elizabeth cringed a bit to see that he looked a little bit disappointed, just for a moment.He likes Jane and wishes for her to have accomplishments, she thought. Even though she truly did not wish to watch a courtship between Mr Darcy and anyone other than herself, Elizabeth reached for the strength to do the right thing, which in this case was to defend her sister against others’ disapproval or misunderstanding. She thought about how to express truths in a way that benefitted Jane, and she said, “Between sets I will tell you about a coincidence, and I will issue you a challenge.”
The corners of Mr Darcy’s lips twitched upwards. “I look forward to it.”
They danced in a comfortable silence interspersed with conversations about Shakespeare, poetry, and novels.
When the set was over, Mr Darcy led Elizabeth to the table where bowls of cider, punch, and lemonade offered a choice of refreshment. When he was fortified with a glass of punch, and she with lemonade, Elizabeth asked, “Are you ready to hear about the coincidence sir?”
“I am. I love a good coincidence.”
“Well, it just so happens that the last two Netherfield leaseholders, before your friend, were fascinating women who were unmarried or widowed. Each of these women lived with a female companion, and both pairs of women ended up teaching the young ladies in the neighbourhood.”
“Teaching?”
“Yes. They made unusual arrangements, but the ladies were very proper, and although they would not take payment for their classes, everyone managed to confer favours or bring food and invitations.”
“What did they teach?”
“From the first leaseholder, I learnt quite a bit of French and some German. From her companion I took lessons in playing the pianoforte. I had taught myself quite a bit previously, but I was able to improve under Miss Brown’s tutelage.”
Mr Darcy nodded.
“When these ladies moved away, I was so sad. But at the very first visit with the new leaseholder, I realised that she was quite accomplished with sketching in pencil and in charcoal. I told her about the group lessons we had held, and I suggested that many young ladies in the neighbourhood would wish to learn to sketch. She loved my suggestion, and soon I found myself learning sketching and, from the leaseholder’s companion, techniques that improved my singing.”
“Very good.”
“However, I wish to point out that some ladies in the neighbourhood were of such a shy and retiring nature, they were unable to enjoy learning in a group situation, and so they did not take advantage of the lessons. I would not wish you to feel judgemental against these ladies, because after all, they did not ask to be shy.”
“And in saying this, you wish to present Miss Bennet in the best possible light?
“Well, yes. I thought you looked disappointed when I said that my elder sister did not draw.”
“I am sorry that you mistook my countenance, Miss Elizabeth. The truth is, I am fighting a headache incurred during my carriage ride today. I am afraid that I will sometimes wince, although I have every intention of disregarding my pain.”
“Oh! I must apologise for making an incorrect assumption, sir.”
“Since we are such long-standing acquaintances, Miss Elizabeth, I give you leave to enquire any time you feel uncertainof my intention or feelings. I do not wish for concerns of propriety or decorum to cause miscommunication between us.”
Mr Darcy looked so sincerely concerned, Elizabeth felt surprised. She nodded her head, not sure how to feel or what to say.
Then his entire visage seemed to change—as if he became younger, more tending towards humour and enjoyment. “I am ready for you to issue the challenge.”
“I was just wondering what you and Mr Bingley wished to teach the ladies of the neighbourhood. It is a tradition, now, you see.”
A loud laugh escaped Mr Darcy, but he almost immediately moderated it to a chuckle. The corner in which they stood fell silent, and Elizabeth saw that many people were surreptitiously looking at them. She chuckled, too. She was confident that her reputation for wit would be explanation enough for most of her neighbours. As for her, she was delighted to have created such abandon in a man who had been very solemn just moments ago.
