by APRIL FLOYD
He returned to his task, his mind and heart troubled so that he could not complete his work. Instead of pacing inside with the brisk spring air beckoning him, Mr. Darcy gave in and went to saddle Lucifer.
The return of spring and its thaw would help him sort his thoughts so that he could concentrate when he met his steward later about the extra crop he wished to plant this season.
When Lucifer was ready, Mr. Darcy swung up into his saddle and cantered away leaving strict instruction that the women of his house were not to set off for Netherfield under any circumstance.
He rode along the low stone walls that separated his property from Netherfield and saw that the steward had already set the tenant farmers to turning the soil. The pungent goodness of freshly turned earth brought Mr. Darcy some peace as he reined Lucifer in and dismounted.
He held onto the beast’s reins lest Lucifer dash off and jump the fences in search of the long grasses down by the stream that cut across Longbourn and Netherfield.
Bending to take a handful of dirt, Mr. Darcy allowed it to run through his fingers as he looked out across the large field that would soon help him achieve his previous goals. Again his thoughts turned to Miss Bennet. He had made this season’s plantings based on his desire to marry her one day. It was all for naught now.
The pain the memory brought to him was sharp and bitter. He dusted his hands and rose to walk along with Lucifer to the stream. He would allow the horse to drink his fill and then return to Longbourn in order to be ready for his meeting.
When he came upon the path that led down to the water, Mr. Darcy halted as he caught sight of another rider on horseback approaching the stream on the Netherfield side. He waved and stopped to shield his eyes from the sun and see whether it was a neighbor trespassing on Bingley’s land by mistake.
The gentleman that approached was certainly none he had met before. His heart sank as he noted the man’s age from the silver that flashed along his temple as the large chestnut horse he rode drew near.
“Hey there, young man!” the gentleman called amiably, “I have lost my way and am ashamed to admit it. My granddaughter will be most assuredly worried for me if I am late to tea. Might you help me find my way?”
Mr. Darcy thought it must be Miss Bennet’s grandfather for the family resemblance was there. He walked over to the stone wall and held out a hand as the man dismounted. “I would be pleased to oblige, sir. But first let us take these two beautiful horses to the stream to drink. You are not far from Netherfield Park, you know.”
The gentleman gave a booming laugh and Mr. Darcy decided he liked the man’s ability to laugh at himself. When he had regained his composure, the lost man stuck out a hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance sir. That is a fine beast you have there. Oh, and I am George Gardiner, the Earl of Matlock.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and took the man’s hand and shook it firmly and with respect. “Your lordship, I did not think to meet an earl on the survey of my land this morning. I am Mr. Darcy, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I know your granddaughter Miss Bennet quite well.”
The words were out before he thought better of them and he glanced away toward the stream. The earl laughed again, this time with restraint. “Oh, I am indeed aware of that fact, Mr. Darcy. How fortuitous it is we meet this morning for I had thought to pay a call to your home this afternoon. You see, my granddaughter has not been herself since I saw her again at my Janey’s wedding. I believe that is entirely your fault.”
Chapter 20
As Mr. Darcy rode back to Longbourn with the earl, he thought how thrilled his aunt would be when he brought the very man she wished for Anne to meet home to his own parlor.
Pushing these thoughts away, he listened as the earl questioned him about his land. “How long has it been in your family, Mr. Darcy?”
“Three generations, sir. My grandfather had a terrible time after his wife died and he was left with four children to raise. My father was his only son. After caring for his three sisters, and this estate upon my grandfather’s death, he swore to never have more than two children himself,” Mr. Darcy shook his head as he recalled his father’s advice about raising children when Georgiana had been born.
He had told Mr. Darcy to never have many daughters for they were a challenge when they came to a marriageable age.
The earl agreed. “I had only a daughter and a son and Franny has by far been the most difficult of the two. My Elizabeth’s father is a gentleman farmer much like yourself. When I gave him Pemberley after he wed my Franny, he only increased its value. I think you might do the same here, son.”
