“Is that all that any gentleman expects a woman to receive when offending her? A quick and hasty departure with an all but vague and, quite frankly, worthless apology?” Elizabeth accused.
“Is that how you perceive my words? Miss Bennet, again, I apologize for my rash words, but I assure you my words are merited and honest. I do not apologize if I do not feel I have done anything to warrant it,” he uttered.
“Mr. Darcy, it does not matter if you feel you have done something to warrant the apology or not. The fact is, you spoke quite ill of my family and all of the Longbourn household. Even after my mother served you tea and my father hosted you warmly. Do you not think that to be improper?”
“Indeed, Miss Bennet, I spoke out of place, but what else would you have me do, if not apologize?” Darcy asked.
“For one, I would have you cease to presume you know anything about anyone simply based on their station and appearance. This is the root of your prejudice. Perhaps, if you pulled up the root of the problem you could eradicate it from your personality? For it seems to me that the only severe flaw you possess stems from your belief that you are somehow superior to others,” Elizabeth replied haughtly.
“Perhaps you are correct, Miss Bennet, and I shall be quick to find ways to alleviate this issue but for now, having upset you as I have, it seems best for me to vacate your sanctuary. Good day, Miss Bennet,” Darcy stated, tipping his hat and turning toward the trail. Yet, again you have made a fool of yourself, Fitzwilliam! Great job, chap. Great job!
Elizabeth gave a soft sigh and turned to stroll back down the trail opposite the way Darcy had chosen to go – her own mind dashing back to the events of the past few days and the strangely disconcerting sentiment she felt after divulging to Darcy her real mind. Nevertheless, she walked onward attempting to enjoy the peaceful solitude of the forest.
Chapter Five
The evening that Elizabeth had found Darcy in the forest had not yet fled her mind. She still could not believe the audacity that Fitzwilliam Darcy had when it came to how he spoke of her family and others. Worse yet, what made him think he was truly above anyone else? Her family had treated him with kindness and hospitality and still, he insinuated that they all lacked any etiquette. The very thought of it nearly sent her blood to a boil – she could almost scream with frustration. And yet, Darcy felt that simple and unmoving apology was enough to settle her feelings after he had offended her so? She sauntered through the doorway, and immediately her eyes fell upon Jane and Bingley seated in the parlor. Adjacent to Bingley, Archibald sat, but Elizabeth was happy to see that one familiar face was not present; Darcy’s.
“Lizzy! Mr. Bingley and I were just discussing taking a walk. You know all of the best places for a stroll. What do you suggest?” Jane asked excitedly – the moment she spotted her sister.
“Good day, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth gave a curt nod toward the elder Bingley and then turned to greet Archibald, “And a good day to you also, Mr. Bingley,” she finished.
“Good day, Miss Bennet,” the elder Bingley replied.
“Good day, Miss Bennet,” Archibald smiled. “Is it true you know the best places for a walk, Miss Bennet?” Archibald asked curiously, a hopeful tone overtaking his voice as he looked back at her. “I have been thinking that going for a walk – just the four of us – might be quite amusing.” Archibald finished.
“Indeed, I do know a few nice trails for walking. Some close to the pond’s edge and others a bit further from it. Do you have a preference?” Elizabeth asked.
Jane immediately arched an eyebrow and glanced at Bingley cautiously. “I would hope to stay some distance from the water’s edge. I would hate to stumble as you did, Lizzy,” Jane remarked.
Elizabeth smiled briefly. “Oh, I am positive with the Bingley gentlemen to accompany us that such a thing would never befall you, dear sister.”
“Will you show us the way then?” Jane asked with a hopeful expression.
“Of course, I could not imagine staying behind,” Elizabeth stated. “But, I must insist that we stroll through the garden today. I feel the weather may turn sour at any moment and I would hate for you to become muddy, Jane.”
“I think that is a wise suggestion and I am in complete agreement,” the elder Bingley stated, rising as he nodded toward his cousin. Archibald arose and offered his hand immediately to Elizabeth.
