by Jann Rowland
It hardly seemed like Mr. Darcy’s countenance could become even more forbidding, but he managed it all the same. “Your cousin was spreading such things when he does not even know me?”
“No, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth. “My cousin is eager to speak of any and all concerns with respect to Lady Catherine. He did not spread that intelligence around the neighborhood. Mr. Bingley chanced to mention your name, after which Mr. Collins only mentioned your engagement in passing.” Elizabeth pierced him with an arch smile. “I might wonder, sir, to what end your attentions to me portends, given your long engagement to the daughter of house de Bourgh.”
The exasperation with his aunt and Mr. Collins appeared to be tempered by Elizabeth’s teasing tone. “Lady Catherine is eager to state her expectations of me with respect to her daughter, but I am in no way bound to my cousin. She attempts to say that it was my mother’s favorite wish and that they agreed on it when we were young. I have confirmation from my mother, however—a sweet, reticent lady, who was not accustomed to standing up to her sister—that she never agreed to it. Moreover, my father did not take any steps to seal the agreement, so there is little Lady Catherine can do.”
“And your cousin?” asked Elizabeth, feeling a curiosity toward this young woman who had been described in such glowing terms as Mr. Collins’s. “Is she in agreement with your aunt?”
“Anne is of a sickly constitution and has never truly been well. Since she is required to live with her mother, she prefers to avoid provoking her mother’s ire by disputing her words. But Anne had no intention of ever marrying, least of all me.”
It appeared that Mr. Darcy was, indeed, free to do as he wished, though Elizabeth had never doubted it.
“But we have been distracted from our original discussion,” said Mr. Darcy. “You say you have seen Lady Emily’s disapproval when we have been together?”
“It has been difficult to understand anything of lady’s opinions, as she is quite the most inscrutable lady I have ever met. Almost as enigmatic as a certain gentleman.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him, but he only responded in like fashion. “But, yes, I have seen her displeasure at times, but I have never been able to discern whether she wishes to have your attentions for herself or merely believes you should not be so attentive to a woman who is not of your station.”
“Then she is incorrect,” was Mr. Darcy’s short reply. “But that is not at issue here. I could never have expected her to behave in such a manner. To offer to take you to your uncle’s house and then leave you by the side of the road no more than two miles from where you started? I cannot imagine such disgusting behavior. You could have been injured, or worse. Her father will be most seriously displeased to hear of her reprehensible actions.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, “I would prefer that this does not reach the ears of society. Perhaps it would be better to simply allow the matter to rest?”
“I assure you, no,” said he. “Though I would agree with you to keep it from wagging tongues, his lordship must be informed. He is a good man, and he will not be happy with his daughter’s actions. I would never dream of keeping this from him, and I assure you, neither would your uncle. It is he who is responsible for your safety while you are here.”
“I suppose you are correct,” said Elizabeth, though grudgingly.
“There is no doubt I am,” replied Mr. Darcy. “I shudder to think of what might have happened had I not come upon you when I did. Though you may have made your way to Lambton and Kingsdown without incident, it is also possible something dreadful might have happened.”
“Why are you here?” asked Elizabeth. “I had not expected to see you returning to such a place so soon after leaving it.”
“I was not returning to the ruin. As I mentioned, this land is part of my estate. I had business with one of my tenants, and this is the quickest way to reach his lands.”
“You have my apologies, Mr. Darcy. Should you not return to meet with your tenant before you convey me to Kingsdown?”
“Definitely not,” replied Mr. Darcy, his tone allowing for no dissent. “Your safety is the paramount concern, Miss Bennet, and I will see you safely to Kingsdown before I take care of that other matter. Mr. Davies was not expecting me at any specific time, and the matter is one that may wait until tomorrow.”
“Very well,” said Elizabeth, knowing he would not be dissuaded. In fact, she was not even certain she wished to make the attempt.
They rode on in silence for some minutes, Elizabeth maintaining it because she suspected that Mr. Darcy was attempting to rein in his temper. For her part, Elizabeth was simply grateful he had happened upon her and that she would be returned to her uncle’s house long before she might have expected.
It was a pleasant land through which they traveled, largely forested, and though sections of it were the thick, heavy jumble of trees Elizabeth might have expected to find in a land only tenuously tamed, Mr. Darcy seemed to know instinctually of where to guide his horse to take advantage of the easiest route. They crossed bubbling streams more than once, their murmured babblings a soft counterpoint to the sounds of birdsong and insects buzzing lazily past. Off to her right, Elizabeth could see through the trees to what looked like a series of wide open fields which appeared to be cultivated, though she could not make out their composition—it was too early in the season, and they were too distant for her to see them with the requisite clarity.
It was clear the man’s estate was intimately known to him, a well-respected friend. He was part of the land he cared for, a solid dependable head to the estate’s body. He was one with it, as it was with him, in a manner so profound that Elizabeth thought it would take her years of study to understand. It was something she doubted Miss Bingley ever would, for to her, he was nothing more than a ticket to a life of wealth and indulgence, the gateway to the higher echelons of society. That he did not care for them in the way she did would matter not at all to the woman.
