by Anne Louise
“But you are going out of your way, sir. Madilyn, what is your wish?”
“I believe Mr. Darcy is correct. We do not know how much longer it will rain. Also, I cannot travel from place to place in my condition. We should accept his offer.”
Mr. Gardiner agreed with his wife.
Those were the words Darcy hoped to hear. “Then I shall leave straight away,” he said to the others. “John, you may choose the best of the two horses. There is another thing. Please bring back a good number of pillows to provide comfort for our two guests. Mr. Gardiner, I have two more blankets, and might I suggest you use this private time to dry your current clothing before we return.”
Moments later, both men were gone. Darcy thought of Elizabeth’s relatives and saw that they were upstanding people and well mannered. Though they were wrapped in blankets, he had seen them earlier and they were fashionably dressed and proper. Darcy hoped the doctor was available on such short notice because if he was not, the rain might preclude his arrival back at Pemberley for several days. The doctor served Pemberley as well as Lambton and soon Darcy saw the man and he agreed to return with him. In the few minutes that it took the doctor to prepare for his ride, Darcy rode to the Lambton Inn and paid the proprietor handsomely to pack his guests’ things and take them immediately to Pemberley before the creeks overflowed. He next met Mr. Jarvis and told him the Gardiners would remain at Pemberley. These arrangements were not uncommon.
The rain slackened some for the ride back to the shelter and soon Doctor Jamison had examined Mrs. Gardiner and told her she had broken at least one rib and bruised two others. He then left specific instructions for her care and a potion to help her sleep. Mr. Gardiner was sore from his scrapes but otherwise was fine. Darcy and John next helped the Gardiners into the carriage and adjusted the pillows to make their return as comfortable as possible. Doctor Jamison then returned to Lambton and the servant from the Inn at Lambton had already dropped off the guests’ things and was now headed back to Lambton just as it began to rain hard again.
Darcy stopped off to look at the carriage a second time. Before returning to Pemberley, he used the opportunity to visit one of the tenant farms to see if they or any of their neighbors were having any problems and needed any help. He arrived back at Pemberley with enough time to bathe and dress for dinner. When Darcy returned downstairs he did not see Elizabeth, but Mrs. Reynolds told him that she had gone to her room after visiting with the Gardiners.
“I would like to have the Gardiners and their niece join me for dinner tonight, Mrs. Reynolds.”
“I am not certain about the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Gardiner mentioned they ate a picnic lunch at the shelter and were not hungry. Shall I expect only Miss Bennet will join you?”
“I will speak with them later and see what they desire, but the cook should still prepare to serve all the guests. They may not be hungry now but may change their mind later. They also may wish to eat in their rooms.”
“That is what I expect. Mrs. Gardiner was in much pain as we brought her to her room. Anyway, we must wait. The medicine the doctor gave her already has her drowsy and she said she would not come downstairs for dinner but left it open for her husband, and he declined and said he would remain with his wife.”
“And Miss Bennet, is she comfortable as well?”
“She is in the yellow room and is very pleased but feels like she does not have any voice in these decisions.”
“I see Miss Bennet now.” Elizabeth appeared just as Darcy and Mrs. Reynolds had finished speaking.
“Mr. Darcy, I thank you and the others for caring for my aunt and uncle. My aunt is sleeping at present and my uncle is staying with her.”
“Yes, that is what I just heard from Mrs. Reynolds.”
“We received our belongings before you arrived and everything was in order. Can you tell me why you made such decisions so quickly? My aunt said she had two more friends she wanted to visit on the morrow.”
“Miss Bennet, I thought that was the best alternative and suggested that to the Gardiners and they agreed. Did I not tell you earlier that Lambton is prone to flooding and once done the water stays for many days? If the rain continues, and I believe it will, then you would be looking at staying in Lambton over a week before you could leave. You would be like a prisoner held up there with no way out, except to swim, and your aunt would not be able to visit her friends in her current condition in any event. A much more enjoyable alternative is to have you all stay here where your aunt will be well cared for. You have many more options here and when you do decide to leave, you can take another way and avoid the flooding around Lambton altogether.”
“So you are saying that time was of the essence when you made that decision?”
“That is true. There was no time to lose and your relatives needed to return to Pemberley because you are here. Also, I needed to have your aunt and uncle examined by the doctor before the creeks over flowed.”
“You were gone longer than I thought.”
“I stopped briefly to speak with my newest tenant and to learn if they had any problems because of the storm. They replied they were well but I next asked them to later pass on the word to the other tenants that they should contact me if they needed my help.”
Elizabeth watched as Darcy sneezed and grabbed a handkerchief.
“Mr. Darcy, I know you have recently bathed and put on dry clothes, but I am afraid that you may have a cold. My aunt said you were soaked when you first arrived, and only in the last few minutes have you warmed. She was not as wet as you and I have to think you are the only one to be sick.”
“It is just a sniffle and nothing more. It was more important to help your aunt. With one rib likely broken and others badly bruised, it was essential that she stay dry and warm. If she develops a coughing fit, each cough would be very painful. As it was, both of them were able to dry their clothes at the shelter.”
