by APRIL FLOYD
The mistress of Pemberley smiled at Jane Bingley, the warmth of her welcome evident in her eyes. “I assure you, Mrs. Bingley, you could never be thought of as an intruder at Pemberley. I believe your sister was drawn to the grounds as a means of releasing me from the loneliness of my grief. My son has tried over these many months to reach me, but it was Miss Elizabeth’s lively presence that found the place in my heart long shadowed and hidden.”
Elizabeth lowered her lashes as Lady Anne took her hand. Mr. Darcy glanced at the pair and Charles Bingley inclined his head in their direction. “It would seem your mother has opened her heart to Elizabeth.”
Mr. Darcy found himself staring at the young woman’s hair wondering how the weight of it would rest in his hands were her to release it from its pins. He looked away quickly, the picture in his head surprising him.
Elizabeth noted Mr. Darcy’s lingering gaze and lowered her lashes, her heart racing wildly at the emotions warring in her breast.
The Mr. Darcy she had known from his time in Hertfordshire was far more aloof than the one who watched her now. She was certain her friendship with his mother had altered the control he had carefully exerted all those months ago.
She returned to her conversation with Lady Anne and Jane, sparing glances for the handsome man at the head of the table often enough that little doubt remained in the mind of her hostess.
Lady Anne glanced to her son and delivered the question she was certain her young guest wished most to ask herself. “William, I wondered if you might consider staying longer at Pemberley this visit? I cannot bear to think of parting again so soon.”
Mr. Darcy considered his mother’s ploy. Her question was clearly a request made sweetly in the presence of their dinner guests where he could not entertain the idea of denying her wishes.
He found he did not wish to deny her, for the sadness of her grief lifting was a blessing he could not have foreseen. The added presence of one Elizabeth Bennet, for he could not deny the enticement, settled his decision.
“Mother, I cannot bear to deny you. I would stay as long as you might wish. London can wait.”
When dinner was done, Lady Anne accepted her son’s arm and stood before her guests. Her voice was tinged with regret as she addressed them. “I have found great joy in your company this evening, but I must retire. It seems my desire for company is tempered by my lack of stamina after all this time alone.” She turned to Elizabeth and nodded, “I shall see you come the morrow, my dear.”
* * *
The same evening, Mr. Bennet sat in his study with his cousin William Collins. The man had returned from Hunsford and had yet to take a breath in his endless bout of speeches.
“Here now, Mr. Collins, the study is a haven from the constant chatter of the ladies of Longbourn. Please, let us reflect upon the matters of the day quietly as we sip a good port.”
Mr. Collins halted his speech and stared oddly at his host. “Mr. Bennet, surely a good conversation with a worthy and amiable guest would serve the same purpose as peace and quiet?”
Mr. Bennet sighed and poured himself a bit more port than was his habit. “If we must speak, and I strongly suggest we must not, then let it be of the daughter you intend to have for your wife.”
Mr. Collins was pleased at the mention of the reason for his return to Longbourn. His eyes darted about the room. “Is cousin Elizabeth home? I should like to secure her agreement to marry and have the banns read. Lady Catherine is adamant that I return with a wife.”
Mr. Bennet sighed as he came to see his study would not be the refuge he hoped whilst his cousin was visiting. Elizabeth had not written to him in all the time since Mr. Collins had last left Longbourn without an answer to his proposal.
“She is not, sir. After your departure, she left for Brambling Hall with the Bingleys and as yet, I have had no answer from her on the matter.”
Mr. Collins nodded to his host, a frown spreading across his face. “This is most unfortunate and Lady Catherine shall not be pleased at such behavior from a young lady with few prospects.”
Mr. Bennet sighed in resignation. He must write and have Elizabeth return home as soon as possible. He had hoped the parson would be happy with the situation as it stood.
“I shall write her today and demand she return home. Lady Catherine might be appeased if you were to say Elizabeth was sent to help her sister with the move to Brambling Hall.”
