by APRIL FLOYD
Anne de Bourgh kept her seat and thanked Mr. Bingley for the offer. “I prefer to remain inside and get to know Miss Bingley better. Please Mama, come sit with us.”
There was an awkward silence as Mrs. de Bourgh joined her daughter. Elizabeth could see the woman was angry.
She placed her hand on Mr. Darcy’s arm and followed Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy as they quit the parlor for their walk.
Miss Bingley’s face fell to be left alone with the strange mother and daughter and Elizabeth truly felt sorry for her friend.
Once outside, Elizabeth breathed deeply of the cold air and gave a tiny shiver. She enjoyed walking in the winter, though not as much as she enjoyed it in the spring and summer. Fall was her favorite time as leaves changed and the landscape burned brightly in autumnal hues.
Mr. Darcy noticed her inhalations and the tremor through her body and smiled. He felt much the same when he was able to be out of doors. Nature allowed for an expansiveness of the body and soul that four walls, no matter how grand, did not.
“Miss Bennet, I wish I had known you were all returning to Hertfordshire. We might have traveled together as a sort of caravan,” he smiled as she turned to look up at him.
“It was a decision made rather quickly and not planned, you see. Mr. and Miss Bingley would likely have remained in London had I not begged them to return to Netherfield.” Elizabeth had not meant to discuss her reasons for returning to the estate just three miles from Mr. Darcy’s home, but his presence comforted her.
The man did not press her but he was surprised to know she was the one who wished to return. “When I saw you in London, it was plain to me the differences in our situations. You exude a confidence born of wealth and station. You are a lady. I could not think Hertfordshire would hold such allure for you.”
Elizabeth’s smile faded as she listened. “There are many things wealth and station do not afford Mr. Darcy. You are a gentleman, and as such, my equal. Do you ever long for London, for the clubs and connections?”
Mr. Darcy laughed out loud and Elizabeth thought he did not take her query seriously. “That is certainly not the reaction I expected.”
He stopped and turned to look at her more closely. “Miss Bennet, your curiosity does amuse me. I have never longed for such a life. I have no title nor any reason to move in those circles. I am content here among my friends and relations. Georgie and Anne would enjoy a wonderful season there. Other than that, I have no desire for Town. My sister does care for your friend Bingley. What do you think of their match?”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hot. Bingley and Miss Darcy had moved further down the path from them, but with the frost of winter on the ground, there were no leaves nor lush foliage to hide the pair.
“It matters not what I think. Only what Bingley and your sister desire makes any difference. I myself was matched against my will to my cousin, a duke. My mother wants all her daughters married to titled men and my eldest sister will marry such a man. I could not accept my cousin’s proposal for he is unprincipled and a scoundrel in spite of his title.”
Elizabeth hoped Mr. Darcy would not press her on her feelings about his sister and Bingley. She had been wrong about the girl.
Mr. Darcy’s lips formed a thin line and Elizabeth was afraid he did not care for her explanation. When he spoke, she knew he was angered by her tale of William Collins, Duke of Salford.
“You have refused the offer of a titled man knowing your mother would be most unhappy? What did the man do, Miss Bennet, for you to say he was unprincipled and a scoundrel? Did he compromise you?” Mr. Darcy’s questions were urgent and his face was turning a deep shade of red.
“It is enough to say that I escaped his attentions and refused to marry him. My mother was very angry and has likely disowned me and taken my dowry for my sisters.” Elizabeth turned and began walking again in the hope that Mr. Darcy might follow and leave the conversation about the duke behind them.
Instead, he caught Elizabeth’s hand and pulled her close, his breathing rapid. Elizabeth was startled and looked around for Bingley and Miss Darcy. She meant to speak, but Mr. Darcy placed one finger against her lips. They tingled at his touch.
Her eyes went wide as he bent his head close to hers, their foreheads almost touching. Her lungs felt as though they were starving for air.