“Will you not share your thoughts, Miss Bennet?” asked Mr. Darcy, interrupting her reverie.
A glance at the man told Elizabeth that he had either mastered his pique, or she had misinterpreted his silence. He was watching her with his usual intensity, and Elizabeth could hardly control her hand, which wanted to rise of its own accord and touch his cheek.
“I was thinking of how you belong in this place, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth with all honesty. “Your estate becomes you, I think, for it is impossible to see one without the other.”
“It may just be because you have never met me anywhere else.”
“Perhaps. But I think it is something more than that.”
“I am most comfortable when I am here. I was taught by my father to respect it, to manage it as if it is a friend and partner, rather than a source of wealth. So many of Pemberley’s people depend on the good management of the master. It is a responsibility I never thought to have so soon as I did, but I have always striven to uphold my father’s confidence in me.”
“I am certain he cannot be anything but pleased with how you have performed your duties.” Mr. Darcy appeared pleased by her praise, but sensing that he was becoming embarrassed, Elizabeth changed the subject. “Is that the long valley of which you spoke to the west?”
“It is. I had thought to keep to the woods until we reach your uncle’s lands. We are less likely to be observed here, and I would not wish to injure your reputation.”
“You think your tenants will gossip?”
Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes and grinned. “While they are not mean-spirited, news has a way of making its way about the district. To be honest, I sometimes think the men are worse than the women!”
Elizabeth laughed. “You are very severe on my sex, Mr. Darcy, to be so surprised at such a thing. Will we reach my uncle’s estate soon?”
“We will before too much longer. Do you wish to escape my company so quickly?”
“I must. I fear your contempt oversetting my sensib
ilities.”
Mr. Darcy laughed, and Elizabeth soon joined with him. The trail they traveled was, by this time, almost indistinguishable, and Mr. Darcy soon turned toward the east, finding the open ground at the end of the valley, after which they climbed a little rise and approached a fence, which Elizabeth presumed marked the boundary between Pemberley and Kingsdown. It gave the impression of being a new construction, and it contained a gate, which Mr. Darcy dismounted to open and close once he had led his horse through. Though they had approached it from an unfamiliar angle, Elizabeth soon realized that she had seen that place before.
“Why, this is where Olivia, Leah, and I picnicked not long after I came to Derbyshire.”
“Yes, I remember.”
Elizabeth turned to face the man, noting that he appeared a little embarrassed. “You remember it? I do not believe you were present.”
The raised eyebrow she directed at him prompted a grin in response. “Fitzwilliam and I were riding the estate that day, and we happened to see you from a distance. As I recall, it was the second time I saw you.”
“And you did not make yourself known?” asked Elizabeth.
“At the time, we were not introduced. We were doing some surveys down toward the lands of one of my tenants, and we did not truly have the time to stop and visit. Regardless, the three of you appeared to be enjoying yourselves, and we did not wish to interrupt.”
“Do you always spy on young ladies who are unknown to you?”
Mr. Darcy laughed delightedly. “Only you, Miss Bennet. I have never spied on another woman, known or unknown to me.”
There was little to say to that. Elizabeth had never met a man who was so adept at turning her teasing back on her, and she was delighted, even while she was feeling more than a little shy about prompting him to make such a statement.
“Miss Bennet,” said he, all levity gone from his voice, “I had asked to call on you tomorrow, if you recall.”
“I do,” replied Elizabeth, though quietly, her heart speeding up in anticipation.
“Since we are now together, it appears to be a propitious time to discuss what I wished to say to you, if you agree.”
Nothing could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and she managed to convey that to him in a manner which he could understand, though she thought it was a near thing.
“In fact,” said Mr. Darcy, his manner contemplative, “I am not certain precisely what I wished to say.” He blushed a little. “You must understand, Miss Bennet, that I am not a loquacious man, and I tend to stumble when speaking to certain individuals and at certain times, and in university I often found it helpful to write my comments beforehand, so that I might be able to make myself clearly understood.”
“You do not know what you wished to say?” asked Elizabeth, feeling a little crestfallen.
Mr. Darcy chuckled—making Elizabeth wonder if she should feel offended—and then spoke in a soothing tone. “There! You see? I tend to say things which might be misunderstood when I speak without rehearsing in advance. What I meant to say is that I asked for an audience with you, not knowing which question I meant to ask. I thought to offer a courtship, but now I am not so certain. You see, it is on my mind, having you on my horse, situated so delightfully in front of me, that my feelings render a courtship completely unnecessary.”
“Oh,” replied Elizabeth, feeling a little dazed at his words. Then the full import of them hit her, and she breathed: “Oh!”
“Exactly. You see, Miss Bennet, I can be quite deliberate in forming my opinion, but once it is formed, it is as immovable as a mountain. I have come to a conclusion, but the true determining factor is yours.”
“Mine?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, yours. I have an important question to ask, but you will determine which one I will ask. If you require a courtship, then I am happy to oblige and to continue to pay my attentions to you before all the neighborhood. If, on the other hand, you feel you are ready for more—as I am myself—then I will ask you a more permanent question. The decision is entirely yours.”
Elizabeth gazed at him wide-eyed, wondering if she heard him correctly. “That is highly irregular, Mr. Darcy.”
