Page 13 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

Darcy Senior’s study opened slightly, and Lady Priscilla’s head emerged from the parlour Georgiana and Elizabeth had departed from moments earlier as Miss Elizabeth raged on. “Before you ascribe any intention of mine to your person, sir, let us be perfectly clear that I am Miss Darcy’s friend, and that if I ever endure any of your company, it will be for her sake. For I find you the most monstrously prideful, unfeeling, worst possible villain I have ever met, and the very last man in the entire world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry!”

She turned and swept his sister into a fierce hug, then whirled and left the house in a splendid exit. Darcy turned to his sister with shame in his expression as a sob caught in Georgiana’s throat, and she turned and fled up the stairs.

“Darcy! What have you done?” Priscilla glared at him as she pushed by and followed her cousin up the stairs with all speed.

His father turned away and closed the study door firmly.

Darcy stood alone in the hall wondering what to do, then realised there was only one thing he could do. He left the house by the front door and went after Miss Elizabeth Bennet with all haste.

Chapter Seven

“Miss Elizabeth! Miss Bennet, please stop!”

Darcy called from behind her as Miss Elizabeth reached the end of the path that led to the lane. She hesitated by the gate as he reached her, his long strides catching up to her quickly.

“Miss Elizabeth,” He attempted to speak, struggling with the greatest anxiety and distress. “I know that after the scene you just witnessed, you have no reason at all to believe any persuasion of mine, but I hope you will do me the honour of allowing me to make my apologies in spite of the fact that I do not deserve your time or even your attention.”

She removed her hand from the gate and crossed her arms indignantly. “You may proceed.”

Darcy had actually expected her to refuse to hear him, and so everything he might have said promptly left his head. She watched him gape like a fish for a moment, then rolled her eyes and turned back to the gate.

“Miss Elizabeth, the only thing I can say is that I am truly sorry. There is no excuse for me to have ascribed to you the vile intentions that I suggested.”

“That is all you have to apologise for?” Her expression had every appearance of disbelief.

“No, no, of course not!” He was uneasy as he attempted to explain incoherently. “It was unpardonable for me to refer to it as I did in my sister’s presence, but what I described is precisely what happened to Georgiana. She overheard her own friends plotting against her. She had to be taken away from school.”

“Just because some vile girls, mere school children, insulted your sister, does not mean that–”

“Of course, of course!” Darcy agreed. “It is only that I share my sister’s reserve. We have always been thus, and while she has been dreading entering society, I have been subjected to it for years, and it has always been this way. It is impossible to make sincere friends. Dangerous to trust anyone outside of our family circle. Everyone knows that my father is ill, that it may not be long before I come into my inheritance, and it makes me an even more attractive marriage prospect. I cannot deny that I do not allow many strangers close to me. I worry about my sister, for eventually she must face it as well, and I shamed myself and my family just now when I allowed my anxiety to become the master of me, in anyone’s presence.”

Miss Elizabeth watched him carefully. “I would certainly feel ashamed if I had ever spoken thusly.”

“Though I always strive for composure and good regulation, I fear that I had several unpleasant experiences today, one right after another, and when I had reacted badly once, I did it again almost immediately in a fit of temper that I hope never to display again. The fault is entirely mine. I will go to my sister as soon as I leave you to beg her forgiveness, but I pray that I may also obtain yours, for if you have been kind to my sister, I owe you gratitude, not insult.”

“Very well, Mr Darcy. I forgive you.” Miss Elizabeth curtsied and turned back to the gate for the third time.

“Just like that?” Darcy appeared astounded.

“Is that not what you sought?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Somehow I feel that something is missing from this exchange.” His brows raised as she took a step back from him. “You gave in so easily. I sense this is not usual for your character.”

“Do you question the sincerity of my forgiveness?” Miss Elizabeth scowled. “We are taught to forgive others their trespasses. Perhaps my feelings regarding your conduct have not yet abated, but I have said I forgive you and I will forgive you. Society will never hear a cruel word about you from my lips, but I hope you do not expect me to kneel down and pray over it right here in the garden.”

“Of course not,” he agreed quickly. “So when we meet again–”

“Mr Darcy, I hope that when we meet again, that you will be gentleman enough to maintain your distance.”

“But–” he attempted before she interrupted him again.

“Forgiveness is not friendship,” she informed him sternly. “As I told you inside, I am your sister’s friend, and that does not imply any interest in your company whatsoever. I have four sisters, all of whom have befriended Miss Darcy. Do you intend to become their bosom companions as well? I thought these were the sort of connections you wished to avoid.”

“Well, perhaps I might not be suited to a close connection with all of your sisters. Some of them are quite young, I have heard, but I most fervently hope to become your friend,” Darcy attempted. This young lady talked circles around him until he was quite tongue-tied.

“Quite sentimental, Mr Darcy, but friendship is not what I promised. I promised you forgiveness. My friendship must be earned, and you do not merit it just by virtue of your relation to my friend. My regard is awarded by respect and esteem.” Miss Elizabeth curtsied again. “Sir, I thank you for your apology, but it is far past time that I took my leave. I really must return home. My stepmother needs me.”

“Where are you going?” Darcy asked in confusion as she opened the gate.