Mr Darcy's Cottage of Earthly Delights

by Beth Massey

  “I will send an express to have Netherfield opened immediately. My fondest wish is that we will be successful in convincing these two lovely sisters to accept our proposals. Besides being married to very agreeable women, we will have the added enjoyment of becoming brothers.”

  Darcy laughed at the rapid return of his friend’s good-humour. He extended his hand as he asked, “Does that mean I am forgiven for my boorish behaviour?”

  Bingley grinned as he pumped Darcy’s hand in agreement. He left to find his sisters. His amiability was brief, and he left the room with a look that said he had a score to settle.

  Caroline and Louise were in the blue parlour discussing the changes needed once she was Mistress of Pemberley when Charles entered. She came up to him with expectation in her eyes. “Did you wish to speak to me brother?”

  She noticed Charles seemed annoyed but still deluded herself as to his conference with Mr Darcy. It was his harsh tone that first caused her to doubt. “I do, but right now Darcy and I have a pressing appointment in Lambton. However, I wanted to inform you before we left that very soon we need to talk.”

  He stalked from the room. Her apprehension grew, as she and her sister observed not only Mr Darcy, but also Georgiana, prepared for an outing. What manner of errand took them to an unfashionable little country town so soon after arriving at Pemberley?

  She and her sister watched from the window as Miss Darcy rode in a curricle with her brother, and Charles rode along side on his horse. Darcy was usually an impeccable host. Why was he abandoning his guests only hours after their arrival? Caroline wondered what could be so important for Mr Darcy to display such improper behaviour. Perhaps, he wanted to purchase a token to cement their engagement and needed her brother’s and his sister’s advice.

  Elizabeth and the Gardiner’s had spent the day walking about Lambton with some of her aunt’s friends. They were just returned to the inn to rest, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window. They saw a gentleman and lady in a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth, immediately recognising the driver, guessed what it meant. She confessed to no small degree of surprise by her relations the honour she expected. The embarrassment of her manner caused her aunt and uncle to exchange a puzzled look.

  After their niece descended the stairs to greet her guests, Mr Gardiner felt there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for his niece. Mrs Gardiner whispered of the shared looks she had observed yesterday. Now with Mr Darcy bringing his sister so soon after her arrival, she speculated a proposal might be in the offing. She followed up her quizzical glance with a knowing one.

  While these newly hatched notions were capturing the thoughts of her aunt and uncle, the fluttering caused by Elizabeth's turmoil increased. To her amazement, she was acting much like her mother. Lizzy was anxious to please this young woman, who would be her sister, and trembled with the fear that her usual power to please would fail.

  Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and the daunting introduction took place. With astonishment, Elizabeth saw her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Mr Wickham had proclaimed that Georgiana Darcy was exceedingly proud. She had retained that prejudice despite the lieutenant being discredited on so many other matters. Even now after what had happened between them, Mr Darcy still exhibited considerable arrogance at times. However, the observation of a very few minutes convinced Lizzy Mr Wickham had once again not spoken the truth, and that Miss Darcy was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.

  Miss Darcy was, as Mr Darcy had noted at Netherfield, slightly taller than she. She was also on a larger scale than Elizabeth. Though she was little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there was sense and good-humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find her as probing and unembarrassed in her gaze as Mr Darcy had been upon their early acquaintance, was much relieved to find she averted her eyes often in timidity.

  They had not been long together before Darcy told her Bingley was also coming to wait on her. She barely had time to express her satisfaction, when Bingley's approaching step was heard. As he entered the room, the residue of Elizabeth's anger against him melted. After Kent and her realization that his sisters and Mr Darcy had deceived him, her ire had greatly diminished. Now seeing him after many months, those feelings could hardly have stood their ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family; and he looked and spoke with the same amiability as always.

  Elizabeth brought the new arrivals upstairs to meet Mr and Mrs Gardiner. After the introductions, both men fell into pleasant conversation with the couple. Her always gracious aunt was more successful than Elizabeth in drawing Georgiana into the conversation. They spoke of her childhood in Lambton; and Miss Darcy even became a bit animated when she learned Mrs Gardiner had met her mother. Darcy seemed pleased with this development.

  Bingley was all graciousness and geniality, and had no reserve in speaking to them. It appeared he longed to learn as much about Miss Bennet’s Cheapside relatives as possible, and their desire was of a similar vein after living daily with the pining of their other niece during her stay in London.