“Listen to me. I will do great bodily harm to any man who lays so much as a finger on you. Do you understand? I will have no man misusing a woman who is dear to me,” Mr. Darcy’s voice lowered to a whisper on his last words and Elizabeth thought he might kiss her as he stared into her eyes.
Before either of them might make a move, Bingley’s laughter carried across the open garden. Elizabeth stepped away from Mr. Darcy, her heart racing. She turned away from him.
I will have no man misusing a woman who is dear to me. His words echoed in her ears as Bingley approached with Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth turned after a moment to regain her composure and placed her hand again upon Mr. Darcy’s arm as though her world had not just turned upside down.
She avoided looking at Mr. Darcy as Bingley and Miss Darcy came to stand before them. Her mind raced with the meaning of his words delivered with great passion.
She walked back inside Longbourn sure in the fact that Mr. Darcy had meant what he said. She was dear to him.
Part II
Chapter 10
It was little more than a week before an express from Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner arrived at Netherfield. They had heard of the duke’s lurid proposal and her refusal of the man. Aunt Gardiner had written that she was livid to know that Lady Francine had even considered such a vile man for any one of her daughters.
Not for money nor title would I have you tied to such a horrid man, she had written most sternly. Uncle Gardiner had been as angry, if not more so. That your father did not box him about his ears is a great shame upon our family. When Papa finds what Franny has done, allowing Lydia to be sacrificed to the man and disowning you, there will be a heavy price to pay. Mark my words.
Elizabeth stopped in her reading and wiped at the tears that gathered in her eyes to be so defended. She continued on with the letter and found that Lord and Lady Stafford would be visiting Netherfield and this letter was their announcement of that fact.
She thought of the distance they would travel from farther north in Derbyshire than Pemberley, just to see her, and her heart soared.
Folding the letter, she placed it in her skirt pocket and continued on her way. She was to pay a call to Miss Darcy and Miss de Bourgh, whom she now called Georgiana and Anne since coming to know them better upon returning to Netherfield.
Elizabeth called to Caroline as the carriage was brought round. “Caro, do come along or we shall be late. Charles would not like for us to keep his beloved waiting.”
Caroline appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in her newest gown from London. She had sent for several more trunks to be brought from Bingley House when she found Elizabeth was quite serious about remaining in Hertfordshire. “I wish that he would propose if that is indeed what he wants most in the world. I could go back to Town for a fortnight and see my sister.”
Elizabeth smiled as her friend came slowly down the grand staircase. “Louisa is well, you said so yourself. Her babe will not come until late in the spring. You are only excited to shop for the child. Any excuse to spend the day in Mayfair will do for you.”
Caroline laughed. “You know me only too well, Eliza. But I truly do wish my brother would speak to Mr. Darcy about his sister. Miss Darcy will make a fine wife if Charles remains here in the country. When he brings her to London, I fear we shall have a time of smoothing her way.”
“She will do as well in Town if you only sponsor her, Caro. No one will stand against you if she has your support. Speaking of support, my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are coming to Netherfield, if it pleases you. They might always find a room in Meryton, but certainly not the hospitality you offer as mistress of Nethe
rfield.” Elizabeth knew the way to finesse her friend with compliments and kindness.
“I would not think of Lord and Lady Stafford in a room over the mews in Meryton! I could never live it down to have it known they were not made welcome in my brother’s home. Do not be silly, Eliza. Of course they must stay here.” Caroline sniffed and pulled on her gloves.
Elizabeth placed her arm in her friends and the two ladies went out to their waiting carriage to visit the Darcys of Longbourn.
Mr. Darcy was in his study when Hill told him Miss Bennet and her friend Miss Bingley had come to pay a morning call. He fought the urge to wander into the parlor and see the face of his beloved.
His newspaper shook in his hands as he thought of her that way. His beloved. But it was who she had become in his heart.
He recalled the scent of her — lavender and something that reminded him of the rich smell of honey. Mr. Darcy stood and placed his newspaper on the large desk his father and grandfather had used before him.
