by Tiffany Ward
“My Aunt noticed this as well. She cautioned me that Caroline’s feelings had changed. She wanted me prepared for a potential compromise at the hands of your sister.” Staring into his glass, Darcy was ashamed of what he needed to say next. “I spoke to Georgie after Caroline embarrassed Elizabeth. She feels that Caroline is not a true friend, especially if she disagrees with her. I asked if she was willing to end her friendship; she very quickly stated her agreement.” Looking at Charles, so there was no mistake in his next comments. “Charles, if Caroline does try to compromise me, she will be cut from the ton immediately. I will not marry your sister for any reason. I have been having feelings for Elizabeth that I wish to explore. If Caroline gets in the way, I will drop the connection.”
“I understand. I am saddened that my sister is acting in this manner, but you have been very clear in your expectations since the moment you were introduced. She is the one that changed, not you or I. I will support you old friend.” Charles continued with his statements so Darcy would understand that he was still a friend. “I made it clear to her Friday afternoon that if she cannot act appropriately, I will broker a marriage for her with Frank Lowry. In the past, he had demonstrated a clear interest in her. You have been a great friend for many years, and I will support you over my sister. Caroline has changed since we arrived, I feel sorry for her, but that does not mean you will marry her.” Pouring himself another glass, Charles needed to make the next statement. “We need to observe Caroline’s behavior. I worry that my sister is becoming unstable. I am not sure if she knows what reality is currently. Please post your footmen strategically, I do not want you to be compromised by my sister.”
Acknowledging the statement, Darcy left for his rooms. He needed to update his staff on the current information. After reporting Charles concerns, William told of his plans for tomorrow. “Mr. Brown, I will be heading out early. I need to leave by quarter before nine. Please have a tray ready for myself and one sent to my sister by eight fifteen.”
The Darcys visited the tenants at Longbourn the next day. “I am so glad that you were able to arrive on time. My mother and sisters have not come down yet, so you will not be required to greet them this morning.” Lizzy blushed as her father arrived to greet the Darcys. “Shall we depart now?”
Lizzy had a basket for the Bakers, William took the basket from her. He was happy that he had been able to touch Elizabeth’s hand in the process. “Which tenants will we meet today, and what can we do to help you?” Georgie wanted to know what was in the basket, and she was excited to spend time with her friend.
“The Bakers are one of our older tenant families. Their daughter and her husband work the plot nearest them. As they have aged, they are not able to care for the cottage or land as well as they used to. Their grandchildren do help with farming the land, but Mrs. Baker is noticeably slowing down. So, I would appreciate you looking around the cottage without being obvious. If there are any repairs, I need to send our steward out to complete them. Mrs. Baker refuses to admit that she has any needs. Her daughter takes care of her parents as best she can, but she is trying to encourage them to move in with her brother, or allow her oldest son and daughter to remain with them to help out.” Lizzy paused, then spoke about her concerns. “This family needs to be respected, yet they have a difficult decision to make. Since their income has not decreased, I cannot force the move. My concern is for their health and welfare. I agree with their daughter but cannot state my opinion directly without hurting their feelings or pride. We do not have a retirement cottage for them to move into, so if they leave, it would be for a cottage further away. I believe that is why they refuse to leave. If they allow their grandchildren to remain with them, I would not be as concerned for their welfare.”
“We will watch what we say, yet scrutinize the property for repairs.” Darcy was impressed with Elizabeth’s stance on the situation. He wished that she would come to Pemberley to help with his tenants. There were a few aging families in similar situations. He wanted to watch her interactions so he could emulate them, or get her to agree to move with him. He wanted her to live with him. He sensed it was too early for love. Yet he had dreamed of her at his house the night before. He knew that she was his future wife.
At the Baker cottage, Georgiana was impressed with the granddaughter helping to direct her grandmother. She agreed with Elizabeth, the grandchildren needed to live at the cottage permanently. Now how do they work together to get their agreement? Georgiana looked around the cottage and noticed that there was some water damage in the corner, this would happen if there was a leak in the roof above.
