“Then I imagine I will never marry well and will just have to find another way to occupy myself.”
“And how to you plan to do that?”
“Well, it seems dog thievery is not my forte,” she said sarcastically. “So I shall have to apply my talents to something else.”
The man looked down at her. “I wonder who told you Mr Darcy was an ogre? You seem to see him as the beast from La Belle et La Bête. Do you think him a ferocious man?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I have not heard that, exactly. It is only what I imagine from the bits and pieces I have been told. I like studying characters and I like to challenge my judgment to see how accurate it is. I think a man who keeps to himself as much as Mr Darcy is said to cannot be all that pleasant.”
“Perhaps he is simply reserved and does not converse easily with strangers.”
“And that is his fault because he did not take the time to practice.”
“Perhaps you are right,” said the man thoughtfully. “But you must allow for differences in personality. Mr Darcy might be painfully shy and might have good reason to be wary of others. A man of his standing being too friendly might raise certain expectations in some quarters and he might find himself in the position of having to meet those expectations with no regard for his own desires. Do you allow him to have such concerns?”
Elizabeth thoughtfully tugged at Shadow’s ears. The puppy was dozing by then. “I suppose he might. I know there are those who seek nothing but a wealthy spouse and are willing to stoop to all sorts of deceitful practices to achieve it. Both men and women will compromise someone so they are forced to marry them. It is an ugly practice and I have no respect for anyone who stoops to such a level. But there are many men with far more reason to be concerned than an elderly man and they still manage to be friendly and make an effort with their neighbours. Besides, Mr Darcy must think of the future of his estate. He needs an heir to pass it on to or it might go to a distant relation. Perhaps he is not concerned about that.”
“I am sure he is concerned,” said the man. “Men of his station have been raised all their lives with an awareness of their duties to the family and estate. And I am sure he has other desires as well. Perhaps he wishes to marry a woman he loves and admires and has never found such a lady. Not everyone is so fortunate.”
“If he is an older man who has never managed to find a lady he admires, either he has not made the effort by keeping to himself, or he is too easily displeased and finds fault with everyone.”
The man laughed. “You are determined to blame him then.”
“I cannot be too hard on him. I do not know what his life has been. Perhaps he loved a woman once and could not marry her for some reason or another. If so, I am extremely sorry for him.”
“That is kind of you, but I do not believe that is the case.”
“Why not? Does he confide in you?”
The man hesitated. “I know something of his life,” he said. “I think the real truth is he has not found a woman yet who pleased him.” He reached across to stroke Shadow’s head. The dog opened his eyes sleepily and closed them again. “But perhaps there is something in what you say. Perhaps he has not exerted himself enough. Perhaps he is more concerned with avoiding what he does not want than finding what he does.” He looked surprised by the thought. He glanced down at Elizabeth. “This is all rather strange. I went from finding you and taking you to the magistrate to having such a discussion with you. It is most unexpected. Dog thievery aside, you are rather a remarkable woman. I have enjoyed our conversation.”
Elizabeth sighed though she could not suppress a flutter of pleasure at his praise. “Please do not tell me you persist in this ridiculous idea that I have stolen your dog, sir. The truth is far simpler and far less interesting. I wished to explore but muddied my gown. I found your dog and was taking him to Pemberley. That is all. It is not as thrilling as the tale you have concocted but it is all I can offer you.”
“Yes, that tale is rather less interesting, is it not? Well, we shall see soon enough.”
“I am readying myself for your apology.”
They were approaching the house by now. An early moon rose in the sky behind it, making it look as pretty as a picture. Elizabeth sighed. “If I could draw, I would take its likeness. It really is a beautiful house.”
“You approve of it?”
“Very much so. I am sure there are few who would not approve.”
“Yes, but from what I have seen of your character, your opinion is very rarely bestowed and therefore, more worth the earning.”
“You are very flattering towards the woman you have repeatedly accused of thievery.”
“I have enjoyed your company,” said the man simply. “Thievery aside.”
Elizabeth threw him an impatient look and began to walk faster.
“Not so fast if you please, my little delinquent.”
“Then I suggest you walk faster,” said Elizabeth.
To Elizabeth’s surprise, the man led her towards the front of the house.
“Should you not…” she began. But she paused. What was it to her if he took the main entrance. If he were in trouble for not using the kitchen, that was none of her concern. He approached it with such confidence that it confirmed her assessment of his arrogance. She wondered if he would be quite so confident if his master were home.
6
An older woman ran down the steps to meet them, her face lined with worry.
“Oh, sir, you have found her. The poor couple have been out of their minds with worry. Mrs Gardiner insists it is their niece’s usual way to wander further than she intended but as it grew darker, they were concerned she had been injured. Are you alright, my dear?” she asked Elizabeth in concern as she took in her stained gown and unruly hair.
“Yes, I am well,” said Elizabeth. She threw a triumphant look at the man. He stared back at her, though his look was expressionless.
“Lizzy,” cried Aunt Gardiner. She hurried down the steps and grasped her niece in her arms. “We have been so worried. Why were you so long? Did you get lost?”
