Something in Georgiana appeared to slacken and loosen. Her blue eyes were vulnerable.
“You are so good to say all that.”
“I mean it. I hope you think of me as a friend. I know I will be here only a short while, but we will not be far apart when I am home and you are in London. We may write to one another at the very least.”
“I should like that more than anything.” Georgiana dropped her eyes and cleared her throat. She stared at the ground as though she feared it might trip her up. “I hope I am not too bold — and you must tell me if I am — but I should like it very much if you would consider calling me Georgiana? You do not need to ask me to call you Elizabeth if you do not want to. I am not saying that. I just thought —“
“I would be delighted if you called me Elizabeth, Georgiana,” said Elizabeth. The two girls exchanged smiles. Elizabeth felt something in her lighten. Her brother might be a snob of the highest order, but his sister was a dear and Elizabeth would be proud to call her a friend. Let Darcy have his highborn ladies. Elizabeth had gained a dear companion who she sensed would be very important to her and for that, she could not regret a thing.
“Such stragglers!” called a voice in a faux-cheery tone.
Elizabeth saw Georgiana grimace. Miss Bingley stood some ways ahead of them, shielding her eyes as though blinded by the sun even though she stood in shade. She still clutched Darcy’s arm as though he might disappear otherwise.
Darcy was also watching them. He took in the sight of them arm in arm but Elizabeth could not tell by his expression whether he was pleased or not. Who could tell with such a man?
“Come along,” said Miss Bingley in a high voice. “I thought you were a great walker, Miss Bennet? Here you are dawdling along while Mr Darcy and I run ahead. Come, Georgiana. It has been an age since I have seen you. You must walk with Mr Darcy and I. The path is not wide enough for more than three so I am sure Miss Bennet will indulge some old friends being reunited.”
“I think my sister looks happy where she is,” said Darcy in his low voice. “We shall not separate them. You will have plenty of time to speak to one another once we are at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth felt Georgiana relax. Miss Bingley pressed her lips together and looked as though she would like to argue but another thought struck her. She glanced at Darcy coyly from under her eyelashes.
“I understand you perfectly well,” she murmured. Her tone suggested she spoke for Darcy’s ears alone yet Elizabeth suspected she wished them to hear them as well. “You think it is best we are all grouped as we are right now and do not wish to change it. I shall submit to you. If you would like us to remain as we are, I shall not argue with you.”
Darcy’s face was so impassive Elizabeth could not tell how he accepted such a response. He merely sent one last, lingering look at Elizabeth and Georgiana and turned to walk on.
18
Elizabeth was determined that the following day would be devoted to her aunt and uncle. Between her new friendship with Georgiana, her solitary walks, and her aunt’s visiting, they had not spent as much time together as they had expected when they began the trip.
“Where would you like to go today then, my dear?” Uncle Gardiner asked over breakfast when she outlaid her plan. “We have seen most of the stately homes and scenery hereabouts. Do you have somewhere else in mind?”
“We have not been to Matlock yet,” said Aunt Gardiner. “It is a beautiful estate and I have not visited in years. The earl there is uncle to Mr Darcy. Did you know that, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth felt a curious sinking in her chest. She did not know why the news that Darcy was the nephew of an earl should make her so disheartened but an odd feeling of hopelessness settled over her and she did not care to think too deeply on it. She smiled at her aunt.
“I did not know that. It did not come up. I am glad for it. I like Georgiana. I should think less of her if she or Mr Darcy boasted of their family connections.”
“Yes, I shouldn’t think well of it myself but I suppose people will always take pride in their connections. It is the way of the world.” Mrs Gardiner knitted her eyebrows together. “I suppose we might see Matlock another day, but if you are agreeable we might visit Derby? I have a few items I would like to purchase for the children. We can have tea there and Lizzy can stretch her legs if she finds herself restless. What do you say, my dears?”
Elizabeth brightened. Yes, this was much better than a trip to see Darcy’s uncle’s home and have it reinforced to her just how different they were. A thriving town like Derby would provide her with many distractions. She might even find some little trinket to buy for Jane.
“That sounds wonderful,” she said.
News of their plan went around the inn rapidly. The Thompsons were also visiting Derby that day and they offered them spaces in their carriage. It would be quite a squeeze and Elizabeth privately thought it would be difficult to return to Lambton with boxes of purchases but her aunt and uncle had already accepted the invitation so she had no choice but to agree.
The Thompsons’ oldest son, Matthew, sat beside Elizabeth for the journey. He was a handsome man, only a few years older than her and he looked pleased to sit next to her for the journey.
“I am sorry my parents were so insistent on this,” he said with a cheerful smile as they squeezed in beside one another. “I suppose they did not take a refusal as an answer?”
Elizabeth grinned. “Well, they did push the issue.”
“I am surprised everyone in the inn is not strapped to the roof of the carriage. They always insist they have room for more than they do. Perhaps that is why I have nine brothers and sister.”
“And I thought my family was large!”
