Darcy stared at his friend, struggling for the right words. ‘I- I am...er...’
‘He is in between a cliff and a chasm, Bingley.’ The colonel winked and Bingley laughed. ‘Not off the market per se, but not entirely on it, either!’
Chapter Thirty-Five
After passing her outdoor things to Alice, Elizabeth tapped on the library door, then peered around it. Her father was engrossed in a book in the leather armchair beside the hearth, but he looked up as she entered the room.
‘How was your walk, my dear?’
‘Most pleasing, Papa, though it has now turned to rain.’
Mr Bennet looked over towards the window and frowned. ‘I thought it had become dark for so early in the day.’
‘Where is Jane? Alice says she is not in the drawing room or the sitting room.’ How she needed her sister’s comforting ear and counsel for her tumultuous feelings!
‘Ah. Yes.’ Mr Bennet shifted in his seat a little and then peered at Elizabeth over the top of his spectacles. ‘I suspect she may be in her chamber.’
Elizabeth frowned. ‘Is she feeling unwell again?’
‘I suggest you speak to your sister, Lizzy.’ With that, he turned his attention back to his book and knowing she was dismissed, Elizabeth hurried from the room and up the stairs.
She paused outside Jane’s door, uncertain of what to share with her sister but keen to talk to someone about her encounter with Mr Darcy, but before she could tap upon it, it swung open.
‘Oh, Lizzy! I thought I heard you. Quick, come inside.’ Grabbing her arm, Jane all but dragged Elizabeth into the room and closed the door with a snap.
‘Good heavens! What is it?’ Her sister looked pale and hugged a shawl about her shoulders. ‘Does your ailment return?’ Elizabeth smirked. ‘Shall I order some broth to be sent up?’
Jane turned and walked back to the bed and perched upon its edge. ‘I am quite well, Lizzy. I am feeling a little... distressed.’
‘What has happened?’
Raising troubled eyes to her sister, Jane smiled tremulously. ‘It is Mr Wentworth. He has proposed marriage.’
‘Oh, Jane!’ Elizabeth hurried over to sit beside her sister. ‘And was it... did you... how did you respond?’
‘I asked him to give me time to think on it.’ Jane raised anxious eyes to Elizabeth. ‘I cannot believe it has happened; you and I only spoke of the possibility yesterday.’
It was clearly not the moment to seek her sister’s comfort for her own cares, and Elizabeth pushed them aside as she took one of Jane’s hands in her own. ‘Dear Jane! If only he were as unpleasant as Mr Collins; it would have been so much easier for you to refuse him.’
With a rueful smile, Jane squeezed her sister’s hand. ‘I do not know what to do, Lizzy. I have had no intention of accepting. Yet...’
Elizabeth peered into her sister’s uneasy face. ‘Yet? What is altered?’
‘Apart from it being nigh on impossible to reject such a man, when he is speaking words of love, when it is obvious his affections are engaged?’
With a soft laugh, Elizabeth nodded. ‘A dilemma indeed! Yet you cannot accept a man simply because you feel sorry for him, no matter how earnest his application.’
‘No; I would not. I will own to having asked for time because I was unprepared... I did not perceive his intent this morning. But since then, I have begun to doubt the wisdom of a refusal.’
‘Dear Jane,’ Elizabeth smiled affectionately at her sister. ‘Only you could be surprised by inspiring affection in a gentleman!’ Then, she frowned. ‘But why do you now doubt yourself? You were perfectly clear in your intentions yesterday.’
Jane got to her feet. ‘Because of Papa.’
‘Papa? I do not understand.’
She walked over to the window and stared out, and Elizabeth got to her feet and joined her.
‘Mr Wentworth went to our father first.’ Jane turned to face her sister. ‘After the gentleman had gone, Papa came to me, and I am certain he expected the matter to have been resolved. When I informed him of my desire to think on Mr Wentworth’s offer, he looked quite taken aback. And he said... it was most singular, Lizzy; not at all like Papa.’
Elizabeth smiled. ‘So he did not say, ‘well, Jane, as I am in good health and have no immediate commitment to engage in a duel or race my carriage, I suspect you have time yet on your side’?’
‘Not at all.’
