“Thank you, my friend.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“You know, Darcy, something tells me that the second Bennet daughter may also be able to recommend some books. She is not only intelligent but she is quite pretty as well. I am confident that you will get along very well with her. Miss Elizabeth does not seem to be the type of woman who is out to catch just any man to marry. Her sister told me that she will only marry for true love.”
“Then she is very different from most of the women I have met. That is, she is not a fortune hunter.”
“No, Darcy, that will not be a problem unless her mother gets involved. The Bennets home is entailed along the male line and that means it will belong to a distant cousin once Mr. Bennet passes.”
“That is terrible, but let us hope he lives to grow old. I can see why the mother would want all her daughters to settle well. That reminds me, for I need to marry and have a son who will inherit Pemberley.”
“Yes, Darcy, you have pressure on you to marry. Why are you now accepting this fact? Has my talk of Miss Elizabeth turned your head?”
“Bingley, I believe I have awakened to the idea that I am tired of my life as it is. Did I tell you that I saw Miss Elizabeth in a bookstore a few days ago? We never met but there is something about the young woman that captivates me and now I am inclined to seriously look for a wife.”
CHAPTER 3
The next night Elizabeth and Darcy finally met at a party at Lucas lodge. First Mr. Bingley introduced Mr. Darcy to Sir William and his wife and later to most of the Bennet family. Darcy was all polite and smiled affectionately with all those he met and soon felt a young woman being pushed into him. Her youngest and most silly sister, Lydia had pushed her.
Elizabeth blushed crimson as Sir William next introduced the couple as Darcy bowed and Elizabeth dropped him a curtsey, but Sir William next went to greet the others.
She had already been nervous as soon as she saw him enter the room but her sister’s actions caused her to blush even more such that she felt the heat of her blush but the man looked into her eyes and smiled. “Please excuse my youngest sister’s exuberance, sir. She has a way to go to learn proper manners.”
“I am very pleased to finally meet you, Miss Elizabeth. You are the young woman I first saw in a bookstore in town a few days ago. My sister and I saw you. Also yesterday near noon I thought I saw you walking with your sisters in Meryton. Am I correct?”
“You are correct, sir. I also heard you suppress a chuckle when I was explaining that the books were for my father and myself.”
“Yes, you are right but I am very pleased to finally meet you. I am also impressed with your memory. I am certain that not much gets by you.”
Elizabeth already began to feel more comfortable around this man and knew he would be an excellent man to converse with. Why not flash me another smile, Mr. Darcy? I love the sound of your deep baritone voice. It is soft and refreshing and makes me tingle when you smile as you speak.
“I will take your words as a compliment, Mr. Darcy, but I do make it a habit to carefully observe what is happening around me.”
This is all so confusing I can’t believe it is happening to me but he is certain to hear my heart pounding in my chest. What is this all about?
“To be truthful, I was listening as you were speaking about the very books I purchased a few weeks ago. Please forgive me if I starred at you and made you uncomfortable. It is just strange that you wanted to order the same books I had bought earlier.”
“But is it not stranger still that you and I are meeting here this evening?”
“I am pleased to meet you but I agree it is strange how we to met so soon.”
“Mr. Darcy, is the young woman who was with you that day your sister?”
“Yes, and later at home she asked if I had those same books you were asking about and I told her I did.”
“Well, sir, you must relieve my suffering and must tell me if you enjoyed reading them.”
Darcy looked at her and smiled broadly and his eyes made her happy. “I did read those books in my library and enjoyed doing so. In fact, I have many books that I intend to give to my friend Mr. Bingley to start his collection.”
“That is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy.”
“Then let me help both of us for I have many duplicate books that publishers have sent me over the years and I probably have some that you are interested in. If you provide me with a list of books that interest you or your father, then I will send the list to my home in town and have those extra books brought to Netherfield. This way both of us will be happy.”
“So this will make me happy?”
“I hope it will make many people happy but I am not convinced that my friend will somehow take to book reading. The next time I see you I would like to have your list. Can I count on you Miss Elizabeth?”
“If you will be providing me with free access to these books then what do I owe you in return, sir?”
I can think of a few things you might owe me, my pretty friend. How about a kiss?
“You have already paid me, Miss Elizabeth. I should have introduced myself to you that day in town. It bothered me greatly such that I returned to that same store and two others for the next two days looking for you.”
“I do not know how to take your words, Mr. Darcy, but I tried to get a good look at the handsome man who was listening in on my private conversation. At least you are a man of honour.”
“Have you visited Netherfield since my friend rented the property?”
“No, sir, I have not. Your sister is very pretty. Does she read extensively?”
“She reads more than most people her age. Mostly she practices on the pianoforte and she has excellent teachers for all her studies. My cousin and I are her legal guardians and Georgiana lives with me.”
“It must be difficult at times being a guardian for a younger sister and having such a responsibility. I can tell you that I have four sisters and there is little peace at home.”
“Then you must find a quiet place to read and gather your thoughts. I would suppose your eldest sister and you have the most in common?”
“Jane and I are best friends and I suppose you and your sister are as well?”
