"Mr. Darcy, excellent match. You are quite the competitor." Mr. Phillips gasped and wiped his brow. "While I appreciate you did not give me an easy match due to my advanced age. My muscles will be cursing you tomorrow."
"Well, you did say not to go easy on you." Darcy smiled, barely out of breath.
"Yes, yes, it is gratifying you took me at my word. But you are a man of sense and should know I am not to be believed. I shall creak for a fortnight. At least. Perhaps lack of a challenger is not the only reason I have not fenced in some time."
"Shall we sit then?" Darcy gestured toward the chairs placed in the Netherfield conservatory. The rest of the household was still abed after yesterday's ball.
"Shall you haul me up when my legs cease to function?" Phillips asked. Promise made; the gentlemen sat. A footman came in with a tea tray. They enjoyed a companionable silence as they partook of their quick repast.
"Did you enjoy the ball? I noticed you danced with Jane." Mr. Phillips was not surprised to see Mr. Darcy dance, but he was surprised at the choice of Bennet sister. Despite Elizabeth's resistance, he thought the two might one day find their way to an understanding.
"Yes, Miss Bennet was a pleasant partner. Should Bingley ever pluck up the courage, she will be the making of my friend."
"You do not frown upon the match?" Blast, Lizzy has got into my head. He apologized almost as soon as the words left his mouth. "I am sorry. That question does not deserve an answer, Darcy. I know better."
"You would not have been far from the mark only a few months ago. I am afraid I thought too highly of myself and my situation."
"What changed?"
"There was the incident involving my sister. It gave me perspective. I wondered why I have placed so much value on status and connection. Why should I wish to emulate or impress or hide things from those for whom I care little? I also credit your friendship, brief though it may be, as a positive influence I have been missing since my father's passing. You, your good wife, and the people of Meryton, showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions at acting the gentlemen I was raised to be. I had forgotten that kindness and humility are characteristics I should always exhibit, regardless the company."
"I do not know what to say. I value with our friendship as well, son, and hope it may continue after your leave Netherfield." Mr. Phillips was surprised at Mr. Darcy's words. Despite his personal epiphany, gentlemen of his status did not usually admit such.
"As do I. Have you much opportunity to holiday or does your practice preclude it? If you find yourself with time, might you and Mrs. Phillips like to come to Derbyshire, to Pemberley? Mrs. Phillips spoke of a wish to travel beyond her infrequent trips to London. I would be happy to make the arrangements. You need only name to dates."
"We would be delighted. I shall let you know. Though perhaps we will have to wait for a certain desirable event to take place." Mr. Phillips had obviously heard Sir William spout that very same sentiment as Mr. Darcy, for his inflection was quite that of Sir William himself.
"I heard rumors of another desirable event. I understand Miss Elizabeth is to marry Mr. Collins." Despite his current resolve against Elizabeth, he could not help but be concerned that she might be tied to that imbecile Collins.
"My sister wishes it, but it will not come to pass. You need not worry on that account." Mr. Phillips assured him.
"I need no assurances, but I cannot believe such a match would be eagerly anticipated by the young lady." Darcy said neutrally.
Mr. Phillips chuckled. "No, indeed, it is but a fancy of her mother. She is convinced Lizzy will be a most difficult daughter to marry off. She fears if not for Mr. Collins, Lizzy will have no prospects. It would also keep Longbourn in the family. If you do not mind me saying so, I thought there might have been interest from another party at one time."
Mr. Darcy sighed. He knew his earlier attraction did not go unnoticed by Mr. Phillips. And now it had come back to haunt him. "I believe I might have held some fascination for Miss Elizabeth."
"You speak as if your fascination is in the past."
"Miss Elizabeth has done an excellent job of relieving me of those feelings, though I am not ashamed of them. She has great capacity for devotion and compassion, but she does not bestow it upon me. It is an obstacle not easily overcome." Mr. Darcy said wryly.
"Lizzy is more than what she has shown herself to be. Just as you are. She will need a patient and persistent suitor."
"I can be neither patient nor persistent in this instance. Even were I inclined to those virtues, my pride will not allow me to pursue her." At Mr. Phillips's frown, Darcy continued. "I believe that this time my pride is under good regulation, but I should rephrase that. It is true that at one time my pride would not allow me to offer for a woman with little in terms of dowry or connections. However, I now find it is my self-respect that will not allow me to do so. I do not want a woman, a wife, who does not want me. I am not fickle; I just comprehend that she does not like me. I never know what she will take amiss. She can be quite fractious. And I cannot be always apologizing. It has proven to be exhausting.
"So, patience and persistence are all well and good, but she has not given me much encouragement. Every time I thought she might think better of me she made it plain that she did not. She knows her own feelings. I will respect that. I do not desire to wear someone down in hopes they might one day come to care for me. As I told Miss Elizabeth this afternoon. I do not play games.
"I wish I could say that you are wrong to think as you do, but I suspect you are not. You have put a great deal of thought into this." Mr. Phillilps had to agree with the younger gentleman's assessment, though it did not reflect well on his niece. He suspected she would soon come to discover what she was missing through her irrational campaign against Mr. Darcy.
"There was a time I thought of little else. I am sorry, sir, but it is for the best. Miss Elizabeth is so resistant to being an amiable acquaintance there is little hope for anything more. For my part, I am glad it went no further than admiration." Darcy admitted. Though it was not his intention, he believed his determined tone made him sound bitter, but so be it. "Miss Elizabeth deserves more than a marriage of unequal affection and, quite frankly, so do I."