Miss Bennet was all that he wished for in a wife, but he was not wealthy enough to win her before her mother disowned her. Would he stand a chance now?
She had said her father would not see her without money and he knew Mr. Bennet to be a very wealthy gentleman farmer from an ancient and proud family. He had won a titled woman and made her his wife. Perhaps there was hope for him.
Mr. Darcy picked up the worn leather ledger and sat again. He opened the pages to the figures he had been working over since Miss Bennet’s return to Hertfordshire.
When spring came, he planned to have the land planted with a crop that would almost double the earnings of the last year. One more year and he felt he could ask for Miss Bennet’s hand and not feel as inadequate as he felt now.
Mr. Darcy looked at the clock on the fireplace mantel. It was half past the hour and Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet ought to have come and gone as morning calls never lasted beyond a mere twenty minutes.
Eager to speak with Richard about his plan, he rushed out of his study and into the parlor to tell his aunt where he was going in the case she required something from the shops in Meryton.
He stopped when the laughter of young ladies greeted him instead of the older voice of his Aunt Catherine. Mr. Darcy seemed stunned to find his sister’s visitors still in his parlor.
Miss Bennet smiled at him and thoughts of Richard and Meryton left his mind like a flock of birds taking flight. He could not have recalled a thing he meant to do if pressed.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Bingley,” he said, “I did not mean to interrupt.”
He turned to leave but Elizabeth stood and came towards him. He stopped and bowed to her slightly. Thankfully, his prior plans returned to his mind. “I would leave you to your visit. Please do not mind me. I meant to go on an errand into Meryton.”
Elizabeth smiled at him, her brown eyes filled with mirth. “I meant to go there myself. Caroline and I were just saying our farewells. Would you mind if we went along with you?”
Mr. Darcy could not refuse her request, but he knew not how he might maintain his composure in her presence. “Certainly, but I would ride my horse so as not to inconvenience you.”
Elizabeth took his arm and placed her hand upon it. “Nonsense, you must ride with us. The carriage is waiting outside.”
His sister and cousin rose with Miss Bingley to quit the parlor and Mr. Darcy led Elizabeth out to the small entryway. He asked if the ladies of his house needed anything while he was in Meryton before turning to Miss Bingley. “If it is not an imposition, I will go along in your carriage.”
Elizabeth begged her friend with her eyes not to tease her at the moment, but in her usual manner the woman could not allow the opportunity to pass. “Why Mr. Darcy, it would be no imposition to have you grace us with your company along the road. I think Eliza and I would feel so much safer with a man along. I know Eliza particularly feels safer in your presence.”
Mr. Darcy looked to Elizabeth and noted the blush that had risen in her cheeks. It was most fetching and he longed to run his thumb along her plump lower lip. To kiss it would undo him.
He trembled and breathed deeply to compose himself. He could not be in her presence and act like a foolish lad in love for the first time. But she is your first love his mind whispered as Elizabeth leaned against him as they left Longbourn to board the Bingley carriage.
In Meryton, he escorted the ladies from shop to shop and was pleased when Elizabeth recalled the items his sister and cousin had listed before they left. She had them wrapped in paper and carried them in her own bag in order to be of assistance to him.
While they waited for Caroline in front of the milliner’s shop, Elizabeth admired a burgundy velvet bonnet trimmed with a single silk rose in lighter burgundy and some green silk made to mimic leaves. Mr. Darcy took note of it and thought he might return to purchase it to keep for the day she agreed to become his wife.
“Oh, isn’t it silly of me to desire another bonnet when I have so many? I must not waste on silly things, I fear. Though Papa has sent more than enough money for anything I might wish to purchase, there is no sense in it. If I am frugal, perhaps I might replace my dowry in a number of years,” Elizabeth said and sighed as she turned away from the window.
Mr. Darcy smiled. “Do not regret admiring pretty things, Miss Bennet. It is the eye for beauty that separates women from men in most regards. We seek to conquer what we desire and the fairer sex seeks to own that which they desire. It is the way of the world.”