The parson stood and excused himself from his cousin’s study. “You are a wise man, Mr. Bennet. My patroness would allow me to come again when cousin Elizabeth has returned home as young lady preparing herself to be the mistress of her own home is an admirable pursuit.”
* * *
Mrs. Bennet frowned as Mr. Collins entered the parlor. She hoped he might spend more time in the study with her husband.
“Mrs. Bennet, I am pleased to visit with your family once more. Mr. Bennet has informed me that cousin Elizabeth is away in Derbyshire.”
Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands and called for tea. Her disdain for the man set to inherit Longbourn after her husband’s death was barely concealed. Yet, he was offering for Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet was adamant with her husband on the matter. Mr. Bennet had said he did not wish for Lizzy to marry the parson.
“Why, Mr. Collins, Lizzy shall return home in a few weeks. I told Mr. Bennet just the other evening that he must see that she gives her answer soon. Of course, she will become your wife. I would allow no less as your offer is quite generous.”
Mr. Collins was pleased by the words his cousin’s wife offered to assure him. “Mr. Bennet was preparing to write cousin Elizabeth as I left his study. As eager as I am for her answer, I must return to Kent in a few day’s time.”
Mrs. Bennet was unable to contain her joy at this news and a nervous laugh escaped as Hill entered the parlor with tea.
Mr. Collins gave a look of confusion to his cousin’s wife and hastily took the teacup Hill offered. The Bennets were a troublesome family.
Elizabeth Bennet, to his mind, ought to have accepted his proposal immediately instead of being given time to consider the offer. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet would do well to consider their abundance of daughters in need of suitors.
5
Mr. Darcy entered the parlor several mornings later, pleased to find his mother and Elizabeth seated together. Their heads were bent close as Elizabeth read to Lady Anne.
He watched for as long as he might without interrupting and smiled as his mother turned to welcome him. “William, do not stand about like a footman. Come sit with us.”
Elizabeth replaced the ribbon in her book and closed it gently. She was pleased to see Mr. Darcy so early in the day. She imagined he would keep to his library as his mother had indicated was his habit whilst at Pemberley.
“I wished to know if you and Miss Elizabeth might fancy a walk about the gardens, mother.”
Lady Anne considered his request and turned to Elizabeth. “Forgive me, dear. I should have considered you might wish to walk the grounds. My rose garden is simply divine.”
Mr. Darcy held out his arm for his mother. The lady smoothed her skirts with a trembling hand. Looking about the room, she breathed deeply and nodded to her son. “I must admit it is a lovely day for a walk in the gardens. I would have my maid come along. If I must return to the house, the two of you may continue on without me.”
Elizabeth turned her head and hid her smile at the woman’s matchmaking effort. Mr. Darcy sent for his mother’s maid and led them from the parlor.
* * *
Elizabeth breathed deeply as Mr. Darcy led them down the garden paths. Lady Anne was pleased to regale her with tales of each section as they walked along. They stopped and stood in the midst of a garden riotous with yellow flowers of every kind.
Lady Anne sighed, her voice strong with only a trace of the emotion she felt. “My dear George had the gardener plant these beds with such beautiful golden flowers when Georgiana was born. I would like to sit for a time alone.”
Elizabeth glanced to Mr. Darcy and quietly left the woman with her maid standing behind her. She walked along her heart heavy with sorrow for his mother.
Mr. Darcy spied the sadness that stole the light from her eyes. “You must not worry, Miss Elizabeth. Mother has not been to the gardens since Georgie died. Her grief has bound her for such a long time and now perhaps she may find a way to soothe her pain.”
Elizabeth turned her head away and wiped at a tear. “My heart is heavy to think of your mother in pain, Mr. Darcy. I know your own is as well, though I would do all I might to share the burden.”
He stopped and offered her a seat on a bench near the rose garden. Elizabeth lowered her lashes, afraid to meet his eyes.
He knelt before her and took her hands. “I would never wish such a burden upon you. That your heart wishes to ease our pain is a kindness beyond pity, I assure you. None other of our acquaintance has said as much.”
