A Quest for Mr Darcy

by Cassandra Grafton

  Just then, Darcy came through the gate and paused, scanning the gardens before his eyes discerned them, and he began to walk along the path towards them as Olivia let out an excited squeak.

  ‘Mr Darcy must be in need of a wife! Would not Miss Bennet be perfect for him? They are both quiet and share an equally reserved manner. I believe them to be very well suited.’

  Viola turned her excited gaze on the approaching figure of Mr Darcy.

  ‘And he is so handsome,’ Olivia whispered in her ear. ‘They would complement each other decidedly well.’

  Viola clapped her hands together, quite unable to be still. ‘‘And Miss Elizabeth!’ She hissed at her sister, conscious of Mr Darcy’s nearness now. ‘She is lively in conversation and has such open, pleasing manners. Who could be a better match for our dear brother?’

  Olivia nodded quickly, then smiled up at the gentleman as he reached them.

  ‘Thank you so much for taking us to the stables, Mr Darcy. We are looking forward to riding on the morrow.’

  Darcy smiled back. ‘I am pleased; I am sure the exercise will be beneficial, though clearly you are both extremely competent walkers!’

  The girls grinned and jumped to their feet, one on either side of Darcy and, to his utmost surprise they each looped an arm through his as they all walked back to the house.

  ~o0o~

  After leaving the girls to the care of Mrs Reynolds, who promised to supply them with a cooling drink and some biscuits, Darcy excused himself and headed off in search of Georgiana and to await his friend’s return.

  The twins duly ate and drank, though so rapidly, Mrs Reynolds was in fear of their digestion, but they seemed in a great hurry, and she soon ushered them out of the door into the hall and bade them seek out Mrs Annesley.

  As soon as they were alone, they turned towards each other, the excitement from earlier restored to their faces.

  ‘We cannot fail, Viola.’ Olivia attempted a solemnity she did not feel. ‘For this could mean Miss Elizabeth—and thus Miss Bennet too—will be our sisters, and how well we should prefer them to Louisa and Caroline.’

  They turned their steps towards the staircase, arms looped together again, but as they mounted the first step, Olivia started to giggle, and once she started, she could not stop.

  ‘What is it?’ begged Viola. ‘You must share it!’

  Olivia gulped in a breath of air. ‘Caroline!’ she spluttered. ‘Has she not always set her bonnet at Mr Darcy? Does she not talk of him as though he is her rightful property? You know it to be so, for we have heard it oft enough and from many quarters.’

  Viola giggled too. ‘She will be most vexed. We must make haste, for there is no time to lose!’

  Olivia nodded vigorously, and they scampered up the stairs as fast as they could, the instruction to find Mrs Annesley quite forgotten, intent only upon reaching their own chambers to formulate a plan.

  ~o0o~

  Sunday dawned fair and mild, and once their fast was broken, the party at Pemberley dispersed to prepare for morning service.

  With the twins bearing Georgiana off to ready themselves, Darcy and Bingley—who had little to prepare other than donning their outer garments—lingered over their cups of tea.

  ‘I have given further thought to our talks yesterday, Darcy.’ Bingley had been staring into his cup, but now he raised his head. ‘It pains me to know my own sister had such a hand in...’ he gestured with an arm. ‘Everything.’

  Darcy, though relieved for Bingley’s forgiving nature, could not absolve himself of his sense of culpability so easily. ‘I understand your dissatisfaction, Bingley, but remember she did not act alone.’

  Bingley placed his cup on the table and got to his feet. ‘You thought to do me a service. Caroline thought of only herself, as is her wont.’

  He walked over to one of the windows, and Darcy got to his feet to join him. ‘You have forgiven me with an ease I do not deserve. Can you not apply the same to your sister? She is your kin, after all.’

  With a rueful smile, Bingley turned back to face his friend and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘You show me more care—even when applied in error—than she ever does as my sister.’ Then, his eyes brightened. ‘Perchance I should follow the twins’ example, show Caroline the same respect she offers me.’

  Darcy began to laugh. ‘If your purpose turns to hunting toads instead of pheasant, my friend, it will be a fine predicament!’ He glanced at the clock on the mantel. ‘Come; it is time we left for church.’

