by Wells, Linda
“Yes.” She bit her lip and looked at Jill. “You are ten miles from Meryton?”
“I would say closer to eight, but yes, quite a distance.” Jill smiled and shrugged. “Perhaps we will meet when we are both in the neighbourhood?”
“Perhaps.” Abbey stood and walked over to the pianoforte. “Perhaps.”
“Miss Martin.” Elizabeth followed her and spoke quietly. “Mr. Bingley has no estate, either. He is leasing Netherfield, after all.” Abbey looked up from the instrument to see Elizabeth’s kind smile. “You see around you a roomful of the typical women who approach him regularly. What you must decide is if you wish to be like them, or if you will instead be yourself.”
“Would he like that?”
“Would you like to win a man under false pretences and then have to spend the rest of your life pretending to be something you are not? I certainly would not. I would want a man to like me, warts and all.” The door to the drawing room opened and the first man through was Darcy. “And he does.”
Abbey watched Elizabeth meet Darcy and how he smiled and rested his hand on her back, then looked at Jill, comfortably speaking with a group of women in a corner of the room. She noticed that Bingley was watching Jill, and taking her courage in her hands, she stepped over to him.
“Mr. Bingley?” He immediately turned to her and smiled broadly. “Do you tire of being chased by the ladies?”
Bingley startled and began to laugh. “Now that is a loaded question, Miss Martin. As Miss Emily said so aptly earlier this evening, what is your point?”
“I was just trying to understand your character.” She smiled and he waited. “I was wondering if my first impressions were correct.”
“And?” He smiled.
“I hope so.” Abbey looked into his warm green eyes and smiled.
“One day I would like to hear the true story of your first impressions, without the filter of my friend or your father doing the interpretation.” He tilted his head. “Is that possible?”
She shook her head. “I would have to know you better.”
“So you are chasing me?” He grinned.
“No.” She smiled. “A lady never runs.”
Chapter 8
“I am with you, Darcy. I am not enamoured of London. It is a city full of interesting sights and activities, but give me nature, that is where I am at home.” De Bourgh took a deep breath of clean country air. “I have seen enough of the world; I am pleased with my little patch of earth.”
“Not so little.” Bingley noted.
“In the grand scheme of things it is but a single blade of grass in a meadow.” Darcy smiled and kicked his horse, speeding up a little. “I wonder if you will become as we once you have a taste of owning your own property.”
“Who knows?” Shrugging, Bingley caught up with him. “I am counting the weeks now until I get to have that taste.”
De Bourgh raised his chin. “Weary of London already? Why the Season has just hit its stride! Are you not enjoying all the ladies smiling your way?”
“I would not be a man if I did not like to receive the admiration of the ladies.” Bingley smiled when De Bourgh snorted. “I am glad to return any smile that comes my way, but I am … I suppose that I am not particularly seeking attention.” Bingley chuckled to see Darcy’s brow rise. “I cannot help it if I am handsome and amiable.” Both of his companions groaned.
“Have you met any more young ladies in the past few days?” De Bourgh winked at Darcy. “I was impressed with you at the Hursts. Let’s see, Miss Martin, Miss Simkins …”
Bingley spoke quickly, “Miss Simkins did not fawn over me; she was simply being polite and tolerating her sister.”
“Her sister who was pushing her.” De Bourgh laughed and caught Darcy’s thoughtful expression.
“Maybe so, but the point is that Miss Simkins was not, which I would find undeniably refreshing were I still unmarried.” Darcy noted. “She is recovering from heartbreak. That suitor of hers clearly did not love her or he would have stayed by her through her sister’s troubles.”
“Sad, but true.” Bingley nodded and looked ahead. “She is lovely.” Darcy and de Bourgh looked at each other behind his back. “Miss Martin was trying hard to fit in,” he continued on, “she was strained a bit in the overwhelming atmosphere, I think.”
“Does that put you off?”
“No.” Bingley gave him an incredulous look. “No, not at all, she did rally nicely at the end when we spoke alone for a few moments, before all the ladies began their performances. She reminds me of myself not so many years ago, well even not so many months ago.”
