“Very well, but only if I can go and visit with Maria Lucas, I promised to loan her some of my dresses for when she visits Charlotte. Then you can collect me on your return.”
Seeing Elizabeth waiver, Lydia added,
“I am sure Mr Darcy doesn’t want me listening while he talks all lovey-dovey to you.”
Deciding it was the start of an olive branch, Elizabeth agreed.
Now all she needed was for Mr Darcy to first turn up, and then for him to agree to Lydia joining them.
Darcy was completely reconciled to making his peace with Elizabeth. Having endured a restless night with a mind that would not be still, and a day full of self-recriminations, he had finally seen reason and admitted the futility of their argument. He should have consulted with his betrothed before speaking to her father, and Elizabeth had overreacted at his omission to do so. Darcy sincerely hoped Elizabeth had arrived at the same conclusion too.
Not usually a vain man, Darcy took particular care over his appearance this morning. First, he wanted Elizabeth to see she was not only marrying a wealthy and powerful man but a man that was pleasing to the eye and abreast of the fashions. Secondly, a good suit of clothes was like a shield of armour. Being a man unaccustomed to making apologies, Darcy felt in need of his shield today. Not that he wasn’t sure everything could be reconciled with Elizabeth, but…all the same, he was dressed for either eventuality.
Though eager to arrive at Longbourn, and riding Odin would have seen him at his destination much quicker, Darcy elected to take the carriage.
Fletcher had tutted and sighed a great deal while removing his muddy clothes two days before. If he wanted to avoid a repeat performance, he must endure a slightly longer journey.
On his arrival at Longbourn, Hill showed Darcy into the breakfast room, where he found Elizabeth alone, and just finishing a cup of tea.
They were very civilised. Darcy executed his salute to Elizabeth, and she acknowledged it with a nod of her head.
Elizabeth spoke first.
“Mr Darcy, I hope you will accept my apology for speaking out of turn last time we met. I see now that you were right to talk to my father,” she paused, and before she could help herself, she added, “first.”
Darcy, who was up until that point was smiling congenially, raised one eyebrow.
Swallowing the apology that was on his lips, he said,
“It seems I bring out the worst in you, Miss Bennet?”
He was not wrong. Had Elizabeth rehearsed her apology several times, and every time she had stopped at the word father. Why she had added the ‘first’; she did not know? To goad him perhaps, into yet another argument. And after two days of her mamma’s lamentations about her driving Mr Darcy away, that was the last thing she wanted to do.
Smiling prettily at him, she said,
“I think you must, sir.”
“I like your spirit, Elizabeth; it is one of the reasons I fell in love with you. However, do you not think it would be conducive to our future happiness if you tried to refrain from practising it on me with such frequency?”
The upturn corners of his lips had not escaped Elizabeth’s notice, and she realised he was teasing her.
Liking this new side to Darcy, Elizabeth smiled back at him and said,
“I will try, sir.”
At that moment, Lydia bound in expecting to find Elizabeth alone.
Looking between Mr Darcy and her sister, who were smiling at each other, her mood changed.
“Oh, you have returned then? We all thought you had jilted Lizzy. Mamma said that she had driven you away with her sharp tongue, is that not so, Lizzy?” Lydia asked with fake innocence.
Elizabeth was about to rebuke her for her rudeness, but Mr Darcy stepping in first.
“Miss Lydia, you could better employ your time by trying to emulate your sister, Elizabeth, rather than trying to humiliate her.”
Turning to face Lydia, Darcy took up his usual stance, with his hands clasped behind his back and one knee slightly bent.
Then, in a stern, no-nonsense voice, he addressed Lydia.
“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must leave the school room behind them and begin to act like an adult. That time for you, Miss Lydia, is now. I will ignore your rudeness to me on this occasion, but in future, I will expect you to conduct yourself with the decorum and manners as befits a young woman of breeding. Is that clear?”
Elizabeth suppressed a smile, and the urge to say, bravo.
