Viola sighed. ‘But how romantic, to be rescued by Mr Darcy.’
‘And though we would not wish you to be lost, we are also pleased because it brought you back to Pemberley again.’
Warmed by the sentiment, Elizabeth allowed herself to be dragged over to a chair by the hearth, greeting Eleanor and Georgiana as she passed them.
‘We are to remain here all day; you will stay, will you not? It is our last one.’
‘I believe I must stay until the gentlemen return.’ Elizabeth glanced over at the windows. ‘I had hoped to walk in the grounds a little.’
Olivia clapped her hands together. ‘There is such entertainment planned, is there not, Georgiana?’
Elizabeth looked over to where Georgiana sat, and she nodded. ‘Mrs Reynolds is organising some of the footmen to prepare the croquet lawn for us, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Latimer has asked for the target to be brought, for she wishes to practise her archery.’
‘And Miss Latimer has agreed to let us practise too!’
Eying Olivia and Viola warily, Elizabeth caught Eleanor’s eye. Had she thought through the wisdom of handing the twins a bow and arrow?
‘And we are to picnic, for though the lawn remains a little damp, they are to bring tables.’ Viola beamed at Elizabeth, who could not help but smile in return.
‘And chairs for us all!’ Olivia’s countenance bore an identical smile. ‘Is it not a splendid way of passing the day?’
~o0o~
Darcy was pacing to and fro in the front parlour, trying to curb his impatience, both over being confined to the house and playing a waiting game. He wished to think of nothing but Elizabeth, to be in her company. He had been in love with her for so long, and to finally secure her, to know her heart was truly his, ought to bring them both nothing but delight. Even without it being his design, Wickham was managing to keep them apart, distracting them from the happiness they ought to be sharing.
What was Elizabeth doing with herself? Darcy smiled faintly as he turned to walk back across the room. Seeing her earlier had been an unexpected pleasure, and he had half expected her to ignore his instruction to remain at Pemberley and follow them to her home, but he was relieved she had not. He wanted her nowhere near Wickham ever again!
Turning on his heel, he continued to pace. It had been strange to break his fast at The Grange, seated with his cousin and friend and only Mr Bennet and his eldest daughter for company. It seemed Lydia kept to her room still, and though Mr Bennet intimated there had been some improvement in her manner towards him, Darcy suspected there remained some underlying currents within the house.
He glanced at the clock as it chimed the hour of eleven. Mr Bennet had returned now to his library, but Miss Bennet had invited them to join her in the drawing room. With his cousin declining, saying he would keep watch from the narrow hall window, Darcy had also made his escape, thankful he was not obliged to sit around making polite conversation. Bingley had seemed perfectly content to keep Jane company, suggesting they play cards, and Darcy recalled suddenly his declaration the previous day of needing to speak to the lady. With his departure imminent, was his friend thinking of proposing?
The newness of his own engagement to Elizabeth quickly took possession of Darcy. He wanted this matter with Wickham over and done with, so he could return to her side. Should he speak to Mr Bennet whilst he was here? What if he refused his consent?
Darcy paced back across the room. Surely Mr Bennet would not deny him? On what possible grounds might he do so? Beware, he cautioned himself. Such certainty was what led to your downfall with the lady but eighteen months ago.’
He looked up as the door opened, and his cousin came into the room. ‘The stable lad has reported no sightings other than the usual: farm workers and their carts, and a smart carriage passing through containing several gentlemen.’
‘Where the devil is he, Cousin?’
‘Wickham never was an early riser from choice, Darce.’ The colonel looked over at the long case clock against the far wall and frowned. ‘Though it is barely an hour’s ride from Buxton, if that.’
‘Perhaps he is waiting at the agreed meeting place again, assuming Bennet was delayed obtaining funds? We know where to look now—should one of us go there?’
‘Do not start to second-guess his whereabouts, Darcy. The plan we have in place at present is the best option for today.’
His cousin walked over to Darcy and studied his face thoughtfully. ‘There is something altered about you.’ The colonel narrowed his gaze. ‘Your distraction last evening was excessive. Did you know you were staring at nothing for most of it?’ He grunted. ‘And smiling every now and again, as though you were looking at...’
