by John Edwards
“For me sir, I knew that I loved you when I opened your letter and you told me that you had recovered my locket. The letter and the locket arrived on my birthday. Then you fell in the water while fishing; you worked on Mrs. Watson about Rascal; you worked on the Kimbles and you were so good to your staff at Hunting Hills and in London. But most of all, you are a very loving brother to a very loving sister, and now we shall be sisters.”
“Yes, but there is another thing that I should like to ask your advice about. What should we do about this gambling business with my aunt and her friends?”
“I have thought about that some myself. These women work hard during the Season and bare much expense in hosting many of the events. I feel the Season would be at a loss if the women were not involved. Surely there is nothing to be gained from exposing them and their betting. It is all innocent enough that I recommend we keep this as our secret and that we tell no one. At least that is what I shall do.”
“Then, my sweet Elizabeth, again I agree with your reasoning. Yes, this should be our secret.”
They were slow to return to the town home and John Winstead saw the confusion that had come over Elizabeth. “What has you so concerned, my love?”
“I am just thinking about our declaration to each other. It is all so surreal to me. Now there will be a wedding and so much to plan and do, that I know not how to begin.”
“Elizabeth, do not be afraid. Remember, Lady Anne will insist on doing everything, and we should be happy about that. Now Elizabeth, when shall we tell the others?”
“I think that depends on when and where the marriage will take place, do you not agree?”
“Yes, my love, but it will all work out fine.”
Elizabeth nodded but was soon drawn again into her friends arms and he held her against himself and softly whispered in her ear that all will be quite well. She tensed as she felt his hand gently stroke her neck and cradle the back of her head as he leaned forward to savor her lips which were warm and willing. Their kiss was of some duration and the couple caught themselves because they felt soon their bodies might refuse the mind’s attempt to avoid the danger that was before them.
CHAPTER 15
SIX WEEKS LATER
Soon an announcement was made that the marriage would take place in Hampshire on the second Saturday in December. Charlotte was as excited as she could remember, but Lady Anne was even more so as she and her friends took full charge of planning the wedding. Frank Kimble would stand up with his friend and Charlotte would do the same for Elizabeth.
Louisa and Frank Kimble were not surprised on the news and would attend along with their children, Mrs. Watson, Jane and Robert Smithwick, Lady Anne’s family and many other friends as well as the entire staff and tenants of Hunting Hills. There was another family that was also invited. Before John Winstead had proposed to Elizabeth, Charlotte sent a missive to young Mr. Darcy inviting him and his parents to visit Hunting Hills. When the date had been determined, Elizabeth sent a letter to Mrs. Darcy as well as a letter to young Mr. Darcy and invited the family to stay at Hunting Hills and attend the wedding. The offer was kindly accepted and all looked forward to the blessed event. Mrs. Darcy was happy to see Charlotte and Elizabeth again, but the elder Mr. Darcy could not wait until he saw this Elizabeth that had caught his son’s fancy.
On Wednesday before the wedding the Darcy family arrived and met John Winstead and Elizabeth and Charlotte as well as the Kimbles and other friends. Mr. Darcy delighted in watching his boy interact with this sweet and friendly lady and he could see why this Elizabeth had made such an impression on his son. Later that evening he asked his son what his thoughts were on Elizabeth.
“Father, we shall be friends our entire lives and we plan to write to each other often. She is the sweetest and most handsome lady I have ever known, and father, I also like Mr. Winstead and his sister.”
“Then you have made some very good friends for yourself. I am well pleased.”
John Winstead stood nervously awaiting his Elizabeth to appear at the door as the ceremony was about to begin. In an instant he recalled his first meeting with Elizabeth and everything about her since then. Today he would marry the only woman he had loved and the woman he had asked God to send to him. As his heart beat wildly he saw Elizabeth appear at the door and soon she stated her walk beside Robert Smithwick, who would give her away. For her, things were as surreal as could be and her life flashed by her in that short walk but she did notice a handsome lad seated on the isle smiling up at her. She gave young Darcy a wink and a smile of her own and then walked up beside John Winstead. The service was simple and soon the people returned to Hunting Hills for the wedding breakfast. That evening a wedding ball was held at Hunting Hills and Elizabeth danced with young Mr. Darcy for the first time. His father also danced once with Elizabeth and later confided to his son, “Now that is the type of woman you should look to marry when you grow up. She is perfect!”
“Yes, father, she certainly is.”