“Yes, but you have been wet almost since you first left to look for them.”
“I do not believe that is true, Miss Bennet. My great coat mostly kept me dry, except for my sweating.”
“That may be, but you were still very wet and probably caught a cold. The body does not discriminate from sweat or rain, and it has turned colder since the start of the rain.”
“You seem very secure in your opinions. Would you like to make a wager about my cold?”
“No, that would put be in an awkward position and it would go against my Christian values to root for you to be sick in order to profit. I hope, sir, that you see me as a gentlewoman?”
“Of course I do, Miss Bennet. Do you not think that gentlemen place bets on many things? It happens everyday, thousands of times.”
“But, sir, I am not a gentleman.”
“Yes, Miss Bennet, so I have noticed. Now for this evening, I would be honored Miss Bennet, if you would join me for dinner. In case your relatives change their mind, I will have the cook keep the food ready for them, or perhaps I can arrange for it to be brought to their room. If your uncle declines, then I intend to have the doors left open and a servant will be posted just outside the family dining room for purposes of propriety.”
“He will certainly accept. Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I look forward to the dinner.”
She now watched as he walked away and wondered how it would be to share a private dinner with this kind and friendly man who had brought new feelings to her and an unexpected attraction.
Dinner was at least an hour away as Elizabeth walked upstairs and peaked into the Gardiners’ room and saw they were sleeping, so she left quietly and returned to her room. It was a large room, finely furnished and elegant, with a woman’s touches, but something was missing. Her room at home was all she had ever known. Did she miss Darcy’s company? As she looked at the storm outside, she tried to confront a storm of new feelings. She had been overjoyed to see her relatives return but such joy was diminished when she learned of the carriage accident and her aunt’s injury, as well as those o
f her uncle, though he just had some scrapes and small bruises. The more she thought on things, the more she knew that Darcy had rescued them. He had made the correct decisions in going for the doctor and having their things packed and brought to Pemberley before conditions became worse.
Elizabeth could see that Darcy was afraid of the lightning and knew he had earlier mentioned he would wait until that part of the storm was over before leaving to find the others. Once he did leave, he was barely out of sight when all inside Pemberley heard the loud clasp of thunder and watched the lightning as some of the servants brought forth loud exclamations of fear. For a moment she thought that he might return to Pemberley and try and wait out the storm, but Darcy continued. She recalled returning to her room and praying for all of them and suddenly giggling to think that this fine man was all she could think about. Such thoughts bordered on the unthinkable but so far this day had been just that, and her heart experienced new feelings that were both hurtful and exciting.
All her life Elizabeth had been told that she was pretty, but it was her eldest sister, Jane, who was known as the beauty in the Bennet family. Jane was a striking blond with an excellent figure and a countenance of goodness seldom found in a young woman of beauty. She and Elizabeth, being the two eldest of five Bennet sisters, were best friends and kept each other’s counsel.
Both sisters knew their mother wished all her daughters to marry advantageously at a young age. Her reasoning was the Bennets, despite having five healthy daughters, never had a son. Because Longbourn, their home, was entailed along the male line, once her father passed, that estate would be inherited by a distant cousin of Mr. Bennet. Now that Jane and Elizabeth were of an age to marry, the sisters began to feel pressure from their mother to find a rich man to marry, preferably one who would take care of the other Bennets.
After Elizabeth, Mary was the middle daughter and the next was Catherine, who all addressed as Kitty, and Lydia was the youngest. There was about two years separating each of the daughters and the mother feared that if Mr. Bennet died suddenly, that she and her daughters would be thrown into the hedgerows to starve.
This was not the case, but they would have to find another place to live and there would likely be little money, though this was not certain. All the Bennet daughters recognized their mother’s growing obsession to marry them off starting with the eldest. They also knew that in another two years their mother would be impossible to live with if her obsessions continued.
Elizabeth had never given much thought to marriage, except that in her heart she wished to only marry for love. She and Jane would talk of such things at night and each agreed to look to marry for love, but Jane was not as determined as Elizabeth and told her that they owed a good marriage to their family and marriage to a kind and rich man would solve the Bennet family problem.
As Elizabeth looked at the mirror and prepared for dinner, she chose her best dress for the evening and her aunt’s pearl necklace. After splashing on a scent of lavender, she next pinched her cheeks before leaving her room, but next she heard the Gardiners talking and knocked on their door and slowly entered.
“Aunt, I see you are both awake. How are you doing? Mr. Darcy said he wishes you to join him, but if you chose to stay in your room, he will have a servant bring you both a dinner. What is your choice?”
“Lizzy, your aunt and I prefer to remain in our room tonight. Now that she has rested, she has an appetite and so do I. If it is not too much to ask, we prefer to have our dinner in our room. A small meal will do. You and Mr. Darcy should dine together. If this means Mr. Darcy has to leave the doors to the dining room ajar, that will suffice for purposes of propriety and the same applies to any visits you take to the library or the man’s study. I know you think this is all silly, and I do believe Mr. Darcy is one of the best men I have ever met, but we must maintain propriety.”