Uncle Gardiner hurried down after his wife and joined her in embracing his niece. They were so relieved to have her again, they did not notice the man beside Elizabeth at first.
“I am quite well,” she assured them over and over again. Finally, Uncle Gardiner turned to the man and offered his hand.
“I must thank you for bringing my niece back to us, sir. She is a favourite of ours and most beloved of my brother. If anything had happened to her, we would not have been able to live with ourselves.”
The man bowed. “I am happy to be of service,” he said gallantly. Elizabeth stared at him with a raised eyebrow.
“I am waiting for my apology,” she said.
The man frowned at her, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
“An apology?” Aunt Gardiner repeated in dismay. She looked between the two of them in concern.
“Yes, an apology. He agreed he owes me one though I will not say what for,” said Elizabeth archly.
The housekeeper gave the man a worried look.
“I am sure there is some misunderstanding,” she said quickly.
“None at all, Mrs Reynolds,” said the man. “Miss Bennet is right. I do owe her an apology.” He bowed. “Please accept my sincerest apologies for doubting you. There. Will that do?”
“I suppose it is the best I can expect,” said Elizabeth. “Though I will not be ungracious. Now. Do you feel rather foolish?”
The older adults looked between the two young people in bewilderment.
“I do not understand,” said Mrs Reynolds. “Is all well between you and this young lady, sir?”
“All is quite well now,” said the man. “The young lady and I had a brief misunderstanding but I am sure we understand one another quite well now.”
“I would not go so far as all that,” said Elizabeth. She looked down at Shadow sadly. “I suppose I should return him to you.”
The man took the little dog from her. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner looked between the two of them, their faces mystified.
“I am so glad you found him, Mr Darcy,” said Mrs Reynolds. “I was worried for the little thing. I could not rest wondering if he was well or if something had happened to him.”
The man glanced uneasily at Elizabeth. “He was perfectly well. I found him in very good hands.”
Elizabeth was staring at him in shock.
“Mr Darcy?”
The man nodded. “That is correct.”
“You are Mr Darcy?”
“I am.”
“The unpleasant, elderly Mr Darcy who finds no one good enough for him?”
“Lizzy!” Aunt Gardiner chided.
“The very one. Though I do not think I am as elderly as you have continuously painted me as.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “What kind of trick is this? Why did you not tell me who you were? You knew I mistook you for someone else.”
Mr Darcy inclined his head though he did not respond. Mrs Reynolds looked between them in dismay.
“Did you enjoy a tour of the house?” Mr Darcy addressed himself to the Gardiners.
“Very much,” said Mr Gardiner. “I especially liked the paintings. I am sorry, sir. We would not have visited if we knew you were home.”
“We understood all the family were away from home,” said Mrs Gardiner. “Or we should never have presumed…”
Mr Darcy shook his head. “There is no need to apologise. I was away but I decided to return early. Few people in the town know about it.” He paused. “Will you not walk in and take —”
“I think we should return to Lambton, Aunt,” said Elizabeth. “The Parishes said they hoped to dine with us at the inn this evening, if you recall.” Elizabeth gave her aunt a fixed look. Her aunt looked as though she were about to protest but she caught her niece’s eye.
“Er, yes, I believe they will be expecting us,” she said. “Come, my dear. We should return before the dark falls completely. And I am sure Lizzy is uncomfortable in that gown.”
Darcy threw her a look which Elizabeth pretended not to notice.
“If you would like an escort to take you back to Lambton, I will gladly offer you one,” he said as he escorted them to the carriage.
“That is quite alright,” said Elizabeth abruptly without looking at him.
Mrs Gardiner paused. “That is very kind of you, sir, but there is no need. I grew up in Lambton. I often walked this way when I was a girl. I am not concerned about finding my way back.”
Darcy nodded. He handed her into the carriage then turned to Elizabeth. He offered her his hand but she pretended not to see it. She crouched down by his side.
“Goodbye, Shadow,” she said. “It was very nice to meet you.” She rose up and sprang into the carriage before Darcy could assist her and faced forward, her chin set with determination. The rest of the party bid their goodbyes.
“Lizzy,” Aunt Gardiner whispered. “Mr Darcy is looking at you.”
Elizabeth gritted her teeth. She glanced at him out of the side of her eye, barely deigning to turn her head fully.
“Good evening, sir,” she said in a flat voice.
“Good evening, Miss Bennet. It was interesting to meet with you,” said Darcy. He stood back from the carriage with his hands clasped behind his back. As the carriage pulled away, Elizabeth could not resist the urge to turn to look at him properly. Though he still looked like he worked the land, she paid proper attention to his proud, erect bearing and the elegant way he spoke. If she had not already made her mind up about him, she might have noticed all those little signs that should have told her he was a gentleman. And to think she prided herself on her ability to study characters. How he must have amused himself at her expense when she boasted of it.
Well, what of it? He might have looked at the quality of her gown instead of his dog’s muddy paw prints. He might have also noticed how she held herself and how she spoke and realised at once she was genteel and not the grubby little urchin he evidently took her for. They had both been deceived in the other.