She loved her father dearly, but this was the dressing down he should have administered to Lydia months ago. Instead, it had been left to a virtual stranger to say what needed to be said.
Since Lydia had first been allowed to join her sisters out in society, her behaviour had not matured as expected. She still acted as though she was in the school room. Darcy was quite right. To reap the benefits of being ‘out’, one had to conduct themselves as an adult and not a spoilt child.
“Well!” Lydia exclaimed.
Darcy raised a single brow in Lydia’s direction before turning away, and Elizabeth took the opportunity to walk over to her sister.
Taking her hand, Elizabeth said,
“Run along and put your coat on. And don’t forget the parcel for Maria.”
Lydia hoped Mr Darcy could feel her angry eyes burning into the back of his head as she flounced out of the room to get ready.
Darcy had not meant to chastise the girl quite so severely, but clearly, Mr Bennet’s methods had been ineffective when it came to disciplining his children. From what he had witnessed in the past, Mrs Bennet also indulged her youngest child in every whim and fancy, regardless of whether it was practical or correct.
Darcy felt Elizabeth’s hand on his arm. It startled him. It was the first time she had voluntarily touched him.
Reaching out, he covered her hand with his own; Darcy felt his pulse quicken. He wished they had not arranged to go out. He was quite content standing here holding her hand.
Her touch had somehow soothed his ire, and the frown on his brow eased as he waited for her to speak.
“Sir, I hope you will not mind, but I had already made arrangements to walk to Maria Lucas’s with Lydia. I have said she may still accompany us as far as the lane leading to Miss Lucas’s house.”
“You do not mind walking with me alone, Elizabeth, with no chaperone?” he asked warmly and squeezed her hand.
“I think I can control myself, Mr Darcy,” and she laughed.
Darcy chuckled too. How like Elizabeth to turn the table on him.
Happier than she had been for two days, Elizabeth excused herself to go and get ready for their outing.
Once Elizabeth had left the room, Mrs Bennet seized the opportunity to speak to Mr Darcy privately. She rushed in and began to mumble about the effect having five daughters had on her nerves.
“It is a strain, you know, trying to find husbands for five daughters. You have only to look at the state of my poor nerves. But, Mr Darcy, we are so thrilled you decided not to break your engagement with Lizzy.” Leaning closer still, she whispered, “Elizabeth can be a foolish and headstrong girl at times. I should have listened to my mother. Spare the rod and spoil the child she said, but would I listen…still, if Lizzy becomes troublesome, I’m sure it will be nothing a good beating will not cure. If you feel the need to take a stick to her, you have my blessing.”
Darcy looked at his future mother-in-law with abhorrence.
The practice of wife beating was widespread, especially amongst the lower classes, but the very notion of raising his hand to strike Elizabeth made him sick to his stomach.
“And does Mr Bennet beat you, madam?” he asked icily.
Flustered, Mrs Bennet admitted that he did not.
“Then what on God’s good earth, makes you think I am the kind of man that would beat my wife?” he asked, with incredulity.
Instantly, Mrs Bennet knew she had made a mistake. On reflection, she did not know what had made her say s
uch a thing. Mr Bennet had never raised a hand to her in over twenty-two years of marriage, and neither of them had ever physically chastised any of their five children. And now she realised, Mr Darcy, who made no secret of his disdain for her, would think her even more reprehensible than ever.
Darcy marvelled that such a woman could have produced Elizabeth. Thinking before speaking, was definitely not one of her strong points. However, she was Elizabeth’s mother, and as such, he felt duty bound to ease the tension between them.
“Let me assure you, Mrs Bennet, there is no animosity between Elizabeth and me. We both spoke rashly before, but everything is forgotten now. Getting to know one another is bound to raise some points we disagree on. Is that not what a courtship is for?”
“Yes, of course. I don’t know whatever came over me saying such things.”
Seeing her mortification, Darcy offered her a face-saving exit.