“My sister is a pleasure and I love her but I have also failed her. To be clear, I have not done enough to introduce her to young women near her age and so she has little self confidence and often acts very shy around people she does not know.”
Darcy visited some with all the guests but soon found Elizabeth again and they continued their discussion on authors and politics and history and world affairs.
“Miss Elizabeth, you are smiling with a look of mischief. Pray tell the reason for your merriment?”
“I was thinking how Mr. Bingley’s sisters would enjoy this evening. Are you and Miss Bingley engaged?”
“May I ask why you brought up the sisters?”
“I overheard them at the dance and Miss Caroline told her sister she would soon be engaged to you.”
Darcy replied that he would never consider marrying the woman and he purposely avoided the dance just to stay away from the sisters.
“I do not think the sisters enjoyed their visit to Hertfordshire. They seemed to be disappointed by the lack of fashion and of course they hardly spoke with the locals except to complain or boast.”
“Then I am sorry if they have offended you. I can tell you that Mr. Bingley is pleased they returned to town.”
* *
That evening at Longbourn all the talk was about Mr. Bingley and his friend. “Lizzy, do you like the man?”
“Yes Mama, he comes across as a decent man.”
“I should say so, Lizzy. Do you know he owns the largest estate in Derbyshire and his income is ten-thousand pounds or more a year?”
“So money is all that you are concerned with?”
“Stop being so stubborn Lizzy. He might be interested in you. I just do not want you to miss an opportunity to marry the best bac
helor in all of England.”
“I had never heard of him before tonight.”
“Kitty will show you articles from The Times that tell everything about the man.”
“Mama, I do find Mr. Darcy to be a gentleman and a man of honour and I enjoyed his company. Now I am tired and wish to go to bed, so goodnight.”
Mrs. Bennet was rather satisfied with her second daughter but would keep the pressure on her to win Mr. Darcy’s affections.
That night before bed, Jane and Elizabeth took turns combing each other’s hair as they talked about the evening.
“Lizzy, Charlotte told me that Mr. Darcy kept looking at you all evening. Did you see that at all?”
“No, but we did talk about many things. Jane, he may be the most sought after bachelor in all the land but he is not a dandy. He is too busy managing the Darcy estates and businesses to chase the ladies of the town. Indeed, he lost his mother fifteen years ago and his father four years ago. He and his cousin are joint guardians for his sixteen year old sister. In spite of Kitty’s stories about the man from The Times, I believe he is an innocent man in matters of the heart.”
“Does this mean you care for him?”
“Jane, you cannot expect an answer so soon but let me see if I can dream of him and you can do the same with your Mr. Bingley.”
“He is not yet my Mr. Bingley, Lizzy.”
“That may presently be true, but according to Charlotte, if you show him more affection he will soon be in love with you.”
As her head hit the pillow Elizabeth could not get Mr. Darcy out of her mind. Now she recalled her feelings at seeing him enter Lucas Lodge and remembered that her heart beat wildly. He was dressed formally and made a dashing figure with his tall masculine physique and his deep baritone voice. Immediately they caught each other’s eye and she turned away to hide her blush when Lydia pushed her into him.
Ever since she had her first look at the man in the bookstore in town, Elizabeth thought of him as the most handsome man she had ever met. She loved his dark curly hair and his dark eyes were enough to captivate any young woman, and yet she thought he was an innocent and had never known a woman romantically.
As she lay in her bed she now understood that even at her first sight of him in the bookstore that she was attracted to him. The fact that he admitted that he looked for her for the next two days pleased her greatly.
Certainly only an honest man would admit this so early, and he did. But, did I not tell him that I saw him and thought him handsome? Already I can see that we share many common beliefs. Goodness, he loves to read as do I and we both share a love of history and politics. The man is also serious and probably seldom smiles but he smiles at me. I do not believe him capable of meanness to anyone. This is a fine time to learn of romance. Yes, Mr. Darcy, we shall be good friends.
* *
Now back at Netherfield, the friends talked about the evening. “Well, Darcy, I am thinking this might be a good time to invite Georgiana to visit Netherfield. With my sisters away it would make things easier when we invite the eldest Bennet sisters and you could spend some valuable time with your sister. Of course I realize that I may be misspeaking, but you appeared to get on well with Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana might also enjoy meeting all the Bennet sisters and that would afford you more time together with Miss Elizabeth.”
“I did enjoy meeting her, but was I that easy to figure out?”
“Yes, for any person could see both of you talking and you were together for most of the evening. Darcy, I have never seen you so talkative and you even put your stoic mask aside when you were with her. Can it be that you have finally found your match?”
“Time will tell my friend but I am pleased that you think that way. Miss Elizabeth is one of the most intelligent people of my acquaintance.”
“But how can you say that when you only met her this evening?”
“The woman remembers everything and can recite long passages from the great authors. She is astute on politics, speaks four languages, plays the violin and the pianoforte and she sometimes sings.”
“Then there is more to her than just her reading?”
“She told me she likes to read but said she also likes to take long walks and when she was younger she often would race boys she knew and usually would beat them.”
