by Sarah Darcy
‘Sorry Mama.’ She moved along the plush upholstered seat and stood up by the door. ‘I was looking at the beautiful swans in the lake.’
Fitzwilliam watched Elizabeth descend down the steps with a welcome smile. She felt a warm glow as he looked deep into her eyes. There was such an intensity in his gaze it took her breath away.
As she reached the last step, he held her hand a little longer. ‘You look very beautiful today,’ Mr Darcy whispered.
‘Thank you your Grace.’ She was glad she had come to the ball now. There was such warmth in his greeting; maybe a romance was still possible. But a part of her was still reluctant to give her heart fully.
‘Mr Cornwell,’ Mr Darcy called out to the Butler. ‘Could you take the Bennet party to their rooms.’
‘Yes your Grace.’ A tall man with black hair stood in attendance.
‘Thank you for accommodating us Mr Darcy,’ Mrs Bennet said. ‘It will be so pleasant to refresh ourselves after such a long journey.’
The coachmen and two servants from the house began to unpack their bags from the carriage and transport their belongings up to their rooms.
‘I will leave you in the efficient hands of my butler,’ Mr Darcy said with a short bow. ‘He will attend to your every need.’
As Mrs Bennet and the rest of her daughters followed the butler into the house,
Elizabeth stopped at the rear of the group. She had left her book of poetry in the coach. ‘I forgot to collect my book.’ She turned back to the carriage. ‘I left it on the seat.’
‘I’ll get it for you.’ Mr Darcy retrieved the book from the carriage. ‘Here it is.’
He opened the book. ‘Book of love poems by Byron.’
Elizabeth blushed slightly. ‘It’s Jane’s book I borrowed it.’
‘Do you like to read?’
‘Yes very much.’
‘I think we have similar tastes,’ Mr Darcy said. ‘I enjoy reading poetry too.’
‘It’s a very diverting pastime.’
‘Indeed.’ Fitzwilliam returned the book to Elizabeth. ‘We have a well stocked library at Rosings Park. Maybe after a light lunch we could read together in the library?’
‘I would like that very much,’ Elizabeth replied with a faint smile.
‘It would be a good opportunity to get to know you better,’ Mr Darcy said with a small grin.
‘Or in my case make amends,’ Elizabeth remarked.
‘Amends?’ Fitzwilliam returned a puzzled look.
‘I think we got off to a bad start at the Christmas ball,’ Elizabeth reflected. ‘Now that Mr Wickham is far from our thoughts…Maybe we could start afresh.’
‘My sentiments entirely,’ Mr Darcy replied.
Elizabeth began to see Fitzwilliam in a new light. He seemed more relaxed at Rosings Park, without Lady Catherine peering over his shoulder and the prying opinions of the Bingley sisters.
‘I hear Catherine de Bourgh is not in residence.’
‘She is away on a visit to Scotland,’ Mr Darcy said with a sense of relief in his voice. ‘She will not return for another month.’
‘Do you miss her?’
Mr Darcy was surprised by her comment. ‘I must confess no. I do not mean to be derogatory about my Aunt, but she can be very overbearing.’
‘Like my mother,’ Elizabeth laughed.
‘There are some people you never miss,’ Mr Darcy reflected. ‘And other people you cannot get out of your mind..’ His voice suddenly trailed off. He averted his eyes as if he had said too much.
Elizabeth was flattered by his remark – was she the object of his affections?
An uneasy silence came between them. Elizabeth became distracted by the sound of girlish laughter. ‘That sounds like Jane,’ she looked back at Mr Darcy. ‘She is looking forward to seeing Mr Bingley.’
‘She will not be disappointed,’ Fitzwilliam replied with a buoyant air. ‘He arrived yesterday.’
‘Just Mr Bingley?’
‘No his sisters are here too.’ Fitzwilliam noticed a subdued expression on Elizabeth’s face. ‘We could not throw a ball without their help.’
‘Of course.’ Elizabeth did not expect Caroline Bingley and Mrs Hurst to be there too. She knew Caroline had always been sweet on Mr Darcy and would certainly make a play for him. Now that she had a rival for his affections her initial excitement about the ball began to wane.
‘..They are engaged in a lot of charitable pursuits,’ Mr Darcy continued. ‘Which involve the patronage of the most distinguished Lord and Ladies from London society.’
