by Kara Louise
*~*~*
The next morning, I came downstairs to find Miss Bingley at a desk writing a letter with a very pleased expression upon her face. As she issued orders to the servants, it occurred to me that she may have been planning this for a long time. She knew exactly what needed to be done and she presented the servants with a long list of tasks. When the stablehand came in for his instructions, I came instantly to attention, suddenly recollecting Sadie and wishing to hear how she would fare.
Miss Bingley’s concern lay chiefly with putting all the animals for sale at the market. She informed him that it was of no use to keep these creatures as there was little chance that they would be returning.
“And Miss Bingley, what of Sadie? Will you be taking her with you to London? She has proven to be an excellent hunting dog for Mr. Bingley. I shall put her in a crate for you, if you wish.”
“Absolutely not! What need would we have of a hunting dog in Town?” She shook her head vehemently. “Take her into the village. Someone will certainly buy her.” She emphasized her final directive with a sweep of her hand. “And be sure to get the highest dollar for every one of the animals!”
“Yes, Miss Bingley.” The stablehand bowed and turned to leave. My heart pounded as I realized Sadie was going to be left behind. I did not think I could bear yet another heartache.
Once he left the house, she presented the letter she had been writing to another servant. “Once we have quit Netherfield, deliver this letter to Longbourn; but only after we are gone.”
I wondered what was contained in the letter, but from the look of delight on Miss Bingley’s face as she composed it, I doubted I would be happy with its contents.
I stood up, finding it difficult to even breathe. I could no longer remain in the house. As servants were busily coming in and going out, it was with great ease and determination that I slipped out.
My destination, if you have not already construed, was the stable where Sadie was kept.
To my delight, Sadie greeted me most gregariously. Her tail wagged fervently and she began pawing at the dirt as if she wished to dig out. When her initial excitement at seeing me had waned, she calmed down and eyed me curiously, extending her nose through the slat in the fence.
I touched her nose with mine and as our eyes met, she let out a whine. I am quite confident she sensed there was something troubling me. I closed my eyes briefly, enjoying her unique scent, when she began fervently licking my nose as if to console me. But I could see that she was agitated as a result of my own distressed demeanour.
I lay down alongside the fence, and that accomplished its purpose in calming her. She lay down as well, and stretched her paw through the fence, placing it alongside mine. We were so close, nose to nose, and yet that fence and the prospect of what might happen to her, in my mind, had already separated us. I covered her paw with one of mine and determined that I would do everything to ensure we would remain together.
At length, quite as I expected, I heard my master’s voice impatiently calling out my name. It took everything within me to keep my head turned away, refusing to acknowledge him. Sadie let out a whimper and a fearful tremor as he pounded closer, his feet stomping so hard it shook the ground.
“Reggie! Come! We are about to leave!”
Although I could not see him, I felt his presence and knew he was standing over me.
“Reggie, I will not tolerate this any longer. Either you return to the house with me and get yourself up in the carriage or I will…”
I did not allow him to finish. I stood up and took an offensive stance opposite him. I had never barked back at my master in the entirety of my life, but I did that morning. I barked and barked; anger and frustration compelling me to defy every discipline that had ever been instilled in me. I was so zealous that with each bark, my front paws came up off the ground.
Each bark countered every argument he ever waged against Miss Elizabeth’s unsuitability and why he was mistaken. Each bark chastised him for his blind obstinacy. And each bark was a proclamation that I would not leave without Sadie.
My master stood in silence, somewhat taken aback by my behaviour. He waited for me to finish. He knew I would, as I became quite weary from all the exertion. When I stopped to gather my breath, we merely eyed each other.
Finally, he spoke. “There are some things, Reggie, that you will never understand. It is best for everyone concerned that we all depart… today! Now, come!”
I looked over at Sadie, who had been observing this all with a cautious posture. Turning back to my master, I gave one more bark and sat down obstinately in front of her.
“Mmm,” my master mumbled. “You wish to have Sadie accompany us, am I correct?”
I barked again to concur.
He wiped his hand across his face and then up through his hair. “We cannot take her with us, Reggie. I am sorry. Now, come along.”
I growled in response and held my ground.
“Reggie!” He came toward me and the fur bristled across my back.
“May I be of service, Sir?” The stablehand suddenly appeared and walked over to my master. “I heard a dog barking. Was Sadie behaving defiantly?”
My master folded his arms across his chest. “No, it was Reggie. It appears as though he is not inclined to leave Sadie behind.”
“They are fond o’ each other,” the stablehand replied. “She is an amiable dog. Do you wish to take her, Sir?”
“No, no. Reggie has me spoilt with his usually impeccable behaviour.”
“Ah, but Sadie has improved considerably in her discipline, sir. Oftentimes I take her home in the evenings. My young’uns, they enjoy her very much. I’ve worked quite a bit with her and she now behaves most amiably. She’s a good dog, Sir, just like Reggie.”
Darcy looked at him. “Why do you not keep her?”