The younger Mr Thompson was surprisingly easy to talk to. As Elizabeth watched his animated face describe a trip he had taken to Scotland with his university friends the year before, she noted how pleasing he was to look at. Not as handsome as Mr Darcy. No man could be. But his eyes smiled even when his lips did not and his conversation was spirited. He had Elizabeth giggling with a description of trying to eat haggis.
“It cannot be that bad,” she said. “You are a coward, I think.”
“Oh, am I?” He looked at her with feigned outrage. “I should call you out on that, madam. Instead, I will challenge you as a lady deserves to be challenged. I will find an opportunity for you to eat haggis and you can then tell me I am a coward. What do you say?”
Elizabeth looked up at his mirthful blue eyes and thought how easy and uncomplicated a man like this would be. She could like a man like Matthew.
“I am not one to back down from a challenge,” she declared. “My courage rises with every attempt to intimidate me. I accept your challenge, sir. I hope you will admit I am right when I do not hesitate to eat it. I hope you will accept the fact that you are indeed a coward.”
“I will gladly accept,” he said. “But it makes no matter whether I do or not. Because I shall not lose.”
“We shall see.” Their eyes held for a moment longer than necessary as they smiled at one another. Elizabeth withdrew her gaze with a flush when her aunt gave a discreet cough. Every occupant in there carriage had been listening to their conversation. Judging by the arch look Mrs Thompson was giving her son, it seemed as though they had skirted far too close to the edge of flirting.
She caught Matthew’s eye again and he gave her a quick grin before pulling open a newspaper. Elizabeth expected to pass the rest of the journey in silence when Matthew began entertaining the carriage by reading out the London gossip in a humorous voice that had them all laughing. He was an excellent mimic and his voice was appropriately scandalised when he read out even the most mundane news as though it were a thrilling adventure. And from the way he looked to Elizabeth first every time, it was clear who he intended his real audience to be. Elizabeth felt a flush of pleasure. This was the sort of man she should spend her time thinking about and hoping to find. Not strange, uncomplicated men who jumped from
closed off to open and back again so fast it made her head spin.
Far from the long, tedious journey Elizabeth had expected, the first few buildings in Derby came into view far sooner than she anticipated. She felt a brief disappointment when Matthew folded his newspaper and sighed.
“I suppose you will spend much of your time with your aunt and uncle?” he asked in a low voice as their fellow passengers were preoccupied with gathering their belongings.
Elizabeth remembered her determination. “I must. I promised my aunt I would help her with her errands.”
Matthew’s eyes crinkled. “Then I will thank you for making a long journey far more entertaining than I expected. I look forward to our return.”
Elizabeth’s heart was light as she was handed down from the carriage. She looked at the grey sky overhead and the first dribble of rain and her heart swelled. It really was a beautiful day.
Aunt Gardiner wished to visit a milliner who was known for her excellent gowns for young girls. The eldest Gardiner daughter was about to turn fourteen and her parents had promised her a surprise. Elizabeth accompanied her aunt to the store where they browsed over the muslins.
“What about this one?” Elizabeth asked. She gestured towards the delicate pink, spotted material. “That would look beautiful on Julia.”
Aunt Gardiner tilted her head and pursed her lips. “I am not too sure. With those red tints in her hair, I think green would look marvellous on her.”
“I agree, but we looked over the greens already. We found nothing to suit.”
“I am sure if we looked again…” Aunt Gardiner turned to see the resigned look on Elizabeth’s face even as Elizabeth quickly tried to hide it. She laughed. “I can see you growing restless. No, do not deny it. I know shopping is not your favourite activity and you have already spent some hours helping me. I am grateful. But why do you not go for a walk? Derby is a pretty place and I am sure you would find it more enjoyable to explore than seeing me choose between sprigged or spotted cloth.”
“I do not mind helping you,” Elizabeth protested at once. “And I was determined to spend the day with you.”
“We have spent most of the day together and you going for a walk for an hour or so will not prevent me from spending the rest of the day with you later. Come, I insist.” When she saw Elizabeth’s reluctance, she gave her a wry smile. “To be frank, I will prefer to shop alone and will do it much easier if I am not concerned that you are bored. So make matters easier for both of us and go about your day. I will see you later.”
Elizabeth could not argue with that. She grinned at her aunt and kissed her cheek with such obvious relief her aunt laughed.
“Thank you. I will not go far.”
“There is a tea room in the main square. We shall meet you there in an hour.”
Elizabeth nodded with enthusiasm and rang the bell above the door before another word could be exchanged.
19
Derby was a large town and it had a medieval charm to it that Elizabeth particularly liked. Her father had always taught her to look up as it was the best way to see things she would others miss. She tilted her head back to admire the crooked roofs and old emblems hanging from taverns. She was so preoccupied in observing the buildings she did not notice the man coming behind her until she felt a tug at her waist. She gasped and turned around only to see a large man push her roughly to one side and run away. It took a moment for Elizabeth to gather herself to realise what had happened.
Her purse. It hung inside her pocket but the man had cut it free and pulled it loose so swiftly she had not had time to react. Because she had planned to buy gifts for her family, most of the money she had brought with her was in there.
