by Wendi Sotis
He would ride again today — but for pleasure this time and to protect the ladies.
Miss Bennet stepped down from the coach. Even though it had been only a little more than sixteen hours since Miss Bennet left her side, Ana embraced her as if they had not seen each other in months.
No one had seen hide nor hair of Wickham in a week. Still, Darcy would not allow the ladies to ride out unescorted. He could send a servant with them, but since he had not checked in at the Stanhopes’ farm in a couple of weeks, and the pond near that house was where Ana wished to take Miss Bennet, he might as well tag along.
Darcy almost laughed out loud. It was a poor excuse for spending the day with them, but he admitted to himself, it was the best he could come up with.
The ladies had performed their duet for him yesterday after luncheon. Ana played with her usual expertise. Miss Bennet’s part was not as well-executed, but the emotion she inserted into the piece helped make it quite memorable. Ana went on to play for him as Miss Bennet sang.
Her voice…oh! There was her real talent. His respiration quickened, just thinking about it.
He really should force himself to think about something else!
One of the maids had apparently altered a riding habit of Ana’s to fit Miss Bennet since she was a few inches shorter than Ana. He had been told it was the green one, which was an excellent choice. Darcy imagined it would bring out the colour of her eyes nicely.
He sighed.
Every day at luncheon, since Ana did not have any sisters, she usually asked to hear stories about Miss Bennet’s family.
He should be horrified at some of the behaviour she described, which should repel him from her, but the more time he spent with her, the more smitten he became.
The two ladies began to climb the stairs into the house. It would be a minute at most before they entered this room. He looked down at his riding attire and brushed a bit of lint off his coat, then pulled it taut. Perhaps he should not be standing at the window when she walked in. Too obvious.
He moved to a sofa.
Miss Bennet’s mother sounded very much like many of the matrons of the ton — interested in marrying off their daughters to gentlemen of the highest level of society that they could manage.
When he thought about Ana’s future, he could understand that attitude, though from what Miss Bennet said, Mrs. Bennet might be a bit obsessed with the subject. However, knowing the Bennets’ estate was entailed away from the female line and there were no sons, he could understand Mrs. Bennet’s attitude, as well.
Still, allowing all five of the Bennet daughters out at once did not make any sense to him what-so-ever. Usually, the eldest daughter married, and the second eldest was permitted to enter society. He searched his memories of Miss Bennet’s stories. The youngest two daughters sounded too immature to be seen in society. Apparently, her father called them silly, which proved that following tradition would have been the better choice, but he also remembered a story about how Mrs. Bennet had been a younger daughter. Her older sister married very late, so she was not permitted in society until she was much older than one would typically come out. He could imagine that could be such a bad memory, it would influence a lady to allow all her daughters to mingle with society at the same time.
The ladies’ voices in the corridor stirred him from his thoughts. He rose and turned towards the doors as they swung open. In walked both of his favourite ladies, laughing.
When had he begun thinking of Miss Bennet as a favourite?
It mattered not. It was true. She was unlike any lady he had ever met, and he appreciated every one of her qualities thus far revealed.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Both looked at him and smiled brightly.
He bowed. Miss Bennet curtsied.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Brother! Had I known you were awaiting us, we would not have remained outside so long.”
“All is well, Dove.”
Miss Bennet opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself when a footman entered bearing a letter on a salver.
The footman rushed to stand before Darcy. “A rider brought this for you, sir.”
Darcy raised his eyebrows. The only person who sent him letters this thick, and sent them by private courier, was his solicitor. “Is the rider still here, Scott?”
“Yes, sir. His employer told him to wait for an answer. Mrs. Reynolds took him to the kitchens for a meal while he is waiting.”
“Good.” Breaking the seal immediately, he looked over the first page as the footman left the room.
After a few moments, Darcy said, “Miss Bennet, you will be interested in this part of the letter. Netherfield Park is owned by our cousin, Huxley.” He skimmed through the second page and stifled a smile. No, he would not tell either of them the next part.
“That is good news, indeed,” she said with a smile that warmed his heart.
“Do you need to delay our ride, Fitzwilliam?” Ana asked.
He looked up. Neither lady was wearing a riding habit yet. He shook his head. “I have been looking forward to the outing.” He tapped the pages with the fingers of his other hand. “I will be in my study while you change.”
Ana’s face glowed. He guessed it was because she had not been allowed to leave Pemberley for a week except for short walks in the rose garden accompanied by Simons. “Then, we shall see you soon.”
They all moved into the corridor together and separated at the stairs.
Once alone, Darcy removed his coat, rolled up his sleeves to keep them from being stained with ink, and settled into his chair to read through the letter more thoroughly. He quickly made his reply.
Shaw,
I will post an answer to the other subjects in your letter tomorrow, but I wished to respond immediately in regards to Netherfield Park. Based on the reports I have heard, the results of your land agent’s investigation are what I expected. I will not allow my cousin to continue abusing his tenants in this fashion.
