by K C Kahler
Mr Darcy finally settled. “Has Jacob Goulding’s character improved as he aged?”
“No, unfortunately. He is as mean spirited as an adult as he was as a child. As I am sure you have heard, Jacob Goulding eloped with his half-sister’s governess just a few months before you arrived in the country, and I must say, every young lady breathed a sigh of relief at the news.”
“Why is that?”
“As heir to the Goulding fortune, he thought himself quite the catch, and he let us all know it. He would especially single out a girl on her first night ‘out,’ making what was already a terrifying night thoroughly unpleasant. Jane, Kitty, and Maria were all his victims.”
“And how did you escape this rite of passage?”
“I had a protector. John intervened when Mr Goulding approached me at the opening of my first assembly. John performed a similar service for Mary, and he would have done so for Kitty and Maria had he been in the country. So you see? You were not the first to shield me from the unwanted attentions of a pompous gentleman at a ball, though you were much more subtle than John.”
Mr Darcy said nothing. Such a grave silence surely detracted from her earlier successful tally of chuckles and dimples. “Oh! I have just thought of the next story I shall tell you: the saga of Lady Lucas’s gown for Maria’s coming out dinner last winter.”
“I am quite ready to hear it.”
“Not today, I am afraid.” She reluctantly removed his gloves from her hands.
“Tomorrow, then?” he asked as he took them.
She nodded, “Tomorrow.”
He gifted her with a generous smile. It quite made up for his earlier silence.
* * *
Tuesday
“ …Thus a second emergency trip to London was made for alterations. I do believe this was my mother’s intention when she continued bringing Cook’s pies and cakes over to Lucas Lodge.” He laughed, and Elizabeth’s thoughts jumbled. “My mother…you see, she resented that Maria should have such a grand introduction. None of us ever had one except Jane, for my mother rushed us so. The moment we turned fifteen, any invitation to dinner would do for our coming out.”
She glanced at him and nearly lost her train of thought again. “Maria waited until she was sixteen, and word had recently come from John of very successful business ventures, allowing Lady Lucas to overdo the entire affair. She wanted to bring Kitty and Maria with her to London for that last alteration. Kitty was, in fact, her real object, for through all this she had become Lady Lucas’s trusted fashion consultant. I must admit, Kitty does have a great eye for colour and cut. She voraciously reads any fashion magazines she can get her hands on. And of course she desperately wanted to go to the renowned modiste in town, even as an observer, but my mother forbade it.
“As it turned out, it was very good she did not go, for the next day she came down with a fever and horrible cough. We feared she would be unable to attend Maria’s party, but she recovered in time. As per the Bennets’ usual custom, we arrived late to the gathering, and most of the other guests were already gathered in the drawing room. Lady Lucas came to greet us, and she was very happy to see Kitty after her illness. And now, Mr Darcy, we come to the part that makes listening to all this talk of fashion worth your trouble. Kitty said, far too loudly, ‘I knew that style of gown would suit you, Lady Lucas. It makes you look ever so much thinner than you really are!’”
They laughed together for a few minutes.
“How did Lady Lucas react?” he asked eventually.
“I am sure it chafed, but she could hardly be affronted. Kitty meant it quite innocently. I told her later that the phrase she must use is simply, ‘That gown flatters you,’ or something similar.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Yes, that would be preferable, no doubt.”
“Kitty really is thick in such matters. I believe there is little time between the forming of a thought in her mind and its speedy pronouncement by her lips. She has an uncanny talent for saying exactly the wrong thing, and she has no idea she has done so, for on top of all that, she is woefully inept at reading people’s facial expressions.”
“I confess, I have thought her tactless at times.”
“Yes, so she would appear, and sometimes she is. A comment such as the one she made to Lady Lucas could be construed as quite mean-spirited, but it was the furthest thing from it. When people laugh at her or act offended, she does not understand, and it only makes her more peevish. Jane and I have tried to help. For example, she now knows she is not to speak about any romantic entanglements in company. If she has such questions, she is to come to us privately. Thus, she can at least avoid some of the most sensitive subjects.”
