I may occasionally allow my gaze to flit down to ankles revealed as a muddied hem is lifted to prevent muck-marks on the drawing room carpet.
I promise to help remove evidence of mud, as requested, even though I am in fact quite fond of it for reasons of dear memories.
2. When walking, riding, or otherwise enjoying the beauties of nature, I promise to invite Miss Elizabeth Bennet along in order to bring her hours of joy.
I shall always endeavour to be motivated by Miss Elizabeth’s joy rather than my own.
I may allow Miss Elizabeth’s smile to engender remarkable joy within myself; however, if such an explosion of joy occurs, I promise to smile back and therefore reflect joy back to the giver.
3. I promise to continue to allow Miss Elizabeth Bennet to laugh at me and tease me on a daily basis.
When such laughter and teases prick at the pride for which I am famous, I will remember the happinessthey have caused me since first I encountered Miss Elizabeth’s laughing eyes.
4. I promise to continue to make lists that tell Miss Elizabeth Bennet exactly how deeply and ardently I love her.
I promise to continue all items on this list when Miss Elizabeth Bennet becomes Mrs Darcy.
I promise to cease making or at least displaying silly lists upon request by Miss Elizabeth Bennet and/or Mrs Darcy. However, I may possibly continue to be at least somewhat silly.
Bingley clapped. “Excellent list, sir. Now, what will you do with it?”
“I will show the lists to Miss Elizabeth.”
CHAPTER 16
16 November 1811
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth decided that her father’s insistence that she allow calls from his favoured suitor as well as her own was making Mr Darcy’s case much stronger. Both men had lived in the world, travelled, and attended university and therefore, presumably, amassed a certain amount of knowledge. But only Mr Darcy was interested in many of the things Elizabeth found fascinating.