“Oh, no, Sir. My wife would not be wanting me to bring her home for good. Truth be told, I could not afford the price Miss Bingley has fixed for her. ‘Tis a shame, for she deserves a fine and loving home. You need not worry, Sir, I am sure I can find her one. Such a sweet spirit she has, I am sure some gentleman will be able to see the value of a companion like Sadie.”
My master could see that I was going to be unyielding in this. “As it appears that Reggie is determined to remain at Sadie’s side, I suppose I shall have to take her myself. I hope you are correct in your assessment of her demeanour. Secure her in a crate and put it on my carriage. I shall arrange for her purchase with a generous amount that should satisfy Miss Bingley.”
“Yes, Sir, and I am certain you will be quite satisfied with her. You can see her intelligence and devotion in her eyes. Just look at that sparkle in ‘em. You know she would be saying something sharp and witty if only she could talk.”
My master looked at him oddly and then looked at me. I let out an assenting bark and looked back at my master with pleading eyes.
My tail began wagging and I gratefully approached my master. He knelt down and wrapped one of his arms about my neck. Ever so softly he said, “It is settled then, Reggie. One of us ought to be contented of heart.” He took in a deep breath and looked off into the distance. I knew at that moment he had put aside his strict regulation and allowed his heart to speak. And in the next few months, I would see just how much of a struggle it would be for him to remain under good regulation, for an occasional morsel of remembrance, tenderness of regard, or expression of yearning would inadvertently exhibit itself in my presence.
*~*~*
My master informed the others that he would ride a good part of the way on his horse, whilst I would ride in the carriage. I felt guilty that Sadie had to be confined to a crate and secured on top, but I knew she would bear up admirably as she was not as accustomed to the same comforts to which I was.
I watched my master mount and give his horse a firm kick. He was off directly in a determined gallop. I knew he wished solitude as he left this place and that the thunderous rhythm of the horse’s movements would j
ar every complacent or amiable thought that might still be lingering for Miss Elizabeth. But I also knew that his heart, deep down inside, was likely to remain unfaltering in its regard for her, and that he would not any time soon be able to cast it aside.
Before I took my place in the carriage, there was one more thing I needed to retrieve. Slipping past the servants and Miss Bingley, who stood watching my master until she could no longer see him, I returned to my master’s chambers. In the corner of the room lay my rope, which I had left behind earlier that morning. Quickly snatching it, I was grateful to have this keepsake from Miss Elizabeth in my possession.
The carriage was ready to depart when I came back out. I was grateful that the Hursts’ carriage was far from ready and we most likely would not be meeting up with them on our journey to Town. Our driver was anxious to leave and I hopped up inside. I situated myself upon the bench, as I wished to look out the window as we left this place that had so indisputably changed our lives this past month.
As the carriage pulled away, my nose and eyes were fixed out the window, searching the road, the paths, the woods, and the valleys for any scent, any glimpse of Miss Elizabeth. As we were soon far beyond the boundary of the neighbourhood, I conceded defeat and settled down in the seat, quite worn out from my earlier display of animosity. Sleep soon came upon me, induced by the gentle rocking of the carriage.
*~*~*
At some time in the afternoon, the carriage stopped in a small village where my master was already waiting for us. I was let out and set free to run about. It felt invigorating to walk about after being in the confines of the carriage. Sadie was let out as well; however she was kept on the leash and tethered to a tree.
Sadie ran circles about me, tangling both of us in the leash. On more than one occasion my master or his man had to disengage us from the leather lead wrapped around our legs. Despite my earlier sullenness, I was cheered up greatly just by being in her presence. Although she occasionally behaved with a lack of restraint, she lifted my spirits and made me feel young again. Impeccable manners have their place, make no mistake, but I found her liveliness in attitude of equal merit.
I watched as my master stretched his legs, walking briskly up and down the lane by which the carriage was stopped. He pressed his hands behind him kneading his back as he held himself erect. I knew he must be stiff from the long ride. I wondered whether the ride had accomplished what he had hoped or whether it had merely given him a backache.
After stopping for a cold lunch at the small village, we returned to the carriage. I hopped inside and Sadie was returned to her crate. My master’s horse was tethered to the carriage and he climbed in after me.
Upon entering the carriage, I immediately picked up the knotted rope in my mouth, lay down on the seat, and dropped the rope onto my paws, where I let it rest in plain sight. I looked up at my master as he took note of it, but he made no response, save for a tightening of his jaw that revealed to me some direction of his thoughts.
He sat rigidly upon the seat, turning to view the prospect out his window, and I turned away towards mine. It appeared that neither of us wished to look at the other. Whilst I was pleased that he agreed to take responsibility for Sadie, I still felt very strongly that he was making a grave mistake in disallowing his regard for Miss Elizabeth and going along with Miss Bingley’s scheme to discourage his friend’s attachment to Miss Bennet. I finally lay my head down, although my eyes refused to close. To punctuate my displeasure, an audible and most disturbed moan repeatedly escaped from the depths of me.
It appeared my mournful state finally assailed my master’s nerves for he suddenly slammed his book closed, causing me to cautiously lift my head and look up at him.
