by Kara Louise
Mrs. Martin clasped her hands together. “Good! It is settled! Tomorrow you shall see, firsthand, some of the finest things Derbyshire has to offer!”
Chapter 16
The carriage conveying everyone to the Martins’ home took a little side trip the other direction before dropping the children off there. They drove past a small, two-story home that sat off from the road. Elizabeth was told this was the house in which Mrs. Gardiner grew up.
From there, as they travelled down the cobblestone street, Mrs. Gardiner pointed out little points of interest in Lambton: the small church she had attended every Sunday, the fine chestnut tree on the green, and the small pond boasting a fine gaggle of geese.
The early autumn day was mild and perfect for their outing. Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth listened with enjoyment as Mrs. Gardiner related stories about her childhood, places she had visited, her favourite prospects at little turnouts in the road, and the perfect places to go see the finest set of peaks.
As the carriage made slow progress up a hill, Mrs. Gardiner commented on how a short walk to the top would give a wonderful view of the surrounding vista. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner didn’t mind waiting whilst Elizabeth took the climb to the top.
Upon reaching the small summit, she closed her eyes, felt the breeze on her face, and imagined that she was back on the ship; not returning to England as she had most recently been, but making the crossing to America. Her thoughts took her back to standing on the deck next to the man who was— who had been —her husband. She believed in all likelihood he had annulled the marriage by now.
She reproached herself for letting her mind dwell upon these things. What she could not forget, however, was that somewhere in this county of Derbyshire was his country home.
She turned and looked across at the view. She could see for miles, and as she looked at the peaks in the distance, and the hills and dales below, she also saw little villages. But what caught her attention were the woods that dotted the landscape below. She did not think she had ever seen a more delightful prospect!
She returned to her aunt and uncle and commented on how lovely it all was.
“The peaks in the distance are beautiful, and the woods off in that direction seem so dense and lush! Aunt, you did not exaggerate. It is the most beautiful spot in the world.”
“I am so glad you like it, Lizzy. This is Thorpe Cloud, the entrance to Dovedale and its magnificent peaks.”
As they walked over to the waiting carriage, Mrs. Gardiner made a suggestion. “We could go home through those woods if you like, Lizzy. It will be a little out of the way, but there is an estate hidden in their midst that is not five miles from Lambton and is well worth the drive to see.”
“That sounds lovely, Aunt.”
They settled themselves in the carriage, and Elizabeth watched in admiration as they descended the hill and eventually drew into the woods. With trees on all sides and some forming a canopy across the road, Elizabeth pulled her shawl more snugly around her. She took a deep breath and savoured the various aromas the trees and foliage gave off.
“So, Aunt Madlyn, tell me about this estate we shall be seeing.”
“It is a grand estate, Lizzy. Although the house and furnishings itself are well worth seeing, the woods and gardens around the house are just as splendid. It has been years, though, since I have had the privilege of viewing it.”
Elizabeth clasped her hands. “It sounds beautiful.”
“Oh, it is indeed, Lizzy. There is none as beautiful as Pemberley!”
Elizabeth looked to her aunt sharply. “Pemberley?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Why, Pemberley was the name of the ship on which I sailed to America. Pemberley’s Promise .”
“That is right!” added her uncle. “Do you think there is any connection, Madlyn?”
“There is a very good chance it is owned by the same family.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in a quick movement as she reflected on this happenstance. “The ship was indeed very grand; I can imagine what the house must be like.”
“Who owns Pemberley, dearest?” asked Mr. Gardiner of his wife.
“The home belongs to the Darcy family. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Darcy died since I moved away…”
Elizabeth had been watching the scenery pass, but turned sharply at the mention of the name Darcy. Her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost.
“Lizzy, is everything all right, dear?” her aunt inquired.
“Who did you say owns Pemberley?” she asked hesitantly.
“The Darcys. As I was saying, the elder Mr. and Mrs. Darcy died, and now their son, Fitzwilliam, I believe his name is, and his younger sister live there.” Her aunt looked at her with concern. “Lizzy, is something wrong?”
The nervousness in Elizabeth’s answer raised some concern on her aunt’s part. “It is nothing; save that there was a Mr. Darcy onboard the ship.”
“He would be in his late twenties, I believe. I have not seen him since he was a young boy, so I could not tell you what he looks like now. But it is highly probable that it was him. He would be a man of ample means.”
Elizabeth began wringing her hands together in a most disconcerted state. It was imperative that she talk her aunt and uncle out of visiting the home. She was in no way prepared to encounter him, and would feel the deepest sense of awkwardness if he discovered her in his home.
Her heart pounded in her chest and as she contemplated how she could discourage this visit, her uncle exclaimed, “Look!”
All eyes beheld the grand edifice that was suddenly before them. Elizabeth blinked several times, not believing the sight before her. Never had she seen a more beautiful home.
Her aunt looked at her. “Is it not beautiful, Lizzy?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered softly, marvelling at the stately manor before them, and cognizant of the fact that she had become, unknowingly, mistress of this place just a few months back. But she was drawn out of her reverie by the pressing concern that they could not stop here!
