by APRIL FLOYD
After a glance in the mirror, she hurried from her room and along the hall to meet Lady Anne. She did not wish to disappoint her by being late. At the stairs, she glanced down to adjust her skirts and startled as a pair of large, warm hands found her own. Her breath caught, and she stifled a scream.
“Miss Bennet, what are you doing at Pemberley?” Mr. Darcy’s deep, rich, voice and the touch of his hands sent a delicious thrill through her body. She faltered for words as Lady Anne approached.
“William, you have come home.”
She came and stood beside Elizabeth and gazed proudly at her son. Mr. Darcy took his mother’s hand and kissed it gently, the worry in his eyes plain.
“Yes, Mother. I finished my business in Town. I was unaware you were entertaining a guest.”
Lady Anne smiled and took Elizabeth’s arm in her own. “Come along to the breakfast parlor and I will introduce you to the lovely Miss Bennet of Brambling Hall. She came to us in a predicament yesterday, she did.”
Lady Anne winked at Elizabeth and led her downstairs. Her heart was still racing at the unexpected meeting with Mr. Darcy. She felt his eyes upon the nape of her neck as they gained the breakfast parlor.
It was clear his mother was unaware of their acquaintance in Hertfordshire and Elizabeth did not find fault with the man for that slight. Their brief meetings would have proven forgettable at the loss of his dear sister, swallowed whole as he was by the consuming tide of grief.
3
Lady Anne waited while Mr. Darcy pulled out her chair as a footman helped Elizabeth to be seated. The twinkle in his mother’s eye had returned and Elizabeth noticed color in her cheeks which had not been present the day before.
Having her remaining child home wrought a dramatic change in Lady Anne. Elizabeth suspected it was the only happiness the woman found within these lovely yet lonely walls.
“Mother, Miss Bennet and I met in Hertfordshire before Charles married her sister Jane Bennet. From my recollection of that time, she was quite capable in her wanderings. I cannot imagine she required rescue.”
Mr. Darcy glanced at her and Lady Anne spoke of Elizabeth’s disastrous arrival. “I was gazing from my window upstairs when I saw her descend the path from the top of the hill. I hoped she might be coming to tour the home, but she stopped at the lake. I arose and crossed the room for my wrap with the hope I might go out and meet her.”
Elizabeth was annoyed by the bright stain which crept up her neck to settle in her cheeks. “I only wished to wet my feet. The water was welcoming after a long walk.”
Mr. Darcy smiled and bit his tongue. He recalled the mischievous nature of Elizabeth Bennet well, particularly the time she had walked from Longbourn to Netherfield when her sister fell ill during a visit with Caroline Bingley.
Lady Anne’s voice contained a hint of mirth as she proceeded with her account and Mr. Darcy found it nothing short of amazing after the months without respite from her grief.
“You might imagine my surprise when I returned to the window and saw her tumble into the lake. I raised a great noise and brought the servants from all corners of the house to save the dear girl.”
Mr. Darcy nodded his approval. “What good fortune, Miss Bennet, that mother happened to see you before your situation grew dire. I know not how we might explain the loss of a young lady to the depths of our treacherous lake.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly at Mr. Darcy. His jest did not trouble her heart even for a moment. She found his mother to be of a certain influence upon her own behavior. “Why Mr. Darcy, I would have gotten free of the lake, I assure you. But your footman was brave and your mother insisted upon a most lavish recovery. I have never received such kindness.”
Lady Anne laughed aloud and looked to her son. “William, is she not the most clever girl? Much more so than that Miss Bingley. I wish to prevail upon Miss Bennet to stay at Pemberley with me for a time. Would you see her home to Brambling Hall and inform Charles Bingley of my wishes?”
Mr. Darcy smiled broadly. The tension in his shoulders eased and Elizabeth felt he might have breathed a sigh of relief at his mother’s words. The slight towards Miss Bingley amused her and she wondered what Lady Anne was about with such an aside in the conversation. Her memory of Miss Bingley certainly fit with Lady Anne’s opinion.
“Mr. Darcy has just returned home and I would not have him leave your side on my account, Lady Anne. I shall go to Brambling Hall myself and return. I would be pleased to visit with you here at Pemberley. It is a most generous invitation.”