‘I’m not familiar with London Society,’ Elizabeth said in a diplomatic tone. ‘But I look forward to meeting your friends from London.’
‘There is one person who just arrived before you.’ Fitzwilliam returned a wry smile. ‘A very distinguished relative who needs no introduction.’
‘Who?’
‘Mr Collins.’
‘I’m surprised by your news.’ Elizabeth wished she could return to Longbourn. ‘Why would he attend a ball without Lady Catherine’s presence?’
‘My thoughts too,’ Fitzwilliam remarked. ‘When I sent him the invitation I assumed the ball would be of no interest to him. But unfortunately he was only too happy to attend.’
‘Poppycock,’ Elizabeth quipped. She looked down at her book. ‘At least I can rejoice in the return of a treasured book.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Mr Darcy gestured towards the house. ‘I look forward to seeing you later in the library.’
Chapter 20
Over a light dinner Mr Collins gave Mrs Bennet and the girls an extensive talk about the history of Rosings Park. ‘Have I told you about the type of wood Lady Catherine’s cupboards are made from?’
He was met with a resentful silence from the Bennet sisters, apart from Mary who found the talk invigorating. ‘Please do,’ Mrs Bennet prompted. ‘I have already inspected the grand cupboards in the house.’
‘You have,’ William replied with glee. ‘Aren’t you enthralled by the elegance and the space?’
‘I have never seen such opulent cupboards.’
Mr Collins noticed the glum faces on her daughters, particularly Jane and Elizabeth’s. ‘One day my dear cousins will appreciate the illustrious history of Rosings Park.’
‘I certainly do,’ Mary announced. ‘What do you think Mama?’
Mrs Bennet glared at her daughters. ‘I believe your talk has rendered them speechless.’
Lydia rolled her eyes at Kitty. They had endured two hours of laborious details about the latest fixture and fittings to the house. This included – the number of windows and fireplaces in Rosings Park, followed by a short history of elaborate designs that covered ornate ceilings, door panels and floorboards – of every description.
Lydia wished she could leave the room and go outside in the fresh air. She had heard from a footman that some officers had set up a joursling contest upon horse back.
The event would take place this afternoon in a small clearing in the woods. It was not a grand affair that involved knights in armour, but a contest that tested an officer’s skill and agility with a sword upon horseback.
The officer who sliced through the most pumpkins, perched upon a series of poles at high speed, would be awarded a substantial wager.
Lydia could not stand William’s suffocating talk any longer. She stood up in the chair. ‘Mama.’ She pressed her hand against her head. ‘I feel quite ill.’
‘Sit down,’ Mrs Bennet said sharply. ‘There is nothing wrong with you.’
‘She is ill Mama,’ Kitty held her sister’s hand. ‘I think she ate too much. You know how much Lydia loves food.’
‘Not as much as you,’ Lydia retorted. Kitty pulled her hand. ‘Yes I feel I may be sick.’
‘You will be.’ Kitty looked at Mr Collins. ‘All over Lady Catherine’s best porcelain plates.’
‘You must take your leave at once,’ William urged. He called out to a footman. ‘Please escort Miss Bennet out
onto the grounds.’
‘I’ll come too.’ As Kitty took hold of Lydia’s arm she looked back at Mrs Bennet. ‘Mama, are you coming?’
‘I don’t think I have much choice,’ she protested. ‘What about the rest of your sisters?’ They all came to a halt by the doorway.
‘I think we all need a change of air.’ Elizabeth rose from the table and addressed Mr Collins. ‘Thank you for your entertaining talk.’ She looked down at Jane.
‘We must all support Lydia in her distress.’ Jane pushed her plate to oneside. ‘I think a post lunch walk will soon restore her colour.’
‘What a delightful diversion.’ William glanced over at Elizabeth. ‘Why don’t I escort you dear cousin.’
Elizabeth was lost for words.
‘..I could give you a tour of the illustrious grounds and ancient woodland that surround Rosings Park.’
Elizabeth called over to her mother. ‘I think Mr Collins has entertained us enough today.’
Mrs Bennet ignored her daughter’s plea and addressed her nephew. ‘Of course you can escort my daughter Elizabeth.’
‘Mama,’ Elizabeth said loudly. ‘Did you hear what I said?’