Elizabeth met his gaze and her heart raced at the tenderness she found there. “Death rends the bond we treasure even between those left in its wake. I am certain your friends would say the same did they know the comfort it would bring.”
Mr. Darcy managed a half-hearted smile for her, his eyes bright with unshed tears. “They would not, and your words are all the more precious because of it.”
He bowed his head and Elizabeth held tighter to his hands. She wished she might caress his cheek or embrace him in his grief but she simply sat with him, fighting her desire to reach out to the great man.
Mr. Darcy regained his composure and stood taking her arm and leading her to his mother’s rose garden. There was no doubt in his heart as to his admiration of this gentle woman. Their time in Hertfordshire flashed in his memory and he pledged to allow her to see his better side this time.
The scent of the roses found Elizabeth before her eyes spied the varied petals. Their color and number made a glorious display and she stopped to fix the moment in her mind. “I have never seen such lovely roses as these. Jane would be delighted to know of them. I shall bring her here another time.”
Mr. Darcy longed to tuck an errant curl behind her ear and imagined the softness of her skin against the strength of his hand. He must not torture himself so! He launched into a most informative speech on the variety of roses and his mother’s long history of tending them herself.
“Mother is a great lover of the gardens, her roses in particular. You might not believe me when I say she would come out here many times when we were children and work the soil with her own hands. My father indulged her efforts always, though some of the servants were frightfully afraid their lady did too much.”
Elizabeth found his story easier to believe than she might have before meeting his mother. “Lady Anne amazes me daily with her interests and talents. I am certain I have never met a gentlewoman as interesting.”
Mr. Darcy led her away from the roses and back onto the path to rejoin his mother. He hoped her time alone in Georgie’s garden had proven a balm against her grief.
Lady Anne stood and smiled as they approached. Elizabeth noted the wetness of the woman’s lashes and caught her breath at the knot which rose in her own throat.
Lady Anne shook her head slightly and took Elizabeth’s hand. “Shall we go in for luncheon? I find myself quite ready for a light meal. It must be the air that has done it.”
Mr. Darcy took his mother’s arm and the trio left the gardens of Pemberley amid happy birdsong and the rustle of a welcome breeze. Elizabeth turned her gaze to the grandeur of the great house and imagined again spending her days thus with Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne. For the moment, she sighed with great contentment at her situation.
Recalling her misadventure in the lake caused her to wonder if Lady Anne’s words at dinner those few nights ago were true. A matter of chance had brought her to the water’s edge and released a grieving woman from the shadow of her rooms.
The arrival of Mr. Darcy would have gone unnoticed had she simply navigated the lake with care and she would not have known this kinder side of the man. Stunning was the difference her actions and adventures had wrought.
Lady Anne went inside with her maid and Mr. Darcy stood with Elizabeth before the great front door of Pemberley.
The sun caught strands of her dark hair and Mr. Darcy fought to keep his hands from touching the lustrous curls. Miss Elizabeth Bennet gazed at him before looking away past the lake.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he began, his voice holding an odd tremor, “shall we go in?”
Elizabeth nodded, her own thoughts causing a roil of emotion in her heart. The silent, yet remarkable, moment between them there on the stone steps was a memory she would cherish.
* * *
Jane exited the carriage in front of Pemberley, the letter from her father secure in her hand. She wished she might have read it but plainly it was meant for Lizzy.
She worried at the news contained within and her mind was uneasy with thoughts of what their father might have to say. She had grown fond of having her favorite sister at Brambling Hall and hoped she might remain there for some time to come.
The butler welcomed her inside and led her to the salon where Elizabeth played the pianoforte for Lady Anne. Mr. Darcy was in the library attending his correspondence.
Elizabeth’s hands ceased their effort as Jane approached. “My sister has come as I knew she would, Lady Anne. How lovely Jane! What do you have in your hand?”
Jane smiled at Lady Anne and went to sit beside her. “It is only a letter from home, Lizzy. Please do play. I would not have you distracted for my sake.”
