Not wishing to dwell upon the faceless lady destined for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth forced a smile.
‘Let your mind be open, Miss Darcy. Oft times, we can be mistaken in our impressions of others; we comprehend so little of another person’s reasons for acting as they do, what burdens they may bear; perchance, we ought not to judge. ’
‘You are wise, Miss Bennet. I wish I could have such an approach to life.’
Elizabeth smiled ruefully. ‘Do not give me credit beyond my due. It is a wisdom I have only recently learned, and I suspect the lesson is far from over.’
They had reached the house now, and Georgiana led Elizabeth in through the boot room and the latter looked around appreciatively.
‘I find this entrance to the house preferable to the usual one for visitors.’
‘Oh dear!’ Georgiana looked concerned.
‘I mean no censure, Miss Darcy. It is only that I feel a little... presumptuous, entering by such a means when I am but a tenant of the estate.’
‘I do not see you as such.’ Georgiana hesitated. ‘We all use this entrance when out on foot, and if you prefer it,’ she gestured around them at the coat racks, cane stands and all the usual accoutrements for being outside, ‘then please do. I hope you will come again so that we can walk together?’
Touched to be asked, Elizabeth smiled widely. ‘It would be an honour, Miss Darcy. I hope by return you will accompany me one day on my favourite walk up to Curbar Edge.’
‘I would be delighted.’
‘There you are, Miss Georgiana!’ They both turned about as Mrs Reynolds came into the room. ‘Would you please have a brief word with Cook? She is having trouble deciphering the menu for this evening as Miss Viola has been up to her usual.’
‘I will come directly.’ The housekeeper left, and Georgiana removed her gloves as she turned back to Elizabeth. ‘Viola loves to sketch; if there is a piece of paper anywhere to hand, she will cover it with images. Please excuse me for a moment. If you wish to tidy yourself, there is a mirror and a pitcher of water in the closet. I will see you directly in the small sitting room for our tea? It is along the hallway on the left from the entrance hall.’
Staring at herself in the mirror as she removed her bonnet, Elizabeth was unsurprised by her unsettled countenance. This intelligence of Mr Darcy’s marital plans had shaken her in a way she could not account for. Why did it disturb her so? She had been told, oh so long ago, of his being destined for his cousin and had welcomed the news!
Conscious she had no answer, she quickly tidied her hair and leaving her Spencer, gloves and bonnet on an obliging coat stand, she opened the door and hurried down the corridor, keen for company and distraction.
She emerged into the elegant, marble floored entrance hall, but then hesitated. Had Georgiana said the hallway to the small sitting room was to the left or to the right? Walking slowly into the centre of the grand hall, Elizabeth turned around slowly, debating which to choose, when she heard the faint sound of music drifting towards her.
Following the sound, Elizabeth walked along the hallway she had been down just a few hours earlier. It was another beautiful piece, played with such feeling and, pushing open the door, she smiled widely, only to stop dead on the threshold. It was not Georgiana who was drawing such a powerful and emotional sound from the instrument. It was her brother.
The music stopped suddenly as Mr Darcy’s hands fell to his side, his countenance indicative of his surprise. Then, he rose quickly to his feet and bowed. ‘Miss Bennet.’
Elizabeth could feel the heat stealing into her cheeks as she dropped a curtsey. ‘Forgive me, sir. I meant no intrusion.’
‘I was merely filling my time. Bingley had some business to attend... correspondence.’ He sounded as awkward as Elizabeth felt.
‘I will leave you in peace, sir. I must have taken a wrong turn; your sister and I are due to take tea together.’
‘Yes—yes, I know.’ He walked over to where she remained in the doorway. ‘Come, I will take you to her.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Darcy held the door open for Elizabeth and then joined her in the hallway. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he had little patience for it. It was a ridiculous reaction to the lady appearing so suddenly in his home. He had known full well she was due to take tea with his sister. Was that not why he had come here to the opposite end of the house and tried to lose himself in his music?
‘Mr Darcy?’