Elizabeth’s smile faded as she took in Jane’s uneasy air and countenance. ‘Well, then?’
‘He said,’ Jane bit her lip. ‘He said that though he would never insist on my marrying against my will, he was keen for both of us to secure a situation as soon as possible.’
‘Singular indeed! It does not sound like Papa at all. Was it one of his teases?’
Jane shook her head. ‘He seemed... almost defeated; tired and weary. Lizzy,’ Jane met her sister’s worried glance. ‘It was as though he felt time was short, that he wished to be assured of our welfare.’
Elizabeth looked out of the window. She could not account for her father’s words or demeanour. ‘We are no more at risk than when Mama was alive. She could not have saved us financially if anything had happened to Papa.’ She turned back and met Jane’s gaze. ‘I wonder why he is so set upon seeing us settled now?’
‘I may have misinterpreted him. I was a little agitated by what had occurred.’ Jane shrugged lightly. ‘Besides, the moment passed the instant he had spoken; he said to pay him no mind.’
‘So, when do you see Mr Wentworth? Did you give a time by when you would tell him your decision?’
Jane shook her head. ‘He did not press me; he said he would wait for as long as I wished in hopes of a favourable outcome.’
Elizabeth raised a brow. ‘He could not have spoken in a more fitting way.’
‘Indeed.’ Jane rolled her eyes, and Elizabeth laughed. ‘Dear Lizzy! Please help me to make the right decision!’
Elizabeth gave her a quick hug. ‘I am in no position to offer advice, Jane. Of the two proposals I have received, I refused both. The first, on the grounds of common sense, and the second...’ she paused, then smiled ruefully. ‘Neither situation can compare to this. Though in fairness, Mr Darcy did not present his case overly well!’
Jane laughed, and turned back towards the bed to retrieve her shawl. ‘No, indeed! Then, shall I do as I said I would, and let my heart dictate my answer?’
Elizabeth crossed the room to join her sister. ‘If I could advise you, I would say so, but I appreciate it may not be wise in our present circumstances. Poor Mama—she must be turning in her grave!’
~o0o~
When Elizabeth woke on Saturday morning, the rain had ceased but as she fastened the shutters, she sighed. It was evident there would be no chance of a picnic today with the ground so completely sodden. The ferocity of her disappointment surprised her, and she turned away from the window in an ill humour.
As she broke her fast with her father and sister, Elizabeth endeavoured to overcome her lowness of spirit, thankful her father maintained his silence and made no mention of Mr Wentworth or his call. Though it was Jane’s decision to make, their talk about following one’s heart had stayed with Elizabeth through a long night, and she wished for no reminder of it this morning.
As it was, Mr Bennet seemed entirely focused on their pressing need to return the calls of those who had waited upon them during the past se’nnight.
‘I am pleased you are well again, Jane. Though in principle, I have little time for the ceremony of paying visits.’
‘Ah, Alice.’ Mr Bennet turned in his seat as the housekeeper entered the room. ‘Would you be so good as to ask Higgins to arrange for the carriage to be brought round? We have some calls to make this morning.’
‘Of course.’ Alice walked over and handed a note to him. ‘From Pemberley, sir, just delivered by a footman.’
Elizabeth looked expectantly to her father as he read the note.
‘We stand co
rrected, girls.’ Mr Bennet looked up at his daughters. ‘This note is from Mr Darcy. It seems the Miss Bingleys have a contingency plan: the picnic is to go ahead indoors.’
Elizabeth glanced at the clock. ‘Shall we have time to make all our calls, Papa?’
‘We have time to call upon Sir Charles and Squire Sellwood today, my dear. We are not due at Pemberley until this afternoon, after all.’
Elizabeth smiled widely at her sister. ‘An indoor picnic! Whatever should one wear for such an outing?’
‘You may discuss the matter once we are in the carriage, Lizzy.’ Mr Bennet got to his feet. ‘There is no time for exploring your closet just now if we are to return home in good time.’
Mr Bennet was as good as his word. They made their calls expeditiously, though they tarried a while with Sir Charles and Lady Araminta. The former, who took pride in showing the gentleman his impressive library, suitably engaged Mr Bennet. This left the ladies to be entertained by the latter, whose enthusiasm for the approaching ball was infectious. Elizabeth hoped Mr Darcy would be in attendance, but she did not feel she could ask the question. The gentleman had an aversion to such activity; would he stay away?
