She took his arm and urged him to continue their walk.
Finally, he continued. “After my sister’s near escape from Wickham’s treachery, her spirits were very low. I did not wish to leave her in London with her new companion, but she insisted I go. Since theincident, I had not been sleeping well and was exhausted when I arrived at Netherfield. Being new to the neighbourhood, of course, Bingley wished to make a good impression and insisted that all of us attend the assembly. I knew if I refused, Miss Bingley would offer to stay home and see to my every need. No, thank you! I would rather wrestle a python than spend one minute more than necessary inthatwoman’s presence.”
“At least you did not callmea reptile.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Do I have your forgiveness?” Did his expression convey a composed confidence? The faintest smile touched his lips. How could she refuse him when he looked at her that way?
“Yes, I understand your distress that night, and my vanity is soothed. I forgive you,” she said good-naturedly.
She was so lost in her own thoughts, she did not know how far they walked in silence.
“Will you tell me why you were so quick to believe Wickham? Did you not think to ask my side of the story before accepting his lies?” he asked suddenly.
“I admit it was childish, but your insult hurt my pride. Unlike you, he flattered my vanity.”
“Has your opinion of me changed?”
“I know you to be an honourable man. But you… Your opinion of me, sir, seems to be entirely altered.”
“It has altered only in this: any objection I might have had has evaporated as I have come to know you better.” He placed his hand atop hers. “I admire you for the person you are.”
“You are nothing like the man I thought you were in Hertfordshire. I formed my views of you solely on my initial impression and someone else’s lies. Have our discussions changed your mind about me?”
“Not at all—”
“You have not changed your mind since the Meryton assembly?”
“I have admired you since the first time we spoke, and that has not changed.”
She pressed her mouth into a thin smile, a giggle at her lips. “I thought we were speaking in truths, sir. If I recall, we were introduced at Lucas Lodge, shortly before I refused to dance with you.”
“I was disappointed, but then I recognised how refreshingly different you were. Every belle of thetonwould have leapt at a chance to dance with the master of Pemberley—not because they had any affection for me, but because of what my name and fortune represent. When you declined my invitation, I believed I could depend upon you to judge me as a person, not by the size of my estate.”
Again, he had spoken of his admiration for her, but she was certain there could be nothing for it. She laughed as she said, “I hope you will admire my principles, MrDarcy, when I admit that I disliked you so much then that even your ten thousand a year was not enough to change my opinion of you.”
He shook his head in amusement, maybe even a bit chagrined. “I hope you still feel you consider me a friend.”
Were they friends? Did she wish for more? It mattered not what she wanted—she was the daughter of an indolent country gentleman, and he owned one of the grandest estates in Derbyshire, and he was a nephew to an earl. She must be realistic, despite his repeated comments regarding his admiration, friendship would be all they could ever share. “I suppose we have become friends—something I would not have said when you left Hertfordshire.”
“Then we are making progress.”
They found themselves at the parsonage gate, and he asked, “Shall I see you tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, I shall see you then.”
He was so kind and complimentary today but to what end? I said we were friends and that is all I can expect from a man like Mr. Darcy. I will not think about him as anything more than a pleasant walking companion.
“Good morning, MrDarcy.” He was elated when she took his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do. He covered her hand with his own. Did she have any idea of how much he anticipated their morning meetings?
“What a delightful way to begin my day, Miss Bennet—with bright sunshine and your smiling face. You look lovely this morning—the colour of your gown is very becoming.”
She blushed at his approval. Had he paid her the same compliment before?
“It reminds me of a field of daffodils at Pemberley. They were my mother’s favourite, and my father instructed the gardeners to plant them as a surprise. He had to wait until the spring before he could share his gift.”
“I wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o’er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils,” Elizabeth said softly.
“Every time I read that Wordsworth poem I think of her.” Darcy’s heart pounded.My love for this woman grows stronger every day.“When she saw the flowers, my mother wept. She was so overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. They visited the field together every spring until her death.”