Lady Anne sipped from her cup and considered Elizabeth’s words. “Perhaps we might send a footman along, just to be certain you come to no harm. William has convinced me you are a capable wanderer, but my mind would rest easier if he accompanied you.”
Mr. Darcy rose from his chair. “Nonsense. We shall not bother the footman to follow Miss Bennet to Brambling. I would fancy a walk with her and a visit with the Bingleys, for I have not seen them since the wedding.”
Elizabeth attempted to hide her pleasure at his words and regulated her breathing as he approached her chair. She took the arm he offered, her hand finding it’s resting place naturally.
Lady Anne’s smile signaled her approval and she asked the footman to fetch Cook upstairs so they might plan a wonderful meal for Mr. Darcy’s homecoming.
“Miss Bennet, of course you must ask your sister and Mr. Bingley to come. We shall have a happy gathering for the return of the master of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth stopped at Lady Anne’s chair and bent to receive the woman’s embrace. Her eyes were indeed brighter this morning, the blue true and clear against her soft, pale complexion.
Elizabeth knew then she would spend as much time with the woman as she might. Perhaps one day she could entice her outside the walls of her elegant home and bring a bit of happiness to her life again.
Mr. Darcy swallowed the great knot in his throat at the tenderness Elizabeth Bennet displayed to his mother. He could not forget the endless aching hours Lady Anne had spent locked away in her rooms after the loss of Georgiana, but with the arrival of their unexpected guest those hours seemed at an end.
He led Elizabeth from the breakfast parlor and pulled her closer to his side. A change had come to Pemberley and he could feel the gray mantle of grief moving slowly aside. That a young lady from Hertfordshire could accomplish what he had not over the months formed a tenderness in his heart for her that had not been there before.
* * *
Elizabeth lowered her lashes to avoid glancing at the lake as Mr. Darcy led her up the hill and onto the lane towards Brambling Hall. The sunlight glanced brilliantly from its placid surface but Elizabeth was wary of it now. Mr. Darcy noticed her avoidance and struggled to maintain his composure.
Once they were away from Pemberley, he began a conversation and Elizabeth was surprised by the warmth of his voice. “I have not seen my mother leave her rooms in many months, Miss Bennet. I wish to make it known you have accomplished what I could not in all this time. I am most grateful.”
Elizabeth smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling at his compliment. “Your mother would not be denied, Mr. Darcy. I was eager to return home after such a display in the lake but she would not hear of it. Perhaps a matter of chance has made all the difference. As for my part, I could not have hoped for a happier ending.”
Mr. Darcy breathed deeply and sighed. “I wondered if you might come to live at Brambling Hall with Jane and Charles. I recall the fondness you hold for your sister. Do you long for Hertfordshire or Longbourn?”
Elizabeth considered his query and at last shook her head. “I am quite pleased with my place at Brambling as it keeps me close to Jane. I do miss my father, my friend Charlotte Lucas, and my particular paths through the countryside.”
A comfortable silence grew between them as the conversation caused Elizabeth to recall the horrible visit from Mr. Collins after Mr. Darcy had left Hertfordshire.
Her cousin’s choice of her as the com
panion of his future life had prompted Elizabeth to delay her answer as a plot to leave Longbourn and live with Jane and Charles in Derbyshire.
Mr. Collins would expect her answer soon, though she did not care to think of the trouble a refusal would bring. Shaking her head to clear the unpleasant memory she turned as her handsome companion spoke again.
“You do not find the relative quiet of Brambling odd?”
Elizabeth laughed, a bright sound that caused a sharp ache in Mr. Darcy’s heart. The happy sound was one he missed dearly from years spent as the older brother to a much younger and livelier sister.
“I must say the arguments of my sisters and the nerves of my mother do not cause me to long for home. Derbyshire suits me in ways Hertfordshire no longer may.”
They approached the winding lane to Brambling Hall and Elizabeth increased her pace. Charles and Jane would be pleased to have Mr. Darcy’s company and certainly the invitation to dine at Pemberley.