Before long, however, their farewells were made and they were returned to The Grange, where Jane and Elizabeth spent a while selecting what to wear and then hurried down to hand everything to Alice for an airing and a thorough brushing.
Leaving Jane to discuss supper plans with the cook, Elizabeth walked back into the hallway, then came to a halt outside her father’s library. She had promised Georgiana a copy of the novel she had just finished, so they might discuss it on their next walk, and as it no longer lay where she had discarded it, she could only assume it had been returned to a shelf.
She hesitated outside the door. At Longbourn, her father had welcomed her into his domain. Indeed, she had felt quite at liberty to come and go as she pleased. Now, she felt as though she ought to ask permission. Elizabeth tapped on the door, but there was no response, and she opened it and peered inside. Her father was in an armchair beside the hearth, and he appeared to be sleeping.
With a frown, Elizabeth entered, leaving the door ajar. ‘Papa?’ she whispered.
He opened one eye, then the other and sat up in his chair. ‘What is it, child?’
Hurrying over, Elizabeth took his hand. ‘Are you unwell, Papa? It is not like you to sleep during the day.’
Mr Bennet smiled. ‘There is nothing ailing me a good night’s rest would not cure, my dear. I am merely tired from not sleeping well.’
‘What is it that disturbs your rest? Is there anything Jane or I can do to assist?’
‘Not at all, Lizzy. Now,’ he fixed her with a firm eye. ‘Let us talk no more of me. To what do I owe the honour of your visit?’
Elizabeth gestured towards the far wall, which was entirely made of shelves crammed with books. ‘I am looking for a particular book; do I disturb you if I seek it now? I wish to lend it to Miss Darcy this afternoon.’
‘Not at all.’ Mr Bennet got to his feet and walked over to tug the bell pull. ‘It is time for a nice cup of Alice’s tea, I believe, and then we must ready ourselves.’
It did not take Elizabeth long to find the missing novel, and she turned back to cross the room just as Alice entered with the tray of tea for her father. As she passed the desk in the centre of the room, however, her skirt caught on the corner and a couple of books perched on the edge tumbled to the floor, out of one of which fell a small piece of paper.
She bent quickly to pick everything up, but as she placed the books back on the desk, she glanced at the paper she still held.
‘What do you do, child!’ Mr Bennet’s sharp tone caused Elizabeth to start, and she looked up to find her father walking rapidly over, his countenance indicative of his displeasure. ‘Give that to me, Lizzy.’ He almost snatched the thin, folded paper from her.
‘Mr Bennet! Sir!’ He glared at Alice who had been about to leave the room. ‘Twas an accident. Miss Lizzy meant no harm by it.’
Elizabeth stared at the paper in her father’s hand. ‘Tis merely a receipt, Papa, and nothing of consequence.’
Mr Bennet drew in a long breath, then he seemed to deflate as the energy went out of him.
‘Forgive me, child.’ He patted Elizabeth awkwardly on the shoulder. ‘I do not mean to shout.’
Alice merely grunted, grabbed Elizabeth’s arm and almost dragged her from the room.
‘The master has more mood swings than the butcher’s hound in heat.’
Unable to help herself, Elizabeth laughed, but she quickly sobered, glancing back towards the library door, which had firmly closed behind them.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Darcy surveyed the orangery with interest. As a concession to the picnic taking place indoors, Olivia and Viola had asked for the wrought iron furniture to be arranged around an extensive rug which had been placed on the floor, the large plant holders all pushed back against the floor-to-ceiling windows.
He smiled as he watched the twins firmly managing the footmen, as they directed them here and there with their burdens. They were lively girls, a little too lively at times, but their good humour was infectious and their manners, when they remembered to employ them, exemplary. It was clear they would, once they had acquired the finishing touches of the Harrogate seminary, be welcome company anywhere.
‘All is ready, sir.’ Mrs Reynolds came to stand beside Darcy, and for a moment they both watched Olivia and Viola as they made a final check of their arrangements before asking the footmen to bring some cushions for the seating. ‘They are so delighted the weather did not thwart their plans entirely.’
