Page 26 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations
“Then the best solution would be not to tell her,” Mr. Darcy responded with a trace of a smile on his lips. “Would you not agree, Miss Bennet?”
“Yes,” she replied, again surprised by his manner.
“Mama, Miss Bennet’s name is also Elizabeth, but her mother calls her Lizzy! I think I like Lizzy more than Betsy. Can you call me that?”
“Be silent, child,” the mother requested with apparent mortification, but Elizabeth smiled and touched the top of the girl’s head.
“Betsy is quite lovely too.”
“Let us go now,” Mrs. Gilroy said. “I beg you to forgive me, sir, miss…I must feed the children and then finish my work.”
“Of course.”
“Mama, can we come tomorrow and talk to Mr. Darcy again?” Peter asked as they walked away. “I love his dog — did you see how large it is? These puppies will never be so big, Mr. Darcy said. I think Mr. Darcy knows everything. He is very clever. And very kind.”
Their mother tried to silence them, but the children continued to chat, glancing back and waving at Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
When they were finally alone, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy looked at each other. Only then did she notice he was wearing no hat, and there were some leaves in his hair from sitting under the trees.
“Miss Bennet, are you returning to the Parsonage?”
“Yes…”
“Do you mind if I keep you company?”
She was stunned again.
“No, not at all…”
She glanced back, seeing that both his dog and his horse were following him freely. Both were tall, impressive, and looked frightening, yet they followed their master so calmly.
“I am surprised Colonel Fitzwilliam is not with you.”
“He went to the village. He should be back soon. I preferred to spend a little time with my new friends.”
Elizabeth smiled and turned her head away. He looked at her, clearly intrigued, and she decided to reply.
“Calling those lovely children your friends and seeing you play with them is something I would have never imagined.”
“May I ask why not?”
“Why not? Because nothing I have seen since we first met suggested such partiality for playfulness or that sort of kindness.”
The last word slipped from her lips, and he gazed at her.
“I see…so your opinion of me forbade you from believing I might send food to a young widow who is raising three children,” he asked with some severity.
“Oh, no! That I can easily believe. I have long heard that you are an excellent master and landlord, and I am sure you show kindness and generosity to those in need.”
“Then…I do not understand your meaning…”
“Perhaps we would do better to change the subject, sir. I should not have said anything.”
“Please speak your mind, Miss Bennet. I have always admired your sincerity and will certainly not be bothered by hearing your honest opinion.”
She knew she should not speak further, but she did, and her irritation grew with every word. Things that she had not imagined would be said came out with frightening and imprudent haste.
“I know you are a man of many qualities, Mr. Darcy, but I never believed gentleness, kindness, and friendliness to strangers outside your circle of family and friends to be among them. I find it easier to believe that you might provide food and shelter to someone in need than that you play with children and their puppies.”
“You speak of my many qualities, but what I hear sounds more like flaws of character.”
“I apologise. I only spoke my mind as you requested. I might be wrong. I told you a while ago that I failed in sketching your character as I hear such different accounts of you that puzzle me exceedingly.”
“I remember. And I also told you that I know you have received reports that vary greatly with respect to me, so I begged you not to sketch my character as there were reasons to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either of us.”
“I would have gladly waited to complete that performance, Mr. Darcy, and perhaps to enquire further in regard to the various reports. However, I did not have that chance as you left unexpectedly and never returned. Neither you nor Mr. Bingley, who promised to be back in one week. Perhaps in London, weeks are longer than in Hertfordshire.”
Her statement clearly took him by surprise, and he looked at her with a frown as if he had not truly comprehended her meaning.
“Are there questions you wish to ask me now, Miss Bennet?”
“There might be, but, without being rude, I fear your answers, whether you decide to provide them or not.”
Strangely, he laughed bitterly, puzzling her.
“Betsy and Peter told me their mother is afraid to speak to me. I would never have imagined that you would be afraid to talk to me too, Miss Bennet.”
“I am not afraid to speak to you, Mr. Darcy. I am perhaps afraid of things you might tell me or conceal from me. However, I know I have no right to expect any answers from you. After all, we are nothing to each other except mere acquaintances who have always been enemies more than friends.”
He was speechless and look bewildered, while she continued; the Parsonage was already in sight.
“Sir, perhaps you should wonder what the excellent things are that you do as a habit that everyone praises you for — from your servants to complete strangers. And what are the things that perhaps require some improvement so that people — no matter who they are — will not be afraid to address you.”
He looked pale and disturbed and still did not reply.
“Forgive me if I said too much. I thank you for keeping me company, Mr. Darcy. Good day.”
She took a few steps, then he called to her, and she stopped.
“Miss Bennet, you have not said too much. Perhaps you have not said enough. I have no intention of concealing the truth if you wish to hear it. I shall be in the same place tomorrow. If you happen to be in the area, I am sure the children would be happy to see you. As for being enemies, that might express your feelings, but it certainly does not reflect mine. Good day, Miss Bennet.”