Darcy threw him a wary glance, but the colonel smacked his hand to his forehead. ‘You did it! You finally asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet for her hand.’ He laughed. ‘And I will wager from the besotted look upon your face, she accepted you this time.’
‘Please keep it to yourself, Cousin. I have yet to speak to Bennet.’
The colonel clapped Darcy on the back. ‘Congratulations! You managed to find the right words and put them in the correct order this time, then?’
For a moment, Darcy reflected upon the proposal he had blurted out to Elizabeth. Perhaps not the words he had intended, but they seemed to have sufficed. A slow smile touched his mouth as he recalled what had followed, and his cousin snorted.
‘Hmm, I see I have assumed correctly. Well, man, what are you waiting for?’
‘I cannot return to Pemberley until we are done with Wickham.’
‘No, you dunderhead! I am not talking of being reunited with the lady.’ The colonel nodded towards the door. ‘Is not this the perfect opportunity to formalise matters? Bennet is at leisure, is he not?’
With his cousin’s forceful hand upon his shoulder, Darcy found himself outside the library before he had time to gather his thoughts over how to approach the gentleman, but he was allowed no respite. His cousin, observing his hesitation, rapped loudly on the door and opened it before giving him a gentle shove in the back to send him inside.
Chapter Seventy-Eight
The ever-obliging footmen, under the watchful eye of Mrs Reynolds, had soon set up a table covered with a white linen cloth and filled it with a tempting array of delicacies, cake and fruit. The ladies drifted to and fro, selecting various offerings and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather whilst the croquet lawn was prepared, and Elizabeth was amused to see the twins studying the archery target—set up a suitable distant away—with great interest.
Then, she sighed. They were indulging in such innocent and undemanding pursuits, yet the gentlemen were potentially facing down a man of mean proclivities with no compunction for the harm his actions might bring upon others. She looked around at the pleasant scene and drew in a shallow breath. Her heart ached, and she wished so badly for some news from The Grange, but it would not answer to allow her distraction to be seen by the others.
Pinning a smile on her face, Elizabeth walked over to where a maid was preparing tea and soon fell into conversation with Georgiana over the pleasures of spending autumn in the country.
Eleanor Latimer showed herself to be a great proficient at archery and then exhibited even greater patience in her attempts to guide both Olivia and Viola in the art. Their failure to hit the target seemed to bother them not, however, if their peals of laughter were any indication. Elizabeth, observing from a safe distance, was pleased to see the lady’s smiles. It seemed Eleanor was continuing to come out of her self-imposed exile, and it surely would only be to her benefit.
Once the amusement was exhausted, however, the bow and arrows were put aside and both girls hurried inside for their books and pencils, and Elizabeth walked over to where Eleanor had taken a seat beside Georgiana.
‘We are to play croquet, Miss Latimer. Would you care to join us? We could play singles.’ Elizabeth waved an arm towards the neat stretch of grass at the top of the lawn maintained for such a purpose.
; Eleanor looked over her shoulder, then back to Elizabeth. ‘I have not played in such a long time.’
‘Nor have I.’ Elizabeth laughed. ‘Though I am certain your aim will be truer than mine, ma’am, having observed your skill with a bow and arrow!’ She turned to Georgiana. ‘You will have to take your place as instructress now, Miss Darcy, and aid Miss Latimer and I in improving our game.’
The ladies all walked up the bank and selected a mallet from the wooden box, and Elizabeth paused to look at the sky as the others made their way to the far end of the lawn. Judging by the sun’s position, it must be nearly midday, and still there was no sign of Mr Darcy. How quickly her anxiety resurfaced the moment she was able to reflect!
‘Miss Elizabeth! Do come!’
Turning around, Elizabeth summoned a smile and waved her mallet. ‘I shall be with you directly.’
Distraction was welcome in any form. If she did not have company, she surely would have run mad!
~o0o~
Mr Bennet, stood by his desk perusing an open ledger, had looked up as Darcy came into the room. ‘Is he here?’
‘Er—no; no sign as yet.’
