The Goodness of Men

by Anngela Schroeder

  “Pardon my saying so, but it sounds like a tragic novel,” Elizabeth said, the sad tale drawing her attention away from the handsome brooding man at the window.

  “It does,” Mrs. Anderson replied, shaking her head. “But, I will send my response express, so we should expect Margaret by the end of next week. I am grateful to be of service.”

  “Mrs. Anderson, I regret I must take my leave of you tomorrow from the Caverns excursion and will not be here to welcome your young cousin.”

  “Oh?” Mr. Turner said as he began to set up the chessboard.

  “Yes, as much as I have enjoyed the present company, I must return to Pemberley to meet with my steward. From the letter I received just now, a matter of some importance has arisen with a tenant which needs my immediate attention. Please bring your cousin if you think Georgiana’s ball would be a welcome distraction.”

  Mrs. Anderson stood and said, “I will, Mr. Darcy, thank you. Now if you will excuse me, I believe I will rest until dinner. Our picnic has quite undone me.”

  “And I as well,” Mrs. Gardiner said. The men bowed to them as they made their way to the door. “Lizzy, will you rest as well?”

  “I will follow in a moment. I am curious as to how the men will do at chess.”

  Her aunt laughed. “Gentlemen, do not allow my niece to pretend she knows nothing of the game. She is quite adept after having sat at her father’s knee for so many years.”

  Darcy smiled. “I would believe nothing less.”

  The butler entered the room and said, “Mr. Turner, a Mr. Smith is here to see you. Are you at home?”

  “Oh, yes. About the crop in the north pasture.” Looking up at Darcy, he raised his eyebrows. “Maybe Miss Bennet would take my place? If what your aunt said is less than a boast, then Darcy will be better matched with you, anyway. He always beats me in at most seven moves.”

  “I would love to attempt to humble him, sir,” Elizabeth said archly.

  “Very well, then. I will see you at dinner.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Elizabeth sat down at the table across from Darcy studying the chess board, unsure if she should bring up the thoughts that were at the forefront of her mind.

  They played in silence for a few more minutes before Elizabeth began. “I am looking forward to making the acquaintance of your sister. I have heard many things about her—.”

  “Oh?” Darcy asked, sitting up straight in his chair.

  “Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst often spoke of her excellent playing on the pianoforte, and I had hoped she might honor us with a performance.”

  He relaxed and drummed his fingers on his leg. “She is a shy young lady.”

  Elizabeth was puzzled by the change of the mood but turned her attention back to the chess board.

  “I would be honored if my sister were to make your acquaintance. Your liveliness and wit would be an example of how a lady could behave outside of the normal simpering ladies of the ton.”

  She was surprised at the compliment but acknowledged it with a small smile.

  “I would also be honored,” he said, “if you will accept my hand…for the second and last set of her ball?”

  Elizabeth started at the request. “Mr. Darcy, I…”

  “I would ask for the first, yet, I owe the honor to my sister.”

  “But you do not enjoy dancing!”

  He allowed his gaze to travel up from the pieces to meet her eyes before moving a bishop across the board. “Maybe, I have not had the proper partner to make it enjoyable.”

  She felt her face flush at such a statement. Her thoughts were muddled by his request, and after a she moved her rook she could not help but ask, “I noticed that you are hesitant about our journey to the caverns. You have visited them before?”

  He nodded, while studying the pieces. “The Caverns at Poole are only two hours by carriage from my home.” His voice was rough, and Elizabeth allowed him his silence. “If I might ask you a favor, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “Yes?”

  “Please take care tomorrow. The caverns are beautiful but can be dangerous. I am aware you are an energetic young lady, but... there is no natural light, and some of the chambers span for miles.”

  “Miles?”

  “Yes, miles. Please do not leave the group.”

  “I would never willingly leave the group, Mr. Darcy,” she said. “I assure you, your fears, although thoughtful, are for naught. I am my father’s daughter and have more common sense than most!”

