Page 49 of Gold and Good Sense

“As you wish, Mary,” said Papa. “You are yet young. There is no need to accept a proposal just because it is given. I would not wish to see you unhappy. Now, would you prefer to give him your answer for yourself? He is still here, waiting in my bookroom. Or perhaps you would prefer if I send him away for you?”

A wave of relief washed over Mary. Until that moment, she had not realized how much this decision had weighed upon her mind. “I think…I think I would prefer if you told him,” she said, though she felt cowardly doing so. “I do not think Judge Darcy has enough respect for me to listen properly to my answer. He might ask me why, but he would not understand my explanation.”

Papa nodded. “You are likely correct. I will convey the message. You need not trouble yourself.”

As Papa left the room, Mary breathed a sigh of relief.

The following day, at the assembly in Meryton, rumor went around the neighborhood that Judge Darcy had left the neighborhood. Mary never spoke with him again. And she never regretted her decision.

Chapter 27

The time between Mr. Darcy’s arrival in the neighborhood and the assembly in Meryton was a delightful time for Elizabeth, the most pleasant time she had ever experienced.

Every day, unless it rained, she went for a walk on her own. In his grief, her father had forgotten that he had said she needed footmen to accompany her wherever she went, and the issue had never been brought up again.

Since these solitary rambles had been taking place daily for months, this was not in the least unusual. The part that was unusual was that Mr. Darcy just happened to be there each time, offering to walk with her.

It wasn’t coincidence. Every day before she turned home, she told him where she would be walking the next time she was out. Since she always walked at the same time of day, it was simplicity itself for him to meet her there.

She felt a little guilty about it, since it bordered on clandestine meetings, but she chased away her guilt by reminding herself that they were always out in the open. It wasn’t wrong to happen to meet someone while out walking, and it wasn’t wrong for that person to offer to join the walk.

Every meeting, every greeting, every smile, every glance caused Elizabeth to fall more in love with the man than before. Now that she was aware of her own feelings, it was very easy indeed to give in to them and let them grow. Many times, she thought he might return her feelings, but he never spoke of them, nor did he hint that there might be any thoughts of a potential understanding between them.

She shouldn’t be surprised at his lack of expressed intention. After all, she had rejected him so very viciously. A man with as much self-respect as he carried would not possibly bring himself to try again with the same woman.

Even so, as each day passed, she found herself hoping that he would speak, that he would defy convention and his own character and renew his proposal. If he did, she would certainly accept without a second thought.

The approach of the assembly in Meryton was something she had pinned her hopes on. At least then, she would be able to dance with him. Perhaps, he would even ask for a second dance.

The day before the assembly, he finally fulfilled her hopes.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said breaking a warm silence that had lasted for a minute or more. “Do I presume too much by asking for your hand for the first dance at the assembly?”

She could not prevent the grin that spread immediately over her face, not even if her life had depended upon it. “I would enjoy that very much,” she said. “Of course it is no presumption. We have danced together many times, after all.”

“That is true,” he agreed, “but I have never asked a lady to save the first dance for me before the ball even began.”

“Then I am flattered and very pleased to receive such a distinction,” she said.

He stopped walking and turned toward her, something he had never done in all their walks. “Truly?” he asked. “Are you truly pleased? Or is this simply your innate kindness showing itself, accepting out of pity but pretending to be pleased?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I am not capable of such kindness, if that is indeed kindness,” she said. “If I did not wish to accept your offer but felt obligated nonetheless, my acceptance would be short and terse. Truly, I am grateful for your attention, and I am glad you have been joining me on my walks.”

A true, full smile bloomed on Mr. Darcy’s face. It was something she had never seen. There had been glimpses of a smile and warmth in his eyes, but they were nothing like this. The sight transformed him from handsome to beautiful.

Elizabeth was stunned. Her brain stopped working, and she could think of nothing other than absorbing and enjoying the delightful sight before her.

She did not know how long the two of them stood there looking at each other, but eventually, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “Shall we continue our walk?” he asked as he held out his arm. She took it, and they continued walking.

Now, however, everything was so very different. She had never been so very aware of how strong his arm felt beneath her hand. Nor had she paid any attention to the smell of his cologne and shaving soap. In this moment, these sensations and others like them were all she could think of.

Fortunately for Elizabeth’s sanity and peace of mind, the end of their walk together was near. They parted soon afterward with Elizabeth saying, “I am afraid I will not be walking out tomorrow so that I might preserve my strength for the assembly. I look forward to our dance.”

“As do I,” he said. He bowed and departed, and Elizabeth turned toward home.

~~~~~

Thomas Bennet disliked assemblies enormously. They were noisy, crowded, and chaotic, far different from a small gathering of friends at the home of one of his neighbors. The only thing that could possibly induce him to attend was his wife, Esther.