Make an offer to Huxley Darcy for the purchase of the estate. Keep in mind that taking into account what your man estimates the repairs to the manor and the tenants’ houses will cost, I will pay no more than ---- pounds and stress that he will never get a better offer elsewhere.
Yours, etc.,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
He sealed the letter, had a footman take it to the man who was waiting for his answer, and then he sat back in his chair.
If Darcy’s parents had not had children, Huxley would have been the next in line to inherit Pemberley. A shiver ran down Darcy’s spine. Had that happened, he imagined his beloved Pemberley would have been treated much like Netherfield Park. However, like Wickham, Huxley felt he was owed something from the estate. Perhaps his purchasing Netherfield Park would finally satisfy Huxley.
Darcy shook off these morbid thoughts.
He and Ana would soon be going to London. He had been corresponding with several prospective companions for Ana, and he would need to interview them in person. Also, it would be better for the negotiations for Netherfield if he was closer to Shaw’s offices. Once these matters were settled, he would hire a housekeeper and butler for Netherfield, and send them to the estate.
Now that he thought of it, this might be the perfect opportunity for his friend Charles Bingley to study estate management. Perhaps he should invite Bingley to join him whenever he rode out to Hertfordshire to see how the repairs were progressing.
Bingley wished to purchase an estate of his own but had never even visited one for longer than a month at a time. For Bingley, witnessing what was involved with owning an estate, especially when repairs were being done, would be an excellent learning experience.
From what Miss Bennet said, Netherfield was three miles from her home. At some point, Darcy could bring Ana along with him, and she could renew her friendship with Miss Bennet while he and Bingley checked on the improvements at Netherfield Park.
Additionally, if Bingley fancied the esta
te, he could lease or purchase it from Darcy. If not, Darcy would put the estate up for sale.
Such a situation was for the good of everyone, including the tenants that Miss Bennet and her neighbours had been good enough to care for since his cousin had taken possession.
Although he was satisfied all would work out, he did not want to mention it in case something went wrong. For now, he would keep it to himself.
CHAPTER 16
Elizabeth placed her hand on Ana’s arm. “Perhaps I should wait in the parlour?”
“Do not be silly, Lizzy. Fitzwilliam will not mind if you are with me.” She knocked on the door.
Elizabeth was not convinced. Her father certainly would not appreciate anyone coming into his study uninvited. The same with either of her uncles. A man’s study was usually a private place. She imagined Mr. Darcy meant they should send for him once they were ready, not that they should actually meet him at his study.
“Come.” Mr. Darcy’s voice was muffled through the door.
As Ana pressed the latch, Elizabeth said, “Wait!” But it was too late. Ana pushed the door open and walked through.
Mr. Darcy glanced up, and his eyes widened. His coat had been cast aside.
Elizabeth felt her face heat and did not follow Ana into the room, but she could not take her eyes from her friend’s brother as he jumped up from his chair and turned his back to the door while fumbling with his shirtsleeves.
Good heavens! She had guessed he did not use any padding in his coats, but as she watched the muscles move under his thin lawn shirt and vest, she now had proof.
Realizing she was staring, she turned away to examine the painting on the wall across the corridor. It was a landscape of some kind, but if someone asked her about it later, she would not be able to describe one thing about it for her vision was clouded with the memory of the man behind her.
Mr. Darcy truly was a magnificent specimen of everything male.
“I am sorry,” said Ana to her brother. “You said you would be in the study when we were ready.” Her voice was muffled. She must have partially closed the door, though Elizabeth had not heard the latch click.
“It is an honest mistake, Dove. Worry not.”
Elizabeth’s heart warmed.
It would have been more beneficial to her quest to harden her heart against him if he would have become angry with his sister. Instead, he treated Ana carefully at all times and was so forgiving. His behaviour consistently improved Elizabeth’s opinion of him.
Bother it all; her efforts had been useless!
Mr. Darcy’s voice was just behind her when he said, “Are we ready, ladies?”
So, he decided to ignore that she had seen him in a state of undress. She would have to do the same, though it would be difficult.
She turned and smiled. “Yes, sir. I believe we are.” She looked at Ana, who was staring at the floor. Elizabeth linked arms with the younger girl and turned to walk towards the front of the house. Mr. Darcy followed.
“Ana, what points of interest shall I look for along the way today?”
Ana brightened a little and told her about an enormous tree near the pond. “It is a tradition for the people who live at Pemberley to carve their initials in the trunk. Some relations who are frequent visitors to the estate have also done so.”
They walked outside, where their horses were waiting. They were all beautiful animals.
Mr. Darcy looked around with some concern. “I must speak to someone about the readiness of the hamper for our picnic.” He walked over to one of the footmen.
Elizabeth and Ana stood in silence for a minute or two before Ana said, “I apologize for what happened at the house, Lizzy. I should have listened to you.”
“I have learned that lesson the hard way. There is a story there, but it is too long to tell you now.” She chuckled.
“But I am sixteen years old. I should know better.” Ana kept her eyes on the ground.