‘Of course I heard you dear,’ Mrs Bennet replied with a blank expression. ‘In fact.’ She looked back at Mr Collins. ‘Why don’t you escort all of my daughters around the grounds?’
Lydia looked back from the doorway. ‘No Mama.’
‘Yes Mr Collins.’ Mrs Bennet stood up from the table. ‘A tour around the grounds would be a delightful diversion. Isn’t that agreeable girls?’ Lydia and Kitty left the room with an enormous huff.
‘Well that’s settled Mrs Bennet.’ William walked over to the open doorway. ‘Shall I meet you half past the hour in the foyer?’
‘Certainly dear cousin.’ Mrs Bennet called back to the rest of her daughters. ‘Come along girls.’
‘Wrap up well ladies,’ Mr Collins said as they silently walked past him.
‘Oh dear.’ Mrs Bennet glanced back at her nephew. ‘It may be a glorious spring day but I detect a slight chill in the air.’
∞∞∞
‘I cannot stand another hour with that man,’ Elizabeth said to Jane as they collected their coats from their rooms. ‘Especially when I am the object of his affections.’
‘It might only be a short walk around the lake.’ Jane tried to sooth her frayed nerves. ‘I believe Mr Collins has more knowledge about the house than the grounds.’ They put their coats on and walked down the corridor.
‘He spoke about the ancient woodlands that surround the house,’ Elizabeth remarked with a sour expression. ‘There are also a number of follies nearby that he greatly admires.’
‘I see,’ Jane reflected, as they turned down another corridor. ‘It will be a very long walk through the woods.’
‘Especially with Mr Collins in tow,’ Elizabeth said. ‘If only I could find a way to get out of the walk.’
They became distracted by a couple of chaperones laughing in the library. Elizabeth stood by the open doorway and admired the books on the shelf. ‘Oh to spend an idle hour reading in the library.’
‘That’s what you should do,’ Jane said with a curious look from Elizabeth. ‘I’ll meet Mama in the foyer and tell her that you cannot attend the walk because of a headache.’
‘That will never work,’ Elizabeth responded. ‘Mama will come to our room, have a big row about the situation, then pull me out of bed.’
‘No, you retire to the library for a quiet read.’ Jane looked over at the chaperones quietly discussing a book. ‘Mama would never create a scene in public.’
‘Especially with nosey chaperones about..’ Elizabeth gave her sister a hug. ‘Jane you think of everything.’
‘Stay out of sight,’ Jane said. ‘If you’re really fortunate she might not have time to come to the library.’
∞∞∞
When Jane joined the rest of her sisters waiting in the foyer, she took Mr Collins to one side. Mrs Bennet viewed her with a suspicious eye as she explained that Elizabeth had retired to the library for a quiet read because of a headache.
Despite William’s obvious disappointment, Jane made it clear that Elizabeth would renew his acquaintance at the ball by attending the first dance with him.
However, Mrs Bennet viewed Jane’s comments with a degree of cynicism.
Before she had a chance to complain Mr Collins marched out of the house with a renewed sense of optimism. The Bennet sisters reluctantly followed him on his extended tour of the grounds.
As Jane joined the rear of the party she gazed up to the library window. Elizabeth waved back at her sister relieved to have a blissful hour to herself.
Chapter 21
‘A smile for your thoughts.’ A deep voice boomed behind her. Elizabeth turned around and seen Mr Darcy clutching a well read book in his hand.
‘I feel immensely happy,’ Elizabeth replied. ‘I managed to avoid an extensive tour of the grounds,’ she chuckled. ‘Lovingly described in every detail by my cousin Mr Collins.’
Mr Darcy cleared his throat. ‘Who has the patronage of Catherine..’ He paused for a moment. ‘..de Bourgh.’
‘Oh dear,’ Elizabeth covered her mouth in mirth. ‘You have also noticed his obvious devotion to your Aunt.’
Mr Darcy noticed the chaperones reading their books in the far corner of the library. ‘I brought a book of poetry I’m reading at the moment.’ He beckoned Elizabeth towards two comfortable seats by the fire. ‘Have you heard the work of Shelley and Keats?’
‘I admire their poetry greatly,’ Elizabeth responded. ‘Byron and Blake are also my favourite poets.’
