Page 32 of The Briar Bargain (The Rom Com Collection #3)

“Is something only Miss Bingley and perhaps Mrs. Hurst would know.” She related how she had attempted to return the drawing several times and it had somehow found its way back to her, and he chuckled.

“I wonder that she thought she would not be found out.”

Miss Elizabeth tipped her head to one side and smiled. “I suspect Miss Bingley expected the shocking revelation of my depravity would prevent further questions from being asked.”

He paused before returning to something she had said earlier. “Your father has an interest in the anatomical form?”

"Oh yes, though his approach is rather more theoretical than practical. He has quite an extensive library on scientific matters. Medical texts, treatises on agriculture, legal commentaries. I confess I have developed something of a habit of borrowing from his collection."

Mr. Darcy's eyebrows rose with genuine interest. "Indeed? Are there any subjects that capture your attention more than others?"

Elizabeth hesitated, suddenly aware that she was venturing into territory that most would consider odd for a young lady. But there was a quality of serious attention in his inquiry that suggested he would not dismiss her interests as unwomanly frivolity. It encouraged her to continue.

"I find myself drawn to legal texts and treatises, particularly those concerning the rights and protections afforded to women and children under English law.

" She watched his face carefully, prepared for the polite but dismissive response such admissions usually provoked.

“The revisions of the settlement laws for those unfortunate children born outside of marriage are what I have been reading of late. It seems to me a curious sort of backward justice to fine a mother for her misfortune and relieve the father of every duty. If the law is to be blind, it ought at least to be even-handed.”

She glanced up at his face, expecting him to be embarrassed or even offended at her choice of subject.

Instead, his expression sharpened with unmistakable interest. "A subject of considerable importance, though I confess it is not often discussed in polite society."

“Perhaps if it was, we would see laws that benefitted those who most need society’s protection.”

"You speak as one who has given the matter considerable study."

"I believe some knowledge of the law is essential, even if as a woman I cannot directly influence it," she admitted with a rueful smile.

“When one comprehends how the law touches every aspect of daily life, particularly for those with no power to defend themselves, ignorance seems . . . irresponsible."

Mr. Darcy was quiet for a moment, and Elizabeth feared she had revealed too much of her unconventional interests. But when he spoke, his voice carried a hint of something that might have been admiration.

"Your approach is most thoughtful. I confess I had not considered how rarely such knowledge is accessible to those it most directly affects. "

"Exactly!" Elizabeth's enthusiasm overcame her caution, and she could feel her cheeks warming.

The look Mr. Darcy gave her was unlike any she had received from him before. Something in his eyes made her heart beat a little harder.

"Your knowledge extends beyond legal matters, I imagine?"

"Oh, I suppose I have some small skill in medical remedies," she admitted. "My mother, Jane, and I work together in our stillroom, following recipes that have been in our family for generations. Mamma has her own mother's book of remedies, and we continue to add to it as we learn new preparations."

"You create medicines?"

"Simple ones. My father does not really trust physicians.

The Bennet family has a rule not to call one until and unless every other attempt has been made.

Mr. Jones, our apothecary, has been most helpful in guiding our efforts, and he even uses some of my grandmother's remedies in his own practice. "

Mr. Darcy's expression grew thoughtful. "Your interest in healing arts complements your legal studies, in a way. Both involve understanding how to help those who face difficulties."

Elizabeth felt a flutter of pleasure at his insight. "I had not considered the connection in quite those terms, but yes, I suppose they do share that common purpose."

"And both require careful study of complex systems," he added. "The human body, the body of law, each with its own intricate relationships and dependencies."

"You speak as one who understands such complexities yourself," Elizabeth replied, ready to move the attention away from her interests. "Your anatomical studies, are they purely artistic, or do they serve some other practical purpose? "

A slight flush coloured his cheeks. "Both, perhaps.

I first became interested in such work at university when I encountered Leonardo da Vinci's sketches.

The precision with which he rendered human form while simultaneously advancing medical understanding seemed to unite art and science in the most elegant way. "

"And your own work? Does it serve a similar dual purpose?"

"I hope so."

"You apply medical knowledge to agriculture?"

"And to sheep.” He chuckled. “My hope is to understand how bodies function, what promotes health and what causes disease, and how similar principles apply to the management of livestock and land.

Proper nutrition, adequate rest, safety from harmful influences .

. ." He paused, seeming to realize he was speaking with unusual freedom. "But my theories must be tedious."

"On the contrary," Elizabeth said warmly.

Mr. Darcy's eyes brightened at her response. "You truly find such matters of interest?"

"Indeed I do. The idea that land— “

“And sheep,” he added.

“And sheep,” she repeated, smiling, “like a human body, can be maintained far longer through proper care seems both scientifically sound and morally responsible."

"Yes." His reserve seemed to fall away entirely in his enthusiasm.

"I believe that land, at least, if properly tended, can continue to provide abundantly for generations. But it requires a scientific understanding of soil composition, of which crops complement rather than deplete each other, of how weather patterns affect growth cycles. Agriculture and anatomy are connected, in my mind.” He paused, looking at her with an expression she could not quite interpret.

"I do not often have the opportunity to discuss such matters with .

. . that is, most people find such topics rather dull. "

Elizabeth felt a pang of something that might have been longing.

Here was a man whose mind worked in ways that were similar to her own, who shared her belief that knowledge should serve practical purposes, who seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts on subjects most would dismiss as inappropriate for feminine consideration.

If only circumstances were different. If only she were the sort of woman a man like Mr. Darcy could choose. A woman of fortune or standing.

But she was not. Even if she sometimes caught him looking at her with something warmer than mere friendship, she could not allow herself to hope for more.

A man of his position, his responsibilities, his connections needed a wife who could enhance his standing in society, not one who read law books and made herbal remedies.

"I should return inside," she said quietly, suddenly aware they had been standing quite close together, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. "Jane will wonder what has become of me."

"Of course," he agreed, though something in his voice suggested reluctance. "Perhaps we might continue such discussions in future? I have some books on agricultural methods that might interest you, and I should welcome your perspective on their practical applications."

Elizabeth felt something thrill inside her. "I should like that very much."

The smile he gave her in response was warmer than any she had seen from him before, and Elizabeth felt her resolve to maintain proper perspective waver.