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“Yes, I know she does not. Which is precisely my point. Most men needs must take at least a few actions to make themselves pleasing to a woman. Take her for walks. Give her compliments. Bring her flowers. Write her poetry.”
“I cannot write poetry!” Darcy exclaimed.
“Maybe not, but it would be amusing to see you attempt it!” Richard’s eyes sparkled with humor. “I am merely saying that you must exert some effort to be amiable – and demonstrate that you desire her favor.”
“I have been doing that!”
Richard shook his head. “Not in any concerted way. You must show her you are dedicated to the cause.” There was silence while Darcy assimilated these suggestions. “I, for one, hope you will make progress with her,” he said with air of a man making a pronouncement.
“Why?”
“Because, despite your air of uncertainty and anxiety, you appear far happier than the man who walked into this ballroom.” Then he added waggishly: “and you are far better company.”
“Hope will do that to you,” Darcy admitted, hating the vulnerability this discussion created. “But it could easily be false hope.”
“She seemed fairly happy a moment ago.” Richard observed.
“Yes, but that could be because she was happy to see you.” Darcy said with a note of despair in his voice. “I am certain I remain the last man in the world she would marry.”
“Maybe you have moved up the ladder a few rungs. Perhaps she would now consider marrying you before, say, the butcher.” Richard grinned broadly.
Darcy grimaced. “Great encouragement indeed. I thank you.” Richard laughed as they took refreshments back to the group – and Darcy considered how to woo a woman who thought him proud, arrogant, and selfish.
Chapter 3
The next morning Darcy walked to Lady Radnor’s house, which was not far from his inn. He was experiencing greater optimism this morning. Although he would have to apologize to Elizabeth for his appalling behavior at Hunsford, perhaps then she would allow him to court her properly. If he could not win her after a proper courtship, he would know she would never be his—a thought that made him extremely anxious. He swallowed hard, trying to fend off the black despair such ideas evoked.
When he arrived at Radnor House, he found Elizabeth standing outside, at the foot of the stairs leading to the front door. “Miss Bennet. How good to see you!” He bowed. “Are you on your way out?”
Elizabeth seemed startled at his appearance and did not answer his smile with one of her own – seeming more disconcerted than anything. Darcy felt a lurch in his stomach. During the previous sleepless night he had feared that she did not truly wish to associate with him and had only been polite to him at the ball – and now she appeared to confirm this fear.
“Yes, we, umm...are going to see the Tuileries Gardens. I have heard they are very fine.” She would not meet his gaze, but glanced down the street anxiously.
He tried to fend off an impending sense of distress with the thought that she might simply be uncomfortable at their first private conversation since Hunsford. “They are very beautiful,” he replied. “If you would like, I could take you and your aunt in a hired carriage. It is quite a walk from here.”
She shook her head sharply and fidgeted with the strap of her reticule. “Thank you, that will not be necessary. We….” Her voice trailed off uneasily. Leave now! A voice in his head cried. She does not want you here. But he could not bear to relinquish the hope engendered by her presence in Paris. “We – ah—” Elizabeth seemed to be searching for an excuse, while Darcy’s hopes sank lower each second.
Then two things happened at once. The door to Radnor House opened and Elizabeth’s aunt descended the stairs. Simultaneously a very fine coach appeared from around the corner, pulling up smartly in front of the house – and Elizabeth.
The door to the coach sprang open and Darcy’s mood grew even blacker at the sight of Lord Lennox, every bit the eligible young aristocrat. Now he understood Elizabeth’s unease. She had been waiting for Lennox to escort them to the Gardens. “Are you ladies ready for the beauties of the Tuileries? He inquired of Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner. “Hello, Darcy,” he added as an afterthought.
“Lennox,” Darcy’s voice grated as he nodded a greeting.
Elizabeth turned to Darcy with a small smile that – to his eyes – appeared forced. “It was a pleasure seeing you again. I hope you will come to visit another time.” Darcy nodded, trying to keep his expression neutral. She smiled at Lennox as he handed her into the carriage. Lennox helped Mrs. Gardiner in and then thumped on the side and the coach was gone.
The street was almost empty as Darcy watched the carriage glide smoothly down the cobblestones and turn at the corner. He was aware of a hollow ache in his chest. She is indifferent to me, he thought. She may already have an understanding with Lennox. Yet even in his despair he knew that he would come to Radnor House again, he had to. Silently he cursed himself for letting the colonel talk him into visiting Paris. He did not need to have his heart broken all over again.
The next day, Mr. Gardiner once again departed the house early to attend to his business. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner had hardly finished breakfast before Lord Lennox came to call. Although it was ostensibly Mrs. Radnor’s house, the mistress herself was occupied with an ill child; however, it was clear this did not inconvenience Lennox.
After half an hour of conversation, they had already exhausted the topics of the weather and the various beauties of the city. Lord Lennox was an attractive young man, but Elizabeth found his conversation rather dull and, unfortunately, plentiful. He was recounting a winning hand of piquet he had once played at White’s when the butler announced Mr. Darcy. At this information, Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes slid sideways toward her niece; she clearly had her ideas about why both men were visiting.
Elizabeth stifled a sigh of dismay. It had been awkward enough when Darcy had appeared immediately before their departure with Lennox the day before, but must they both visit at once? It was likely to be most uncomfortable. She reminded herself sternly that neither man had set about to disconcert her, but the awkwardness still embarrassed her.
Mr. Darcy strode in, but when his eyes fell upon Lord Lennox, he stiffened perceptibly. Had the two men previously had unpleasant dealings? But, no, Mr. Darcy had said they did not know one another.
“I see you have company. I will come again another time,” Darcy said, his expression was as b
lack as that day at Hunsford. As he turned to leave, Elizabeth could not bear the pain on his face. Regardless of his proud and unpleasant manner, she knew that she had treated him unjustly and he deserved better from her. She feared that her discomposure from the previous day had appeared to be coldness to Darcy.