Darcy smiled. ‘I am pleased the house was able to deliver a substitute which fully answered their wishes.’
Mrs Reynolds excused herself and followed the footmen from the room, instructing them on which cushions to retrieve and from where. In her place came Colonel Fitzwilliam, followed shortly by Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, and the ladies were quickly hailed by the twins and invited to join them in their final arrangements.
‘So, how are you feeling, Darce?’
Darcy threw his cousin a puzzled look. ‘Feeling? What do you mean?’
‘Here is another heaven-sent opportunity to further your cause with Miss Elizabeth Bennet!’
‘I have told you, Fitzwilliam, I will do this in my own way.’
‘But you are going to try, all the same? I understand your hands being tied until the Latimers arrive, but we are not talking of proposing here, Darcy; merely letting the lady see you like her.’ The colonel fixed his cousin with a stern eye. ‘If I do not see you making an attempt, I will step in and address matters!’
Darcy paled. ‘Promise me you will not speak out of turn, Cousin.’
The colonel affected a surprised look. ‘Me? Speak out of turn? I cannot comprehend your meaning at all, old chap.’
‘Fitzwilliam!’
‘At ease, Darce! I merely seek to reel you in, and you are such easy bait. I will do my best, but one cannot account for how a conversation might turn. They have a tendency to diversify beyond one’s own control or intent.’
‘The Bennets are here!’ Bingley’s head appeared around the doorway. ‘Shall I greet them and bring them along?’
Relief filled Darcy. He had not been confident Mr Bennet would consider an indoor picnic worth his time and effort. ‘If you would, please, Bingley.’
They watched him leave before the colonel continued. ‘I give you my word, Darcy. I shall speak nothing but sense to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and make no mention of flowers, favours or engagements—supposed or otherwise.’ The colonel gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘You have no concept of the hardship you place me under in avoiding such topics. Thank heavens you leave me with lace.’
There was a commotion behind them then as Bingley ushered the Bennets into the room. He glanced at his cousin, but to his surprise he had walked over to Viola and was whispering something to her, and she nodded and quick
ly greeted Mr Bennet and the ladies before slipping from the room.
Turning back, his eye was drawn to Elizabeth, only to find she was watching him, and he stepped forward.
‘Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. Welcome. I believe I ought to hand you over to your young hosts, but before doing so there is an introduction to make.’
His cousin had returned to his side, and Darcy quickly did the necessary to acquaint him with Mr and Miss Bennet, then realised none of the family had been presented to Mrs Annesley, and he invited the lady to join them as Viola slipped back into the room, her sketching pad tucked under her arm.
‘Mr Bennet,’ Darcy looked to the gentleman, but he did not seem to hear him, his gaze fixed as it was on the lady at his side. ‘Sir?’
With a start, Mr Bennet sent him an apologetic look. ‘Forgive me, Mr Darcy.’
‘Please allow me to present my sister’s companion, Mrs Annesley.’
The ladies and Mr Bennet exchanged acknowledgements, but then, to everyone’s surprise, the latter said, ‘Our paths have crossed before, though we have not been formally introduced.’
There was faint colour in the lady’s cheeks, but she met Darcy’s eye steadily and nodded. ‘Indeed we have. We frequent the same book shop in Lambton and have occasionally discussed our reading choices.’
Elizabeth exchanged a look with her sister, but there was no time for Darcy to speculate upon this, for Olivia and Viola now declared the afternoon fully in their hands and announced it time to be seated.
‘Do come along!’ They quickly ushered the ladies into the seats they had declared were the perfect fit for each individual, though they failed to enlighten anyone as to why.
‘Come, Mr Darcy, sir!’ Viola hailed him, and he walked over to join her. ‘You are to sit here.’ She waved her arm with a flourish and Darcy did as he was bid and sat next to where Miss Bennet had already been placed, receiving a warm smile and a ‘well done’ from his young guide.
He glanced around the orangery. Bingley had been seated with Elizabeth on the opposite side of the large rug, and he had already engaged her in conversation. Mr Bennet and Mrs Annesley had been allocated a place upon a stone bench to his right, and the twins were now turning their attention to his cousin, encouraging him to take the seat beside Georgiana to his left, making up a square around the rug.
A Quest for Mr Darcy Page 23