“Shall I escort you, Miss Bennet?” Archibald asked. Elizabeth slid her palm into his with a curt nod and arose, glancing over at her sister and Bingley as he followed suit with his cousin’s behavior.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth murmured, smiling briefly at him as she nodded curtly.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley,” Jane remarked as she too took the hand being offered her. The gentlemen proceeded toward the door allowing the brief passage of the ladies before taking their hands yet again. Archibald’s hand seeming to grip a bit tighter upon Elizabeth’s as he led her toward the front door.
“I am curious,” Jane began as they sauntered toward the garden, “how was it that Mr. Darcy happened upon you when you fell into the pond, Lizzy?”
“Honestly, I am not quite sure. I think he was riding out that day for the same reasons I chose to walk – clearing one’s mind of the clutter that life fills it with, I suppose. Where is he now?” Elizabeth asked.
“Darcy? I have not seen him since yesterday. He left a message that he would be absent for some time due to an urgent matter that he did not at all discuss. However, such a thing is not uncommon for Mr. Darcy. He always has some obligation or matter to see to,” the elder Bingley stated.
“Is that so?” Jane asked, a hopeful curiosity overtaking her eyes as she focused upon the two gentlemen.
“Indeed,” Archibald began, “Mr. Darcy and my cousin are more than acquaintances, which is all I can say of my relationship with Mr. Darcy. However, what I do know of the man is he is committed to propriety and obligation and he has a deep affection for his sister.”
“Having a deep affection for one’s sister cannot be a bad thing. Can it, Lizzy?” Jane asked with a wink.
“No, I too have that same affection for you, dear sister. I imagine if I were a gentleman I would also want to see to my sister’s wellbeing,” Elizabeth stated matter-of-factly. Just as she finished speaking, a beautiful butterfly darted out before Jane’s eyes. Jane gasped in surprise, nearly falling backward in the process.
“Oh my!” she muttered, as Bingley caught her by the arms and pulled her back to stand. “Oh, thank you so much, Bingley. What would I have done without you?” Jane fretted. Elizabeth shook her head briefly and chuckled slightly.
“It was just a butterfly, Jane. Remember how we used to chase them through the garden as young girls?” she teased.
“Yes, but now it seems they have chosen to chase after us!” Jane jested.
“Even so, a butterfly is perfectly harmless,” Bingley stated, a slight and impish smirk overtaking his expression.
“Oh, but had it not been for the assaulting creature you would not have been able to rescue me, sir!” Jane chided with a smile. Elizabeth felt her heart growing warm at the scene – delighted to see Jane smiling and hopeful. It was a feeling she had hoped to see her sister enjoy for quite some time and, it seemed, Bingley was just the person to bring it.
“Indeed, this is true. I should be your steadfast protector – and keep an eye out for the next assault straightaway!” Bingley joked. Jane slid her hand free of Bingley’s and adjusted her bonnet briefly, shaking her head as she glanced back up at him.
“Do you enjoy saving damsels in distress, Mr. Bingley? Is it something you and your friends do often?” Jane asked.
“Oh, no, but seeing as how you Bennet ladies need constant assistance I wager that my friend and I should promptly begin doing so,” he teased.
Archibald pulled on Elizabeth’s hand slightly and she paused looking back at him curiously.
“What is it, Mr. Bingley?” she asked. Her eyes shifting from h
er sister and Mr. Bingley as she paused to listen to Archibald.
“I have something I would like to talk to you about, Miss Bennet. Could we allow a little distance between my cousin and your sister?” he asked gently. Elizabeth tilted her head and glanced toward Bingley and Jane who had already begun walking ahead quite a bit. The sounds of their laughter becoming muffled by the distance as they moved further away.
“Oh, well, we could just allow them a bit more space to walk ahead. Could we not?” Elizabeth asked, feeling a sudden nervousness overtake her that she could not properly explain.
“No, I would much prefer if we found our own path. I promise I will not lead you off into the forest and tarnish your reputation. I have no desire to offend you,” Archibald stated.
“If you insist, we can walk along this path,” she turned toward a path that forked off from Jane and Bingley’s but still afforded quite a bit of visibility of the others – and the garden.