“It is, is it not?” It was not a question, and to emphasize his point, Mr. Darcy winked at her, causing Elizabeth to giggle. But he did not speak; instead, he continued to watch her, an expectant air prompting her to consider his words. She had the power to elicit a proposal! How many ladies could say the same?
But as she looked up at him, experienced the sensation of his arms surrounding her, sat cradled to his breast, a powerful feeling of belonging crept over her. She had been expecting an offer of courtship. But now Elizabeth knew exactly how she felt and what she wanted.
“I believe you may proceed in whatever way you feel fit, sir,” whispered Elizabeth.
The delight which settled over him became him exceedingly, and he wasted no time.
“In that case, Miss Bennet, I must tell you that I feel an ardent passion and love for you and humbly request that you accept my hand in marriage.”
Elizabeth laughed, and this time she did reach up to cup his cheek. “After all that, your proposal was rather perfunctory in nature.”
“As I said, I am not an eloquent man, Miss Bennet.”
“Oh, I believe you are, sir—with the right inducement. I was not complaining—indeed, your proposal contained everything necessary to convince me that you are in earnest. And I am happy to accept, for I wish for nothing more than to stay with you forever in the wilds of Derbyshire.”
“You are certainly the right inducement, Miss Bennet,” replied Mr. Darcy. And he leaned forward to press his lips against hers. It was sweet and sublime, kissing her newly betrothed, and though Mr. Darcy did not press his breach of propriety any further, it was enough for Elizabeth. It carried the promise of so much more.
Chapter XXII
Darcy had kept his temper admirably. Though his first instinct upon finding Miss Bennet alone and abandoned on that lonely country road had been to go directly to Teasdale Manor and confront Lady Emily, he had recognized the necessity of ensuring Miss Bennet arrived home safely first. The ride through the woods of his estate and on to Kingsdown had allowed him an unparalleled opportunity to secure her hand, and he could not feel more blessed that he had been able to do so. She was a wonderful woman, and he did not doubt his days would be happy with her by his side.
But this time, so dearly bought, was coming to an end. As the house at Kingsdown appeared in the distance, Darcy was loath to relinquish her company back to her relations, though he knew it to be necessary. Soon, she would not be required to leave him again.
“Mr. Darcy, perhaps we should dismount?” asked Miss Bennet, her cheeks flushed with a most fetching blush, no doubt embarrassed to be found atop a horse with a man.
“There is little to be done about it now,” replied Darcy. “I must speak with your uncle, not only to acquaint him with what has happened, but also to solicit his conditional approval for our engagement.”
“I assume you mean to speak with my father?”
“Of course. Your uncle is your surrogate guardian, but it is your father who must approve an engagement.”
Miss Bennet nodded, though slowly. “Then I would request that we keep our engagement between us at present. I would not wish to have our actions scrutinized, to become the subject of gossip.”
Though Darcy was initially taken aback by her request, he soon began to see the sense in it. “Are you suggesting that I speak to your father when you return to your home?”
“I am, Mr. Darcy. Furthermore, my sister is to visit soon, and I am not sure how she will behave when she comes. If possible, it seems better to keep this matter from her ears until I can understand how she will react.”
Darcy frowned. “You think that she will not approve?”
“It is not that specifically, sir. I am sure she can have nothing to say on the matter. Let us
simply say jealousy is a possible reaction to the news of our engagement.”
“But she will be forced to accept it sooner or later.”
“She will,” replied Miss Bennet. “But she has been told by my mother that she is the most beautiful, the best of her daughters since she was a child. You are a gentleman of much more consequence than Mr. Bingley. It might be difficult for her to accept my marriage to a gentleman of higher standing.”
It was difficult to know what to think of the new Mrs. Bingley. Darcy did not think he had heard all there was to hear of the matter which lay between Miss Bennet and her sister, but this new account of the woman did not reflect well on her. To resent another sibling because of whom she married spoke of a mercenary attitude which was quite beyond anything Darcy would have expected in the sister of an exceptional woman such as Miss Bennet.
Miss Bennet apparently sensed his confusion and moved to reassure him, though they had not much time before they arrived at the house.
“I will explain as much as I am able the next time we are together. For now, please trust what I have informed you of my sister. We were always very close, but her marriage has changed her, and I do not know what to think. Unless you are set on announcing our engagement to the neighborhood, I would ask that it be kept from anyone other than ourselves and my uncle.”
“It cannot be announced until I speak to your father and obtain his consent. All you are asking me to do is refrain from riding to Hertfordshire on the morrow to speak with him.”
Miss Bennet smiled at him. “That is exactly it, sir.”
“Then I have no objection, as long as I am granted leave to inform Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. They will surely badger me on the matter, and since you visit so often, it would be difficult to keep it from them.”
“Agreed. For my part, I shall inform Olivia for the same reasons.”
They emerged from behind a small copse and the house stood in front of them. Reining the horse to a stop, Darcy dismounted, and then held his hands up to help Miss Bennet from the top of the horse. He was already feeling bereft due to the absence of her in his arms, and he wondered how he would manage until the day when he was able to make her his in every way.