  Bingley followed Darcy across the room. ‘I say, Darcy. Would you have any objection to perhaps inviting the family to dine? I recall your aversion to them from Hertfordshire, but you did receive them here yesterday, did you not?’

  Ushering his friend from the room, Darcy could see Georgiana and the twins hovering by the front door.

  ‘Of course, Bingley. Let us discuss it further on our return.’ He shrugged into his coat and followed the others down the steps. Was his decision over this morning's service going to make life even more complicated?

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  As Elizabeth followed her father and Jane across the green towards the church, she scanned the people milling around in the autumn sunshine. The faces were well known to her now, though they had never been much included in the social circle of the neighbourhood. People were polite, friendly even, but not inclusive. It was as they had anticipated prior to their arrival, for their position in society was hard to define, but it was far preferable to the disdain and coldness they had left behind in Hertfordshire.

  Elizabeth smiled in acknowledgement as she passed by another couple headed in the same direction, then slowed to a halt as two men on horseback came down the lane, followed by a carriage, which pulled up in front of the church.

  Assailed by a wave of feeling she could not define, Elizabeth drew in a steadying breath.

  ‘Lizzy?’ Jane had turned around. ‘Do hurry!’

  When Elizabeth did not move, Jane followed her gaze, then hurried to join her.

  ‘What can they mean by coming to Kympton, Jane? This is not their parish!’

  Jane looped her arm through her sister’s. Mr Bennet had gone on ahead, and they saw him raise his hat to Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley as they dismounted before he continued on into the churchyard.

  ‘But it is nonetheless, a parish of the estate, as well you know.’

  Struggling yet with her inexplicable feelings, Elizabeth was disinclined to be generous. ‘Then he is come to play ‘lord of the manor’ now he is returned.’

  ‘You do not mean that, Lizzy. Pray, what of arrogance have you seen from Mr Darcy since we have become reacquainted?’

  ‘Sadly, nothing!’

  Jane laughed. ‘Sadly? How so?’

  Elizabeth smiled ruefully. ‘His being arrogant gave such openings for wit. If only I could find someone else to practise upon, I might forego Mr Darcy as a target!’

  ‘He has shown himself to be perfectly agreeable.’

  ‘Yet I do not want him to be so; it saved me the trouble of liking him!’

  Jane laughed again. ‘Which, dear sister, you have already owned to doing.’

  Elizabeth bit her lip; Jane was quite right. Was she not pleased to see him so unexpectedly, pleased with his company, with this reacquaintance? She glanced at her sister whose amused countenance roused Elizabeth.

  ‘We have spoken sufficient of me. What of your Mr Wentworth?’

  Jane turned to continue their walk towards the church and Elizabeth fell into step beside her.

  ‘He is not mine, Lizzy.’

  ‘Truly? Do you not think him agreeable also?’ Elizabeth laughed as colour seeped into Jane’s cheeks. ‘He is a fine featured man, is he not?’

  ‘Lizzy!’

  ‘You smile; I see you agree with me on this. And he is kind; we have seen him have the same consideration for all, be they the worthy of parish, a small child, or the elderly and infirm. He is of a caring nature. Indeed, there is li
ttle to dislike about Mr Wentworth.’

  ‘He is also a principled man.’

  Studying her sister’s serious air now, Elizabeth smiled and squeezed her hand gently. ‘I will give you leave to say what you will in his favour. For me, there is but one thing to his detriment.’

  Jane frowned as they reached the lychgate into the churchyard. ‘And what is that?’

  ‘With such fair colouring, he does not favour black!’

  With a short laugh, Jane gestured towards the church. ‘Come; everyone is going inside.’

  Elizabeth, however, detained her with a hand on her arm. ‘Jane, wait. There is one matter... I had not anticipated Mr Darcy’s presence. Do you think—should an opportunity present—ought I to speak of this possible sighting of Wickham in Hertfordshire?’

  ‘What good would come of it? ‘Tis purely speculation, is it not?’

  ‘Aye, that it is.’ She met her sister’s eye seriously. ‘Besides, when we spoke of what happened in London, of there being no trace of Wickham or where he may have gone, Mr Darcy seemed to favour his having perished. And, may God forgive me for it, so do I.’