“Thank you, I shall tell Mr. Darcy of your wishes.”
“Come Lizzy, you look beautiful this evening. With you and Mr. Darcy having such a private dinner, I believe you both must watch your heart.”
“There is nothing to be worried about, Aunt. I am so happy that you are both well.”
“Now go on, Lizzy, and see the man and enjoy yourself,” replied her uncle.
Elizabeth smiled and turned and left the room.
Darcy did not wear his very best but it was close to his best and his valet, Mr. Hopkins, had him handsomely dressed and ready as he came, down to meet Elizabeth. Up to now, he was in control, but suddenly he became nervous and lost confidence in what he should do. Thus far he had not shown that side of himself, but now he felt like a fish out of water and he felt a pounding in his heart. Never before had he dined with a young woman, and certainly not one that he liked. As he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he watched as Elizabeth approached from behind him and spoke. He turned around to see Elizabeth smiling at him and immediately he was happy and confident again.
“Mr. Darcy, my aunt and uncle will not join us but they desire to accept your offer to eat in their room. My uncle has agreed that we can be alone, but he expects the doors to be open and the same applies to any other rooms that I may visit while we are together.”
“Good, Miss Bennet, I will tell Mrs. Reynolds. Please rest here for a few moments in this chair until I return.”
He returned moments later and the butler next told that they would dine in the smaller, family dining room and that the small table that Darcy had asked to be used, was ready. When he announced that dinner was being served, Darcy proffered his arm and Elizabeth tucked her arm inside his and looked up again and smiled as they entered the room. The room was lit by only one of the three chandeliers, and it included a large window and a fireplace. The table was well covered and the finest china and crystal glasses and silverware were used.
“Mr. Darcy, I believe you spoil me. This is all so beautiful and I cannot believe this day.”
“You look quite beautiful, Miss Bennet. This is the first time I have ever had a private dinner with a handsome young woman. It has been a long day. Our cook has prepared a dinner that includes some of the Gardiners’ favourites and your favourites as well.”
“And how did you come to possess such intelligence?”
“Tis simple, I discovered these things when I spoke with them earlier. It is not a large formal dinner with many courses but it matches their wishes and our wishes as well.”
Darcy requested the small dinning table be used and so he and Elizabeth had an intimate dinner by candlelight.
“You know, Miss Bennet, this is a time that I wish my sister Georgiana was here. She is back in town. In less than a fortnight, I will be returning to town. Will you be staying there after your holiday is over?”
“No, Mr. Darcy, I will stay no more than two nights. My father would come after me if I stayed any longer.”
A loud gust of win next shook the windows. “Well, Miss Bennet, the rain continues and you likely will be here longer than you might like.”
“Oh no! That is not true. I could never not like this place and its’ master. The Gardiners and I appreciate all you have done.”
Even as she spoke, Elizabeth realized what she had just said and a blush covered her face.
“Miss Bennet, I am glad that you like Pemberley. It made more sense for you to be here. I was worried about your relatives, and I absolutely had to find them. You should know that I particularly find you to be not only quite charming, but you possess an excellent mind, and are easy to talk with and frankly, I enjoy your company.”
Elizabeth thanked him but next asked more about his sister and learnt of his mother’s death after Georgiana’s birth and about Darcy’s father and his death two years ago.
“Are you often in town, Mr. Darcy?”
“I try and stay here in the late spring and summer. Usually I am in town about half the year, though I go back and forth based on business demands here and elsewhere.”
“It must have been difficult to suddenly become
the Master of Pemberley, was it not?”
“Miss Bennet, it has been difficult and I regret that I never spent much time learning this estate business from my father, though I often attempted to do such a thing. After my father’s sudden death, I was left to figure it all out myself and it kept me up most nights. Of course, that just left Georgiana and me. You have four sisters and both your parents, and you have the Gardiners. You look to be very happy.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, I am happy, but sometimes it gets hectic at Longbourn with five daughters about and my mother becoming more obsessed each day to marry us off because of the entail. No doubt she is not unlike the suffering mamas of the ton who are constantly trying to promote a match with their daughters. At least here at Pemberley, you are free of such things.”
“That is why I try to avoid the balls and soirees and other such gatherings, though in a few years Georgiana will be having her coming out.”
The two had finished the meal when Elizabeth thanked him again. “This has been the best experience in my life, to sit and dine privately with you. Please excuse me as I want to check on my aunt and uncle. Would you mind if I return later to read in your study?”
“No, Miss Bennet, I would be disappointed if you did not return, but may I suggest you wait until later. The Gardiners were served after us and so I would give it another half hour at a minimum.”
“Yes, you are very right. I had not considered that.”
They used the extra time to speak on many subjects and Elizabeth could not believe her good fortune to meet such a man. She knew she could never tell her family about Mr. Darcy, but she worried that she was in danger around him. Why is it that I am so affected by this man? I am a fool to let my heart affect me this way. He may be nice but he could never care for me. I cannot let him break my heart, but his eyes can see straight to my soul. What shall I do? Where is Jane when I need her?