She put her hand upon her aunt’s. “Aunt, I am truly tired, and I do not think we should stop and disturb the family. I would feel awkward encountering Mr. Darcy if he should be here.”
“Oh, Lizzy. I am sure he would not even remember that you were on the ship.” She, in turn, patted her niece’s hand in reassurance. “A man in his position surely kept to those of his own society.”
Her uncle then added, “Certainly if you were in steerage, you would have had very little contact with the man.” As he looked back upon the house he commented, “I am sure he had one of the finest cabins on the ship.”
Trying to appear calm, she applied herself to their conversation. “Yes, he did.”
Her uncle’s eyebrows raised and asked, “You saw his room, niece? How did you happen to see it?”
Wishing away the blush that spread across her face, she was grateful she did not have to lie. “I turned my ankle while taking the steps up one afternoon, and he happened across me at that moment. I could not walk on it, so he carried me to his room, which happened to be nearby.” She quickly added, “But he did have another woman accompany us, and it was she who tended my ankle while Mr. Darcy secured some bandages to wrap it.”
“That was very considerate of him,” her aunt commented.
As the carriage drew closer to Pemberley, Elizabeth felt an increasing tightening of her heart and lungs and felt compelled to insist they turn back, but without any rational thought to offer up as an excuse.
“Please, Aunt. May we please just go home?”
Her uncle looked at her. “Lizzy, if you are that uncomfortable, I could go to the door and ascertain if the gentleman is at home. If he is, I shall tell them we do not want to disturb them. If he is not, then there can be no harm in viewing the house. What say you to that?”
The carriage pulled up to the front door and slowed down. Elizabeth thought how much she would love to see inside the home, but her fear of encountering William and he
r curiosity to see Pemberley battled within. She finally nodded. “But only if he is not at home.”
When they pulled up, Mr. Gardiner got out of the carriage and walked up to the front door. Elizabeth felt as though hours passed as she sat there in the carriage, cognizant of the fact that if he was at home, he could just as readily walk out and see them. Her heart raced as she waited.
At length her uncle returned with a smile on his face. “He is not at home. He is visiting a friend, and we have been invited in. Shall we go?”
Elizabeth felt relieved that he was not here and that they would be able to tour the house and grounds without the chance of encountering him. At the same time, her heart felt a strong regret that she would not have the opportunity to see him.
Mrs. Reynolds graciously received them and she gave them a little background about the home and the family. Elizabeth listened in awe as she looked around her at the elegant furnishings. A month ago she was legally the mistress of this place, yet at the same time she felt as though she was trespassing.
As they walked in, Elizabeth heard music being played on a pianoforte. It was very beautiful, and she wondered if it could be William’s sister.
The first room they visited was a sitting room, boasting a large fireplace with various pictures upon the mantel. Mrs. Reynolds pointed out that they were all the late Mr. Darcy’s favourites, and were exactly as he had left them, in his memory and honour.
Elizabeth at once recognized William’s likeness in a small portrait that was probably done quite a few years ago.
Mrs. Reynolds began going through each one. “This is my master here.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked at Elizabeth. “Is that a similar likeness to the man who was on the ship, Lizzy?”
Nervously, Elizabeth answered, “Yes.”
“Oh, my dear, do you know my master?” asked Mrs. Reynolds.
“We sailed on the same ship to America a few months back.”
“Oh, you sailed on Pemberley’s Promise , then! How was the crossing?”
“It was long, but I do not believe there could be a more superb ship.”
“And what did you think of my master? Is he not the finest, most handsome man?” Mrs. Reynolds barely allowed any time for Elizabeth to answer as she continued with her praise of him. Elizabeth was rendered mute by clashing feelings of nervous distress and heightened elation.
“He is certainly the best master, kind to all his servants. How we missed him, and I must confess worried about him and his sister until they were safely back.”
She turned to the other pictures on the mantel, but Elizabeth could no longer concentrate. She felt pale again, and her head was dizzy with all this news. She had finally found herself able to go through a day without feeling the pain and anguish of never seeing him again, and then suddenly, unexpectedly, she was thrown into the midst of his very life.
They followed Mrs. Reynolds to a few other rooms. They were shown the library, and Elizabeth commented to Mrs. Reynolds on the extent of the books he owned.
“Do you enjoy reading, miss?”
“When I get the chance to, I do. I have never seen a personal library as extensive as this!” She walked from shelf to shelf, eyeing the books and letting her hand brush softly over the spines.
“Oh, my master loves to read. He loves to stimulate and broaden his mind. If you like this, I could show you his study, as well, down the hall.”
As they progressed on the tour, Mrs. Reynolds continued her discourse. “I normally do not show people into this room, but since he is not here, and I feel it is reflective of my master’s person, I think we can take a little peek. I believe you will enjoy how many more books he has in here.”
She opened the door to a large study. Elizabeth immediately noticed more shelves of books that framed the fireplace. The desk in the centre of the room was of strong, dark wood, with a leather chair situated behind it.