CHAPTER 16
NINETEEN YEARS LATER
Elizabeth was excited to hear that Mr. Darcy would arrive later. His missive did not go into much detail, but from it she inferred that he wanted to talk to her about a young lady. Could it be, she thought, that finally he had found the woman of his dreams? If he was smitten, she knew this would be the first time in his adult life. She remembered years ago him telling her of his secret love for her as a young boy, but she also thought him very special in her life. That they were fast friends since they met was known to many, and so Elizabeth prepared to meet her friend and help him as best she could. It would not surprise her if Mr. Darcy arrived early, for he was not one to put off attacking any problem. However, if he indeed had questions concerning a lady friend, Elizabeth saw big problems, for Mr. Darcy was totally inexperienced with women. He would need reassurances, and she needed to be level headed in providing advice.
Elizabeth Winstead expected his arrival, but not this early, and she believed that her friend must have left very early to arrive just now. Mr. Darcy left Netherfield before sunrise. She went to the front and greeted him warmly. “I am glad you are safely arrived, sir. You look quite tired and I am sure you are hungry. Come, let us get some food.”
“It is good to see you again Elizabeth, you look quite well. I hope all is well with the family.”
“Yes, thank you William. We are all fine. You look well too, but perhaps a bit thinner in the face. Would you care to have some minutes to freshen up? You must be quite tired from your journey and I am sure you have not eaten recently. Can I get you something?”
“No, no, I am not so hungry or tired, but I do need to talk to you.”
“Then you shall have me for as long as you want. Mr. Winstead is about business in town today but he has asked me to pass on his best wishes to you. He should be back early this evening, so you shall see him then.”
“Yes, but I am sorry to have to miss him this time, for I shall only visit with you a short time today. I must go to my own town home after this, and then leave the morrow to get back to Hertfordshire. I am happy to hear you all are fine and in good health.”
“Why yes, we are, thank you. William finally is settling down at Hargrove and is getting along very well in his classes and little Elizabeth is growing more lovely each day. She is just turned fifteen but she is so much changed. You have not told me about Georginia. I hope she is well.”
“She is very well. Elizabeth, I can see that you and John are blessed with such loving children, but be careful to not over indulge them.” He laughed as he said this and she soon noticed the twinkle in his eyes. “But both my sister and I are fine. All the others are getting along well too from the latest reports I have received from my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Then I am pleased with that news, but your letter advised me of your need to speak with me about a matter of some importance. I believed it to be about a lady. Are you quite certain you do not wish to take a few minutes to freshen up
from your trip and then get some food before you explain your letter?”
“No, I should rather outline my concerns and then talk more on the subject later, after I have cleared my head.”
“That is a good plan William, so tell me all you need to tell me.”
“I have not acted well around strangers. In my letter, I mentioned that I was visiting with my friend Mr. Bingley, in Hertfordshire, where he has rented a home and is currently living with his sisters and Mr. Hurst, his brother-in-law. I am not so fond of Mr. Bingley’s relations and was uncomfortable with staying with them but the house is large and I did want to visit with my friend. That day I had rode a long way and was quite tired, so I did not feel up to going with them that very evening to a dance at the local assembly hall. Miss Bingley would no doubt have stayed away from the dance to keep me company, so I made the best decision and agreed to attend the dance. The evening was most miserable as I knew none at the dance but my party, and I believe I left the impression to many of those present that I was above all the local company.”
“Now Mr. Darcy, tell me more about the young lady.”
“Yes, you see, that is my problem. I would not dance with any ladies other than Miss Bingley and her sister and Mr. Bingley’s friend, Miss Bennet.
It was her sister that overheard me tell Mr. Bingley that I could not stand up with any other woman because it would be insupportable at such an assembly. When he pointed to his friend’s sister as a likely partner, I was not in control.”
“Let me hear what you said.”
“I told him that she was tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me. She heard it all then walked by me and went to her friend, and I am sure she told her friend of what I said, for they both looked my way and started laughing.”
“Well, that is unfortunate but why should such a thing upset you so? No one knows you, so you will not likely see this lady again. You live at Pemberly and in London, so you should take from this misadventure to be more careful in the future, less you hurt other peoples’ feelings.”
Elizabeth Winstead told him these things to draw out the full story from her friend. She was very discomposed to hear of his behavior but needed to hear all without attacking her friend who she rightly assumed was at a loss in matters of the heart.
“But I have seen the lady since the dance. My friend is now seeing Miss Jane Bennet on a regular basis, so I am thrust in her sister’s company often.”
“So are you uncomfortable being around her? Does she offend you? Why do you not think of an excuse to be away when you find yourself with her?”
“Now there lies the problem - I do not wish to be away from her.”
“I figured as much. You indeed have a problem. How does this lady now react to you?”
“I feel she does not like me, though she is civil. Not long after the dance, I met her at another small party and I was speaking with the host when the lady walked by and he introduced her to me as an available dance partner, but when I asked for a dance she refused me.”
“And I am not surprised. Did you not do the same to her?”