The gentleman grunted and returned his attention to his book, and Darcy closed the door on his cousin’s smug face before turning back.
‘Mr Bennet? Sir?’
The gentleman looked up again, then frowned. ‘What is it?’
‘I—er...’ Darcy swallowed hard and tugged at the restraint of his neck cloth. Why did it suddenly seem so constricting? ‘I have developed a deep affection for your daughter, sir; Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am come to ask your consent to marry her.’
Mr Bennet stared at Darcy, his mouth slightly agape, then sank into the chair behind his desk, his air and countenance indicative of his surprise.
Darcy eyed him warily. ‘Sir?’
There was no immediate reaction, but then Mr Bennet stirred in his seat.
‘You wish to marry my Lizzy? And... and does she comprehend your intentions? Approve of them?’
‘Yes, sir. Miss Elizabeth has accepted my hand.’ Darcy hesitated. ‘We have a mutual admiration, Mr Bennet. I am sure you comprehend your daughter well enough to know she would not be coerced into accepting the hand of someone she did not wish to marry.’
Mr Bennet grunted. ‘Of that I am well aware, young man.’ He met Darcy’s gaze, then smiled faintly. ‘Did Lizzy regale you with the tale of her cousin’s proposal?’
Darcy stared at him incredulously. Not the nonsensical parson, surely?
‘I see she did not. Well, suffice it to say, you are correct. She would not be coerced for her own sake, but things are much altered from how they were then. Lizzy is no fool; she may now be considering the impact of a refusal upon others beyond herself.’
Tension was making its hold felt in Darcy’s shoulders, and he flexed them. ‘Miss Elizabeth did not accept out of duty, sir. She assures me her affections are engaged.’
Mr Bennet raised a brow. ‘My late wife made no secret of her desire to settle her daughters, and whilst I am not of her inclination, I will own to having realised lately how precarious the girls’ situation is.’
Darcy knew there was more to come. ‘But, sir?’
‘But this attachment to Lizzy seems to have arisen from nowhere.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘How can either of you be certain of the depth or longevity of your affection? Beyond a limited two-month acquaintance in Hertfordshire two years ago, you have been reacquainted little more than a few weeks! Lizzy can be impetuous, but you, sir, are not a man I would associate with rash behaviour.’
It seemed Darcy would have to lay himself bare to convince the gentleman, and in as succinct a manner as possible, he spoke of how his interest in Elizabeth had begun in Hertfordshire, only to increase in Kent, so much so he had offered his hand and been thoroughly rejected. Mr Bennet’s astonishment was profound; however, it was evident this information roused his interest. Having concluded with saying his admiration for Elizabeth had remained constant and was now returned, Darcy fell silent, keen for the gentleman’s reaction.
Mr Bennet got to his feet. ‘This is unfathomable.’ He stared at Darcy for a moment, then shook his head. ‘And all this Lizzy kept from me!’ He walked over to the hearth, then turned around and raised a brow. ‘You are willingly attaching yourself to this family when you are privy to all our failings?’
‘I am, sir.’
‘Well, then, Mr Darcy. You have gone up in my esteem. It is good to know a gentleman whom I have grown to admire and respect can be as much a fool as any man when he falls in love.’
Darcy took the hit with good grace. ‘You are as cryptic as your daughter, sir. Is this your consent?’
Mr Bennet walked back to stand before Darcy. His air and countenance had altered, all hint of disbelief removed. ‘If Lizzy is as certain of this as you are, sir, then I can think of no finer outcome. Yes—you have my consent, though I do wish to speak to my daughter before the matter is formalised.’
‘Of course, sir. I had hoped...’
The door burst open, and both gentlemen turned around. Tension gripped Darcy’s shoulders anew as he took in his cousin’s serious expression.
‘The stable lad reports a man on horseback coming down the lane at speed. I think we may have him.’
~o0o~
Elizabeth watched Georgiana place a perfect shot, the ball rolling straight through the hoop, then frowned as she heard Olivia and Viola accosting one of the footmen. They had emerged from the house, their books clasped to their chests, and they awaited the footman’s return a few minutes later bearing a sturdy set of stepladders, and Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Georgiana and Eleanor, who had also turned to watch.