“Mr. Darcy spends a vast deal of time here, doing work, reading, and relaxing.” She walked over to the large fireplace on the other side of the room. “And these pictures and various objects are some of his favourites.”
Elizabeth glanced over at the fireplace, above it to the mantel, and then to the extent of the books on the shelves. Her love of books prompted her to walk toward them, but suddenly, her eyes went back to the mantel, seeing something that markedly drew her attention. She walked slowly over to it, feeling a tingling sensation course through her body. There, in the midst of all the pictures of his family, was the small sampler she had inadvertently left behind in his room, framed, and situated on a little stand.
Mrs. Reynolds walked over and joined her. “Most of these are likenesses of his family; his mother, his father, and here is his sister.” She noticed Elizabeth’s attention to the sampler. “This is something my master brought back after his trip. He must have purchased it from the person who made it, as it was not even framed. He had me frame it and set it up here. I believe he must have liked the verse upon it.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked at the words on the verse, “Think only upon the past as it gives pleasure…”
How odd, she thought. That is one of Lizzy’s favourite sayings.
Elizabeth was stunned and rendered speechless by its presence among his favourite mementos. She dared not allow herself to think that her sampler framed and set here meant anything. It did leave her with a rather blissful feeling, however. She turned to leave with the others, falling a little behind, and as she passed his leather chair, she could not keep her hand from sliding over the back of it. She could almost feel his warmth on it as if he had just been seated there. Before stepping out of his study, she gave one last glance back at her sampler and, without thought she drew her hand up to her heart, pressing firmly against it as if to attempt to calm it.
They walked down the long portrait gallery, where a much larger portrait of Darcy was exhibited along with family members of long ago. She was grateful that Mrs. Reynolds stopped in front of it, as the sight of it abruptly halted her. It was a striking painting and captured him with a very peaceful and pleasant demeanour. As she gazed upon it, she realized how living here must afford him the peace and solitude he so thoroughly enjoyed.
As the party moved on, Elizabeth lingered a moment longer, regarding his likeness, finally having to will herself to continue. Mrs. Gardiner noticed Elizabeth’s reflective deportment. It was unlike her niece not to embrace an experience like this wholeheartedly and with an overt enthusiasm. She wondered whether it could possibly have something to do with this Mr. Darcy and his being with her on her voyage to America.
They came back down to the front of the house, and Mrs. Reynolds expressed her regret that the rest of the house could not be seen today. “Miss Darcy is practicing in the music room, as I am sure you can hear. She is very shy and would feel most embarrassed if she knew she had an audience.”
Elizabeth spoke, “She plays beautifully, Mrs. Reynolds. I hope someday she can overcome her shyness and perform easily before others.”
“She does play beautifully. You are very kind.”
Mr. Gardiner expressed his gratitude for showing them the house. “It is beautiful, and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity.”
“It was my pleasure. Now, feel free to explore the grounds.”
“Thank you, I think we shall,” he added.
They bid their farewells and walked toward a small lake that was situated down from the front of the house. Elizabeth was grateful to get away from the house, feeling as though the farther she was from it, the safer she was from any chance encounter. Even though they had been told he was away, she knew there was always the possibility that he could show up at any time. Yet she equally wished she would encounter him!
As they walked, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner talked about, commented on, and praised the grounds. It did not escape Mrs. Gardiner’s notice that Elizabeth was unusually quiet.
As they looked out upon the lake, and Mr. Gardiner was commenting on how much pleasure
it would be to be able to fish in it, a voice called out, “Excuse me.”
The three turned in unison to see a young girl coming toward them. “I hope I am not disturbing you, but I understand one of you was on the ship with my brother when he travelled to America.”
Elizabeth could see that it had taken a concerted effort on her part to say this, and immediately responded, “Yes, I was on the ship. My name is Elizabeth Bennet.”
Georgiana tilted her head at her name. Elizabeth . Could this be the woman my brother thought he saw that day in New York? she wondered. “I am Georgiana Darcy. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth introduced her to her aunt and uncle.
Elizabeth could see that she had been well trained in her manners and posture, but that it was something she was not quite comfortable with. Or at least she felt that the young girl worried too much whether she was performing adequately in her duties.
“Do you have a moment, Miss Bennet?”
“Certainly, Miss Darcy. What can I do for you?” Elizabeth noticed immediately the resemblance between Miss Darcy and her brother in their eyes, but in all other areas they were very different. He had dark brown curly hair, brown eyes, and a solid build. She had straight blond hair, blue eyes, and was rather thin in stature, although tall for her age.
“I wondered if you could tell me whether something happened on the crossing over. When my brother arrived in America, he was changed… so dark and brooding. And he would not talk about it and he still refuses to talk about it.”
Elizabeth involuntarily winced, but she could not tell Miss Darcy anything about their marriage, however much she believed that could be the reason for his concern.
“I… I do not believe I know of anything that happened.”
“Was it a rough crossing?”
“Not terribly. We had some rough weather, and then the second to the last day we had a terrible storm that rocked the ship violently. But I do not think that would have affected him so.”