  ‘Lizzy!’

  ‘There, there, Jane.’ Elizabeth patted her sister on the arm. ‘Have no fear for me. I shall reflect upon my failings during the service and seek penance for my cold heart and emerge a better being for it all.’ She hesitated, then added, ‘But I still wish to understand who placed those flowers on Mama and Lydia’s grave. I cannot reconcile myself, even if Wickham survived the fire, to his having any compassion for those who did not.’

  ‘You must try not to dwell upon such things, Lizzy. We are powerless to ever have answers to many questions, and we gain nothing from raising more.’

  Elizabeth sighed. ‘You are quite right, as oft you are. Come; Papa is beckoning.’

  They walked up the path to the church, where Mr Bennet awaited them at the door. Mr Darcy and his party had long gone inside, and Elizabeth thankfully slipped into their customary pew without being seen.

  ~o0o~

  Once the service was over, Darcy and Georgiana emerged from the church into warm sunshine, followed immediately by Bingley and his young charges. They stood, as was the family’s tradition, to the left of the door as Wentworth spoke with each person leaving the church, Darcy trying not to notice the curious glances thrown in the direction of him and his guests.

  Tension had a keen hold on his shoulders as he awaited the emergence of one particular family. Why could he not stay away? Had he not spent a year building a wall about his heart? Yet it was crumbling within days of seeing Elizabeth again. Had he not been down this tortured path before? How could he halt his descent, prevent himself from falling...

  ‘This is unexpected, Mr Darcy; your attendance at Kympton.’

  Mr Bennet had come to stand before him, his daughters either side of him. ‘ I believed Edensor to be the nearest place of worship to Pemberley house?’

  How would Elizabeth react if he assured her father he had not anticipated it either, until waking that very morning? ‘It has long been the tradition of the family to alternate between the estate parishes for Sunday service, sir.’ There was, at least, some truth in this.

  ‘Then I am certain the parishioners of Kympton will be honoured you chose theirs as your first choice after such a sustained absence.’

  Mr Bennet turned away, and Darcy met Elizabeth’s eye, but before they could exchange more than a brief acknowledgement, Olivia and Viola stepped forward to claim her.

  ‘Miss Elizabeth! We are so happy you are here, for we did not see you in church.’

  Elizabeth laughed. ‘No, indeed. We were a little late. I saw you as you passed by on your way out, but I will own, you seemed somewhat pre-occupied?’

  The twins exchanged an amused look, then turned two pairs of bright blue eyes on Elizabeth.

  ‘You are too polite!’ Olivia smiled. ‘What you mean to say is, we had our noses turned so excessively high as to prevent us seeing over them.’

  Laughing again, Elizabeth turned to their brother. ‘Mr Bingley, I suspect your young charges have you running in circles, do they not?’

  ‘It seems to be their mission in life, ma’am.’

  ‘Dear brother!’ Viola attached herself to Bingley’s left arm. ‘We never aim to cause you trouble.’

  ‘It just sort of happens!’ Olivia appropriated Bingley’s right arm for herself.

  ‘There; you have it, Miss Elizabeth. It is all some fortuitous accident.’

  ‘Our brother says we fidget in church,’ piped up Viola. ‘Our attention drifts, you see, though we know full well it ought not.’

  ‘So,’ added Olivia, ‘we sought a plan.’

  Viola nodded enthusiastically. ‘We decide to emulate Caroline and Louisa. Thus, throughout the service, we conducted ourselves in their image.’

  ‘It has also given a formidable first impression to the neighbourhood, girls,’ added Bingley, his eye roaming around the people milling in the churchyard, many of whom were still casting interested gazes towards Darcy and his party.

  Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘It is merely a first impression, Brother! We shall permit ourselves to mellow given due time; after all, have you not counselled us on the need to behave with more decorum when not amongst friends?’

  Elizabeth’s gaze was upon Darcy, and he found himself unable to look away. She was not smiling but seemed, rather, to be studying him, though to what purpose he knew not. Then, Olivia drew her attention, and she fell into conversation with Bingley, and Darcy turned away. This had to have been one of his more foolish decisions. How did this constitute keeping his distance, adhering to his conviction of his interest in the lady being over?