  “Yes, of that I am quite aware.” He moved his knight, and said, “You have yet to answer my question. Might I request the second and last set?”

  The ticking of the clock filled the room as Elizabeth concentrated on the game. “Checkmate,” she said, raising her eyes to meet Darcy’s.

  “What?” he cried looking down at the board. “How did you…?”

  “Mr. Darcy, I believe any man who becomes as distracted as you playing chess will need proper guidance on the dance floor so as not to lose his footing. I would be pleased to accept.”

  Chapter 7

  July 9, 1812

  George Wickham looked through the window and out to the openness of the sea. A little over three more months, and I am free. Free of silly girls with little money and even less brains; free of older women who believe I need them to survive; and free of this life which I do not deserve! Blast that Darcy! If only he did not happen upon Georgiana and me at Ramsgate, we would have been off to Gretna Green, and Mrs. Wickham would have happily handed over her thirty thousand pounds.

  He swirled his coffee and attempted to duck behind the corner of the wall when he heard her laugh outside the window.

  “La, Harriet! I do not know what to believe anymore! I asked George who that woman was, and he told me it was his cousin!”

  The two women walked in the shop and approached the counter.

  “His cousin?” Mrs. Forster asked with a snort. “I have never greeted my cousin like that before!”

  “Nor I!”

  “Well, I have seen your cousin, and I can believe it!”

  Both girls shrieked in laughter. “Yes, poor Charlotte. To be strapped to Mr. Collins for the rest of her life! If only she had the sense to be compromised by someone when she was younger and more appealing.”

  “Was she ever appealing?” Mrs. Forster chortled.

  “Tsk-tsk. But, I am grateful to her for marrying him so that neither of us Bennets had to.”

  “Your mama would not have made you marry him.”

  “Nor Papa. Although Mama tried fiercely with Lizzy. She is not my favorite, but I would never want any of my sisters to be shackled with him!”

  “You are so good, Lydia.”

  “Yes, I am. I would not want to have to visit and listen to him!” Both girls cackled at the little joke. “Yes. If Mama had not hated Mr. Darcy, she could have seen how much he admired Lizzy.”

  Wickham stiffened at the statement, leaning closer to hear the conversation.

  “It was obvious to all of us,” Mrs. Forester concurred. “Even Colonel Forster, who always has his head in some type of militia business and never notices these things. When the men from Netherfield were visiting one night, a few officers were in their cups and called Mr. Darcy out on the subject. The look he shot them should have killed them where they stood. At that point, both my husband and I were certain it was true, otherwise he would have denied it most vehemently!”

  “Yes. He got away, lucky man, as he would have had to be subjected to my mother’s tongue if the parson’s noose slipped around his neck.”

  “Her tongue, as well as your sister’s. Miss Elizabeth was not fond of him either!”

  “True, but I think she is softening towards him. She has written very kindly of him in her last two letters. It makes me wonder what magic is afoot at Chenowith.”

  They paid for their sweets and turned to leave the shop unaware of Wickham, who had been plotting since their conversation began.

 
; “The idea that a person at the beginning of her adult life loses both parents and her husband saddens me. She is all alone in the world.”

  Elizabeth and Mr. Turner walked together through the pathways in the gardens of Chenowith. It had been a few hours since his announcement and the other ladies were resting, while Mr. Darcy had retired to his room to prepare for his departure the next day from the Caverns. His valet and his carriage would go on ahead, while Darcy rode home on horseback after their outing.

  “It is quite disappointing, to be sure. I am curious to determine how I can be of assistance.”

  “That is very good of you.”

  “It is the least I can do. She will be under my protection until my brother Anderson returns from his business. Hopefully by then the situation of her inheritance will have been resolved.”

  They continued towards a small bench where Elizabeth sat and Mr. Turner stood at her side. After a moment, she asked, “Have you been to the Caverns at Poole?”

