CHAPTER 13
14 November 1811
DARCY
That evening, after dinner, Miss Elizabeth lingered downstairs. She had chosen a book from the rather scanty assortment offered in Netherfield’s library and sat in a comfortable chair to read. Darcy sat at a table to write a letter to his sister, Hurst fell asleep, and Mrs Hurst sat in one spot not doing much of anything—unless fingering her many bracelets was an activity worth mentioning, which Darcy considered not to be the case.
Bingley and Miss Bingley were discussing something, although Darcy paid little heed to their conversation until Miss Bingley asked him a question.
“Excuse me,” he said. “What is it you said?”
“We are speaking of what makes a lady worthy of being called accomplished,” Miss Bingley replied, her tone impatient. “My brother seems to think that all ladies he has ever met warrant the term, but I would say that only a few ladies of thetontruly deserve the compliment. What say you?”
“I am sorry to say, Bingley, that I agree with your sister.”
“And we can all agree, I think, that Mr Darcy is always correct,” Miss Bingley said, glorying in Darcy’s agreement.
Darcy and Elizabeth both laughed. “I am notalwayscorrect, Miss Bingley,” Darcy demurred. “Such a perfect record is not possible for anyone.”
Bingley said, “I suppose parents and governesses stress that young ladies must attain accomplishments so that they can gain a husband, and although I deeply admire so many of the things young ladies manage to learn and do, I am not certain how necessary I find that my wife be able to roll tiny strips of paper into depict beautiful scenery, say, or varnish vases so that they may pass for having an Asian origin. Some accomplishments seem less than necessary.”
Elizabeth said, “Mr Darcy, I am curious about which accomplishmentsyouseek in a wife.”
Darcy’s heart began to hammer. What an impertinent question, given their recent conversation in the garden! He quite loved it.
“I…honestly I am unsettled about the characteristics Mrs Darcy should embody. I used to have strong opinions on the topic, but they have undergone a re-evaluation.”
“I feel that I could help elucidate your needs, Mr Darcy,” Miss Bingley suggested.
He turned towards her, shocked at her bold assertion. A part of him wished to say that it was not possible she could be helpful on such a matter, but another part of him wished to know what she would say. Was it possible that his needs might be diametrically opposite of everything she might suggest?
“Please share with us your list of necessary accomplishments, Miss Bingley,” Miss Elizabeth politely said.
“While you elucidate,” Darcy said, “I will make a list, and I will call it ‘Characteristics of Mrs Darcy.’” He put aside his partially-written letter, brought out a fresh piece of paper, and wrote the proposed title at the top of the paper. When he showed the ladies, Miss Bingley’s smile grew.
Miss Bingley began to pace back and forth, saying, “It is going to be a long list—but where to begin?”
“Begin anywhere you like,” Mr Darcy said, waiting, his quill poised above the bottle of ink. He turned his head towards Miss Elizabeth and said, “Perhaps, if you sit here next to me, you might better learn of the characteristics the Darcy name, and Pemberley, requires.”
He tried to communicate his intent with just his eyes, and she looked puzzled, reluctant, but also curious. She sat next to him.
Miss Bingley began, “Of course, Mrs Darcy must be elegant…and very refined.”
Darcy wrote,Beautiful, witty, clever, with good general knowledge.
Miss Elizabeth made a tiny sound—not quite a gasp—but then covered for it by saying, “Your handwriting is quite beautiful.”
“Thank you,” he said.
Miss Bingley continued, “The mistress of Pemberley must have studied how to run a household.”
Darcy wrote,Keeping knowledge updated through extensive reading.He could feel Miss Elizabeth’s mirth sort of radiating from her, and he flicked a glance at her, hoping that she was not giving the game away so early. But her face looked quite serene, moderately interested, even respectful.
Darcy wished to smile at the irony that, just as he thought that Miss Elizabeth’s mien was carefully arranged to look respectful, Miss Bingley said, “Mrs Darcy must have respect for the proprieties, respect for the Darcy name—and she certainly must respect Mr Darcy himself.” Miss Bingley nodded towards Darcy, her mouth forming a very practiced smile.
He wrote,Impertinent.
Miss Elizabeth said, “I do so admire how you keep your lines very straight and the slant of each letter is precisely and perfectly lined up with all the other letters.”
