Page 54 of May I Have the Pleasure
Darcy did not feel up to dealing with Mr Bennet, and Elizabeth also lacked enthusiasm, so she wrote him a note and asked a footman to deliver it—to the man who was less than thirty feet away. That task complete, they gathered their outer clothing and exited the house.
Darcy offered his arm, and she took it with only slight hesitation.
As they approached the park, he said, “I assume you prefer not to be introduced to my acquaintances. If you have no objection, I know several wilder paths that are unlikely to be occupied, and if they are, it will be by people even more taciturn than me, if you can imagine such a creature.”
Elizabeth laughed a bit, wondering where he kept his sense of humour when not in use, but then just squeezed his arm to indicate her acceptance of the plan.
Strolling
They spent the short journey to Hyde Park walking in contented silence with a footman trailing unobtrusively behind for propriety’s sake. Both vacillated between thinking furiously and simply trying to enjoy the walk.
As they entered the park, Darcy pointed out different paths, along with each route’s important characteristics. They went into one rather secluded wooded trail, its entrance almost invisible from the main walkway.
“I suppose this is a hidden treasure for locals,” she observed.
“Not just locals. I suspect if you visited the park a few times you would discover it. The path is not exactly hidden but making it obvious would defeat the purpose.”
They walked along the secluded path for some time, neither quite willing to challenge the silence just yet.
At long last, Elizabeth noticed the sun was closer to setting than rising, and thought it was a good metaphor for the choices she would have to make. She also had to arrange lodging for her and her father. She supposed that if Mr Darcy was willing to offer marriage, he could probably offer a bed for the night; but it had not been discussed, nor had she notified the Gardiners of an impending visit. But, of course, she reflected that thinking of such practical matters was just an excuse to avoid discussing harder topics.
She took a deep breath and began. “I suppose we should talk about your extraordinary… well… I do not know exactly what to call it. I suppose ‘proposal’ is not the right word. Perhaps pre-proposal? suggestion? scheme?”
Darcy chuckled. “If you want an unambiguous proposal in the usual form, I would be happy to make it straightaway.”
“I am not prepared to hear it just yet. I believe we must have some conversation first.”
“I am at your disposal.”
She thought furiously for a few more minutes as they ambled along. They passed someone Darcy obviously knew, but he just tipped his hat and continued.
Elizabeth finally said, “I suppose we have several things to discuss. To start, let us take your assertion that you like me well enough, and perhaps might even love me, at face value for the moment—much as it both strains credulity and demands explanations of your behaviour. How can you account for it?How could you begin? I can comprehend you're going on charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first place?"
"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."
“Elaborate,” she said in some exasperation.
Darcy pondered for a few minutes. “I suppose it is many things. As contrary as it sounds, I suppose I am partially falling in love with you because you dislike me so intensely.”
“Will you eventually start making sense?” she asked, shaking her head in confusion while silently thinking herall men are idiotstheory was gaining credence by the moment.
“Perhaps. Let me ask a few questions that may help. Do you find me reasonably handsome… or at least handsome enough as to not dim my marital prospects.”
“Do not fish for compliments. I already told you I found you handsome.”
“I am more trying to be comprehensive than fishing for compliments. I share at least something with your elder sister.”
“I suppose so, though I have a hard time working out your point. If you assert a major handsomeness gap between you and Mr Collins, that does nothing save boast that you are not stone-blind.”
He chuckled. “I assume we may similarly dispense with the rest of the eligibility criteria. I am rich, young, healthy,well-educated, in full control of my fortune, can boast connections to peers, and so forth.”
“Yes, yes—in principle you areastonishinglyeligible. I suspect you are presently wondering whether I am obstinate or stupid, since I am not jumping on your proposal like a dog on a bone. Will that suffice?”
“It will. Now… do you think Mrs Bennet is the first mercenary mother I encountered… or the worst… or even in the top three dozen?”
Elizabeth ducked her head and blushed in shame.
Darcy quickly added, “I am not criticizing your mother, much as it sounds like it. I am simply trying to establish a point.”