“True, I do believe that you were overly eager for quite a while.” Darcy nodded. “I am glad that you do not reject out of hand.”
“Reject? Miss Martin? She is lovely and very engaging.” Bingley said sharply. “Why on earth would I reject that?”
“No idea, Bingley.”
“You are a good man, Bingley.” De Bourgh smiled when he looked at him with confusion. “What of the other ladies there who smiled at you, any of them strike your fancy?”
“No, I knew them all, nothing of note, just like the balls I have attended thus far.” He smiled and lifted his chin. “There is Meryton ahead. Where first gentlemen?”
“Oh please, Longbourn, let us have it over.” Darcy said grimly.
“You know, a face like that just might put a poor suitor off, Darcy!” De Bourgh laughed. “It is a fine thing to scare me with my future in-laws!”
“You have met them already.”
“Mr. Martin resembles Mrs. Bennet, is that not what Mrs. Darcy said?” Bingley rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Again Darcy and de Bourgh looked at each other and riding through the village, they took the road straight through and towards Longbourn.
“THEY HAVE GROWN SO MUCH; I will bring Rosalie over to play with them soon. I will be taking her to see her Fitzwilliam cousins tomorrow.” Elizabeth smiled, watching Amy, Paul, and Benjamin Gardiner playing together in the nursery. “Benjamin looks such a man in his little suit.”
“Yes.” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “And how proud he was to put it on. We had a little party for him. I realize that all over London there are children Amy’s age working, but I just hated to see my first baby grow up.” She smiled wistfully. “Now he spends a few hours with his father at the warehouse, then home for lessons.”
“He will be a very fine man, one day.” Elizabeth followed her down the stairs to the front sitting room and sank onto a sofa. “I suppose that we should begin this adventure.”
“Lizzy if you are not up to it, I will be glad to take Mary shopping another day.” Mrs. Gardiner sat beside her and took her hand. “No wedding date is definitely set.”
“It will be today, though.” She closed her eyes and shifted uncomfortably. “I am used to my stomach’s upset, and I think that should end in a few more weeks, but my back aches. I did not feel like this with Rosa until I was much further along. I have certainly not eaten anything to make me grow larger, and to look at me you would not know I was carrying a child.”
“Your back aches?” Mrs. Gardiner looked at her worriedly. “How?”
“It is odd, as if I were about to have my courses.” Elizabeth shook her head and opened her eyes. “I suppose every time is different, is it not?”
“Yes, each pregnancy presents its own challenges.” She smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand. “But I do think that we should forego our shopping, just for a day or so. You do look very tired, dear.”
“That is my own fault, I could not sleep.” Elizabeth laughed off the aches that kept her awake. “I kept thinking of all the things I should try to accomplish with Fitzwilliam gone for the day, and then fretted over him riding to Hertfordshire and back. Poor man, he finally just rolled over and held me down, begging me to stop rocking the bed. He will be so tired he will fall off of his horse!”
“Now you have something new to fret over.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled.
“Peter and
Mr. Bingley will prop him up.” Mary walked into the room and took a seat. “They will be fine. And Lizzy, really, there is no hurry to go shopping, I am as fond of it as you.”
“I just thought it would be nice to take care of it while both Fitzwilliam and Peter are occupied. You know that if Peter was here, you two would wish to be together.”
“Well, we will just send them off to fence, or ride in the park, or … Surely Fitzwilliam has business to attend and maybe teach Peter about estate management as he did Robert. Peter does have navy friends to visit, too.” Mary smiled. “I have no fear of him occupying himself one way or another, and I think, maybe, Mrs. de Bourgh will want to join us sometime.”
“Oh, I am sorry, Mary. I have no motherin-law to consider.” Elizabeth sighed. “I fear that the addled mind aspect of all this is beginning to take effect. What will I forget next?” She stood, hoping that movement might help her shake off the dull pain and exhaustion. Walking to the window, she looked out at the sunny day. “Perhaps a stroll in the park? I have not walked here for so long!” She turned with a smile and saw Mary staring at the sofa with a look of horror on her face, and Mrs. Gardiner was sadly looking at Elizabeth’s gown. “What is …” Elizabeth gasped when a cramp made her clutch her stomach. She looked up at her aunt who had stood and was walking forward to take her hand. Her eyes filled with tears, and she hugged herself protectively. “Oh no. Please! No!”