  “Not in many years but was reminded of it by one of the field workers last week. I knew it would be a singular experience for you and your aunt, and therefore set about to make it so. I do hope you are interested in the excursion.”

  “Of that, I am,” she said with enthusiasm. “It is only that I noticed Mr. Darcy seemed a bit out of sorts when the trip was announced.”

  “Yes, I suppose he was.” Mr. Turner sat down on the bench beside. “Darcy is a remarkable friend and an excellent man. He thinks about the possibility of every situation which can occur before it does until he has solved all the problems before they happen. He and I are very different in that regard, and I am grateful to him for his diligence. However, I do believe that there are times where one needs to allow the happenings of life to occur without interference. After all, life is a stage, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Yes, and we are merely players, that is true. I only wonder at your friend’s concern.”

  Mr. Turner waved his hand dismissively. “It is just Darcy managing things. I do not begrudge him in the least. But, please do not allow him to sour your enthusiasm for our trip.”

  “Oh, not at all. But in all my dealings with Mr. Darcy, I can think of only one instance when he has not had the good of all parties involved at the forefront of his decisions.”

  Mr. Turner perked up immediately. “Really? And when would that be?”

  Elizabeth lowered her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, no, sir. I will not speak of it. You will have to ask Mr. Darcy, for it is not my story to tell.”

  “But, Miss Elizabeth. Surely you know we, his friends, have tried for years to find a chink in his armor. I beg of you to convey this story to me, so that I might sally forth.”

  She giggled but was unmoved. “I am sorry to disappoint you, sir,” she said, “but if you wish to know the entirety of the story, you must ask either of the parties involved.”

  “Lizzy? Lizzy, where are you?”

  Elizabeth turned as she heard her aunt calling her from behind the shrubbery. “Are you out here, my dear?” She rounded the corner and saw them. “An express has arrived from Lydia.”

  Elizabeth stood and reached out her hand to retrieve it from her aunt, a level of trepidation running through her.

  She quickly tore open the wax seal, while her aunt Madeline waited expectantly. After skimming the first two sentences, Elizabeth blew out a sigh of relief before folding up the letter and tucking it in her pelisse.

  “Nothing too troubling, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Turner asked. She shook her head and he continued. “Capital. If you will excuse me then, I will return to the house to prepare for our journey tomorrow. I will leave you to your aunt.”

  “Thank you.”

  When Mr. Turner had rounded the hedge, her aunt asked, “What is it, Lizzy? What is the matter with Lydia?”

  “Absolutely nothing.” She sat down on the bench and smirked. “Why would we assume that Lydia would send a truly urgent letter?”

  “What was the cause of her concern, then?”

  “Only, according to her, the greatest tragedy of all times.”

  “Yes?”

  “She believes Mr. Wickham to be in love with another.”

  Both women looked at each other for a moment before laughing. “Oh, to be such a naïve child! That girl will one day understand that she should not draw others into her dramatics! I dare say, she frightened me!”

  “Yes, and me. But, we can expect little else from Lydia.”

  “Tsk, tsk.”

  Both women sat quietly with the songbirds in the garden and then Mrs. Gardiner asked, “Well, what else did she say?”

  Elizabeth sniffed dismissively, unfolding the express and scanning over the words. “Nothing of consequence. That a girl at the last assembly had the same reticule, that she and Harriet believe they saw the Prince, and that she is still hoping to marry before returning home.”

  “Oh, Lydia. She sounds more like your mother every day.”

  “To my father’s daily chagrin. But, enough of that. I had not quite finished my walk. Would you accompany me through the maze?”

  Darcy observed the interaction between Elizabeth and Turner, then Elizabeth and her aunt. He was concerned when the letter was presented and saw the worry cross her brow but relaxed at her smiles. He observed her progress through the maze for a few more minutes before he turned back to his writing desk, continuing with his correspondence.

  I cannot remove her from my mind. The more I am in her presence, the more I wish to be always near her.

  Darcy continued to contemplate his own feelings, when there was a knock at the door.