Mr. Darcy sat taller in his saddle when the earl called him son. He had to admit his ease with the man might have come from missing his own father as they spoke of Mr. Darcy’s past.
Presently, they arrived at Longbourn and Mr. Darcy invited the earl in for tea. “My aunt will be greatly pleased to make your acquaintance for she has heard much gossip of your arrival.”
“Oh, the gossip does travel easily in the country. I hope to be as entertaining a guest as the whispered word has said I may be.” The earl dismounted and gave his good-humored laugh again.
Mr. Darcy opened the front door and led Elizabeth’s grandfather inside. Hill came to take their coats and hats and gloves. When she heard she was in the presence of an earl, the housekeeper bobbed the deepest curtsey Mr. Darcy had seen and rushed away to tell Cook of their guest.
The earl looked about the entryway and nodded. “Tis a fine, old country estate you have Mr. Darcy. I see why my Lizzy wished to know you better. We must speak about her later. I should like to meet your aunt and cousin if it pleases you.”
“Indeed sir, for I know it would please them to make your acquaintance,” Mr. Darcy said and fought the laughter he knew might escape when he saw his aunt’s face upon being introduced to the Earl of Matlock.
When they were seated in the parlor, Mr. Darcy heard the cries of surprise from his aunt and the pounding rush of feet overhead. He hoped the earl was not uncomfortable because of the noise.
Eager for distraction, he addressed the earl. “It is a great pleasure to have you as a guest in my home, your lordship. I had never thought to entertain a man of your consequence.”
“My boy, do not stand on ceremony where I am concerned. I think you will find I am not as fastidious nor as fond of myself as some of my friends. I prefer riding, shooting, and a good meal to the intrigues of court in London. I suspect you favor the same things. I saw how well you rode and heard how much your estate means to you,” the earl said and smiled at Hill when she rolled the teacart into the parlor.
Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter came in then and stood expectantly as Mr. Darcy introduced them to his guest. His aunt’s countenance was as a cat that has the cream. He had never seen her so pleased.
Anne stood shyly beside her mother and barely spoke above a whisper. Her mother had either pinched Anne’s cheeks mercilessly or had applied some type of rouge for the poor girl looked feverish from the bold color.
Mr. Darcy bit his tongue as the earl went to stand before the ladies and bow to them. George Gardiner was certainly a charmer.
He took Catherine de Bourgh’s hand and lingered over it. “How wonderful to make your acquaintance Mrs. de Bourgh, and that of your lovely daughter. You must come to dinner at Netherfield for Lizzy and I are most lonely there without the Bingleys. I believe Miss Bingley may come soon.”
Mr. Darcy’s aunt blushed and nearly giggled at the invitation. “Oh, why yes of course we would be honored to accept, your lordship. I was quite pleased to know your lovely granddaughter had returned. She saved my dear Anne’s life, I am sure of it.”
The earl seemed surprised by this news. “Lizzy spoke to me of your daughter, but she did not say she had saved the girl’s life. How very interesting.”
He turned to Anne and took her hand too. “My dear, I am pleased to make your acquaintance and look forward to seeing you at our dinner table.”
&n
bsp; Anne smiled at the man and meant to speak, but her mother interrupted to draw the earl’s attention to herself. So it went throughout the visit as Mr. Darcy and his cousin exchanged meaningful glances. It seemed that the earl was only interested in Mrs. de Bourgh.
Hill came in after half an hour and announced Miss Bennet.
Mr. Darcy stood swiftly and moved to greet her. “Miss Bennet, how wonderful you have come.”
She stared into his eyes for a long moment before speaking. “I thought my grandfather might have wandered this way. I did tell him of the mere three miles it was from Netherfield to your home.”
Mr. Darcy understood by her tone that she and her grandfather had spoken of the last time he and she had been together at Longbourn.
The thought gave him hope where there had been none in many weeks, but also made him anxious. “I met him down by the stream. I was out with Lucifer to see whether my land was ready to plant.”
