She read the list swiftly.
Important Non-Proposal Questions
Meeting with Father/Mr Bennet - What should be said? Should this meeting wait until after the proposal? Should the meeting be held with both of us plus Mother/Mrs Bennet, since she will hopefully continue to be pro-Darcy?
Meeting with Miss Charlotte Lucas - Is it important to hear from her own lips why she started false gossip? Should it be held at Lucas Lodge or another location? Should this be a private meeting with just Elizabeth and Miss Lucas?
Meeting with Goulding - He should be thanked for his work in combatting rumours, but should he also be let down / turned away as a suitor before the proposal? Should this be a private meeting with just Elizabeth and Goulding?
Meeting with earl and countess - What did they hear, see, and wonder about? Do they require explanations, and should those explanations be truths or polite fictions? Should this be two meetings, one with just Darcy and the other with both of us?
Where should Elizabeth live before meeting with Father/Mr Bennet?
“Oh, my. Every wretched subject, indeed. I shall deal with each item in order. “My father —we wait until the proposal. Charlotte—I will do this one alone, hopefully today, at her house. Goulding—I will also meet with him alone, also today, on the way to Charlotte’s house. Your aunt and uncle—I suppose that you should meet with them at Netherfield while I hold the first two meetings. I can go to Netherfield for nuncheon and the afternoon, and together we can handle whatever needs saying and doing. Where I should live—I hope the Nicholls will continue to host me. Or your sister and me.”
“You made short work of that list.”
“I merely attempted to schedule time for each item. I have achieved exactly none of the items as of yet.”
“I will confer with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, to see what they want to do with their day today and if they wish to spend the next night here, or not.”
“And I will speak with Mr and Mrs Nicholls,” Elizabeth said.
They went their separate ways but soon met again and exchanged the news. “We are all welcome to stay as many nights as desired,” Elizabeth said. Mr Darcy informed her that Georgiana and Mrs Annesley would ride back to Netherfield Park with Elizabeth but not go on to Lucas Lodge. They wished to return to High Cross with her in the evening, and so the two maids would spend the day at High Cross.
“I suppose I will see you, Mr Darcy, at around noon, at Netherfield.”
“Until noon, then,” Mr Darcy said, kissing her hand before he left.
Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Mrs Annesley soon set off for Haye-Park. Elizabeth was quite glad to have the excuse of Georgiana and Mrs Annesley waiting in the carriage while she spoke with Mr Goulding. She thanked him sincerely for his role in investigating the origin of the rumours and in countering them. “Mr Darcy told me that you went amongst the shop owners and shoppers of Meryton to make the point that the rumours were false. I thank you again, and I hope that the effort was not humiliating.”
“Not at all.”
The second goal of the meeting felt difficult to accomplish. She steeled herself and said, “Mr Goulding, we have known each other our entire lives, but I do not believe we suit as a couple.”
He nodded and said, “I have become aware that you feel that way. Say no more, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you realise that I think you are a wonderful lady, and I truly believe that Darcy is worthy of you. I wish you the best of every good thing.”
“Thank you, Mr Goulding. I return your wishes.”
