Page 9 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

“Miss Eliza has some peculiar tastes,” Miss Bingley said. “She favours reading over playing cards even at parties, and her favourite activity is walking, regardless of the weather or the distance — even if it is over three miles! It can easily be said that she is a great reader and a great walker.”

“I am not sure whether your remark was meant as praise or criticism, Miss Bingley, so I shall accept both. I see no reason to apologise for my preferences,” Elizabeth replied.

“As for the particular instance you refer to, I did walk three miles on a muddy road to see my sister who was ill at Netherfield.” Elizabeth felt annoyed already; and she still held a grudge against the two dishonest sisters.

“You certainly have no reason to apologise, Miss Bennet,” she heard Darcy interjecting.

Surprised, she looked at him, and he continued, “I have always considered the improvement of one’s mind through extensive reading to be a quality in a man or a woman.

And concern and loyalty towards a sister is certainly something admirable. ”

His serious tone bewildered Elizabeth as much as his favourable words.

She remembered his statement about improving one’s mind from one evening at Netherfield.

And the mention of loyalty for a family member could have been a clear hint at Miss Bingley’s dishonesty, so she felt induced to support him.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We have not always been in agreement, but I daresay, in essentials we value similar things. With some exceptions, perhaps, regarding certain circumstances or certain people. But each of us have our moments of prejudice and misjudgement.”

Mr. Darcy stared at her, a frown between his eyes, in an apparent effort to understand her meaning. She was referring both to his involvement in Mr. Bingley’s departure as well to Mr. Wickham’s situation, but surely he could not guess that.

“I cannot either agree or disagree with your statement, Miss Elizabeth, as I am not sure how well I comprehend it. I hope my statement was as clear as I intended it to be.”

“My brother and I walk often when we are at Pemberley,” Miss Darcy said.

“I have said it many times — Pemberley is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen. However, one would probably need weeks to see it on foot,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“That is true.” Miss Darcy smiled.

“I remember your father often riding from Pemberley to Lambton. We, as children, always recognised him from afar. His posture was unmistakable. He always rode large, frightening horses. I remember Lady Anne also riding, but that was long ago.”

“My mother was an excellent rider, but she was too weak for exercise in her last years,” Mr. Darcy answered. “My sister is an excellent rider too,” he added with apparent pride.

“That is because I learnt from you when I was not even four,” the girl answered with an affectionate look at her brother.

“The truth is Georgiana is excellent at anything she attempts,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, causing Miss Darcy to blush. “So is Darcy, except that he is not as kind as she is,” he jested. Mr. Darcy smiled, but it looked a little forced.

“My sister Jane is a good rider too,” Elizabeth said. “I also learnt to ride, but for some reason, horses always intimidated me. I find that walking suits me best.”

“I am sure you would enjoy riding too, Miss Elizabeth, if you gave it a try,” Mr. Darcy said with another smile that puzzled Elizabeth.

“I might, but my father has only two horses, and they are usually needed on the farm. So I have few chances to practise for my own amusement.”

“Having only two horses might be a great inconvenience,” Mrs. Hurst uttered.

“It depends,” Elizabeth replied calmly, even though she noticed the hidden offence. “It seems walking is a good choice for me. Of all my walks — which have been quite numerous — the one in Hyde Park was certainly the most fortunate.”

“My mother said so too,” the colonel responded in the same light tone.

“I agree!” Mr. Bingley interjected. “Without that meeting, I wonder when I would have discovered that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were in town!” he added with a meaningful glare at his sisters.

“You have a lovely house here,” Mrs. Gardiner declared in an obvious attempt to change the subject. “We were delighted to receive your invitation.”

“I am exceedingly happy to have you here, Mrs. Gardiner. I am only sorry that I was not at home to greet you properly on your previous visit,” he said, and another glare at his sisters followed.

Elizabeth enjoyed her time exceedingly. She could not help being satisfied by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst’s obvious discomfort, in opposition to Jane and Mr. Bingley’s joy.

She spoke extensively with the colonel and Miss Darcy, but Mr. Darcy puzzled her.

He looked at her intently — as he had done many times in the past — but there was something different in his countenance and in his eyes.

His manners towards her relatives were friendly and unassuming, as she had never seen from him before.

She also observed his tender concern for his sister, which revealed the affectionate bond between the two — and his amusing exchanges with his cousin, who did not hesitate to tease him at times.

With the disdain and grudge she held against him assuming he had separated Mr. Bingley and Jane, Elizabeth found herself unsure of what to think of Mr. Darcy’s true character.

Everyone else seemed to have a favourable opinion of him, but she could not so easily forgive his selfish and cruel actions that had condemned Mr. Wickham to poverty, even if Mr. Darcy might have some reason of his own for his behaviour.

She felt more and more tempted to ask him about that story — an impulse she tried to dismiss.

The pleasant dinner party ended quite late, and it would have probably lasted longer if the guests had not had a long ride home.