The earl joined them and embraced his granddaughter. “Lizzy, won’t you have tea with us? Mrs. de Bourgh has said how pleased she is to know you have returned. She is most grateful for the favor you did her daughter.”
Elizabeth looked to Mrs. de Bourgh and smiled. She could see the woman was performing solely for her grandfather but there was no point in being rude to her now.
She left the earl and went to greet the ladies of Longbourn. Elizabeth nodded to the mother and took the hands of the daughter. “I am so delighted to see you are still well! My physician shall come in another week to see for himself that my reports were true.”
Miss de Bourgh hugged Elizabeth tight in a show of emotion. “Oh, Miss Elizabeth, you are indeed the kindest friend I have ever had, save for my cousin Georgie.”
Elizabeth returned the embrace. “Thank you, Miss Anne. You are most kind.”
When the sweet gesture ended, they all sat and continued with tea. Elizabeth noticed how readily her grandfather fell into conversation with Mrs. de Bourgh.
She could see him using his charm on the lady and wondered whether he was merely being polite or whether he found himself attracted to the woman.
Mr. Darcy and Miss de Bourgh seemed as surprised and so she distracted them with conversation, her heart racing in her chest as she watched Mr. Darcy as his cousin spoke of a letter she had received from Georgiana.
Though she was eager to know about the wedding trip, Elizabeth could not look away from Mr. Darcy. His countenance was such that she wondered whether he had read her letter. He seemed eager to speak with her, but reserved all the same.
When her grandfather stood and asked the man whether they might speak alone, Elizabeth’s heart dropped into her stomach. She had not meant to be present at Longbourn when their conversation transpired.
Rising to make her farewells, Elizabeth was surprised when her grandfather announced that Mr. Darcy and his family would dine with them the following evening. He turned and quit the parlor with Mr. Darcy before she might reply.
Miss de Bourgh took her hand before she might give them her apologies and take her leave. “Miss Elizabeth, would you walk with me in the gardens? Some trees have begun to bud.”
Mrs. de Bourgh, eager to maintain the connection since having the earl in her home, encouraged the young ladies to visit the gardens. “I must go and see my particular friend, Mrs. Long, and tell her of our dinner invitation!”
Elizabeth kept a smile upon her face as she thought how a marriage to Mr. Darcy would bind her to Mrs. de Bourgh as well. The woman was not one to allow good gossip to spread without her assistance.
Miss de Bourgh led Elizabeth out to the gardens and remarked on how eventful the afternoon had become. “I had not thought I might see you again so soon, though I had hoped. What was it like to see your sisters married?”
“I only stayed for Jane’s wedding. My sister Lydia will marry soon. Grandfather gave her an extravagant gift and my mother threw a ball in her honor,” Elizabeth said as she walked along with Mr. Darcy’s cousin.
“You do not wish to see her wed as well?” Miss de Bourgh asked without judgment.
“It is difficult as she will marry our cousin who is a terrible man. I chose to come here with grandfather since he wished to meet Mr. Darcy instead.” Elizabeth did not wish to tell the girl everything about the duke or Lydia as the tale would only upset the young lady.
Miss de Bourgh was silent for but a moment. “Mother wishes for me to parade before your grandfather in the same manner she wished for me to capture your friend Mr. Bingley’s eye.”
Elizabeth gasped but thought she ought not to have been surprised by this knowledge. Certainly Mrs. de Bourgh would have wanted her daughter to seek the attentions of yet another wealthy man, no matter his age. “Pardon my thoughts on the matter, but it seemed to me your mother has set her cap for my grandfather instead.”
Miss de Bourgh agreed. “Mama is strange, is she not? Though, she is much closer in age to the earl so it seems more appropriate. Fitzwilliam and I were at a loss for words as the two of them conversed as though they were alone before you came.”
“Your mother has qualities my grandfather must admire or he would not have ignored the rest of us so easily. Do you think she might have given up on pushing you before him?” Elizabeth hoped the woman had for she did not think her grandfather had done much more than flirt with Mrs. de Bourgh.
