Page 8 of Idle Gossip

“What do you propose, sir?”

“I very much wish to marry you, but I cannot force your affection. Perhaps the rumors can be amended by my aunt—that we are courting. I should very much like to do so if you will allow it. A courtship might be severed easier than an engagement.”

It pained him to offer this compromise. He would like nothing more than to ride to London for marriage articles on the morrow, but he did not wish for an unwilling wife.

I have made a muck of things, he admitted silently. I need to court her properly and show her I am not a beast.

“I am very sorry for my words, Miss Elizabeth. They were patently untrue. Will you forgive me?”

“A very pretty apology, sir. I cannot forgive you unless I can see you are truly changed. And I can see no way forward other than what you propose. Be warned, sir, that my mother will take a courtship as tantamount to a proposal. If you think her exuberant now, it will grow worse.”

“I shall endeavor to prove myself to you, then.” Darcy raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thank you for this chance.”

“It is only that, sir. A chance.” Elizabeth sighed. “Idle gossip—the most damaging of conversations.”

“And yet we all partake willingly at one time or another.” Darcy had long thought that men were just as notorious as their female counterparts when it came to tittle-tattle.

Elizabeth stood. “Shall we?” He nodded, and she led the way from the small library.

Mrs. Bennet waited for them in the drawing-room. She had already been informed of Jane and Bingley’s engagement, made official while Darcy and Elizabeth spoke in the library.

“Oh, my dear Elizabeth! Ten thousand a year! Mr. Darcy, you are such a clever man to see my Lizzy’s worth. Will you remain to dine with us? This deserves a celebration. Two daughters married!”

“Mama, Mr. Darcy and I are not engaged. We are merely courting.” Elizabeth wished to curb her mother’s delight as soon as possible. She had no intention of marrying Mr. Darcy. They would perform for their neighbors and then declare they did not suit.

But he says he has admired you for some time. He called you handsome. Yes, it was flattering, but it did not completely remove the distaste Elizabeth had fed for some weeks.

“Courtship, engagement—they are very nearly the same thing.” Mrs. Bennet waved a dismissive hand. “Can you imagine? Ten thousand a year! The carriages, the jewels.”

Elizabeth cast a glance at Mr. Darcy designed to say, “I told you how it would be.” To his credit, his usual disdain and aloofness were absent. He seemed strangely delighted at the turn of events.

Charlotte was right. The thought was bitter. Elizabeth prided herself on her judgment of character. Had she been so entirely mistaken in Darcy’s?

A man of his station willing to do the honorable thing? Unheard of. Elizabeth could only conclude that he spoke honestly—he had wished to court her.

By staying aloof, he prevented himself from raising expectations, she realized. Perhaps what she saw as disdain for her family had not been that at all.

Mary, Kitty, and Lydia returned from Meryton and were regaled with the news. Lydia’s first words were to demand a season in town as Jane or Elizabeth’s guest once they were married. Jane responded that Mary would have the first turn since she was the next eldest. Before Lydia could protest, she continued, telling all the sisters that their invitations were dependent on their behavior.

“Town is not the same as the country,” she said. “You must practice town manners.”

The three youngest transformed over dinner that night. Elizabeth could not help but admire their efforts. The behavior was not perfect, but it was far better than it had ever been before.

Jane and Elizabeth escorted their gentlemen to the door when the evening concluded. Elizabeth stood awkwardly next to Darcy as Jane and Bingley exchanged loving sentiments a few steps away.

“Perhaps a walk tomorrow?” Darcy finally asked. “It would be an opportunity to know each other better.”

“That sounds agreeable.” Elizabeth glanced at him. He was so tall! “I have many questions.”

“As have I. We shall have to take turns.” His smile blossomed, and she was shocked to note he had a dimple on one cheek.

“Good night, Mr. Darcy.” Goodness, but he was handsome. If he kept smiling like that, she might just learn to forgive him.

News reached Charlotte of the rumors before the day ended. Miss Lydia Bennet had sneaked out after the evening meal and made her way the short distance to Lucas Lodge. Maria wasted no time in informing Charlotte that Jane was engaged and Mr. Darcy was courting Elizabeth.

She smiled smugly as she sipped a cup of chocolate in front of her fire. All was proceeding as planned, and she had only a little guilt for her part in it.

Chapter Five