  Elizabeth wondered whether there would be an opportunity to give Will the slip of ribbon. It was in her pocket along with the packet containing his lock. She had found that her hand touched it with regularity, as a way to ensure the truth of her happiness. As she looked about, she saw Bingley engrossed in conversation with her uncle; and her aunt was describing to Miss Darcy all the sights they had seen on their trip. She pulled the ribbon from her pocket at the precise moment she felt his presence next to her. He was not so close to raise suspicion, but close enough for her to catch his scent. She involuntarily closed her eyes and breathed in deeply before she said very quietly, “I have a bit of ribbon for you…to tie up my curl. I secured yours with a length of the same. I will leave it on the windowsill. You can retrieve it before you leave.” She looked up at him as they exchanged the slightest of smiles. However, anyone who caught a glimpse of his or her eyes during that instant would have seen a much deeper truth.

  The two continued their conversation as two common acquaintances would. They spoke of the weather, the state of the roads and books they had recently read. Nothing occurred out of the ordinary except for their inability to repress a particular type of smile that involved eyes more than lips.

  Both Mr and Mrs Gardiner saw the exchange of looks. Their suspicions which had only recently arisen of Mr Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from their surveillance the full conviction that both of them knew what it was to love.

  Mr Darcy left Lizzy’s side to participate in Mrs Gardiner’s discussion with his sister. Elizabeth was free to walk to the window and deposit the ribbon. After her clandestine mission had been accomplished, she joined in the discussion with her uncle and Mr Darcy’s best friend.

  In first seeing Mr Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister. She longed to determine whether any of his were of that same ethereal individual. Perhaps, she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions. Once or twice she teased herself with the notion that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his behaviour toward Miss Darcy, who his sister had described as a rival to Jane. No look appeared on either side that spoke of particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of Miss Bingley. On this point she was soon satisfied. Two or three little circumstances happened before they parted that told her he recollected Jane with tenderness.

  He confided to her, at a moment when the others were talking togethe
r, and in a tone that had something of real regret, “It is a very long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you Miss Elizabeth." Before she could reply, he added, "It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield." Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact. Once again he pursued a similar query by asking, “Are all your sisters still at Longbourn?”

  There was not much in his question, or in his preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner, which gave them meaning. Elizabeth rejoiced in renewed hopes her sister would find a joy comparable to her own.

  The visitors were with them above half an hour; and when they arose to depart, Mr Darcy surreptitiously walked to the window ledge and collected the ribbon, slipping it in his pocket. He called on his sister to join him in expressing their delight at the plan to see Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Miss Elizabeth tomorrow at Pemberley.

  Elizabeth determined that Georgiana was hesitant only with regards to her anxiety in the newly acquired role as hostess for the event. Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing her again. After making a bow of farewell, he indicated that he still had a great deal to say to her, and many enquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth hoped Darcy was thinking just how wrong he had been in evaluating her relatives. Praying it was obvious to him that the Gardiners had pleasing manners and a definite air of gentility about them, she gave him a special look that lifted the corners of her mouth just for him when the others were busy saying their goodbyes. Darcy seemed to find comfort in Elizabeth’s smile. He gave her a grin as he patted his pocket.

  Her goal had been to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors. Her fear had been that she would be unable to make herself agreeable to all three. As the visit had progressed, she realized she had worried needlessly. Those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were already inclined in her favour. Bingley was eager, Georgiana was amenable, and Darcy seemed unable to keep the look of love from his eyes.

  After they left, Elizabeth was eager to be alone. She feared enquiries from her uncle and aunt, and she remained with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley before she hurried away to dress for dinner.

  But she had no reason to fear Mr and Mrs Gardiner's curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. They saw much to interest, but felt it prudent to allow her to satisfy their curiosity in her own time.

  It had been settled during their visit, that Mr Gardiner would arrive at Pemberley late morning. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and the gentlemen agreed to leave for the lake before noon.

  Elizabeth and her aunt were to arrive several hours later to spend the afternoon with Miss Darcy and Bingley’s sisters. Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley's dislike of her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how very unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley would be to her. As Mr Darcy’s carriage conveyed them to his estate, she contemplated how much incivility she would have to bear from that lady.

  On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into a parlour whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows opening to the grounds admitted a lovely view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts scattered over the lawn. Elizabeth knew, that hidden in those hills was a most delightful cottage; and a slight enigmatic smile crossed her visage as she remembered their lovemaking.

  In this room Miss Darcy was sitting with Mrs Hurst, Miss Bingley, and Mrs Annesley – the lady who served as her companion. Georgiana received them, and she observed her greeting to be civil but a bit aloof.

