Page 24 of A Different Impression

She smiled at him softly. “I do enjoy your teasing, William, and I feel that I know you better than is normal after just a few days’ acquaintance. But it probably is best that we court publicly for some time before announcing anything more permanent,” she told him.

He sighed and brought his free hand up to caress the one lying on her arm. “Your mother seems to be unaware that we are courting. I see her pushing Bingley towards Miss Bennet, but she has not done the same to me,” he observed.

Elizabeth slowed, her expression tightening as she turned slightly to see his face better. “That is because Mama cannot fathom my being courted, particularly by a gentleman such as you. In her estimation, you are far too important to desire a ‘headstrong, obstinate girl’ like me.”

Darcy frowned in evident confusion. “Has she truly said such things to you?”

“She frequently tells me that I am far ‘too intelligent and clever’ ever to attract a man. I simply do not fit her notion of what a gentleman seeks in a wife.”

“Then your mother is mistaken,” he said firmly, and Elizabeth felt her heart flutter in response. “Your intelligence is among the qualities I most admire in you.”

Elizabeth’s expression softened. “You and Mama possess very different notions of an ideal wife. Indeed, since you are worth more than Bingley—in her estimation, at least, because you are richer—I confess I am surprised she has not attempted to push Jane towards you. If Lydia were still permitted downstairs, Mama would surely be trying to persuade you to sit beside her.”

“Your mother and I also appear to possess very different notions of a gentleman’s worth,” Darcy observed drily.

Elizabeth smiled. “By not mentioning our courtship, I have also limited her effusions, which I am certain will be excessive once she learns of it. Between those and her inevitable questions about my suitability and worthiness, it has seemed best to keep the matter to myself for now.”

Darcy frowned. “Are you serious?” he questioned. “How can she not see how completely suitable you are? How can she not understand how very special you are? I have known you mere days, and I value you considerably and believe you to be my ideal match. Although I have promised not to press, you must know I am entirely serious in my desire to marry you after an appropriate period of courtship so others might see how much I admire you.”

She brought her other hand up to rest on his. “Thank you, William, but my mother does not seem to be able to understand me. In her mind, men all want a woman like Jane. She does not think I am beautiful and thinks I should be demure and silent, sitting quietly with my sewing instead of walking all over the estate or even visiting the tenants. I should not read as much as I do, nor should I express my opinion as freely as I do. All of these traits somehow make me less ‘ladylike’, and the fact that my father has taught me as he would have taught a son makes me… less worthy, I suppose.”

“All things I find admirable about you, Elizabeth,” he told her. “I do hope you do not listen to your mother. And I neglected to mention how very lovely you are, my dear, and, at least to me, you far outshine your sister.”

She blushed and hugged the arm she held. “Thank you, William,” she whispered.

Upon reaching Meryton, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy put a more proper distance between themselves and slowed to allow Jane and Mr Bingley to join them. The four then made their way down the high street, stopping first at the bookshop and then at the milliner before turning back towards Longbourn.

On the road home, they encountered Charlotte Lucas and her brother, John. After the ladies greeted Charlotte warmly, she introduced her brother to the gentlemen from Netherfield.

John Lucas had missed the assembly due to an errand in London for his father and had not yet met them. Elizabeth was surprised to see him with Charlotte and even more surprised by the displeased looks he kept casting at Mr Darcy. She recalled Charlotte’s remark at the assembly—that John had asked particularly whether she meant to attend—but surely that had meant nothing.

She had known John all her life. Once, when she was five and he was ten, he had declared that he would marry her someday. Elizabeth had laughed, told him she was much too young to consider such a thing, and thought no more of it in the years since. Surely he could not still remember such childish nonsense.

When Charlotte and John agreed to accompany them to Longbourn for tea, Elizabeth remained on Mr Darcy’s arm. John walked on her other side, casting enough disapproving looks in her direction to make her distinctly uncomfortable.

Elizabeth saw the look on her mother’s face as they arrived with the Lucases and inwardly groaned. Mama had long considered John a suitable match for her and frequently reminded Elizabeth that she ought not aspire any higher. She was plainly delighted to welcome him into the house but noticeably less pleased to find Elizabeth entering on Mr Darcy’s arm.

Once everyone had settled in the drawing room, Elizabeth noticed another frown pass over her mother’s face when Mr Darcy again chose the seat beside her. Throughout tea, Mama made repeated references to Elizabeth’s supposed connexion with John, taking particular delight in recounting the story of his childhood “proposal.” Elizabeth bore the tale with as much patience as she could muster, though she wished her mother would allow that long-forgotten nonsense to remain buried.

As the conversation continued, Elizabeth gradually realised that Mama was making every effort to draw her into conversation with John while repeatedly attempting to engage Mr Darcy herself. She quietly frustrated each attempt by steering the conversation back to the larger group, relieved that Mr Darcy seemed perfectly content to do the same.

When at last the visitors began to take their leave, Mama made one final attempt.

“Lizzy,” she called loudly, “be sure to escort Mr Lucas to the door. You know you missed him at the assembly, and he has not been able to speak to you as I am certain he wishes to do. Please accompany him out.”

Elizabeth resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Beside her, Mr Darcy had gone very still, and though she had done what she could throughout the visit to reassure him, her mother’s meaning was now impossible to mistake.

To her surprise, he bent his head slightly and spoke near her ear.

“Might I speak to your father and make our courtship formal, dearest?” he murmured, low enough that only she could hear the words themselves, though the familiarity of his manner doubtless caused more than one person in the room to look their way. “I confess I have noticed your mother’s less-than-subtle efforts to push you towards another this afternoon.”

She grimaced. “I had hoped you would not notice but realised that was unlikely. I hope you know I have never been interested in him. He has never been more to me than the brother of my friend. We played together when I was younger, but once he went away to school, we saw each other only rarely. He has been finished with school for the last couple of years at least and has never paid me any special attention. I am not sure why Mama felt the need to push him at me today.”

He nodded in reply, but it soon became obvious that others conspired to separate them as the guests began to move around the room to take their leave.

With no attempt to hide his smirk, John took Elizabeth’s hand, placed it upon his arm, and covered it firmly with his own. She attempted to withdraw, but his grip tightened. Unwilling to create a scene before their guests, she allowed him to guide her towards the corridor, hoping Mr Darcy would follow.

Glancing back, she saw that her mother had intercepted Mr Darcy and was preventing him from following. Before he could escape Mrs Bennet’s attentions, John drew Elizabeth through the door and out of sight of those in the drawing room.