With a start, he looked down at Elizabeth. Though the colour had yet to fully fade from her cheeks, he could see the hint of a smile on her lips.
‘Forgive me. You wish to be shown to the small sitting room.’ He waved a hand along the hallway. ‘It is this way.’
They walked a few paces in silence, and Darcy searched his addled wits for anything of intelligence to speak of, but was saved the trouble when Elizabeth spoke first.
‘I did not know, sir, you were as much a proficient on the instrument as your sister. Miss Bingley and Lady Catherine were both remiss in not extending their praise.’
‘I—er—they have never heard me play; rarely has anyone.’
He was conscious of Elizabeth’s curious glance, but he could not find the words to explain.
‘Then it is their loss, sir. I am sorry for my intrusion on your moment of solitude.’
Darcy shook his head. ‘Not at all. I was merely filling my time awaiting Bingley.’
They had reached the main entrance hall now, and Elizabeth turned to face him.
‘I did not expect to see you, sir. Miss Darcy indicated you were out inspecting the estate.’
‘It is true; we have been out much of the day, but returned this last half hour.’
They both turned about as Mrs Reynolds came through the doorway near the stairs through which Elizabeth had emerged earlier.
‘Miss Bennet has lost her way. I am taking her to my sister.’
‘I can do that for you, sir.’ Mrs Reynolds smiled at Elizabeth as she joined them. ‘It is a confusing number of corridors and doors, it is not, Miss Bennet?’
‘It is indeed, ma’am.’
Darcy knew he could easily overrule his housekeeper, but indulging himself was not going to serve him well. Elizabeth was taking too firm a hold upon him, and he needed to retreat, to regroup. It was best he let the lady go.
‘Thank you; I will bid you good day, Miss Bennet.’
‘Good day, Mr Darcy.’
Mrs Reynolds led Elizabeth away, and Darcy turned back the way he had come, willing himself not to look back; he almost succeeded.
~o0o~
In no mood to return to his music, Darcy paced around the drawing room until Bingley joined him, and then, keen to conquer the urge to see how the ladies were faring with their tea, he persuaded his friend to walk out with him in the grounds.
They circled the ornamental ponds for a while, talking of business matters, but then turned their steps towards the lake, where they soon came across Rivers and several men from the estate busy removing fallen trees from the edge of some woodland.
‘Any further news, Rivers?’
The steward walked towards them, a large log resting across his shoulders. ‘Nothing of consequence to the estate, sir. This dry spell will help the fields recover, and we have marked any fallen or damaged trees. It will take a while to remove them all, but the firewood will be beneficial to the house.’ He frowned. ‘I had received a few reports of petty theft recently, and today there was another.’
‘Such as?’
‘I saw Shiner from Kympton the other morning; he reported his vegetable patch being raided, and Mrs Thatcher says her small woodpile has been reduced, so much so all that remains are a few sticks of kindling. Then, just now we came across a clearing in the forest where there was evidence of someone attempting a fire. It did not look as though it had taken, but now Overton has come to me requesting a new axe, saying his went missing overnight. It is not in the nature of any of our tenants to take without
consent.’
‘Do you think it could be the return of a poacher?’
‘It could be.’ Rivers nodded to Darcy and Bingley. ‘If you will excuse me; I had best get on. Do not concern yourself, sir; my men and I will keep an eye out for anything untoward.’
They watched Rivers march away to a nearby cart to offload his burden before turning back towards the house.
‘You have a good man there, Darcy. I do not suppose you would consider giving him up?’
Darcy laughed. ‘Certainly not! Why? Have you come to a decision on Netherfield and seek a permanent steward at last?’
‘I have; I intend to give it up entirely.’ It was Bingley’s turn to laugh. ‘Your countenance is failing to conceal your thoughts!’
‘I am sure there is more to come.’
‘Yes. I have no desire to be in Hertfordshire. I am all for choosing an estate—and this time I mean to purchase—a long way from London. Country pursuits interest me far more than attending balls and public performances. There is far better sport to be had out of Town.’
