Page 92 of The Crown’s Gift

"To attend every dinner with my relations?"

"No."

"To entertain people I dislike?"

"Occasionally. I shall do the same."

"To produce an heir immediately?"

Darcy stopped walking. "I expect nothing of that nature as a debt. I hope for children. I do not marry you to obtain them."

The directness made her cheeks warm. "I hope for them too."

His hand closed over hers. "Then we may hope together and bear whatever comes together."

No one had spoken to Elizabeth of marriage with such honesty. Lady Bennet spoke of husbands, houses, and security. Married women whispered of confinement and duty. Darcy offered neither false ease nor demand.

"And Georgiana?" Elizabeth asked.

"She will remain with us until she chooses otherwise. I hope you will advise her, but I will not make you responsible for every happiness she lacks."

"I already love her."

"I know. That is different from obligation."

They had both learned distinctions.

One afternoon Darcy accompanied Sir Thomas across Netherfield's tenant farms. Elizabeth rode with them. At the Miller cottage, a woman brought out a baby with a rash. Sir Thomas listened, sent for Mr Jones, and asked after the older children by name.

On the road afterward, Darcy said, "The King gave you an estate in poor order."

"The Crown's agents collected income. They did not know the people."

"You do."

"Eventually. My first improvement was a new stable roof. Three tenant cottages leaked worse. Morris made me see it."

Darcy glanced at Elizabeth. "A trusted correction."

"An embarrassing one," Sir Thomas said. "Those are usually trusted afterward."

They stopped on a rise where Longbourn appeared beyond the trees.

"You will be far from them," Darcy said quietly to Elizabeth as Sir Thomas rode ahead.

"Three days is not exile."

"No. But your mother feels it."

"So do I."

Darcy drew his horse closer. "We may spend part of each year at Netherfield if your parents wish it. There is also no reason they cannot remain at Pemberley for long visits."

"Mama may rearrange your drawing room."

"Our drawing room."

Elizabeth smiled at the correction.