“This does not seem suitable for a gentleman’s daughter.”
“No, but you have to admire her spirit. She is like a breath of fresh air and has a beauty about her that is unique. You danced with her, so what did you think?”
“Darcy, she is very pretty and has a spirited personality, but I have already told you she might scare off any likely suitors by her intelligence.”
“But that is one of the reasons I wish to know her better. The other reason is she would be good for Georgiana. If you still want her to visit, I will write to her as soon as Miss. Elizabeth gives me a list the books that I can add to your library.”
“Good Darcy!”
The friends stayed up talking and finally left for their rooms near two that morning.
That night Darcy thought about the vivacious young woman with the chocolate curls and about her zest for life. He wondered why he had taken so long to meet such a woman. For the first time his heart was stirred and he remembered every word she spoke. But Miss Elizabeth had won him over and Darcy was at a lost with his thoughts of how he could earn her friendship.
He had always been cautious around single young women but he was now comfortable talking to her. For some reason he was a changed man and he knew he had Elizabeth to thank. Her scent of lavender was pleasing and he was happy to have enjoyed her presence during the evening.
Darcy could not object to the timing of a visit by Georgiana. She had recently completed her studies and her companion would leave any day to visit her sick mother in Liverpool. Also, he would introduce Georgiana to Elizabeth and her sisters and soon might see if they got along well, for in his heart Darcy was already considering Elizabeth for his wife.
Early the next morning Darcy was startled when he saw Miss Elizabeth walking toward the front door of Netherfield and he stepped outside to greet her.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet, is there anything wrong? Please come inside and have some breakfast or at least rest?”
“Good morning to you, Mr. Darcy, and there is no problem. I have come to give you my list of books that you asked me about. Now I must return.”
“But please come inside and rest?”
He looked into her brown eyes and loved her expression as she responded.
“My father believed I walked to Oakham Mount but I prepared this list last night and wanted to get it in your hands as soon as I could.”
“You could not sleep?”
“I tried to sleep but that did not work soon enough so I started to work on the list and once I was finished I had a good sleep.”
“Then you walked all this way?”
“Did I not tell you that I am a great walker?”
“You did tell me but can I give you a ride back to your home?”
“No, propriety will not allow that. I am sorry but I will not be missed if I return now. Please let me know when your books arrive?”
“Miss Bennet, I certainly will let you know. Do you walk the same paths each day? Suppose I wanted to join you on the morrow?”
“I suppose I could meet you at sunrise at the intersection of the Netherfield Road and the road to Meryton, but remember this is not a planned meeting for I do not want others to know.”
“You have my word, Miss Bennet.”
She turned and looked archly at him and giggled softly and next turned to walk back to her home. Darcy continued to watch her and eventually she was out of sight.
That afternoon he wrote his sister and included the list of books and sent the letter by express. He fully believed Georgiana would arrive the day after she received his letter.
CHAPTER 4
Georgiana was not surprised to receive her brother
’s letter because he often wrote to her, but it was the content of the letter that made her heart move. Darcy wrote that he had met the young woman who they had seen in the bookstore and that she was very friendly and her family lived nearby. This was Georgiana’s fervent wish for her brother since he first had seen the same woman in town. That he had found the woman gave Georgiana the hope that her brother and the woman might be good for one another.
In his letter he explained she had been visiting with her relatives in town and had been helping her Aunt Gardiner with her younger cousins. He wrote that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a gentleman’s daughter and lived on a modest estate with her parents and sisters but there were no sons.
When she arrived at a point in the letter where Darcy wrote that he had just missed the dance and seeing Mr. Bingley’s sisters, she was pleased. But when he said Mr. Bingley wished to invite her to visit at Netherfield and serve as hostess she was delighted. The fact that Mr. Bingley’s sisters had returned to town before Darcy arrived made her even more eager to join her brother and his friend.
Upon receiving the letter she asked the housekeeper to arrange for her leaving the next morning and she would bring her ladies maid and Darcy’s valet along with the books on the list and some other clothes that Darcy had requested.
* *
Elizabeth was accustomed to walking early in the morning and she would do the same this day, except this day would be very different. The sun had not yet broken above the horizon as she began to see the first daylight as she threw off the coverlet and readied herself for her day. She noticed her hands were shaking and she pondered if she was nervous because she would soon meet Mr. Darcy. Jane had thought him shy but yesterday he had put himself forward and asked to join her on her walk. Now part of her wished she had not agreed to the meeting as other thoughts came to mind.
What is the matter with me? Why would I walk all that way to give him his list of books? Am I nervous that I may be found out? I have never walked alone with a man out of sight of my family. I should have waited but now he will think I am a fortune hunter. I knew at the start that I was wrong to walk all that way and yet I did. Now he will think I have a crush on him. He will see me walking like some wild thing and think I just cleaned the barn. Oh well, it is done and all for the better. If he does not like what he sees, that is just too bad. I will not change my life because of him.
OUT OF THE BLUE CLEAR SKY: (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION) Page 2