“Excellent,” Archibald agreed, quickening his pace as he caught up to Elizabeth’s side. He held out his palm to her, and once again, Elizabeth took his hand – even as she felt a strange anxiousness about doing so.
“I think everything is going increasingly well for my cousin and your sister,” Archibald stated. “I would not at all be surprised if he does not ask for her hand in marriage soon.”
“I have always wanted for Jane to find something to make her happy. The joy she shares with Bingley is wondrous. I am quite pleased for them both. If he should choose to ask to marry her I cannot see her rejecting the request.” Elizabeth acknowledged with a shrug.
“Indeed, I feel that the two are a great match myself” Archibald stated. They walked forward a few feet and Archibald pulled at Elizabeth’s hand yet again – his eyes steadying with her as he began to slide down to his knee. Elizabeth immediately slipped her hand free of his and stepped back, glancing toward the direction of her sister and Bingley. Placing her hands before her she closed her eyes briefly and exhaled deeply.
“Mr. Bingley, I must let you know that I truly enjoy your company, as Mr. Bingley’s relative and as a friend, and I truly hope to remain so in the future,” she hastily said. Archibald’s eyebrows furrowed and he straightened up to stand. His countenance taking on a very disgruntled expression as he looked back at her.
“As a friend and as my cousin’s relative? I am not so sure I can do that, Miss Bennet. Pardon me, I must go,” he stated – an angry tone overtaking his words.
“Have I upset you somehow, Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth asked, knowing the man would have proposed to her in that very instant had she not interjected and interrupted him.
“I cannot say that you would truly care even if you had, Miss Bennet. Now, if you please, I must leave.” He turned and abruptly strolled back toward the house. Feeling a sudden rush of regret, Elizabeth hurried to catch up to him.
“Please, Mr. Bingley, I did not mean to upset you. Forgive me, but I would hate to disrupt the wonderful friendship we have formed. I truly do enjoy your social calls and all of our great conversations, but that is all it can ever be,” she insisted.
“Your poor attempts at apology have fallen upon deaf ears, Miss Bennet. Good day.” He quickened his pace. Elizabeth stood with her arms at her sides, her eyes watching intently as Archibald walked away.
***
“Where has my cousin gone off to?” Bingley asked as he escorted Jane back toward the front door. Elizabeth paused and glanced back at him and her sister with a sorrowful expression.
“Mr. Bingley chose to leave just a few moments ago. I think I may have gravely upset him,” Elizabeth answered him.
“Oh,” Bingley stated, glancing back at Jane with an uncomfortable demeanor, “I have an inkling as to why that might be.”
“Why is that? What am I missing?” Jane asked, her countenance overshadowed by the worry that had taken residence upon her face.
“I am certain, Mr. Bingley knows better than I, but I suspect he wished to propose to me in the garden and I promptly squashed his hopes,” Elizabeth admitted. Jane’s eyes widened instantly, a gasp slipping free of her lips.
“Oh, Lizzy!” she huffed. “Oh, Mother will be so upset,” she finished.
“I simply cannot marry someone I do not feel affection for, Jane. You must understand,” Elizabeth stated. Bingley tilted his head slightly.
“I apologize, but I thought you and Archibald had formed quite a joyful friendship. Is that not affection?” Bingley asked.
“I would not call it the same sort of affection. In truth, I enjoyed spending time with your cousin, Mr. Bingley, but simply as a friend. Someone with whom I could converse and enjoy some light humor from time to time. I never imagined he would presume a romantic interest from such.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, you are a fool if you did not see how that man would fawn over you. I think you may have made a grave mistake,” Jane declaimed.
“Perhaps, you are correct, but I feel I made the best decision. Mr. Bingley deserves to marry someone who will be beyond proud of her engagement. Not someone who wishes to flee from the very idea of marriage itself.”
“Elizabeth, why do you detest the idea of marriage so? Can you not see that having someone to care for you is a rewardable position? Look at Mother and Father,” Jane stated.
“I have for my entire life, Jane. I see a woman who is obsessed with marrying her daughters to good station, wealth, and privilege. I see an elderly man who everyone seems to think could not care at all about those same daughters – or the propriety and decorum they lack. I see a multitude of troublesome qualities that I am not so sure I want to burden myself with. Is that so wrong of me?” she asked.