The man glanced behind him and turned left down a lane. Elizabeth felt a wave of anger overcome her and before she knew what she was doing, she chased after him. Her years of wandering paid off as she was scarcely out of breath. People turned to stare after her in astonishment at the sight of a small, gently bred woman tearing down the streets as though pursed by hounds. She yelled at him as she turned the corner. He glanced back and his eyes widened with astonishment before he swore and ran faster. Elizabeth jumped over rubbish tips and rubble, her breath coming harsh now. How much longer could the man run? Surely he would decide it wasn’t worth his trouble and he would throw the purse away?
He did not stop as he turned down another lane. The landscape had changed by now and the streets were smaller and shabbier. People came out of their houses to watch Elizabeth. She noticed with some discomfort that almost all of them were men. She had a brief flash of suspicion that the buildings, as wretched as they were, contained taverns and gambling dens. What had she done?
She was just contemplating turning back when a strong hand grabbed her arm. Elizabeth cried out and swung around, her free hand closed into a fist and already aiming for her captor when he caught it easily.
“Miss Bennet,” he said sharply.
Elizabeth blinked in astonishment.
“Mr Darcy,” she said.
He continued to hold her as Elizabeth stared at him in confusion.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“What am I doing here? I think I have more right to ask that question than you do.” Darcy’s mouth was flat. “Where do you think you are going? You are not safe here. Look around you.”
Elizabeth glanced to her right and left. Her earlier suspicion that these were gambling dens was confirmed by the look of the men who had gathered outside to watch them. Darcy jerked his head at them and they obediently turned back inside though they did not stop glancing behind them to see what else would happen.
Elizabeth realised Darcy was still holding her. She gentle released herself though he still kept his hands on her arms.
“What were you doing?” Darcy asked again. “Who were you running from?”
Elizabeth flushed. “I was not running from anyone.”
“Oh no?” Darcy glanced behind him as if he expected to see Elizabeth’s pursuer. He turned back to her and raised his eyebrows. “I suppose you will tell me someone was running from you instead? That you were the blackguard?”
“I am surprised you find that hard to believe considering how we first met,” Elizabeth could not resist adding.
A brief smile crossed Darcy’s lips but his expression was still severe. “What were you—“
“If you must know, I was chasing someone.” Elizabeth raised her chin. “A man. He stole my purse and I was pursuing him. Of course, thanks to your interference, I have no hope of catching him now. I am sure he is on some unsavoury place, enjoying the fruits of my money and I am in the unhappy position of having to rely on my aunt and uncle to support me even though they have already done so much for me.”
Darcy frowned. “Someone stole your money? And instead of alerting someone, you decided to give chase yourself? Is that what you are telling me?”
Elizabeth paused. “I did not have time to think,” she said. “He ran and I just gave chase. I did not want him to get away.”
“And in all this time, did you not consider he might be dangerous? What was your plan if you caught him? I should like to hear it. Would you apprehend him? Tackle him to the ground and have him brought to the magistrate in chains?”
Elizabeth felt the urge to retort sharply but she could think of nothing. She kept her face defiant but there was a note of uncertainty in her voice as she said “I had not thought that far ahead. I thought only that he should not be allowed get away. And perhaps I had hoped that others might realise what had happened and they would assist me.” She glanced towards the grimy windows of the nearest tavern and grimaced. “I can see I was in the wrong place for that.”
Darcy released her arms and folded his own. “Out of the three times I have come across you unexpectedly, this is the second one where you have almost gotten yourself in trouble.”
“The first time was because of you and your prejudices,” said Elizabeth.
Darcy raised an eyebrow. “Is it indeed? It was my prejudice that almost caused a tree to fall on you and break your head, was it? I did not know that. I never credited myself with having that much power.”
Elizabeth glared at him. “What are you doing here?” she said. “How did you come to find me?” She glanced at the tavern again. Darcy followed her gaze and smiled grimly.
“Not that. I do not frequent such places, however little you choose to think of me. I am in Derby on a matter of business. I chose to walk to my solicitor’s office when I was greeted by an astonishing sight. You, running pell-mell as though pursued by demons. I came after you to make sure you were well. I saw no one in pursuit of you and I thought even you would not take it into your head to run through city streets, much as you enjoy exercise.” He shook his head. “I still cannot believe you would take it into your head to chase after a thief. He might have done anything to you and you would not have found many here willing to help you. No one would have ever known what had happened to you.”
Though his gaze was piercing, he looked sincerely distressed.
“Nothing would have happened to me,” said Elizabeth, though with slightly less conviction than before. “He would have dropped my purse or I would have lost him. I do not think I was in any danger.”
But even to herself, her words sounded weak. Of course she had been in danger. Mr Darcy was right, much as she hated to admit it.
“Come. You are far too intelligent to make that claim. You know the truth of the situation as well as I. You were enraged, were you not, when the rogue stole your money? You took after him before you knew what you were about. I can see it in your eyes that you know you did not make the right choice.”
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 8