Lady Anne took Jane’s hand and nodded to Elizabeth. “Please do continue, my dear. Jane and I shall wait to speak until you have finished.”
Elizabeth began the piece again, her heart light at the arrival of her sister. The music drew Mr. Darcy from his place in the hall, for he had grown lonesome for her company shut up in the library.
He entered and stood by the window gazing upon the beauty of Pemberley. He imagined teaching Elizabeth to ride and showing her the wilder heart of Pemberley out past the gardens and fields. He was again surprised at his thoughts of a future with Miss Bennet.
Elizabeth finished the piece of music and stood with her hands clasped before her as his mother praised her efforts. “Oh my dear, it is wonderful to have such sweet music in the salon once more. Do come sit with us and see what Jane has brought. William, will you send for tea?”
Mr. Darcy heeded his mother’s wish and Elizabeth sat on the sofa across from Lady Anne and her sister. She glanced at Mr. Darcy as he strode from the room with the butler. She hoped he might return and sit beside her for tea.
Jane passed the letter to Elizabeth and turned to Lady Anne. “The footman brought it this morning and I wished for Lizzy to have it before I misplaced it. I seem to be more forgetful lately.”
Elizabeth held the letter and felt her heart pinch at the sight of her father’s hand on the paper. She did indeed miss her father and his study. She had no plan to return to Longbourn in the near future, for the memory of Mr. Collins and his offer had cast a shadow on her childhood home.
Elizabeth knew she must give an answer to the parson, but the perfect days at Brambling had turned to perfect months and she found it easier to put off writing her father with her refusal.
When Mr. Darcy left for London again, perhaps she would encourage Jane to return to Hertfordshire. Charles had kept the lease upon Netherfield for the time being and she did think perhaps Jane might persuade him to accompany them for a brief visit.
Mr. Darcy returned and took his seat beside Elizabeth as she hoped. She placed the letter in her skirt pocket. There would be time later while his mother rested in her rooms to read it and make her reply. His weight on the sofa beside her caused Elizabeth to wish for his companionship always. He held a letter out for his mother and sighed.
“I shall have to leave Pemberley in but a few days to attend a matter in London. Would you care to accompany me or wi
ll you stay here? Richard’s mother would be pleased to have you at Matlock House. She is quite concerned and has said she will travel to Pemberley if I do not bring you to London.”
Lady Anne considered her son’s request as tea arrived. She had not left Pemberley for some time but she could see the yearning in his eyes for her company. “I suppose Miss Elizabeth would encourage me to accept your request, William, but I would be loathe to do so, I admit. I suppose I should not have gotten my hopes up that you might stay longer.”
Elizabeth shook her head, unable to hide her smile at Mr. Darcy’s eagerness for his mother’s acceptance. “I say you must go, Lady Anne. Your family will be most happy to have you in Town.”
Mr. Darcy gazed at Elizabeth, grateful for her encouragement, and took her hand. Jane sipped her tea to hide the smile that threatened at his actions. Lady Anne watched the young couple with an air of approval.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet would soon become her daughter, she was sure of it, and the thought pleased her so. Never had she admired the women that had gone before. So many of them cared only for the Darcy money, the horrible Miss Bingley came to her mind at this thought.
She would speak with William and find his thoughts on the matter. She turned her gaze upon Elizabeth and proclaimed her conditions of surrender.
“I shall go to London, William, but on the promise we do not tarry longer than a fortnight. Town has never appealed to me greatly.”
6
Elizabeth walked about the grounds of Pemberley alone after Jane had left for Brambling Hall. Mr. Darcy remained with his mother, and as much as she longed for his presence she would not take him from Lady Anne’s side. There would be time for them to wander Pemberley in the months to come. She smiled as she thought of her growing attraction to Mr. Darcy.
She walked for a time before recalling the letter from Longbourn in her pocket. She spied a log ahead and hurried there to sit in the afternoon sun and read the news from her father.