Elizabeth laughed for it was generally true. Mr. Darcy was much improved now that she knew him better.
Caroline came out then and the party continued on their journey about the town. Elizabeth caught Mr. Darcy watching her from time to time and the wistful look in his eyes haunted her. What had he thought of her talk of money? Did he regret that she had lost her dowry?
When they were done with the shops at last, she gave him the packages for his sister and Miss de Bourgh.
He thanked her and tipped his hat to the ladies. “I believe your footman will see you safely home. I would walk to Longbourn to stretch my legs.”
Elizabeth was disappointed for she meant to speak with him on the way back about land in Hertfordshire. If she could persuade her father, she would have her own country home near Netherfield. “Surely you must ride home with us, Mr. Darcy. It looks as though a storm is coming in and the wind has picked up. Will you not be cold walking all the way to Longbourn?”
He smiled at her, seemingly amused by her concern. “It is only a few miles, Miss Bennet. I am in fine enough shape to walk that far and farther if needs be. Thank you for a fine afternoon.”
Elizabeth watched him go as she and Caroline climbed into the carriage. He was in fine enough shape for many things, she thought and laughed to herself.
The carriage pulled away and Elizabeth leaned close to the window to watch Mr. Darcy as he stood talking with an acquaintance in front of the milliner’s shop.
She sighed and Caroline giggled at her. “I declare Eliza, I have never seen you in such a state. If Mr. Darcy does not see that you admire him, he is a blind man.”
Chapter 11
Lord and Lady Stafford arrived in Meryton a week later and Elizabeth was thrilled to see them again. It had been too many years since last she felt their welcoming arms around her. “Oh you cannot know how I have missed you both!” she cried.
Her uncle lifted her off the ground and spun her about as he had when she was a little girl. Elizabeth laughed when he sat her down. “Oh I think we know, my dearest niece, for we have missed you just the same!”
Elizabeth’s Aunt Madeline laughed and pulled her close. “You must come see us more often, sweet girl. Your cousins are almost grown now.”
Elizabeth swiped at her tears and promised to visit them when she was in Derbyshire again. “Which may not be as soon as I might like,” she said and lowered her head.
Uncle Edward put an arm about her shoulders and pulled her close as they
walked up the front steps of Netherfield Park. “Never fear, Lizzy, your grandfather shall see that my sister’s foolishness does not stand. Why, he will disown her before all is done.”
“I do not want Grandfather to punish her as I have been punished. I only want Mother to understand I will choose who I shall marry,” Elizabeth said, her heart full of love from the reunion with her aunt and uncle.
Her aunt spoke up. “Now dear do not fear what may come. The earl will see that she does right by you without losing her affection. He is direct when needs be, but not unfair. It will all come to a good end.”
Elizabeth’s spirits lifted and she told the footman to take their trunks to the Gold Room two doors down from her own. She smiled at her beloved family. “Let us sit in the parlor and have tea. I am certain you are weary from your travels. The Bingleys are out at the moment. They are visiting the Darcys down the lane.”
Her aunt went into the parlor with Elizabeth as Uncle Edward followed behind. “How lovely that the Bingleys have made friends here. It is no wonder to me that Mr. Bingley is well-liked, but his sister too? Pardon me, Lizzy, for I know you adore her, but she is so vain!”
Elizabeth laughed with her aunt. “She is, but she loves Charles and so for his sake she attempts to be gracious, though she much prefers London. He wishes to marry Miss Darcy though I have warned him against her in the past.”
Her uncle seemed taken aback at this. “Lizzy, how could you? You know well that Mr. Bingley admires you a great deal. If you are not in love with him why would you keep him from another? Is the girl ugly?”
Elizabeth laughed at his blunt question. “She is not, Uncle! She is a most lovely girl. I thought perhaps she cared more for her cousin than for Bingley, but I was wrong. She is the sister of a gentleman and above him in that regard, but they make a fine match for she is as sweet as he is amiable.”