“Come, Lizzy.” Mrs. Gardiner said softly and put her arm around her waist. “Come.”
“OH MR. DARCY, how good to see you! And Captain! How very fine you look! We were just thrilled to receive the news of your proposal to Mary! I always knew that she would do very well, and here you are! When I saw you at your brother’s wedding, I could tell by your attention that it was only a matter of time before you and Mary were engaged! How good of you to find her worthy! Why, had she found a sea captain alone, I would have been delighted, but you with a grand estate …why, I am overwhelmed!” Mrs. Bennet beamed when they entered Longbourn. Before de Bourgh could speak, she turned away from him to smile at Bingley. “And, have we met, sir?”
“This is Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bennet; he is going to be leasing Netherfield this autumn.” Darcy murmured while indicating his friend.
“Mr. Bingley?” She gasped and raised her hand to her mouth as she looked over the suddenly uncomfortable, handsome young man. “I do hope that you will take to the neighbourhood, sir! Netherfield has been empty since the judge and his party departed just after Christmas, and it is much too fine of an estate to remain so, perhaps some lady of the neighbourhood will catch your eye and …” She at last felt Darcy’s sharp gaze upon her and stopped herself before she mentioned Kitty. Instead she looked at Bingley and thought of how he could have already been her son, and she could be visiting Netherfield …and regretfully, turned to Darcy. “How are my dear Jane and her good husband, Mr. Lucas? Will they be returning soon?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are very well; madam; and I do not believe they have any intention of returning before Miss Bennet’s wedding is accomplished.”
“Accomplished?” She smiled at de Bourgh and waved her hand. “Of course you and Mary will have your breakfast here, sir. It is the right of the bride to have her wedding from her home. Your mother had her chance with your two sisters! Although I am sure that your very fine estate was lovely! We have heard so much of it from Mr. Collins, why I feel as if I have already visited! I do so look forward to seeing it very soon, and Mr. Darcy, when will we all travel to Pemberley?”
“Mrs. Bennet.” Mr. Bennet said quietly before either man was forced to respond, “I believe that I have some business to discuss with Captain de Bourgh before any wedding plans are made?”
“Oh, of course Mr. Bennet, I was simply overcome by the wonderful news. Three daughters married! I shall go distracted! I will just see to some refreshments being prepared, my goodness, a house full of men, who could have ever imagined such a thing here?” Smiling and shooting a last look at Bingley, she scurried away.
“I really have no business being part of this discussion.” Bingley murmured to Darcy as they were ushered towards Mr. Bennet’s bookroom. “But I fear Mrs. Bennet would be browbeating me if I remained outside.”
“Nothing you are not already accustomed to.” Darcy said with a lift to his brow.
“No, you should accompany us; you might as well get some experience. One of these days you will be in just such a position with a father. I have no objection.” De Bourgh smiled to see his relief.
Mr. Bennet led them into the bookroom and stood behind his desk. “Captain, Mr. Darcy … and Mr. Bingley, well this is quite a contingent! Welcome gentlemen, please take a seat.” He waved over the room, bowing to them and receiving de Bourgh’s and Bingley’s greetings.
Darcy found himself feeling strangely detached as he entered this sanctuary of Elizabeth’s father. This was the first time that he had entered with no agenda of his own to accomplish. This time, he took in the atmosphere of his wife’s childhood home, and tried to imagine her growing up there. Without her by his side, he seemed to somehow feel her presence within the walls more keenly, or perhaps he was searching for reminders of her. Mr. Bennet smiled at him and Darcy looked into his eyes, finding her at last. Bowing, his gaze swept over to the chair before the desk and focused on it. “Yes, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Bennet smiled. “That is Lizzy’s favourite. Go ahead.” He sat down and watched as Darcy sank into the old chair. “How is she?”
“Well sir,” Darcy said quietly, and gripped the arms, feeling the small imprints of her hands, and how they fit so well into his large palms. Something in his heart lurched and he looked at the ring on his finger containing her hair.