“Mrs. Baker, I noticed that your laundry line needs to be restrung. It has lapsed from the windowsill. Is there anything else that needs to be repaired while we are here? I want you to know that we have appreciated your service to our family and we value your family. Please let me know what other repairs need to take place to make you comfortable.” Lizzy looked around the cottage diligently, then decided she needed to speak to Sarah, the granddaughter, privately. “Sarah, can you step outside and help me restring the line?”
Georgiana remained inside speaking to Mrs. Baker. She was helping to unpack the basket to keep the woman occupied for her friend. William followed the ladies, anticipating Elizabeth’s needs. He worked on the line while Elizabeth talked to Sarah. “What can we do for your grandparents? Please tell me what currently needs to be fixed at the cottage.” Elizabeth watched William make the repairs, and she was highly impressed with his work ethic. She became flushed when he removed his jacket and short coat, working in his shirt sleeves. He was a very handsome man; his muscles were evident through his shirt. Lizzy’s face was flushed when he turned to watch her. He was curious about her reaction, was she interested in him as well?
With a plan in place, Elizabeth returned to the cottage. “Mrs. Baker, Sarah informed me that there are repairs needed at your daughter’s house. It will be essential to close off some rooms as we work on their roof. Do you believe that you could house two or three of your grandchildren until the repairs are complete? This would be through the winter months; my family would be indebted to you for this.” Lizzy knew that if she got the grandchildren in the house, they would never leave. With an excuse being in place, the grandparents would keep their pride intact.
Sarah was sent to her house to gather her clothes; she needed to explain how Miss Lizzy was able to get her grandparents to cooperate. Her mother was ecstatic that this was finally happening. She would visit the main house on the morrow to express her acceptance and appreciation. “Mother, we need to pretend that our cottage needs repairs. We will be closing down two rooms to promote this plan. This is the only way Lizzy was able to get grandma to agree. All of our family must tell this story; otherwise, grandma will realize the truth and send us back before Spring. While there Lizzy explained that we must make ourselves indispensable to our grandparents, or they will return us when the repairs are complete. I will do my best for them and our family.” As she finished with the story, she completed her packing and returned to the cottage.
William was highly impressed with the interactions between Miss Elizabeth and the tenants. “I was glad that you allowed us to come with you today. You were able to allow the elderly to maintain their pride, yet accomplished the goal you had set before arriving. Georgie, were you able to determine how Miss Elizabeth achieved her goal? Could you see applying this at home?”
“Yes brother, I watched and listened. I believe that you were overindulging the repairs needed at the daughter’s cottage, but this allowed the grandparents to accept the help they required for the Winter. Hopefully, the grandchildren will be allowed to remain after Winter is complete.”
After escorting Elizabeth home, the Darcys returned to Netherfield. “Georgie, before we enter, I would appreciate discussing some items with you. I feel it is better to have this discussion where we cannot be overheard. Fred, our footman, noticed Caroline outside the library when we were discussing Miss El
izabeth last time. She was listening at the door, trying to hear everything we were saying. From now on, if we wish to discuss anything important, we need to go for a walk or a carriage ride without the Bingleys being present.”
Sad that Caroline was turning into someone she no longer wished to be around, Georgie agreed. “I was highly impressed with Elizabeth’s manners and methods. She is intelligent and resourceful. Accomplishing her goal without causing hard feelings, she was able to understand the interactions between Baker’s family. This perception is what both of us are lacking in our interactions with our tenants. I believe that Miss Elizabeth will be a very beneficial friend.”
“What if she becomes more than a friend? Georgie, I am experiencing feelings for Miss Elizabeth. She is beautiful, kind and intelligent. I have never felt this for any woman before. Would you be fine if I courted your friend? This could lead to marriage eventually. Will this cause you any hardship?” William stopped when Georgie squealed and hugged him.