It began to drizzle as they stood together next to Oakham Stream. Elizabeth thought it quite unfortunate. “It seems time to return indoors.”
“What new tale will you have for me tomorrow?” he asked with an enthusiasm that made her ridiculously pleased.
She laughed. “I shall think of something.”
* * *
Wednesday
Cursed, cursed rain! This was no drizzle or mist; this was a cold, heavy downpour. Even if Elizabeth ventured into it, which she was sorely tempted to do, she could not expect Mr Darcy to be so foolish. There would be no point in getting soaking wet by herself.
* * *
Thursday
“Do you know anything about the family that owned Netherfield prior to its being let out?”
“No, though Bingley and I have speculated about it. There is a framed drawing of a boy and girl.”
“That is Julia and Teddy Murray. The Murrays had a storied history in and around Meryton, even longer than the Bennets. Jane was best friends with Julia Murray. They were the perfect pair: Jane all fair and blue-eyed and Julia with raven hair and bright green eyes. They were always perfectly attired and smiling some secret smile to each other. I felt quite shabby in comparison, for I was always muddy and dishevelled, most likely with twigs rather than ribbons in my tangled hair.”
Elizabeth glanced over at Mr Darcy and her next words died in her throat. Before he looked away, she could swear she saw a strange tenderness in his expression. Perhaps she had said something to remind him of his sister? She knew so little about his life, for she was always prattling on about hers, and he never seemed inclined to offer any information about himself.
She shook her head to regroup her thoughts. “The Gouldings were new to the neighbourhood, and they wished to be regarded as a family as prominent as the Murrays. So the Goulding boys occasionally spent time at Netherfield. One day, Jane came home covered in mud nearly from head to toe. Jacob Goulding had pushed her down after saying Julia’s dress was so much better that it mattered little if Jane’s got muddy.”
“When my mother heard of this outrage, she went straight to Haye Park. Though she may criticise and scold us herself, she is fiercely protective of her daughters against an outsider’s insults. This is why she took a rather intense dislike to you at the assembly despite your enviable wealth and convenient bachelorhood.” She grinned at him, and he rolled his eyes.
“My mother was brought to Mr Goulding, who is haughty and mean-spirted like his eldest son. He initially belittled her, calling her a hysterical female.
“My mother was most displeased. ‘Everyone knows my Jane is an angel, and everyone knows your Jacob to be a horrid fiend. If you do not make him apologise, I shall call on every family in and around Meryton to tell them about his nasty behaviour.’
‘Madam,’ he replied, ‘I find your threats rather empty. The Bennets are nothing to the Gouldings in fortune or consequence.’
‘Mr Goulding,’ she said, ‘that may very well be, but you delude yourself if you think people here will value such things over the word of the Bennets. The Murrays are especially fond of Jane.
‘We hysterical females do enjoy a good bit of gossip. You can become the even-handed patriarch in this story, or the callous shirker of responsibility. Which should you p
refer?’
“Mr Goulding had lost his complacency. Naturally, he chose the former. The next day, Jacob presented himself at Longbourn to grovel before Jane and my mother. From then on, Mr Goulding always showed my mother the greatest respect, and she never once encouraged any of us to pursue Jacob Goulding even though he was the richest, most eligible bachelor in the area.”
Mr Darcy smiled and kept walking next to her. Elizabeth wished she had chosen a different story to tell him today. “This tale is not particularly humorous, but if you knew Jowly Jacob, you would think it eminently satisfying.”
“Your descriptions of Mr Goulding remind me a bit of young Wickham. So I do find it satisfying.”
Here was a chance to learn more about Mr Darcy. Elizabeth seized it eagerly. “Were you playmates growing up?” He nodded. “What sort of mischief did he cause?”