“See here, Reggie. I am no more inclined to be pleased with the outcome of events the past day than you, but believe me when I say; it is for the best that it has transpired as such.”
I noticed that immediately after he had spoken those words, his rigid demeanour loosened somewhat; his posture seemed to slump against the comfortably cushioned seat. He closed his eyes briefly before he continued.
“I know you found Miss Elizabeth to be most pleasant company.”
I let out a whine to help refresh his memory.
“So be it. I found her to be most pleasant company, as well; pleasant, attractive, inspiring, intelligent…”
He reached over with his other hand and ran it down my back. I responded in kind by stretching out my paw and in a manner displaying our affable bond, I placed it on his leg.
“I have always desired to marry a woman I could love and respect, but wondered if such a woman existed who could look at me and see me for who I am and not for my name and fortune.” He paused a moment. “It seemed as if I might have finally found such a woman. She did not go out of her way to flatter or please me, was not hesitant to challenge my every word and action, and impudently taunted me at every opportunity.”
He leaned his head back against the seat of the carriage and closed his eyes. “It was quite a refreshing change!”
I whined again in sympathy and he continued.
“Despite every argument against her, I quite unwittingly found myself to be very much in love with her.”
He turned toward the window, gazing out and continuing to stroke my fur, but just as quickly straightened up and shook himself out of his reverie. “However, I have exacting obligations to my name and my family, Reggie, and in weighing her suitability as my wife, there are far too many factors that would make her an unbefitting choice.”
He turned back to look at me. “It is not as though I am abandoning a woman whose heart became inexorably entwined with mine.” He laughed sarcastically. “Well, it may be entwined with mine, but wrapped in shards of censure and scorn rather than cords of love and admiration.”
His jaw tightened again. “On the evening of the ball, the impropriety of her family’s behaviour as well as her impudence towards me convinced me that I must cease any and all display of regard towards her. Miss Elizabeth may have been in her person everything that was engaging to me, but her family’s situation is too intolerable. I confess she garnered my favour, but I had to make the requisite decision that I could not, in deference to my obligations, marry a woman with such inferior connections.”
He paused and then turned away from me and towards the window again. “My feelings of esteem toward her became far too powerful. They interfered with all my rational reasoning and I consequently had no choice and resolved to disregard her.” He took in a deep breath and huffed it out. “The only way I could reasonably accomplish that was to leave Hertfordshire.”
He looked down at me with the sternest expression. “I am sorry, Reggie, but she is to be forgotten.”
I laid my head down upon my paws, a great sense of defeat washing over me. I had to face the truth that my master knew that Miss Elizabeth did not hold him in high esteem and he was of the firm conviction she would never meet the requirements needed to become his wife.
*~*~*
We arrived in London at dusk. As the sun set, a brisk air settled over us. My master pulled out a blanket and tossed it over his legs as we made our way through the streets toward his townhome. The London air, which was rife with a variety of assaulting odours, provoked me to cough several times as I attempted to catch my breath. My master looked down at me and asked if I was faring well. Fortunately, the little episode passed. I only hoped that our stay in town would be brief and that we would set out for Pemberley and its pristine environment without much delay.
When at last we pulled into the wide lane that led to my master’s townhome, I was anxious to get out and see how Sadie had fared. The carriage halted and the door abruptly opened. I waited impatiently for my master to gather his things and step out. I could hear the sounds of the carriage being unloaded and wanted to be there to greet Sadie and reassure her.
When I finally was able to jump out, I saw that her crate was still secured on top. Two men came over and carefully
lifted it up, bringing it down.
“What shall we do with her, Sir?”
My master looked over at Sadie and then at me, as if he had completely forgotten about her.
“Do not let her out without a tether. Take her to the back and put her in the pen. She probably needs to run off some of her energy and I would not want her to scuttle off with Reggie darting off after her.
He then looked down at me. “If you wish, you may go with them.”
I eagerly set off, hoping to make Sadie’s transition to our household here go smoothly, so that no party had cause to repine the addition.
The townhome had several pens that had housed dogs throughout the years and whilst I hoped that she would not always have to remain penned up, I knew it would have to suffice for now.
When she was let out, she ran into the pen and around in circles for some time. I stepped in before they closed the gate and dropped my knotted piece of rope. I watched in delight as she picked it up and tossed it into the air and then pounced down upon it. Just watching her made me feel young again and I joined her in a little bit of play until I was quite fatigued and began coughing again.
One of the servants, who had been working nearby, heard my coughing and came over to unlatch the gate for me.
“Sounds like you need to take it easy, Reggie. Now don’t you worry about your friend, here. I can see that she is one who will adapt very easily. I am quite sure of it!”
Sadie looked at me curiously. I do not know whether it was due to concern over my coughing or over the strangeness of this place, but she seemed somewhat troubled. I settled myself just outside the pen and watched her for a few moments before going inside the house. Her attention was quickly drawn to an array of toys that had accumulated over the years and were strewn about the pen.