“Yes, but I had hoped she would have forgotten.”
“Young ladies do not easily forget or forgive such slights. What are you looking for from her, Mr. Darcy?”
“I just want her to forgive me for my actions that evening.”
“Then, what have you done in the manner of apologizing to her? She would likely be inclined to look more favorably on you if you did this.”
“Yes, I suppose I should do that, but I feel it will not help me.” Elizabeth watched as he rubbed his fingers and demonstrated such a nervousness that she had never seen from him. His expression was dour and he looked as a man that had not slept well for many weeks. No, he was not sick in the common way, his was a sickness of the heart, and she doubted that he had ever felt this way before.
Elizabeth believed right away that Mr. Darcy had strong feelings for the lady but she left that for him to say. “You tell me you have seen this lady often; pray tell me more about her.”
“She is smart, Elizabeth, and quite clever but not unkind, except to me I suppose. No, I do not mean she is unkind, maybe I just do not wish her to feel ill about me.”
“That is a good start. It is your conscious talking to you. What else can you tell me? Do you like her sister and her family?”
“Her sister is very sweet, but I cannot tell from her countenance what her feelings are regarding my friend. For his part, Mr. Bingley thinks himself to be in love. For the Bennet family, her father owns a small manor near my friend, and he lives there with his wife and his five daughters. The mother’s sole purpose in life is to marry off her daughters.”
“Do not look at the mother so unfavorably, I dare say most women with five daughters and no sons would wish them to be married, and you and your friends would be quite a catch for her girls. So, do you favor the sister who is seeing your friend? Do you wish them to marry?”
“I feel the sister is quite agreeable, but based on my observations, I do not wish Mr. Bingley to make an alliance with her.”
“And what do his sisters say?”
“They agree with me and think she is a good enough girl, but they are also against Jane Bennet.”
“And what are your feelings such that you and Mr. Bingley’s sisters do not approve of Miss Jane Bennet?”
“Well, my feelings are the same as their own. We detect no sign of outward regard on Miss Bennet’s part for Mr. Bingley, but we see the opposite in Mr. Bingley’s feelings toward the lady.”
“Now William, this is the question you must answer me honestly, or I cannot help you. What are your wishes regarding this Bennet sister that you have slighted?”
“I,..er, I want her to like me and not hate me?”
“Why?”
“I just want to clear my conscious, that is all.”
“William Darcy, now look me in the face, do you wish to be better friends with this lady?”
“Yes, I do wish that very much.”
“Then I must advise you that you are walking on a slippery slope. You have an interest in the one sister but you are interfering in your friend’s endeavors with the other sister. Worst than that, you are in league with his sisters against his plans for happiness. What right do you assume to be so bold to know what is best for your friend, when you have demonstrated such poor behavior as got you in such a pickle? I should think you can see the folly in your ways, sir. You should get out of your friend’s business with the sister. If you desire to be on more pleasant terms with the lady that has attracted such an interest, what will you gain by working with Mr. Bingley’s own sisters to keep him away from the woman he cares for? You have not stated any reasons that would hold up against Jane Bennet other than your own beliefs that she has not shown her affections openly. Perhaps she is a very private woman. I recall you telling me you dislike women to be so unreserved, but now when your friend has found a woman who is reserved, you now dislike that quality. I fully do not understand you, Mr. Darcy. I do believe that if you continue to join with Mr. Bingley’s sisters against Jane Bennet, than any hope for you and her sister will disappear. And pray tell me her name, you have not mentioned it at all.”
“Her name is not important, it does not matter in my seeking your counsel.”
“Now William Darcy, come clean with me.”
“Her name is Elizabeth Anne Bennet, and she is not one and twenty. She is quite beautiful and is full of spirit and her eyes have caught me in a spell. Is that enough for you?”
“Yes, my friend. That is all for now. I shall let you go now, and later we shall take a turn outside and further discuss what to do. I do not feel your case is hopeless, but I have some suggestions I would like to discuss with you.”
“Thank you Elizabeth, I will need about an hour.”
He thought of her words and they made sense to him. How could they not? Elizabeth was the smartest person he had ever known, and he was glad that he had s
poken to her.
Mr. Darcy came downstairs and soon he saw young Elizabeth. “Why, how are you today, Elizabeth? My you look so grown up since the last time I saw you.”
“Mr. Darcy, I just last saw you four months ago at Pemberly. Do you not remember?”
“Yes, of course I remember. You and Georginia could not be separated.”
“That is true. I consider her as a big sister. How is she?”
“She is fine and will be jealous that I have seen you today; she often asks about you.”
“Will you be staying long, Mr. Darcy?”
“No, I believe I shall leave today, but we shall see each other soon, I hope.”