He sighed. “I prefer not to talk about Mr Wickham.”
“Of course.” They walked in silence for some minutes as Elizabeth swallowed her disappointment. Dimples and laughter were all well and good, but she did not even know his full name.
“What happened to the Murrays?” His question startled her.
“That is a tragic story. Julia and little Teddy died of scarlet fever. In his grief, Mr Murray turned to drink and gambling and he soon followed his children to the grave, leaving many debts behind. Netherfield Park was sold to pay them off, and Mrs Murray returned to her family a broken woman.
“I remember very clearly bursting into Jane’s room perhaps a week after Julia’s death to find her weeping. This was the first time I realised that Jane hid her emotions from others. I comforted her as best I could and loved her all the more for her quiet sorrow. I must admit that up until that point, I rather resented Jane’s perfection, for I could not possibly measure up. But we became much closer after that, and how could I not improve with such an example as Jane?”
They had returned to the clearing where Mr Darcy’s horse waited. “I hope for Jane’s sake that Mr Bingley’s return from London is not delayed. I have never seen her so restless.”
“He is very eager to return, I am sure. He will not be delayed.”
“That is a relief. I do not know how many more of Jane’s delicate sighs I can endure.” He smiled. “Lydia is also increasingly impatient for his return.”
“Why should Miss Lydia wish for Bingley’s return?”
“Is it not obvious? His return allows for the possibility of seeing you socially, and Lydia is quite keen on the prospect.” He looked rather alarmed. “I told you not to smile at her at the ball.”
“I did not! Well, not fully. I was very aware of my…of, well, my…” He trailed off as she laughed at him. “Teasing, teasing girl,” he said in mock reproach.
“I delight in vexing you.”
He took her gloved hand and bowed formally over it. “I look forward to being further vexed tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth.” When he rose, he had a wicked glint in his eye. He held onto her hand as his smile grew, until she was gaping up at his dimpled cheeks.
She nodded and blinked stupidly, and then he laughed. “I never knew these could be such a weapon.”
She shook herself, snatching her hand away. “One should always be careful with a weapon; it could misfire if used improperly.” She turned towards the road.
“Thank you for the warning,” he called after her.
She walked along the road until it curved out of sight, and then she leaned against the nearest tree with a hand over her pounding heart. “Weapon indeed,” she whispered.
* * *
Friday
“Mr Bingley returned last night ahead of schedule, and he is currently readying himself for a much-too-early call at Longbourn,” Mr Darcy informed Elizabeth as they walked along the stream together, her hand on his arm.
“Excellent! Perhaps I should get back home.”
“You have at least an hour. Bingley spends a ridiculous amount of time primping, even more so where Miss Bennet is concerned.”
“Are you calling your friend a dandy?”
“I am calling him a besotted fool.”
“We are all fools in love, are we not?”
“Yes, we are,” he said quietly, and Elizabeth found herself unable to look away from his eyes. He finally averted his gaze and slowed their pace. “If you had rather go…”
“If I see Jane looking so melancholy, I shall be tempted to tell her the news, and how shall I explain my prior knowledge?” He only nodded, not meeting her eyes.
“You must be quite weary of my silly stories by now.”
“No, not at all. I enjoy them thoroughly. But perhaps you are weary of telling them.”
“There is nothing I like better than the sound of my own voice.” He smirked, and Elizabeth was happy the strange awkwardness had gone. “But I wonder that you should care to hear so many silly stories about people you have never met, like Jacob Goulding or John Lucas.”
He shrugged.
“Oh! How could I forget? Mr Collins returns to Hertfordshire on Monday!”
“No! So soon? You must be teasing again.”
“It is the truth. He stays only until Saturday, less than a week. The Netherfield party should be expecting an invitation to dinner at Lucas Lodge on Thursday night in celebration of Charlotte’s engagement. My cousin is the guest of honour of course.”
“Of course. I suppose Lady Lucas will don her flattering red gown for the occasion.”