“Elizabeth is the type of sister that I have always wanted. Please get her to fall in love with you. The way she blushed when she watched you fix the laundry line, I believe that she may already be falling for you. William, I would enjoy having her for a sister. She could teach me how to handle society and build my confidence as I prepare to be presented to the ton.” Georgie was extremely excited by this possibility.
“I worry that as beautiful and kind that Elizabeth is, she may already have a suitor. I need to approach her and find out if she is already attached to another.” William wanted to be honest with Georgie. “An additional worry is the Fitzwilliams. Would they accept Elizabeth as my bride? If they did not, I would cut ties with them.”
“I have not asked her about being in a relationship. If you do not wish to ask her directly, we could ask Mr. Evans. He is a local that seems to have a good amount of knowledge on the Bennet family. He would know whether or not Miss Elizabeth is being courted.” Georgie suggested, knowing that her brother was shy. “As for our aunt and uncle, they would accept any gentlewoman that you loved. I have heard aunt speak of marrying only for love in the past, she would gladly accept Elizabeth. You know that uncle will follow aunts led.”
“We know that the Meryton community is going to have an assembly soon. I will go with the intention of dancing with Elizabeth. I can also watch to see if she dances more than once with any of the local men.” William was beginning to have a plan on how to approach Elizabeth. He knew that he was very interested in her. Would she be open to allowing him to court her? Would she be willing to leave Meryton as Mr. Evans suggested?
To ensure that he remained free to court Elizabeth, Darcy had Fred stay in his room each evening to prevent Caroline from entering his rooms. Brown had two cots set up, one for Fred blocking the main entrance. The second was for himself, blocking the servant’s door. Fred had already notified his master that Miss Bingley had procured the keys to all the rooms, which was normal for a house mistress.
“Master, while walking the hallway near your room, I had to speak to Miss Bingley. She claimed that she was attempting to visit with Miss Darcy. She had already past her room and was heading directly towards your door. I feel that she will be attempting to enter your room soon.” Fred worried that his kindhearted master would not be able to say no if he was compromised. “Brown and I have set up cots for each evening. We will be blocking all the doors to your room with furniture and our cots. During the day, we block the main door with the dresser.”
“I appreciate your diligence. We will do all that is possible to prevent her admittance to my chambers. If there is a situation, she will be cut from our association.” Darcy needed to ensure his staff understood that he would not be marrying Caroline for any reason.
“We understand your needs and will do all to secure your freedom.” Fred did not feel it was his place to make any direct comments regarding the master’s friends. He worried about how the master would handle a compromise with a good friend’s sister.
Chapter Five: The Assembly
Since the Bennets were the only family to have an acquaintance with the Bingley party, they were able to introduce them to the prominent families in the area. “Why Mr. Darcy, I am pleased to see you arrive at our assembly. I am sure that you remember my daughters, Elizabeth and Jane. You have also met Mrs. Bennet and my three youngest, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. I would appreciate you introducing my family to the rest of your party.”
“My pleasure sir, Mr. Thomas Bennet, may I introduce Mr. Charles Bingley, the new leaseholder at Netherfield. This is Miss Caroline Bingley, Charles’ youngest sister.” Darcy continued speaking, “Miss Elizabeth, I would appreciate sharing a dance with you. Do you have any available for me?”
“Why Mr. Darcy, I am available for the second and fifth dances. Which of these would you chose?” Elizabeth was nervous as she noticed Caroline staring at her while she spoke to Darcy.
“Actually, I would like both of these dances.” Taking her hand, he escorted her to the refreshment table as she heard Caroline gasp, then begin to complain about country maidens. “Miss Elizabeth, I want to know you better. We have spent time together with my sister, and tonight is about us. I want to know if you and I are compatible together without others interfering. Are you being courted by anyone? I do not wish to cause issues if you are already spoken for.” Darcy knew he was exceptionally forward, but he also knew that he was falling in love with Elizabeth. The only way to tell if she loved him was for them to be in each other’s company more often. He knew that Miss Bingley might cause issues, so he needed to be direct and make his intentions known.