‘And did you have a county in mind?’
‘I plan to begin my search in Yorkshire as soon as I have left the twins at school. We shall be in neighbouring counties, Darcy.’
‘I shall look forward to it.’
They debated the various benefits of a country estate as they retraced their steps, and soon they were returned to the house, and Bingley followed Darcy inside.
‘I say, Darcy? Did you give any more thought to inviting the Bennets to dinner?’
Darcy wondered how his friend would feel if he knew just how much thought he was giving to the Bennets lately. ‘Yes. I thought once my cousin arrives? I will speak to Mrs Reynolds. Perhaps you would like to deliver the invitation in person?’
Bingley’s eyes brightened as he turned a beaming smile on his friend. ‘Capital notion, Darcy! I have seen but little of the family since our reacquaintance.’
Darcy sat to unfasten his boots as Bingley shrugged out of his coat, wondering what his friend would say if Darcy owned to having done quite the contrary.
~o0o~
Despite part of her mind refusing to forego Mr Darcy, Elizabeth enjoyed her tea with Georgiana. The conversation turned upon all sorts of matters as they sampled the delicacies put before them, from music to Elizabeth’s sisters and how they had settled at school, and then upon travelling, with Georgiana speaking of her year away from home and Elizabeth of her pleasure in her journey with her aunt and uncle in the year twelve.
They had talked, in truth, upon every subject but the one most prominent in Elizabeth’s mind. It was only as the clock on the mantel struck the hour of five she realised how late it was becoming and suggested to her hostess she ought to be heading home.
They walked towards the door, but then Georgiana turned towards Elizabeth with a smile. ‘I have enjoyed our time together immensely. Will you come again soon, Miss Bennet?’
Elizabeth raised a brow. ‘It would be a pleasure, but does your cousin not arrive this week? You cannot be wanting for company.’
Georgiana’s smile faded. ‘It is not long now until our other guests arrive.’
‘Dear Miss Darcy! I am sure it will not be as you expect.’ Elizabeth felt for her, but there was nothing of comfort she could offer beyond this, and they walked back towards the main entrance hall in silence.
Elizabeth could not help but glance down the opposite hallway before they turned towards the door leading to the boot room. There was no sign of Mr Darcy and no sound of music drifting through the air now.
‘He plays by ear.’
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. ‘Your brother?’
‘Perhaps you did not see.’ Georgiana turned to open the door. ‘You said you came upon him in the music room. There would have been no sheets of music before him—he has never learned to read it.’
‘Then I am doubly impressed!’ Elizabeth smiled wryly as they walked along the corridor. ‘I fear my own playing must have seemed laboured by comparison.’
Georgiana shook her head. ‘Not at all. I thought your playing delightful when we called at The Grange, and my brother told me...’ She hesitated as they entered the boot room. ‘He said your playing gave him great pleasure. He would not say so if he did not mean it.’
Warmth filling her cheeks at such unexpected praise, Elizabeth reached for her Spencer. So Mr Darcy had discussed her with his sister—but when?
‘Miss Latimer is a true proficient, so Fitz says.’ Georgiana sighed as Elizabeth turned to face her, still fastening her bonnet.
‘Then that is all to the good, is it not? You will bond over a common love of music.’
‘I do not know. It is of little comfort when he has nothing else to say in her favour other than praise her suitability to be his wife.’
This mention of Mr Darcy’s marital intentions brought a further silence upon both ladies, and Elizabeth turned for the door. Did she envy this faceless young lady? Is that what the strange discomfort consuming her hinted at?
‘It is not how he spoke of you, Miss Bennet.’
Elizabeth froze, her hand upon the door handle.
‘Oh! Forgive me.’
Drawing in a steadying breath, Elizabeth turned back to face Georgiana, whose countenance was expressive of her unease. Did she realise how affected Elizabeth felt by what she had said? Did she know of all that had transpired between her and Mr Darcy?
‘I did not mean to speak out of turn. It was thoughtless.’ Georgiana looked quite distressed.