‘Excuse me a moment, ladies.’
She hurried over to join the twins as they reached a large oak tree on the edge of the woodland, and the footman wasted no time in putting the ladder in position at its base.
‘Miss Olivia! Miss Viola!’ The girls looked around. ‘I am not certain this is one of your better notions, girls.’
Viola’s expression was earnest. ‘Oh, but Miss Elizabeth, you know how we love to sit awhile in a tree, and this one has a perch wide enough for us both. One is able to see so much more of the world from up there.’ She gestured towards a low-hanging branch of ample girth.
‘It may be our last opportunity.’ Olivia assumed a despondent air. ‘Please, Miss Elizabeth. You would not deny us our last chance—ever—to be in the trees? Once we are turned into fine young ladies, we will no longer be able to indulge in such childlike pursuits.’
Recalling her own fondness for tree climbing as a child, something she had given up with at least as much reluctance as the twins were exhibiting, Elizabeth turned to the footman. ‘Would you be so obliging as to check this proposed perch for safety?’
‘Of course, ma’am.’ Clearly relishing the undertaking, the footman scaled the ladder and sat astride the branch. Then, to the twins’ delight, he bounced up and down a few times on it. ‘I declare it perfectly safe, ma’am.’
A round of applause greeted him as he jumped the last few steps to solid ground, and Elizabeth had to smile at the young man’s smooth assumption of his role, brushing a few dried leaves from his coat sleeve, bowing formally to them all, and making his stately way back down the lawn to the house.
‘I suspect the young boy in him could not resist an airing!’ Elizabeth turned back to the twins, who were almost quivering in their anticipation. ‘Promise me this: you will take the utmost care, you will not do as the young man did and bounce up and down, but will sit composedly with your backs against the trunk so there is no risk of a fall.’
They nodded in unison before both stepping forward to hug Elizabeth tightly.
‘We so wish you were our sister, Miss Elizabeth.’ Viola straightened first, her expression wistful. ‘You would be much more to our taste; our own would never make such concessions.’
‘You have been so kind to us.’ Olivia releas
ed her hold on Elizabeth. ‘We are sorry to lose your company.’
Elizabeth smiled at their uncharacteristically solemn faces. ‘You have become very dear to me, and I will miss you when you go to Harrogate, but I am certain our paths will cross again, for are you not to return to Derbyshire when school closes for the Christmas season?’
A smile spread across Olivia’s features. ‘Yes! Of course!’
‘Miss Elizabeth?’ She turned to Viola. ‘We had hoped—once...’ she glanced at her sister, who nodded. ‘For you to wed our brother, but we have come to realise he has an affection for your own sister.’
‘But we thought it might be possible for you to marry Mr Darcy instead! Then, you would always be at Pemberley when we visit.’
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew warm at the thought of her marriage to the gentleman and making Pemberley her home, and the twins exchanged delighted looks.
‘We think Mr Darcy rather likes you, Miss Elizabeth.’
‘Shall we help you to secure him? He is sorely in need of a wife, and we think you would make him a very good one.’
‘I—er—no; I think it might be best if you turn your attention to your own amusement for now.’ Elizabeth was not prepared to indulge them any further, and she walked over to hold the ladder steady. ‘You will not descend without someone holding the ladder for you—do you promise?’
They both nodded again and scaled the ladder as decorously as such a thing was possible. Elizabeth passed a blanket up to them, which they laid across the widest part of the solid branch before settling upon it, their backs secure against the trunk, and then, at their request, she handed them their books and pencils and a large linen napkin in which they had wrapped a selection of sweetmeats and a couple of apples.
Leaving them talking in excited whispers, Elizabeth walked back across the lawn to where Georgiana awaited her.
‘It is your shot, Miss Elizabeth. Try to hit the ball a little more firmly.’
Picking up her mallet, Elizabeth lined up the ball and tapped it with more force than she had previously, and it shot off across the manicured stretch of lawn, rebounding off her targeted hoop and gaining momentum as it rolled under the line of trees, coming to rest not far from the twins’ lofty perch.
A Quest for Mr Darcy Page 52