  ‘Brother?’ Georgiana’s voice broke into his thoughts. ‘You know Olivia and Viola have invited Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to go walking with us on Tuesday. Would it be acceptable if I ask the latter to remain and join me for afternoon tea?’

  Darcy narrowed his gaze as he studied his sister’s innocent countenance. ‘Why Miss Elizabeth Bennet?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Georgiana’s gaze did not waver, but faint colour entered her cheeks.

  ‘You know full well my meaning, Georgie. Why not Miss Bennet, or both the ladies? Why only Miss Elizabeth?’

  ‘Did you not once tell me, Fitz, you hoped for the lady to be a sister to me?’

  ‘You know this.’

  ‘Then how can you protest us becoming friends?’ She smiled widely and turned away, walking over to speak to an old acquaintance, and Darcy released a shallow breath.

  This downward spiral showed no sign of abating. Had he not precipitated it by choosing Kympton over Edensor today? Against his will, his gaze sought Elizabeth, but instead he noticed her father stood slightly apart from everyone.

  Elizabeth remained in conversation with Bingley, the twins hanging on her every word—how well he understood their rapt faces—and Jane Bennet stood beside Wentworth, though his present attention was upon a parishioner who had engaged him in conversation. Darcy looked over again towards Mr Bennet.

  It had occurred to him how awkward the Bennets’ situation was. As tenants on the estate, despite Mr Bennet’s status as a gentleman, their social standing was hard to define. His notice, the connection with Pemberley, would ensure them a more secure footing, of this he did not doubt, and with this in mind, he walked over to a well-dressed couple holding court nearby.

  ‘Sir Charles.’ The two gentlemen acknowledged each other. ‘I repeat my thanks of the other day for your call upon us.’

  ‘Not at all, Darcy. It is good to have you returned to the neighbourhood.’

  ‘I wonder if I may be so bold as to introduce a former acquaintance to you. Mr Bennet!’ He hailed the gentleman, who walked over to join them.

  ‘Sir Charles, Lady Araminta—permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Mr Bennet of The Grange. The gentleman and I are old acquaintances.’

  Darcy shifted from one foot to the other as Mr Ben
net threw him an assessing glance, but he then turned and exchanged greetings with the lady and gentleman.

  ‘Bennet? Yes; I have seen you about the neighbourhood. Good to meet any friend of Darcy’s!’ Sir Charles shook Mr Bennet’s hand heartily, and Darcy, feeling he had paved the way, left them to converse and looked around. Bingley was on his own now, and Darcy walked over to join him.

  ‘You have met Sir Charles before, Bingley.’

  His friend nodded. ‘I recall. Did he not host the most spectacular ball once? With fireworks and performing jesters?’

  Darcy laughed. ‘He is well known for the extravagant nature of his hospitality.’

  Looking across to where he had left Mr Bennet, he was gratified to see Sir Charles introducing the gentleman to Squire Ellingham and his wife. His good deed seemed to be having the desired effect.

  A sudden peal of laughter, quickly silenced, came from behind them, and Bingley rolled his eyes. ‘I had best see what Olivia and Viola are up to.’

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Surveying the people still milling around outside the church, it did not take Darcy long to espy Elizabeth. She had been talking with Georgiana, but she looked up suddenly and, excusing herself, walked over to join him.

  ‘How are you enjoying your youthful visitors, sir?’

  Darcy smiled. ‘They have settled well, and no doubt will soon make my cousin a target for their energies. He is due to arrive directly.’

  ‘Yes; your sister mentioned his visit when you called at The Grange the other day. You are to have quite the household, sir.’

  You do not know the half of it, Darcy mused, thinking on the guests soon to follow.

  There was silence for a moment, and Elizabeth looked around at the small groups of people, many of whom Darcy did not doubt were discussing either himself or his guests.

  ‘The unvarying society of the country.’ Elizabeth laughed, then turned back to face him. ‘I have wondered before now what it was about the air of Hertfordshire that so frustrated you? Pemberley is even further into the depths of countryside than Netherfield, and even more so from the society of Town. Yet you seem so at peace here.’