Mr. Bennet’s brow creased. “No news to report?”
“No, sir.” Darcy murmured as he unconsciously caressed over the leather, and looked out of the window for a moment. Shaking off his worry, he turned back to Mr. Bennet. “But I do have a letter for you, as well as letters for the Lucas family that I will leave with you.” He removed them from his coat and laid them on the desk. Sitting back, he nodded at de Bourgh to proceed, but Mr. Bennet took the floor.
“So, Captain, you have done as you planned and proposed to my daughter, Mary?”
“Yes, sir, and as I indicated in my letter, I have prepared the settlement.” He handed forward the documents. “Darcy was kind enough to show me the preparations he made for Mrs. Darcy, and although my resources are not nearly so extensive, I am very pleased with what I may offer for her and our children’s future care. Like Darcy, I have no entailment upon the estate to work around, so I have made arrangements …”
Mr. Bennet interrupted. “Mr. Darcy, you helped him with this?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then there is no need for me to do anything more than sign.” He smiled. “I do not intend to be an impediment to you.”
“While I appreciate your confidence, sir, please honour the man who is gracious enough to provide for your daughter by reading the papers. Honour the man who took the trouble to travel here on her behalf.” Darcy said quietly. “He did not need to be so generous in what he has chosen to provide.”
“And neither did you.” Mr. Bennet acknowledged and without a word picked up the papers and read through every sentence, then picked up his pen and signed his name. “I am overwhelmed, sir.” He handed them back to de Bourgh. “You truly love her.”
“How could I not?” De Bourgh said simply then tucked the papers away in his coat. “Thank you.” He glanced at Darcy. “Now about the wedding date …”
“Sooner rather than later?” Mr. Bennet laughed. “Whatever suits your schedule, sir. I assume that you will wish to honeymoon while the weather is best?”
“Yes, I wish to show her the sea. We will go to Brighton and work our way down the coast a bit before returning home to Rosings. Although I would enjoy going to Pemberley,” he smiled at Darcy, “I do want Mary to understand why I sometimes drift into meditation over a stormy s
ky.”
“Come for the hunting season.” Darcy smiled.
“I was hoping you might come to Netherfield then.” Bingley spoke up.
“Elizabeth is,” Darcy stopped; no announcements were to be made until she felt the child move, “looking forward to visiting when we bring Georgiana to school in the autumn.” He noted Mr. Bennet’s smile and looked away.
“Excellent!” Bingley rubbed his hands together. “I am eager to pay back your hospitality.”
“So back to this wedding date, it is nearly May. I am sorry that you wish to marry from town, that will be a great disappointment for my wife.” Mr. Bennet looked at de Bourgh pointedly but only received an unemotional stare in return. “Very well sir, I understand why, however could you do me the favour of giving my wife a bone? The wedding breakfast?”
“Jane and Elizabeth will take that on in our home.” Darcy said softly. “I hope that you understand, but this is Mary’s wish.”
“Given my wife’s relationship with our third child, I am not surprised. I am astounded she did not beg you to walk her down the aisle given my poor parenting.” Mr. Bennet’s eyes met Darcy’s and not a word was said. He cleared his throat, realizing the truth. “I rejoice knowing that your children will never have to weigh that decision. You and the captain will undoubtedly never give them cause to even have that thought cross their minds.”
“I thank you for your confidence, sir.” Darcy said softly.
“Mr. Bennet, as my future bride wishes to marry from London and to have the wedding breakfast from the Darcy home, perhaps there is some other way that Mrs. Bennet may participate?” De Bourgh offered. “My mother may have an idea for her. Perhaps she might choose the flowers?”
“Captain, seeing your struggle to accommodate my wife tells me that you and my daughter have spoken of the nonexistence of their relationship.” He sighed. “I will speak to her. She will understand.”
“Yes, sir. I do not know her well enough …”
“And I assume that you never will.” He stared at his folded hands sadly. “My wife and I confessed our sins of neglect to Lydia, in the hope that our honesty will spur her to continue her improvement. I believe that she listened to us.”