  “Enter.”

  “Darcy, have you a moment?” Turner was at the door, pausing at the threshold.

  “Yes, of course.”

  Turner took a chair by the window. After a moment, he began. “I was just now speaking with Miss Bennet about our trip to the caverns, and she brought up an interesting observation.”

  “An observation?”

  “She was curious about your concern for our trip and wanted me to assure her that you were not against the trip, that nothing about it was disconcerting.” He cleared his throat. “Is there?”

  Elizabeth was worried about me! Darcy immediately shook his head. “No, Phillip. I thank you for your concern, but there is nothing. Having grown up in Derbyshire, I…I am simply cautious.” He tried to dismiss his own concerns and appear unperturbed to his friend. “We shall enjoy the outing, I am sure.”

  “Good. That is what I told Miss Bennet. She seemed quite uneasy.”

  “That is because she is kind-hearted. Now, let me finish these letters, and I will be down directly to beat you at billiards, if you are game?”

  “I am at that. I will meet you in half an hour’s time.”

  “Excellent,” Darcy said, nodding and picking up his pen. He dipped it in the inkwell and waited until Phillip left the room before laying it back down. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

  Oh, Henry. Will I ever be able to put that day behind me?

  Darcy inhaled the pungent scent of the hillside as he rode alongside the carriage absorbing the familiar sights and sounds of his beloved Derbyshire. The tall grasses brushed the legs of his horse, and the brook running along the road cheerfully called to him. He tried to allow his mind to rest and enjoy that he was in “God’s country” with the woman he loved…Loved? Yes, it is most certainly love. He rode on for a few minutes before accepting what he already knew to be true. I cannot and do not wish to live without her. I must win her affections at all costs. This was what he had dreamt of, bringing her to his homeland. But, the Cavern’s at Poole had never been in his thoughts. They were the furthest from his thoughts.

  They ambled along and he recognized the large rock jutting from the hillside miles ahead, and he knew they were coming to the split in the road. If he continued to the right, in a couple hours, he would be at Pemberley, basking in the adoration of his dear sister.

  “Darcy? Darcy,�
� Phillip said drawing him away from his own thoughts. “What say you? We only have another hour until the Caverns, but I believe the ladies to be tired. Shall we rest here and water the horses? Our guide is not expecting our arrival until ten.”

  Darcy nodded his head. “If the ladies are in need of rest, then we must rest. We do not wish to tax their delicate nature.”

  The gentleman pulled their horses off the road and followed the carriage to a lush area with trees and tall grasses along the river bank.

  The footman opened the door, and Mrs. Anderson alighted first, with Turner handing her out. “Delicate nature, Mr. Darcy? I almost take offense to that,” she said with a smile. “You are fortunate that I know you to be a consummate gentleman who was only looking out for the well-being of the party.”

  “Of course,” he said, returning her smile and offering a small bow as Mrs. Gardiner was next to alight from the carriage. Darcy moved towards the carriage, extending his gloved hand up to take Miss Elizabeth’s before Turner turned back.

  “Oh, thank you, Mr. Darcy.” Miss Elizabeth stepped down lightly, squeezed his hand in gratitude, and looked up at him through her thick lashes.

  The surrounding countryside was beautiful and as the two elder ladies walked in a grove of trees, Darcy watched Elizabeth make her way down to the stream with Turner following close behind. He strode down to meet them.

  “The letter was from my sister Lydia. She is a silly girl who fancies herself in love frequently. She was despondent over the loss of her favorite’s affection.”

  Turner laughed. “All young ladies like to be crossed in love now and then.”

  “Not all ladies, sir,” she said, her laughter joining his. “Some women would like a love more constant than a man in the militia, or even someone in His Majesty’s Navy.”

  “And is this what happened to your sister? Her ‘love’ was in the navy?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I would not call this gentleman her love, but it was who she was enamored with at the moment. No, he has apparently found another, and my sister does not like relinquishing his attention.”