Obviously, Mr Darcy was far more interesting when speaking of travelling, but the contrast was marked in regard to other topics, as well. When Mr Darcy spoke of literature, he had deep thoughts about poetry, insightful knowledge about the classics, and the desire to keep up by reading recent publications. He listened to Elizabeth’s ideas, as well, and he was as willing to agree with her as he was to disagree, and every so often he displayed the ability to change his mind. Mr Goulding, in contrast, had only one thing to say about the entirety of literature—poetry, novels, histories, biographies, and plays: “I do not read all that much.”
When Mr Darcy spoke of music or art or the war or anything at all, he was both interesting and also interested in what shehad to say. Mr Goulding had little to contribute, although he was quite good at adoring whatever Elizabeth said.
She wondered if she should be kind and hint to Mr Goulding that there was no future for them. On the one hand, her father might get upset and refuse to admit Mr Darcy; on the other, surely she need not go through the trouble of explaining that they were not a good fit. Mr Goulding may not be quick witted enough to tease about Parliament playing havoc with the kingdom, but surely he was clever enough to realise that he had less than no chance of winning her hand.
She supposed that she should feel grateful to her father, rather than irritated, given the fact that his pushing made things clearer.
CHAPTER 17
17 November 1811
DARCY
Another night of interrupted sleep passed. Early the next morning, Darcy used the two lists he had written the night before to mark favourite poems in a slim volume of Wordsworth’s poetry. He dressed, put the poetry book into his pocket, snatched up an apple for Atlas, and made his way to the stable.
He hoped he would encounter Elizabeth.
This time he discovered her far earlier in his ride. She waved, obviously delighted to have another opportunity to chat privately.
“I suppose this is very wrong for us to meet alone like this,” Darcy said.
“Well, we are not making arrangements to meet. Setting up times and places would make these assignations, but what is actually occurring is merely fortuitous encounters.”
“Fortuitous indeed. As a matter of fact, I have several important things to discuss this morning,” Darcy said as they briskly walked side by side, Atlas trailing behind. He could hear the apology in his tone.
Elizabeth simply nodded and waited.
“First, I wish to remind you that I hope to eventually marry you. And there is something I need to convey before I ask, so that you will not only know me, but you will know my circumstances, and you will make an informed choice.”
“Convey away, sir,” she said.
He shot a smile towards her. Then he told her of Georgiana’s aborted elopement. He had mentioned it a few days earlier, but this time, he told many more details, including Wickham’s name and past relationship with the Darcy family, and, crucially, including the deaths of Wickham and Mrs Younge. He explained Georgiana’s melancholy and his hopes that Elizabeth might agree to an acquaintance with his sister. “I feel that she would immediately admire you, and that she would improve her view of the world from knowing you.”
“I would be delighted to make her acquaintance. However, I have a question: are you considering marrying only because such a change will benefit your sister?”
“I am not,” Darcy said. “When you came striding into Netherfield with your curls and your mud and your laughing eyes, I was definitely not thinking of my sister.”
“You did not seem to be thinking at all!” she claimed with a chuckle.
“Oh, believe me, I had thoughts.”
“Hmmm,” Elizabeth said. “Looking at your expression, I just now have had a few thoughtsIshould love to convey.”
“By all means,” Darcy said, “convey away.” They both chuckled as he copied her wordplay.
What ensued was an awkward conversation in which Elizabeth and Darcy discussed their ideas of marriage. They were both relieved that they not only intended to practice mutual respect, but that they also shared the goal of keeping their vows to adhere to marital fidelity.
After that conversation, they gladly walked in silence for a while, until Elizabeth indicated a rocky outcropping a few steps away. “That is the spot I hoped to show you. There is a very pleasing prospect to be seen.”
Darcy dropped the reins so that Atlas could continue nibbling on the lingering foliage on a hawthorn shrub. Elizabeth and Darcy stepped to the outcropping and enjoyed the sight of rolling fields cut with hedges, paths, and roads, and winding lines of trees flanking the local creek.
“Might we sit?” Darcy asked, waving his hand towards the flattest boulder.
“I always intended to.”
They sat, looking some more at the view, and when their eyes met, smiles broke across both faces. Then Darcy took the book out of his pocket. He said, “As I look out over these rolling fields, I am inspired to read a bit fromThe Lady of the Lake. I assume you have read it?”
Elizabeth nodded eagerly, and Darcy read for almost a quarter hour. Finding an excellent stopping point, he allowed silence to envelop them for a few minutes.