The butler saw them to the parlor, the surprise on his face at Mr. Darcy’s presence evident. “Mr. Bingley is out riding. Your sister will be pleased, Miss Bennet, with your return.”
Elizabeth nodded, wondering if Jane had become concerned with her absence the night before.
Jane stood as Elizabeth entered with Mr. Darcy. “What a lovely surprise, Lizzy! I thought Mr. Darcy was still in London. Charles would have delayed his ride had we known.”
Mr. Darcy took Jane’s hand, his expression one of apparent happiness. “I admit I ought to be in London, but Pemberley is much more appealing these days.”
He glanced to Elizabeth and Jane noted his interest. “I see. Lizzy left on her walk yesterday afternoon and imagine our surprise when a footman from Pemberley arrived much later with a message from your mother.”
Mr. Darcy sat with the sisters before revealing Elizabeth’s adventures at Pemberley. “It seems your sister found herself nearly up to her neck in our lake and my mother came to her rescue, a surprising and unlikely event. Mother has a fondness for Miss Elizabeth’s company and wishes to have her visit Pemberley for a time.”
Jane took Elizabeth’s hand and frowned. “Lizzy, how could you? I am aware of your mischievous nature but the lake in front of Pemberley? Of all places? I am grateful Lady Anne acted as swiftly as she did.”
Elizabeth smiled at Jane, her complexion growing rosier by the moment. “Dear Jane, you of all people understand my habits. I only meant to wade around the edge of the lake. It was never my intent to cause distress.”
Jane glanced to Mr. Darcy and patted Elizabeth’s hand. “Still, Lady Anne has come out of her rooms and that is wonderful news.”
Mr. Darcy agreed with Jane, his praise for Elizabeth’s accomplishment returning. “For that, I am most grateful to your sister. It has been a difficult time at Pemberley and I expect it shall continue to be so for some time, but the return of my mother’s smile and conversation gives me hope.”
Elizabeth shifted in her seat and glanced to Jane. They would speak later of the matter but she was not imagining the light in Mr. Darcy’s eyes. Jane had seen it too.
He recalled the invitation to dinner and offered it kindly. Jane sent for tea and declared she and Charles would be delighted to dine at Pemberley. “We shall all go back together after Charles returns from his ride. Although he is a happily married man, he has missed your companionship Mr. Darcy.”
Charles Bingley entered the parlor then, his hair disheveled and the color in his face proving the morning had been fine for an early ride. “Darce, old man! Had I known you were home I would have sent word for you to join me.”
He strode to Jane’s side and took her hand, placing a gentle kiss upon it.
Elizabeth lowered her lashes and wondered how it was to be a married woman. To be the wife of a man as handsome as Mr. Darcy, for he was changed now and not as reserved as when they first met, caused her heart to beat faster and she smiled as she imagined him being privy to her thoughts.
“Bingley, we shall ride another day. I have brought Miss Bennet home and would enjoy a tour of Brambling. Jane has accepted a dinner invitation for this evening from my mother.”
Charles glanced at Elizabeth, wondering at the mention of Lady Anne and dinner. “Your mother invited us for dinner? I would enjoy sitting down with Lady Anne once more as we have in days past. She is well, I hope.”
Mr. Darcy knew his friend was concerned. Lady Anne had welcomed Charles to Pemberley many times over the years and so he was aware of her consuming grief.
“She appears quite well. I returned from London late last evening, after mother had retired, and did not wish to disturb her. This morning I startled Miss Elizabeth in the upstairs hallway and then came mother out to meet her. We went to the breakfast parlor where mother told me of the excitement.”
Jane took Charles’s hand and nodded at him. “I shall tell you of it later dear, when we have left Pemberley this evening.”
Elizabeth spent the day with her sister in her room sorting a small trunk to take to Pemberley for her stay with Lady Anne while Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley lounged in the library. Elizabeth hoped Mr. Darcy might find himself returning to Derbyshire more often.
Jane placed one last dress in the trunk and turned to Elizabeth. “I had hoped I might one day meet Lady Anne but not under such circumstances.”
Elizabeth sat on her bed and smoothed the coverlet in an attempt to avoid this conversation.
