Page 23 of Mr. Darcy's Folly
They both sat quietly for a moment.
“May I ask . . .” Her voice trailed away.
“Please, Miss Bennet, ask whatever you wish.”
“If you thought the folly liable to collapse, why did you not mention it to me when we discussed it?”
“You said you did not like it, that you preferred the bluebells. As there seemed no danger to you, I did not like to expose the argument with my aunt, particularly as I could not seem to win it.” He closed his eyes. “My pride, I suppose.” His heart sank, for it was his own pride that had put Miss Elizabeth in danger as much as his aunt’s.
She was silent for a moment, studying him with a look he could not decipher. Then, with a small sigh, she leaned her head against the wall behind her. “I do not think you can be blamed for not knowing that I would be sitting in a folly I claimed to dislike at the precise moment the hill decided to swallow it up.”
“You are kind to say so.”
“Mr. Darcy.” She sighed. “I would never have thought it, but you do have something in common with my sister Jane. You both take blame for things that are not yours to own.”
Darcy thanked her.
“As for your family—I understand your frustration more than you might think,” she said quietly. “As the second daughter, I have long known my place. Jane is the maternal one—kind, patient, steady. I have always been the protector. It was my place to guard against my younger sisters’ follies, to smooth over my father’s neglect, to divert my mother’s worst impulses. But they are older now, less willing to listen—and it is a losing battle when I have no support from either parent.”
There was a trace of bitterness in her voice, and Darcy turned his head towards her, watching as she gazed off at some distant point. He had often thought of her family, had judged them harshly, but he had never considered what it must be to live among them, to love them despite their faults. Though hedidunderstand the weight of duty without the strength of authority. He felt that acutely just now.
“You think little of my family, Mr. Darcy,” she said, turning to look at him. “I know it. But tell me, do you not love your aunt, despite all her shortcomings? Even despite this folly?” She paused. “Or what is left of it?”
Darcy exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly and then regretting that he had. “At this moment, I do not possess any tender feelings for her at all.”
It was Miss Elizabeth’s turn to let out a startled laugh, and Darcy could not help but smile in return.
“Entirely fair,” she said.
They sat in silence for a time until Miss Elizabeth said something softly.
“I beg your pardon?” he asked.
“I asked, how is your sister? Am I to wish her and Mr. Bingley happy?”
“What?” He was all confusion, and his aching head did not help. “Whatever gave you such a notion?”
Her brows pinched together. “Miss Bingley sent Jane a letter when she closed Netherfield, informing her that Mr. Bingley preferred to be in town because he was courting your sister. According to her, you were all in expectation of an announcement.”
This was beyond believing, even for Miss Bingley. “My sister,” he said, “is not even out.”
Miss Elizabeth turned her head to meet his gaze. “I will not pretend that Jane was not greatly hurt by Mr. Bingley’s abandonment, but it would be better to know.”
“My sister is not betrothed to anyone,” he insisted. “She has only just turned sixteen, and I would ask you not to repeat Miss Bingley’s insinuations.”
Miss Elizabeth indicated their surroundings with a careful flick of her wrist. “That will not be a problem, sir.” She closed her eyes. “The note was sent last autumn. If Jane has shown it to my aunt, I would not blame her, butwedo not gossip.”
Well, there was that, at least. Darcy silently cursed Miss Bingley and then grew thoughtful. “I truly did not detect any particular interest in Bingley on your sister’s part.”
Miss Elizabeth’s reply was gentler than he had expected but still held a chastising note. “A woman is warned not to show her feelings before the man has spoken of his own. You have a sister. You should know that.”
He should.
After a few moments, Miss Elizabeth continued. “My sister told me that Mr. Bingley was just what a young man ought to be, which for her is high praise indeed.” She swallowed and attempted to shift her position. “If we are ever rescued, I trust you will at least inform your friend that you were wrong. Even if Mr. Bingley no longer cares for Jane, he ought to know, and to take better care not to injure another lady in future.”
He did not reply. He needed to think on it, and their situation made that difficult.
“And Miss Bingley?” Miss Elizabeth prodded after a few moments had passed. “Did she have the same thought about your sister and her brother?”