  Having met her the day before, Mrs Gardiner and her niece did her justice and did not take umbrage at her chilly demeanour, but pitied the young woman because they knew her to be plagued by shyness and the fear of doing wrong. It struck Elizabeth that her manner could easily give to those, who felt themselves inferior, the belief of her being proud and reserved. She wondered whether her brother suffered from a similar lack of social graces that contributed to his behaviour. Once again, the same smile teased the corners of her mouth, as she thought of his rude remark the night of the assembly. She now knew for a fact that comment had been less about shyness, and more about fending off his attraction for her. It felt marvellous to be vindicated.

  Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley noticed the visitors with only a cursory curtsey. Once seated, an awkward pause settled over those assembled. It was broken by Mrs Annesley; a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well bred than either of the others. A conversation between Mrs Gardiner and her, with occasional help from Elizabeth, ensued and much of the uncomfortable tension came to an end. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for the courage to join in, and sometimes did venture a short sentence when there was the least danger of its being heard.

  Elizabeth soon noticed that Miss Bingley watched her closely. She could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without capturing her scrutiny. The escalation in her hostility probably had something to do with the visit of her brother and Miss Darcy so soon after their arrival yesterday. But intimidation always inspired her. She would not be prevented from trying to talk to the woman who would be her sister.

  Unfortunately, she was seated at an inconvenient distance. Still, she was not altogether sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much as her thoughts were much engaged elsewhere. Her expectation was that at any moment the gentlemen would enter the room, and she so wished the master of the house might be amongst them. As much as she wanted to see him, she must admit to a certain apprehension that Mr Bingley’s sisters would detect their affection.

  After sitting in Miss Bingley’s presence for a quarter of an hour without hearing her voice, Elizabeth finally received from her a cold enquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and went back to her musings of what his presence would bring to the company.

  After an hour, she was afforded a welcome diversion with the entrance of servants bearing trays of cold meat, cake, and a variety of the finest fruits in season. Mrs Annesley gave a significant look and smile to Miss Darcy to remind her of her role as hostess. There was now employment for the whole party. Despite the inability of all to talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon drew them round the table.

  While thus engaged, Elizabeth received her anticipated appearance by Mr Darcy. However, upon seeing Miss Bingley’s posture of competitiveness that came to the fore upon his entering the room, she began to regret his arrival. She feared her natural impertinence would get the better of her, and she would say something ill advised to her nemesis.

  Mr Gardiner, Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst were not with him. He told the ladies he had left them with some men from among his staff, while they fished. “I left them enjoying their sport, in order to spend time with my sister and her visitors.”

  Soon after he appeared, Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed, and curb her tongue. Her resolution was proven prudent when she saw the suspicions of Mr Bingley’s sisters were awakened against her; and both scrutinized his behaviour when he first came into the room. Of the two, she observed Miss Bingley was the more attentive and smiled profusely whenever she spoke to either Mr or Miss Darcy. Lizzy observed jealousy had not yet made her desperate, but her attentions to Mr Darcy were by no means over.

  Miss Darcy, on her brother's entrance, exerted herself much more to talk. Elizabeth saw he was anxious for his sister and she to become better acquainted. She resolved to make every attempt at conversation for his comfort.

  Miss Bingley took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility, "Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the militia removed from Meryton? That must be a great loss to your family."

  In Darcy's presence Miss Bingley dared not mention Wickham's name; but Elizabeth instantly comp
rehended to whom she was referring. The recollection of their harsh words in Kent, connected with her misinformed opinion of the lieutenant, gave her a moment's distress; but she quickly recalled the need to repel Miss Bingley’s spiteful attack to protect her sister-to-be. She composed herself and answered her question in a tolerably disengaged tone. While she spoke an involuntary glance showed her Darcy, with a heightened complexion, earnestly looking back and forth between her and his sister. Miss Darcy appeared to be overcome with confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes.

  Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then giving her particular friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from such a hint. Determining her goal was to discompose ‘Miss Eliza,’ she mentioned a man to whom she believed her rival to be partial. In so doing, she hoped she might injure that country nothing in Darcy's opinion. Then again, Lizzy’s fear was that she was attempting to remind Will of all the follies and absurdities by which others in her family were connected with that corps. Obviously not a syllable had ever reached Caroline Bingley of Miss Darcy's planned elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, in the interest of secrecy, except to Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon quieted her betrothed’s emotion. Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed, dared not approach nearer to the topic of Wickham. Georgiana, for her part, also recovered in time, though not enough to be able to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair. To his amusement, the very circumstance that had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth caused him to look at her with admiration. He had feared her fiery temper, which he had often been titillated by, would have deemed her to act imprudently and result in her revealing their secret engagement. Instead, he was now at risk in being fixed on her more than he should, thanks to Miss Bingley’s ploy.