“I wonder, Mrs Bennet, would you see how far along Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lydia are? I am eager to enjoy this brief spell of winter sun.”
Grasping at his offer with alacrity, she began to back out of the room, saying,
“Yes, though I hear we are soon to expect snow…I will remind the girls to wrap up warm,” and she was gone.
The walk out of Longbourn, and along the edge of the field, was made in relative silence.
Lydia was still angry with Darcy for his set down, Elizabeth decided she could not really talk to either of them, less the other resented her for it, and Darcy, well Darcy just wanted to enjoy the prospect of being alone with Elizabeth.
Halfway along the second field track, Lydia turned and addressed Elizabeth, cutting Darcy completely.
“Lizzy, I am going to run on ahead. I will meet you at the crossroads in an hour. Is that sufficient time for you to take the air?”
Darcy gave a cough as he tried to suppress a wry smile. Lydia had spoken in clipped tones, apparently wanting to impress him. Her effort to persuade him that she was indeed, a grown-up fell far short of the mark, as her next action confirmed. Tucking her carpet bag under her arm, Lydia lifted the hem of her dress and began to run down the lane.
Averting his gaze from the sight of stockings and petticoats, Darcy turned towards Elizabeth.
Elizabeth felt his eyes on her. Watching her, searching her face. Unsure of how Darcy would react to Lydia’s hoyden like behaviour.
She need not have worried. Meeting his gaze, Elizabeth was surprised and relieved, to see a smile spreading over his face.
“Fifteen, such an awkward age, is it not Mr Darcy?”
“Indeed, it is Elizabeth,” Darcy said, momentarily reminded of his sister.
He remembered when Georgiana would beg him to play hide-and-seek as he tried to wrestle with his new role as the owner of a large estate. Yet if her mother were alive, she would be in training for her presentation at court. For a time, he would lay down his quill and indulge her, joining in all the games she asked him to. But when on a visit to Rosings he was rudely reminded of his responsibility to her future.
Lady Catherine de Bough had compared his sister to a street child, left to run free and without restraint in her manners and actions. It had wounded him to hear Georgiana described so when she was nothing of the sort. But taking Lady Catherine’s reproof to heart, he immediately set about finding her a companion.
As they continued along the lane in silence, Mr Darcy’s thoughts once more turned to his last conversation with Elizabeth’s mother. Decided he must dispel any fears Elizabeth might have on that subject, he said,
“Elizabeth, when we are married, I intend to be a kind and loving husband. I do not condone the use of violence in any form, especially against women.” Unfortunately, he did not stop there, going on to say,
“As they are the weaker sex, how could I?”
Elizabeth’s steps faltered, but she somehow managed to continue along the track. She was about to argue the point with him, pointing out that only a man, who suffered no pain as severe as childbirth, and who was nursed, raised and tended to by women, could think women the weaker sex. She could have sourced the feats of such women as Boudicca and Joan of Arc in her argument, but as their courtship had already survived one hiccup, she was not willing to rock the boat again quite so soon. Perhaps she should save this discussion for another day.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. It pleases me to know that my physical well-being will be safe in your kind and capable hands.” She replied.
Satisfied with her acknowledgement of his declaration, Darcy took her hand and gave it a reassuring pat, then placed in on his arm.
Oblivious of how condescending his last action appeared, Elizabeth thought, and now I feel like the weaker sex.
They walked for a little longer before turning back to meet Lydia, managing to converse with each other without further insult or misunderstanding.
When they returned, Lydia was waiting for them, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice that her mood had lifted, and she seemed quite cheerful.
All attempt to act in an adult fashion seemed to have been forgotten by Lydia, as she skipped along in front of them, humming a nondescript tune.
“Your visit to Maria went well, Lydia?” Elizabeth asked,
“Maria? Oh, yes, Lizzy, everything went very well,” she replied gaily.