7
“That was an extraordinary meeting, was it not?” Aunt Gardiner said. “Who would have thought I would finally meet the master of Pemberley and under such circumstances? I do not think you were impressed with him, Lizzy, but I cannot think why. He seemed perfectly pleasant to me. What passed between you? Why did you demand he apologise?”
“That is no concern,” said Elizabeth. “It was more of a jest, though I should not jest with such a man. I did not know he was the master of Pemberley. How could I, when he looked as he did? I thought you said the master of Pemberley was an elderly man who lived alone? I imagined someone shrivelled and stooped who could not walk without a cane. I never imagined someone like…” An image of Darcy in his shirt sleeves, his strong arms lifting her easily came to her and she flushed. “…someone like him,” she finished with a touch of embarrassment. Thank goodness the carriage lantern hid her face. She was sure it was as red as it felt.
Aunt and Uncle Gardiner exchanged confused looks. “Whoever said he was an elderly man?” asked Aunt Gardiner. “I said no such thing. Mr Darcy is only about seven or eight and twenty. Certainly no more than thirty. Where did you get the idea he was more than that?”
“I know I jested earlier that he was an ogre, but I was teasing you, Lizzy,” said Uncle Gardiner.
Elizabeth frowned. “I am sure you said he was an old man. Did you not? When we spoke of him on the journey here?”
Aunt Gardiner frowned as she tried to recall the conversation. Her face cleared and she laughed.
“I think I see the confusion. No, I said I never knew Mr Darcy when I lived here before because we were not of an age. I meant he was some years younger than me. Not that he was older. I am sorry I misled you.”
Elizabeth sighed and tilted her head back. No, it was not her aunt’s fault she had imagined him as she did. It was merely her own imagination growing wings and flying away to conjure an image of a character from La Belle et La Bête as Mr Darcy called it.
“I misunderstood,” she mumbled. “I was not expecting someone like him. And I certainly did not expect to encounter him as I did. He should have told me who he was. I took him for a member of staff.”
“I do not see why that is so bad,” said Mr Gardiner. “It is not as though you would have been rude to him if he was. That is not your way.”
“No, I was not rude to him. At least not in regards to believing him a member of staff. And any rudeness I did show was more than matched by his own.” She paused. “He thought I had stolen his dog.”
“He what?” Mr Gardiner started up indignantly.
Elizabeth spread her hands to show the state of her gown. “He found me with him. And I looked like this. Shadow was missing from his kennel this morning and Mr Darcy believed I had stolen him when he came upon me holding him. Because I was so far from Pemberley, he did not believe me when I said I was taking him to there to find his owner.” She smiled grimly. “He was going to take me to the magistrate.”
“That was very harsh of him. To accuse you of being a thief with no evidence whatsoever.”
“None, apart from me holding the stolen goods in my arms, as he was so quick to point out. I told him who I was and why I was there but looking at how I appeared, he did not believe me.” Elizabeth paused as she remembered some of Darcy’s bantering, teasing tone. “Or perhaps he did believe me after a while. He was such an odd mixture of reserve and humour I could not quite make him out. I think after a while, he realised his error but still enjoyed teasing me.”
Aunt Gardiner raised an eyebrow. “I would not be sure about that. I do not know Mr Darcy, but I do know he is not a young man given to levity. One thing I hear about him over and over again is that he is proud, reserved and serious. Far more serious than he should be at his age. I cannot imagine him teasing you as you tease people.”
Elizabeth thought back over their
conversation and the words they shared. Was this the man Aunt Gardiner described? She thought he was more playful than the Mr Darcy her aunt mentioned but what did she know? She had only met him that one time. She knew nothing of him and she was very unlikely to meet him again. She shrugged.
“Perhaps you are right, then. Perhaps he was not teasing.”
“I am astonished he would treat you as you say,” said Uncle Gardiner. “If I had known, I would certainly have said something to him. You should have told me, Lizzy.”
“I was too astonished by his identity. And besides, I cannot deny he had a right to his suspicions. I do not exactly look like a respectable woman. I had the dog he was already afraid had been stolen. It is not uncommon for people to steal dogs from the wealthy and demand money for their return or sell them. Considering his suspicions, he treated me kinder than could be expected.”
Elizabeth could hardly believe she was defending Mr Darcy. The man had made a fool of her. He had encouraged her to talk about the master of Pemberley and refer to him as a servant and he had done it only to amuse himself at her expense. She had felt so triumphant when her aunt and uncle claimed her, thinking she would delight in him making a fool of himself. How he must laugh at her right now. Her cheeks burned when she recalled the things she had said to him. Her only comfort was that the proud and arrogant Mr Darcy would almost surely keep to himself for the remainder of her time in Derbyshire. She would never have to see him again.
8
Elizabeth put the final pin in place and turned her head to examine her reflection in the mirror. A hot bath and a new gown had transformed her. Though she was not always so attentive to her appearance, after a day of being mistaken for a thief, she had a strong urge to look as well as she possibly could. Her mother always lamented that Elizabeth did not make the most of her looks. As the second prettiest of five sisters, Mrs Bennet scolded Elizabeth repeatedly for rambling about the countryside instead of attending to her toilette so she might attract the wealthiest husband she could.
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 3