Elizabeth laughed. “It does not fit her anymore.”
“That is unfortunate. I should like to see this splendid garment.”
“One thing to look forward to, however, is your ability to completely ignore and avoid Mr Collins! You have no secret agenda, no damsel in distress to guard from his attentions.”
He laughed. “That will be a welcome change. Every conversation I had with him was rather painful.”
Elizabeth furrowed her brow. “But, I thought you must get some amusement out of manipulating him. At the ball, if it was a punishment to you, why did you…?” She could not finish the question in any satisfactory manner.
“Because I knew he interfered with your enjoyment of the ball.”
“Thank you,” she said simply. They had reached the small cascades, and they stood together for several minutes in silence, looking upon the water.
“This is a picturesque spot,” he finally said. “It reminds me of one of the streams in Pemberley Wood.”
“You have more than one stream on your estate?”
“Yes, several. It is a rather large area.”
“I would love to hear about it.”
He turned to her and searched her face. “Would you?”
“Very much.”
And so he told her about Pemberley’s woods, meadows, fields, ponds, and streams. His descriptions were so vivid, she felt like she could see it all; his voice was so rich, she felt she could listen to it forever. She forgot about the cold or that Mr Bingley was most likely visiting Longbourn or that she had not yet broken her fast.
“I am afraid I have kept you out too long again. You are chilled,” he said as they stood in the clearing. Elizabeth did not remember walking back.
She shook her head. “I had not noticed. But I must return home.”
They parted, and when Elizabeth arrived at Longbourn, Kitty, Lydia, Mary, and Mrs Bennet stood outside the breakfast room door.
“La! Lizzy, wherever can you have been walking for so long? You have missed some great fun,” Lydia whispered. “Mr Bingley came over quite unexpectedly and Mama invited him to share breakfast with us. Then she kept winking at us all, and Kitty, being so dense about such things, asked her ‘What is the matter Mama? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?’ Lord, how I laughed!”
Kitty was indignant. “You did not need to pinch me so hard, Lydia.”
“Someone had to get you to stop eating and leave the room, and Mama was being far too subtle.” Elizabeth doubted that was the case.
; As Kitty and Lydia argued over winks and pinches, the door opened. Mr Bingley grinned at them all and went to the library, while Jane stood, glowing, in the breakfast room.
Elizabeth went to her immediately.
“How shall I bear so much happiness!” Jane cried as they embraced.
The commotion that followed was full of giggling and squealing, and Elizabeth could not help herself from participating in it. Jane was engaged to Mr Bingley. This meant that even after Mr Darcy left Hertfordshire in a fortnight, Elizabeth could reasonably expect to see him again. Yes indeed, today was a joyous day.
Darcy stared out at the night passing through the carriage window, seething with jealousy. Bingley’s face still had not lost its blissful expression, even four days after his engagement. Darcy doubted he would ever know such happiness. His mornings had been happy enough lately, but he could not ignore his impending departure any longer. Could he leave her? Just nine more mornings remained with her, assuming he spent none of those mornings soaking wet and alone, as he had once before.
Jealousy had become a more and more common emotion for Darcy of late, but he was hoping to bury it for the night at least. The entire Netherfield party was to dine at Longbourn, a uniting of the families to signal the future union. It would be the first time he and Elizabeth met socially since they had resumed their morning interludes. He knew not what to expect.
When they arrived, Darcy assisted Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley from the carriage, for Bingley and Hurst were too preoccupied with what awaited them inside the house to do so. The former thought only of his betrothed, the latter only of the upcoming meal. Hurst had told Darcy more than once that Mrs Bennet set a good table and Bingley could have done much worse than Jane Bennet.
They entered and were announced, but Miss Bennet was not in the room with her mother and sisters. Bingley hesitated in the doorway, clearly lost and unsure. Elizabeth crossed to him with a laugh. “Do not look so sad, Mr Bingley. Jane and my father will be along any second.”