Chapter Thirteen
Darcy woke with mixed feelings the next morning. On his return to Netherfield yesterday, there had been a letter waiting for him. It was from Georgiana. In it, she expressed her happiness at being invited to join him for a visit and indicated that she would hopefully arrive sometime the next day.
Naturally, he was looking forward to seeing his sister again. It would give him the opportunity to introduce Georgiana to Elizabeth. The downside to Georgiana arrival was it meant he would have to forgo seeing Elizabeth for the day. Instead, as this was Georgiana’s first visit to Hertfordshire, he would be obliged to remain at Netherfield and see her settle in.
Neither could he disappoint, Elizabeth.
Darcy dashed off a brief note to her, explaining the situation.
It read,
Dear Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
Do not be alarmed at receiving this note, as I am quite well.
However, I must cancel my planned visit to Longbourn today.
My sister, Georgiana, has accepted my invitation to visit
Netherfield and her letter denote that her arrival is imminent.
Once settled, I would very much like to introduce you to her.
Your servant,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Darcy, too impatient to wait inside, had stood on the front steps for almost fifteen minutes before the carriage came into sight. He watched as it turned onto the gravel drive and advance towards Netherfield House.
The wheels had barely stopped rolling before Georgiana swung open the door and jumped down, running into the outstretched arms of her slightly surprised brother.
He could not scold her for the unladylike behaviour, for he was as pleased to see her as she was to see him.
“Oh, brother, how I have missed you,” Georgiana cried.
Darcy wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a soft kiss on her brow.
“It has barely been a fortnight Georgiana, no time at all. Besides, you had Mrs Annesley for company,” he playfully chided her.
“Yes, I know,” Georgiana said, leaning in further and tightening her grip around his neck, “but she is not you, brother.”
Darcy smiled broadly at her compliment
While he understood and shared her sentiment, her words also made him felt guilty. His neglect meant that she had not reaped the benefits of mixing in a wider society. The fault was his. While Georgiana appeared content to remain at Pemberley, or wherever he took her, Darcy knew he had been neglectful in advancing her social skills, leaving her unprepared for her coming out of the schoolroom, which was in only two years’ time. Briefly, he had toyed with the idea of asking Miss Caroline Bingley if she wo
uld consider instructing Georgiana in the finer points of entertaining, deportment, etc. but had just as quickly rejected the idea. While her brother, Charles was everything affable and charming, the same could not be said of Miss Bingley.
Raising herself up onto her tiptoes, Georgiana whispered in Darcy’s ear,
“I do not arrive alone, brother.”
Georgiana looked over her shoulder. Observing that the second occupant had yet to alight the carriage, she said in a hushed voice,
“Miss Bingley has been beastly and boring. She finds fault in all that I do, and all that I say. She is worse than a governess. When she is not calling me a delightful child, which she does not mean as a compliment, she is questioning me about you.”
Before Darcy could inquire further to her meaning, a woman’s shrill voice called out,
“Mr Darcy, your assistance if you please.”
Darcy looked over, only to see Miss Bingley slap away the outstretched hand of the footman, who was already waiting to help her down from the carriage.
“I fear I might fall without your assistance, sir,” Caroline continued.
With a sigh of resignation, Darcy released Georgiana from his embrace and walked over to the equipage. As propriety dictated, Darcy offered his hand to, Miss Bingley.
Caroline eagerly reached out and grasped at Darcy’s ungloved hand, holding it a little tighter than was strictly necessary. As the heat from his naked hand penetrated her glove, Caroline simpered,
“My, it is unseasonably warm today, is it not, Mr Darcy?”
Darcy smiled and gave a humouring nod.
Turning to follow the ladies inside the house, Darcy then heard a man call his name.
Recognising it instantly as the voice of Charles Bingley, Darcy turning to greet his friend.
“Darcy,” exclaimed Charles, “how good to see you again.” He dismounted his horse and bowed.
“Charles,” Darcy exclaimed in acknowledgement of his friend’s greeting, and then said,
Mr Darcy's Proposal Page 10