Jane, being the one sister who knew Elizabeth better than the whole of their family, came to sit beside her and took the hand that came to rest on the coverlet.
“I can only imagine the scene before Pemberley but several maids were discussing the event this morning as I came upon them in the parlor. Did she truly run past the butler in her haste?”
Elizabeth laughed, nodding her head. “She did, Jane! And I was overcome with shame at being found out by the mistress of Pemberley. My only worry before she appeared was finding a way to sneak in the back door here at Brambling and repair my appearance before you found out.”
Jane laughed and hugged her sister tightly. “Oh Lizzy, Cook would have told me had you come dripping across her floors! Now, no more dips in the lake, though Mr. Darcy seems quite happy with the outcome.”
4
Lady Anne rose as the party of young people entered her parlor. The beauty of her face was enhanced by the rarity of the smile she now wore. “Mr. Bingley, how wonderful you have come to Pemberley at last with your bride.”
She turned to Jane and held out a hand in welcome. “Please do come sit with me dear, the men would retire to the study before dinner, I think.”
Jane approached the mistress of Pemberley at a gentle pace and Elizabeth admired the ability of her sister to put others at ease. As much as Jane brought calm to any situation, Elizabeth was quite the opposite. Her happy nature and inquisitive mind leant her presence a livelier turn.
Lady Anne took Jane’s hand and sat with her while Elizabeth instructed the footman to deliver her small case to the Rose bedroom.
“How do you find Brambling, Mrs. Bingley? I attended a luncheon there once many years ago and found it most pleasing for a country home.”
Jane smiled sweetly and Elizabeth could see Lady Anne was as taken with Jane’s mild manner as she had been with her own adventurous one. Elizabeth imagined she and her sister were fine company for the woman.
“Brambling Hall is a lovely home and having my sister with me is a dream come true. Managing such a house continues to provide many valuable lessons, some which I hope Lizzy shall learn with me.”
Lady Anne nodded her approval. “Your sister has a quick wit and a caring nature. I imagine she would do well as the mistress of a country home.”
Elizabeth glanced at Lady Anne and found the sparkle in her eye to be an encouragement. Did Mr. Darcy’s mother find her a suitable match for her only son? Perhaps it was her own hope that made it seem so.
The butler announced dinner and the gentlemen returned to escort the l
adies into the dining room. Elizabeth’s heart soared as Lady Anne took Mr. Bingley’s free arm and left her son to escort the young lady delivered from her lake. Mr. Darcy offered his arm and Elizabeth took it, greatly pleased by his charming smile.
The dining room of Pemberley shone brightly in the soft light of the candles flickering about the room. Brambling Hall’s dining room was a sight to behold, much grander than Longbourn, but Pemberley’s was something from a dream.
Again Elizabeth imagined herself the mistress of Pemberley and became nervous at the very idea. A grand home of this scale and immense beauty was an occupation of its own to manage, she was quite certain. She thought now that Mr. Darcy had many reasons for his weariness when she had seen him from afar during her stay at Brambling.
Elizabeth sat beside Lady Anne as Mr. Darcy took a seat at the head of the table. She watched him from the corner of her eye as he held a conversation with Charles. Lady Anne turned to her and Elizabeth found herself reluctant to lose sight of Mr. Darcy.
“My dear, I am quite pleased to have you as a guest at Pemberley. It is my hope you might consider the company of a lady my age to be beneficial.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly at her host and included Jane in their conversation. “I am deeply honored, Lady Anne. My sister may become a regular visitor as well. Jane and I are quite close, you see. I cannot imagine we should find a better friend than the great lady of Pemberley.”
Lady Anne’s clear blue eyes twinkled with merriment at Elizabeth’s words. “I would be pleased to have her company as often as she wishes. I imagine Brambling would run as smoothly if she were to sit at tea with us from time to time. I must warn you both, I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”
Jane blushed at the generosity of Lady Anne Darcy. She was accustomed to Lizzy speaking her mind and hoped the woman did not imagine she wished to impose upon her hospitality. “Lizzy is correct, we are as close as two sisters could ever be, but I would not dream of intruding upon your kindness, Lady Anne.”