‘Do you mind if I read my favourite poems first,’ Fitzwilliam looked deep into her eyes. ‘Of romantic love..’
‘I look forward to hearing them,’ Elizabeth replied in an upbeat mood. What a delightful way to spend a spring afternoon. In the company of a handsome, cultured gentleman like Mr Darcy, she reflected with a smile.
They spent the next hour reading their favourite poetry to each other. Mr Darcy was surprised how well read Elizabeth was, but most of all he found her company as cultured and elevating as a lady from the ton.
As they read more poetry to each other, they exchanged smiles and affectionate glances at each other. The smell of fragrant roses wafted in through an open window. Elizabeth felt a special romance was beginning to blossom between them, just like the roses in the garden outside.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth heard the sound of a woman’s voice outside the library, as she tried to read her book in a chair by the fireplace. As Mr Darcy went to retrieve a book from a shelf near the doorway the door flung open.
‘Fitzwilliam I thought I’d find you here.’ Caroline Bingley stood in the doorway with a smug grin. She embraced him with a polite kiss on the cheek. ‘I’ve missed you darling,’ she returned a coy smile. ‘Have you missed me?’
Elizabeth froze at the sound of Miss Bingley’s voice. It was obvious she had not seen her in the room. She remained quiet in the chair. Maybe she would gain some insight into Caroline’s affections. She always believed that she was sweet on Mr Darcy. But how much?
Mr Darcy broke from her embrace. ‘Fitzwilliam relax there is only us here,’ Caroline laughed. He looked over at the chaperones. ‘Take no notice of them darling.’ She looked deep into his eyes. ‘We are always discreet with our affections.’
‘Miss Bingley.’ Mr Darcy looked over at the fireplace. ‘We have a guest.’
Elizabeth stood up from her chair clutching her book. ‘Let me introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’
‘Miss Bennet.’ Caroline could not mask her disappointment. ‘I am astonished at your presence.’ She looked back at Fitzwilliam perplexed by the situation.
‘Don’t you recall Miss Bennet from the Christmas ball,’ he asked.
‘Many people recall the loud behaviour of the Bennet sisters,’ she replied with an aloof expression.
Elizabeth ignored he
r sarcastic remark. ‘Glad to make your acquaintance Miss Bingley.’ She gave a polite courtesy which Caroline turned away from.
‘Miss Bingley,’ Mr Darcy prompted, hoping she would return a courtesy.
‘..Is Charles located in the west wing?’ Caroline carried on talking to Fitzwilliam. ‘I must tell him the latest gossip from London.’
‘Why are you surprised by my invitation?’ Mr Darcy looked Caroline in the eye.
Caroline gave Miss Bennet a cold look. ‘I was not aware of it.’
Hoping to acquire Mr Darcy to yourself, Elizabeth mused. She tightly held her book as she tried to maintain her composure.
‘I did mention it to Mr Bingley,’ Mr Darcy replied. ‘He must have assumed you knew.’
‘Well I’m sure we can manage with one Bennet sister.’ She glanced back at Elizabeth. ‘And your mother as chaperone.’
‘I have invited all the Bennet sisters,’ Mr Darcy remarked.
‘All the Bennet sisters.’ She returned a look of horror. ‘After their brazen behaviour at the Christmas ball?‘
Elizabeth could not stay silent any longer. ‘I assume you refer to Lydia and Kitty’s high spirits at the ball in Netherfield.’
Caroline was shocked by her outburst.
‘Miss Bennet is right to defend her sisters,’ Mr Darcy asserted. ‘Many people get a little merry at Christmastide.’
Caroline glared back at Fitzwilliam. ‘It seems Miss Bennett can do no wrong.’
‘Not in my eyes,’ Mr Darcy quipped.
Caroline was disgusted by his comment. ‘Have you been drinking the brandy already.’
Elizabeth could not believe the contempt in her voice.
‘Maybe you should try some,’ Mr Darcy replied. ‘It may temper your melancholy.’
Caroline marched over to the doorway. ‘I will seek more elevated company at the ball instead.’ She banged shut the door.
Mr Darcy looked over at Elizabeth. ‘My apologies, I did not realise she had such a cause tongue.’
‘I don’t know whether to feel flattered or battered by such an exchange,’ Elizabeth pondered.
‘Because of her obvious jealously of you?’
