I've been a good boy but here I go shooting off my mouth again. Suzanne, when you write that
The one thing that Elizabeth is confident in at this point is the fact that he loves her. I don't think there will ever be a time in this story when she worries about that.it makes me a little mad. Why does Elizabeth get to be so sure of Darcy? I wish she would start worrying. It would only be fair. I said it before, and I find I still think it although I got into hot water when I suggested it the last time. But Darcy needs to shake Elizabeth up by not being so easily dependable. Where else would she find a man who could offer her as much as Darcy. Don't tell me it's his fault for loving her. The way she behaves, I keep hoping he will come to his senses.
Even here at the end of this chapter, he has to satisfy himself with her smile when he knows there is something she is not telling him. She needs to get it into her head that she owes him more than a smile and the back of her hand in return for all that he willing to give her -- not just the money and position but his honest devotion. Other than Jane, he probably loves her more selflessly and completely than anyone ever has in her life. But Elizabeth sometimes she acts as if her stuff does not smell, if you know what I mean, as if he can be taken for granted. When he appeared in the dining room and she could see he was eager to speak with him, she barely even noticed him at first. (Don't even get me started on the fact that she seems to think she needs to keep jabbering with Wickham. I can only hope that he does something nasty that makes her see what a fool she is to think of him as a friend.)
At the very least, she needs to sit that family down, Mr. Bennet included, and lay down the law in terms of how they will talk to Darcy at all times. I know Mrs. Bennet doesn't mean harm, but she has to be made to understand there are certain things you don't say. It's her vulgarity that is hard for him to bear and Mrs. Bennet needs to have it explained that certain topics and questions are never brought up. Like, how many rooms in Pemberley, can you bring around your rich friends so I can toss the other girls in front of them, etc. If Elizabeth wants to give Darcy something beyond her precious hair, it should be the consideration of making her family act as if they have sense. He has the right to feel comfortable when he has to be around them, and Elizabeth is falling down on her job of educating them. In contrast, look at how Darcy did not mince words with his aunt. Maybe none of Elizabeth's family has been as bad as Lady Catherine but Lydia's sulks, Mr. Bennet's snideness, Kitty's expressive face -- it all adds up.
I just wish Elizabeth could have a moment of doubt to realize that Darcy is worth more to her than that whole family combined. Darcy is already willing to put Elizabeth first, but she does not give him the same courtesy.
This is not to say that I am not reading the story avidly. I am. Hence, the long comment. I am hoping for satisfaction eventually. To those of you who say he picked her to love, well, men do sometimes change their minds. That ought to be a realistic possibility and I would not hold it against Darcy if he does, not as long as Elizabeth is giving so little.