‘Not at all; I suspect you comprehend something of my prior acquaintance with your brother?’ Coloured flooded Georgiana’s cheeks, and Elizabeth placed a hand on her arm. ‘Please, Miss Darcy, do not be upset. It is in the past. You have neither said nor done anything which is open to censure.’
Georgiana smiled tentatively. ‘Then—then you are not cross with me? You will consent to join me again another day? Very soon?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Desperate to escape the house, it was the last thing Elizabeth wished for, but her consideration for Georgiana’s feelings overrode this. ‘I shall look forward to it.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘There you are, Miss Lizzy!’ Alice greeted Elizabeth as soon as she entered the house. ‘The master has been in his library this past hour, and Miss Jane is resting in her chamber.’
‘How is she, Alice?’ Elizabeth handed her outdoor things to the housekeeper and then perched upon the settle to unfasten her boots.
‘A little better, though lacking in appetite. Cook is making up some more broth.’
Leaving her boots with Alice, Elizabeth hurried up the stairs and knocked lightly upon Jane’s door before entering.
‘It is good to see you out of bed.’
Jane sat beside a glowing fire, a shawl about her shoulders, and she gave her sister a resigned look as she came to sit opposite. ‘If Alice tries to force one more bowl of broth upon me... I have pretended sleep twice to avoid it.’
Elizabeth laughed. ‘Oh dear. Have they all been clucking around you like mother hens?’
‘I fear I shall be smothered by their kindness. So—how was your walk and your tea with Miss Darcy? Tell me all, for I am in want of diversion.’
Having debated with herself all the way home over how she felt about her afternoon, Elizabeth realised she could draw no decisive conclusion about those final moments with Miss Darcy.
‘The walk was most enjoyable, though you were sorely missed by us all, especially the Miss Bingleys.’
Jane settled herself more comfortably against the armchair. ‘And did you see either of the gentlemen?’
Thrown in an instant back to the moment she had come across Mr Darcy in the music room, colour flooded Elizabeth’s cheeks, and Jane’s eyes widened. ‘You did, and I suspect it was Mr Darcy you saw! Lizzy, why are you blushing so?’
‘I am not!’ Elizabeth rose and hurried over to the washstand. ‘It is merely the heat from the flames. I find i
t too much.’ She quickly splashed some cold water on her cheeks and grabbed a towel, but as she raised her eyes to look in the mirror, she could see Jane smirking at her from her chair by the fire.
‘If you do not tell me what has occurred, I shall be forced to tickle you into submission.’
Dropping the towel onto the washstand, Elizabeth turned about and met her sister’s amused eye.
‘I am gratified I am providing you with some amusement.’ She sighed. ‘I came upon him when I least expected it, disturbed him in a private moment. And then, he took me to his sister.’
Jane eyed her sister’s still pink cheeks for a moment. ‘Hmm, then if that is all, you are concealing something else, not only from me, but from yourself.’
Walking back across the room, Elizabeth re-took her seat and then stared into the flames. How could she explain anything to her sister when she barely understood it herself?
‘Miss Darcy seems to comprehend some of what happened—between me and her brother, that is.’ She looked back at Jane, who looked surprised.
‘Did she speak openly of it?’
‘No—not as such. She made it obvious he had spoken of me, but whether that is in the recent or the distant past, I know not—nor what may have been said.’
Jane leaned forward in her seat. ‘But think, Lizzy. Whatever it was, it cannot have made her think ill of you.’
‘And thus I am confused.’ Elizabeth sighed. ‘You must recall my somewhat challenging relationship with the gentleman when you were staying at Netherfield? One of our many exchanges touched upon resentment; his resentment. He stated that his good opinion, once lost, is gone forever.’
‘And this causes you confusion?’ Jane settled back against her cushions again. ‘How so?’
‘Because I fail to understand how my strongly worded refusal of his hand, the unfounded accusations I threw at him regarding Wickham, could leave him with anything but a low regard for me.’
A Quest for Mr Darcy Page 17