Elizabeth said in all seriousness. “Everyone makes mistakes, dearest Ana. You are like I am in this — any errors in judgement you make will be taken to heart, and you will use that knowledge in the future. Your memories will serve you well in life. I would never worry about you the way I do about my sisters Kitty and Lydia.”
Elizabeth stared out into the distance, reminiscing. “Though Lydia has no malice, she wants what she wants, and nothing shall get in her way—not propriety or even experience. She repeats the same mistakes again and again, without variation. Lydia has a stronger disposition than Kitty, and even though Kitty is a year older, she allows Lydia to lead. While Kitty learns from experience and will advise Lydia, Lydia will not listen because she is only amused by any awkward circumstances that might result from her actions. Even though Kitty knows better, she will still follow her into embarrassing situations. Neither makes sense to me. To be honest, I am not sure which of their behaviours concerns me more.”
Someone cleared their throat behind her. Elizabeth startled and turned around. Mr. Darcy! Had he heard what she was just saying? She blushed.
“The picnic hamper has just arrived. Shall we mount our horses?”
Elizabeth was led to a brown mare. It took her a moment to see that it was the same one she had ridden before, Papilio, with the butterfly-shaped star on her forehead. It was a shame she could not mention that fact aloud.
She would be going home soon and would not have to worry about watching what she said. While she was saddened to be leaving Ana, it would be a relief when she would no longer need to hide the truth of their acquaintance before the ball.
There was not much conversation as they rode, which was fine with Elizabeth. The countryside was beautiful, and she kept herself busy taking in every detail along the way. They came across several chest-high, ancient stone walls that seemed placed to keep the grazing animals from feasting on the fields of crops. Where the walls crossed the path, there were tall, wooden gates, which Mr. Darcy opened so their horses could pass through. A hillside they passed was covered with a large flock of grazing sheep. In one valley, a herd of cattle nibbled on the grass and drank from a stream. After a while, the trio entered a thick forest. The sunlight faded in the cool darkness of the woods.
When the trees finally broke, Ana and Mr. Darcy moved aside to allow her to go ahead into a lovely meadow. The stream they had followed for much of the way widened into a pond almost precisely at the centre of the field. There was a large grassy area close by, and late-summer flowers and shrubs bloomed everywhere else she looked. A frog jumped on the shore, paused, and hopped into the water.
“This is lovely!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
They dismounted and emptied their saddlebags. Mr. Darcy led their horses to the water while Ana and Elizabeth spread the blankets in a shady area and unpacked the hamper. When the master of the estate rejoined them, they shared a meal of cold meats, cheeses, bread, and wine, along with excellent conversation.
After repacking the hamper, the trio took a walk around the pond. As they approached the end of it, Elizabeth realised the pond narrowed again, and the stream continued from here. A short footbridge was here, allowing them to cross over. The meadow extended off to her right around a bend in the surrounding forest, which had blocked her view of it before. She turned and gasped.
There stood a group of enormous yew trees. Drawn in that direction, she imagined if six or seven men hugged the trunk of the largest one, they might not be able to touch each other’s fingertips. It must have been several hundred, if not thousands of years old. The trunk had split open in one area. Elizabeth peered into it — how could such a large tree support itself when it was hollow?
Near the yews were a few massive wych elms that probably were hundreds of years old themselves. All of their trunks were bent at what seemed like impossible angles, most likely due to their efforts to compete with the yews for exposure to sunlight.
Ana pointed to the largest of the elms. “This is the Name Tree I spoke of earlier.”
Elizab
eth slowly moved around it, reading some of the names carved into the trunk. Dates were whittled below each, arranged in such a way that she assumed they marked each person’s births and deaths. It amazed her that family members would remember to return to update the carvings when someone died. The names facing out to the field were the oldest, dating back two centuries.
Ana called her from the opposite side of the trunk. Elizabeth joined her.
“Here is my name.” She beamed.
Mr. Darcy’s name was carved above his sister’s, and their parents were next to them.
“This is an amazing history,” Elizabeth almost whispered, for somehow it seemed proper to do so here.
Elizabeth had not realised Mr. Darcy joined them until he placed a hand on the empty space next to his and Ana’s names. He met Elizabeth’s gaze. “Someday, our children’s names will be carved here.”
Their children — his and hers?
Her heart beat wildly, and her eyes widened.
Mr. Darcy’s colour rose a bit as he stared at her.
He was so handsome. There was a longing in his eyes so intense, Elizabeth could not breathe.
Did he know she loved him? Could by some miracle his hopes be the same as hers?
Ana giggled, breaking the spell.
A panicked expression crossed Mr. Darcy’s face, and he looked away from her, turning quickly.
“I misunderstood what you said, Brother,” Ana said with amusement in her voice. She placed a hand on his sleeve. “At first, I thought you meant you and Lizzy would have ch—”
“We should go.” Mr. Darcy pulled out his watch. “Yes, it is getting late.”
Ana’s smile faded.
Mr. Darcy turned and walked away from the tree, stopping at the water’s edge. He kept his back to them.
Needing a few moments to recover her senses, Elizabeth spent a little more time pretending to examine the carvings.