Miss de Bourgh giggled. “I would say she will seek his attentions herself, Miss Elizabeth. Did it not seem so to you?”
Elizabeth wished she had not allowed her grandfather out of the house alone but could not see how she might have kept him prisoner. She could not think he might prefer Mrs. de Bourgh when he had expressed his fondness for Miss Bingley not so long ago.
Chapter 21
Caroline Bingley arrived at Netherfield in the afternoon on the day Mr. Darcy and his family were to come for dinner. Elizabeth greeted her friend with great enthusiasm as did her grandfather.
“Miss Bingley, we are most grateful for the use of your brother’s home. And now we have your lovely presence to make it ever more pleasant.” The earl bent over her hand when he had finished speaking and Elizabeth smiled at her friend.
Caroline was pleased at this reception but thought only of the earl as the older man he was, and her friend’s most esteemed family member. “Your lordship, I am honored you have traveled so far to visit us here. I would have come sooner but my sister required my presence at her home in Grosvenor. She is increasing, you know.”
The earl offered his arm and Caroline placed her hand upon his sleeve. Elizabeth followed the two of them as footmen rushed about unloading Miss Bingley’s trunks. “I do hope she is well, my dear. She ought to have come with that husband of hers to enjoy springtime in the country. A bit of the fresh air is good for us all.”
Caroline laughed and patted his arm. “Louisa and I despise the country and she would never come but to please our brother. I come to please my dearest friend.”
She eyed Elizabeth and smiled sweetly removing her hand from the earl’s arm now that they were all inside.
Elizabeth sought to separate the two. “We have guests this evening, Caro. My grandfather invited Mr. Darcy and his family to dinner. Would you like to go upstairs and freshen up from your journey?”
Caroline made an awful face. “Oh, I wish I had waited another day to leave Town. You know I do not care for that family. I suppose it is too late to call it off?”
The earl seemed surprised by Miss Bingley’s distaste. “Why, Mr. Darcy and the women of his family are quite lovely people and now they are your family since your brother’s marriage. Had I known you did not care for them, I would not have made the invitation, Miss Bingley.”
“Oh do not mind me, your lordship. Traveling makes me ill and I wish only to rest and regain my good humor. I must become accustomed to dinners and such with them as my brother did marry into that family, as you say,” Miss Bingley apologized in a manner Elizabeth found unbelievable before leaving her with the earl in the
entry.
Elizabeth shrugged at her grandfather and his questioning glance after Caroline had left them. She led him towards the parlor and hoped they had not made an error in planning the dinner. “I suppose we ought to have waited to make that invitation until after she had come.”
The earl shook his head as he sat with his granddaughter. “Nonsense, Miss Bingley will be more sociable after she rests in her rooms. But tell me, Lizzy, was I wrong to think she might be kinder after all this time?”
At this, Elizabeth laughed. “She has never been very kind, grandfather.”
“Then why, my dear, is she your closest friend?” The earl raised an eyebrow and stared at his granddaughter.
“I suppose you would have Charles Bingley to thank for that, sir. He and I are better suited as friends but Caro does have some redeemable qualities,” Elizabeth said, returning his gaze.
“Name one that does not include her physical beauty for she is a handsome and fashionable woman.”
Elizabeth took up her grandfather’s challenge. “Caro is generous with her opinions.”
Her grandfather’s customary booming laughter filled the parlor. “You do always look for the best in others, Lizzy.”
“I do and I wonder again at the conversation you had with Mr. Darcy the other day. I like to think you did not discuss my troubles with the man, but I suspect I am wrong.” Elizabeth eyed her grandfather closely.
Not intimidated by his loving granddaughter, the earl replied without batting an eye. “The conversations between gentlemen are private just as your conversations with Mr. Darcy are private, or should be if you do not wish to have all and sundry meddle in your affairs, Lizzy. Now, I would follow Miss Bingley’s example and rest a while before dinner.”
Elizabeth watched her grandfather quit the parlor with her mouth hanging open. He had scolded her and escaped further inquisition in the mere blinking of an eye.