“I am not being courted by anyone. You do understand that if we dance twice together, others might gossip claiming expectations of a relationship between us. Are you prepared for this?” Elizabeth was worried that she would be required to become attached, yet she also knew that she liked Mr. Darcy. He was willing to work with and for the tenants. He gladly spent time with his much younger sister. She knew that he was intelligent and very handsome. Yes, she did want to spend more time getting to know this man. “Yes, I would like to dance with you. I will save you both dances.” Smiling, they continued to walk the perimeter of the dance floor. This gave them some time to speak together, even though they were interrupted frequently. Elizabeth performed introductions as she greeted friends. That evening, Darcy danced with ladies that Elizabeth chose for him.
Miss Bingley was upset that she was left on the side without a partner. She refused to dance with the local gentlemen. They were not of her social standing, so they did not deserve her attention. Charles was dancing with the local ladies; paying attention to Jane Bennet. Caroline expected to dance with Darcy; she was highly disappointed. Since she was being ignored by her guest, Caroline decided that Darcy needed to be saved from himself. She watched his interactions with the local ladies, and Caroline was getting angrier with each dance that she was left without a partner. She heard Mrs. Bennet declare that Mr. Darcy was spending time with her daughter; he must be attached to her. Caroline was becoming desperate for Darcy to choose her as his wife. She must find a way to get rid of this country miss so that Darcy could quickly determine that Caroline was his perfect woman. If she did not capture him soon, her brother would force her to set up her own establishment or marry his choice, Frank Lowry.
The men of the Bingley party were deemed sociable and friendly by the people of Meryton. Miss Bingley was considered standoffish. She was seen as unsociable and snobbish. Throughout the dance, many heard her comments regarding the lack of fashion and disparaging the locals for their lack of social standing. The ladies noticed that Miss Bingley watched Mr. Darcy for the entire evening. Did she have a prior claim on him? If so, why did he dance twice with Miss Elizabeth?
Mrs. Bennet was heard making comments throughout the dance. “My Jane has caught the attention of Mr. Bingley. He is worth five thousand a year. He would do well to choose my wonderful, beautiful daughter.” Then later, “Lizzy is just a friend to M
r. Darcy’s sister. He feels sorry for her. She will never find a man who would accept her impertinent ways. Now my Lydia would be a wonderful match for him. He has ten thousand a year. What a marriage that would be.”
While dancing the second time with Lizzy, Darcy explained “Georgiana is not out in society yet, so she did not join us for the assembly. She stayed at Netherfield to continue with the course of study that I have developed for her. She asked about you. She wanted to know if she could visit with you again.”
“If you wish for her to learn about the flora in the region, I take walks early in the morning to Oakham Mount. It has many varieties that are native to our area. I would enjoy the company and could teach her about our county.” Elizabeth was flattered that he wanted his sister to spend time with her. “She is also welcome to visit the tenants on Tuesdays with me. I have limited my contact with the Netherfield tenants until further notice. The owners decided to hire a steward while the Bingleys are tenants. He will take care of tenant concerns and manage all contact with Mr. Bingley when needed.”
“Georgie enjoys your company immensely. I will tell her of your invitation in the morning. I believe she will accept and join you in three days. May I join you as well?” Darcy wanted to see this wonderful lady again, and he was ready to make her an offer. This night proved that Elizabeth was the woman he could love.
With her agreement, Darcy found the evening to be the most enjoyable time since his parents’ deaths. It was early in their relationship, but Darcy knew he had met the woman he wanted to marry. He would bring Georgiana to Oakham Mount, but then he would also find time to meet with Elizabeth alone. He wanted to know all about her. So far, he knew that she was intelligent, friendly and responsible. He wanted to spend each day with her. Was it too early to call this feeling love?
