she resolved to do her best to please him.
Part way to Netherfield, Darcy stopped the carriage and presented her with a small jewelry box. “I hope you will wear this now we have your father’s blessing.”
Elizabeth opened the box and gasped at the beauty of the ring inside. It was a large square-cut emerald with a cluster of small diamonds on either side. She was so surprised that all she could say was, “Oh, my!”
Darcy took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. The fit was perfect. Extending her hand to admire the ring, Elizabeth was amazed at how it sparkled in the sun. She was overwhelmed. Somehow the ring made their engagement more real than she was ready to acknowledge.
“I do not know what to say.”
“You do like it?” he said looking a little worried.
“Of course! I am just overcome by your thoughtfulness and by the ring itself. I have never seen such a beautiful emerald.”
“It belonged to my Grandmother Darcy. If you are not satisfied with the way it fits, I will have the jeweler adjust it to your liking.”
“No, it is perfect, but you do not have to give me an engagement present,” said Elizabeth feeling a little self-conscious about the elegance of the gift.
“I hope it will be the first of many.”
“I do not want you to think I expect lavish gifts. My tastes are simple and I…” she hesitated.
“I believe I am beginning to know something of your preferences.”
“You are?” she asked, curious as to what he might say.
“I know you like daisies, lily of the valley, and the color yellow. You take milk and sugar in your coffee but only sugar in your tea. You tend to avoid most sweets, but you cannot resist anything with strawberries—which by the way, we grow in the hot house at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth was astonished at his recitation. “What else have you observed?”
“I know you do not like to be late, so I think we should continue on our way.”
As they rode on to Netherfield, Elizabeth pondered all of this and then began to wonder if she knew as much about him. She resolved to be more observant of his likes and dislikes in the future as it would be part of her job as his wife to notice these things and to help arrange their lives for his comfort.
When they reached Netherfield, he helped her down and placed her hand on his arm in a possessive way to lead her into the house. Going up the steps, Darcy complimented her on how well she looked that afternoon. Although Elizabeth was more nervous than she had expected to be, she gave him a warm smile she hoped would please him. Darcy told her that Mr. Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Hurst were still in London. This information pleased Elizabeth, as she would not have Miss Bingley’s critical eye constantly on her when she was introduced to Miss Darcy.
Upon entering the drawing room, a tall, slender young woman stood to greet them. Although little more than sixteen, her figure was womanly and graceful. There was a certain sweetness in her manner that won Elizabeth over almost immediately. She was also introduced to Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion, who immediately excused herself to see to the refreshments.
Much to Elizabeth’s surprise, after their formal introduction, Miss Darcy began by asking after Mr. Bennet’s health. She also expressed her concern for Elizabeth’s entire family and the anguish they must be experiencing. Her sincerity and thoughtfulness touched Elizabeth’s heart. While Miss Darcy’s reception of her was all that was proper, Elizabeth quickly confirmed that she was indeed quite shy and reserved. Some people might mistakenly consider her demeanor as proud or disdainful, but Elizabeth saw her reserve for what it really was and resolved to begin by engaging her on subjects she knew would be of interest.
“Miss Darcy, your brother tells me that music is your greatest love and that you play the pianoforte exceedingly well.”
Georgiana blushed slightly and gave her brother a
Part way to Netherfield, Darcy stopped the carriage and presented her with a small jewelry box. “I hope you will wear this now we have your father’s blessing.”
Elizabeth opened the box and gasped at the beauty of the ring inside. It was a large square-cut emerald with a cluster of small diamonds on either side. She was so surprised that all she could say was, “Oh, my!”
Darcy took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. The fit was perfect. Extending her hand to admire the ring, Elizabeth was amazed at how it sparkled in the sun. She was overwhelmed. Somehow the ring made their engagement more real than she was ready to acknowledge.
“I do not know what to say.”
“You do like it?” he said looking a little worried.
“Of course! I am just overcome by your thoughtfulness and by the ring itself. I have never seen such a beautiful emerald.”
“It belonged to my Grandmother Darcy. If you are not satisfied with the way it fits, I will have the jeweler adjust it to your liking.”
“No, it is perfect, but you do not have to give me an engagement present,” said Elizabeth feeling a little self-conscious about the elegance of the gift.
“I hope it will be the first of many.”
“I do not want you to think I expect lavish gifts. My tastes are simple and I…” she hesitated.
“I believe I am beginning to know something of your preferences.”
“You are?” she asked, curious as to what he might say.
“I know you like daisies, lily of the valley, and the color yellow. You take milk and sugar in your coffee but only sugar in your tea. You tend to avoid most sweets, but you cannot resist anything with strawberries—which by the way, we grow in the hot house at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth was astonished at his recitation. “What else have you observed?”
“I know you do not like to be late, so I think we should continue on our way.”
As they rode on to Netherfield, Elizabeth pondered all of this and then began to wonder if she knew as much about him. She resolved to be more observant of his likes and dislikes in the future as it would be part of her job as his wife to notice these things and to help arrange their lives for his comfort.
When they reached Netherfield, he helped her down and placed her hand on his arm in a possessive way to lead her into the house. Going up the steps, Darcy complimented her on how well she looked that afternoon. Although Elizabeth was more nervous than she had expected to be, she gave him a warm smile she hoped would please him. Darcy told her that Mr. Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Hurst were still in London. This information pleased Elizabeth, as she would not have Miss Bingley’s critical eye constantly on her when she was introduced to Miss Darcy.
Upon entering the drawing room, a tall, slender young woman stood to greet them. Although little more than sixteen, her figure was womanly and graceful. There was a certain sweetness in her manner that won Elizabeth over almost immediately. She was also introduced to Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion, who immediately excused herself to see to the refreshments.
Much to Elizabeth’s surprise, after their formal introduction, Miss Darcy began by asking after Mr. Bennet’s health. She also expressed her concern for Elizabeth’s entire family and the anguish they must be experiencing. Her sincerity and thoughtfulness touched Elizabeth’s heart. While Miss Darcy’s reception of her was all that was proper, Elizabeth quickly confirmed that she was indeed quite shy and reserved. Some people might mistakenly consider her demeanor as proud or disdainful, but Elizabeth saw her reserve for what it really was and resolved to begin by engaging her on subjects she knew would be of interest.
“Miss Darcy, your brother tells me that music is your greatest love and that you play the pianoforte exceedingly well.”
Georgiana blushed slightly and gave her brother a
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