“I cannot understand why you chase off every gentleman caller who finds you interesting, Elizabeth. I must admit, I find it horribly sad how you refuse to see how your behavior affects everyone who cares for you, every member of our family,” Jane shook head, clearly disturbed by what had gone on between Elizabeth and Archibald.
“If I have embarrassed you somehow, Jane, I apologize. I would never intentionally do anything to humiliate you, but I could not allow that man to propose. Now, if you will please pardon me, I would like to go inside.” Without further hesitation, Elizabeth moved past her sister and into the house. Perhaps, Darcy had been correct about her behavior being nearly reprehensible because never in her life had Elizabeth imagined that she and Jane would have a disagreement over her rejection of a marriage proposal. It simply made no sense.
Hoping to avoid her parents in the hall, Elizabeth quickly moved toward the stairs and began ascending them in haste. Does everyone in Longbourn lack decorum? Darcy’s words drifted through her mind only serving to further anger her after Jane’s swift reprimand. It was perfectly preposterous that Jane and her mother both felt a need to dictate her decisions – especially one as imperative as whom she chose to marry! It was easy enough for Jane to find someone she could get along with, but for Elizabeth, she just could not see how to force such feelings for someone when they simply did not exist. Clearly, such troublesome worries were no issue for Jane or Mr. Bingley – as it was obvious to anyone who saw the two that they were entirely smitten with one another. Was it so wrong of Elizabeth to want the same?
Arriving upon the landing, Elizabeth quickly moved to enter her room – a pang of guilt and distress overtaking her in its entirety. Exhausted from all the arguing, all Elizabeth wanted to do was fall into a deep slumber and forget the day had ever even happened. The moment Elizabeth’s body met with her mattress she released a heartfelt sigh - hoping all the nerves that Jane had exposed would soon return to normalcy. With heavy eyes and an equally heavy heart, Elizabeth soon found herself slipping into the warm clutches of a warm and happy dream.
Chapter Six
As much as it pained him, Darcy’s life was not as uncomplicated as he would have liked everyone else to believe. Consequently, a disruptive dilemma was added to Fitzwilliam’s life when his aunt, Lady Catherine de Borough announc
ed that she wished to visit with her beloved nephew. Familial errands had always been disruptive for Darcy. Naturally, with consideration to Georgiana, he tended to them as quickly as possible while still managing his other duties with a grace that admittedly surprised the man. Indeed, Darcy had hoped his aunt would abandon her mission, but such hopes were crushed the instant he opened the letter announcing her inevitable visit Dearest nephew.
I had hoped to see you return to Rosings soon, but having heard of your extended visit to Hertfordshire. I have chosen to come to see you. Anne and I have been discussing her readiness for marriage and she and I feel obligated to ensure you are in good health.
Darcy recalled the first paragraph of the letter and frowned slightly. Why does she insist that I would marry Anne when I have clearly told her on many accounts, that I could never do so? Lady Catherine coming to visit at a time like this was beyond acceptable. Especially, if she went to call upon the Longbourn household. What would happen should Elizabeth hear that Darcy and Anne were betrothed? Worse yet, would his aunt spread such a rumor just to keep him from asking for another young lady’s hand? Having felt obligated to host his aunt and cousin’s arrival, Fitzwilliam had no choice but to prepare for it with proper consideration. Why on earth must she insist on coming now? he wondered with great agitation. It was as if his aunt always seemed to rouse curiosity at the moments that Darcy was entirely ill-equipped.
As of late, his suspicions had begun to arise that Lady Catherine’s behaviors were well-calculated attempts at succeeding with her crafty manipulations. Darcy, being her nephew, did greatly care for his aunt but he had never found Anne even slightly amusing. Let alone the sort to whom he would commit himself. Truly, station and decorum were of great importance to Darcy but that did not persuade him to change his mind, and he had still staunchly refused to marry Anne. Even so, he now had the dilemma of entertaining and hosting his aunt and cousin and intended to do so most handsomely. There simply was no other choice.
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