by Kara Louise
A shadow came over her as someone approached and stood behind her—a gentleman, she could see—and she turned around and glanced up. It was Mr. Hamilton.
“I see you have finally decided to join us, Mr. Hamilton. I wondered if you had something of greater import keeping you away. Perhaps your captain’s orders came through.”
“I would hope not yet, for I would not want to miss this picnic for anything, but unfortunately I was precluded from arriving on time by a misfortune.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
He took a seat beside her as he explained, “merely a tumble into the river, which required quite a bit of cleaning up on my part.”
Elizabeth threw her head back in a laugh. “I hope it was all in a battle with a great fish. Who won? You or the fish? Are we to feast on it tonight?”
Mr. Hamilton lowered his head, shaking it slowly. “I wish it had been that noble. But to own the truth, Miss Bennet, I stepped on a wayward rock. It caused me to slip, and I landed fully in the water.”
Elizabeth hid her smile with her fingers as she put on her most sympathetic expression. “How unfortunate! I hope the other men did not observe your tumble and make sport of you!”
“Ah, but they did. Merciless men! Not one of them helped me out, either!”
Elizabeth chuckled. “I am grateful you came through it unscathed.”
“Except for my pride, yes, I came through it unscathed. Besides, what is a little water to a sea captain?” Mr. Hamilton laughed as he spoke, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
They continued to talk about the food, the weather, and as he asked about her family, Mr. Darcy came and stood before them. “I understand you took a spill, Hamilton,” he said.
“I did, but as you can see, I clean up quite well!” Hamilton laughed, and then invited his cousin to sit down and join them.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Mr. Darcy directed his question to Elizabeth.
“Please do,” she replied, and upon feeling a warmth of colour upon her face, she looked away and busied her hands with straightening out her dress. Her heart began to pound as she felt his presence near, and she took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her rising feelings.
“Miss Bennet, I understand Mr. Bingley and your sister are engaged. Congratulations.”
She turned toward him, surprised by his words, but she said with a smile, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your thoughtful sentiment. They both have a fervent, equal regard for one another, and I am quite certain they shall be blissfully happy.” A raised eyebrow was the only indication that there was a deeper meaning in her reply.
Darcy stared at her for a few moments as he contemplated the import of her words. A quick nod acknowledged her sentiment.
Emily’s excitement interrupted their conversation. “Look at that bird, Miss Bennet!” She pointed to a black and white bird flying around them catching bugs in the air. “What kind is it?”
“A pied flycatcher!” Elizabeth and Darcy answered at once, then turned their eyes to the other.
Keeping his eyes fixed on Elizabeth, he asked, “Is Miss Bennet a bird enthusiast?” The question was almost as much to Elizabeth as to Emily.
“Oh, yes!” the young girl cheerfully exclaimed. “She teaches me all the names of the birds, and the flowers, and the trees. I even know some of the birds by their sounds, and I have learned some of the trees by their leaves!”
“You might be interested, then, in some books I have in my library. They contain beautiful drawings of birds, their names, and descriptions. I have other books, as well, of the flowers you will see around here. You might wish to take them out with you while you are here. You are more than welcome to them.” He turned and looked at Emily. “Would you like that, Miss Willstone?”
“Oh, yes!”
He looked back at Elizabeth. “And you, Miss Bennet. Would you like that?”
“I would not wish to damage the books, sir, by bringing them outside.”
“Have no fear; they have smudges enough from my own handling of them. When we return, I shall procure them for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said softly, pondering his attention.
He continued with a soft smile, “You may also have a slight advantage in the treasure hunt, Miss Bennet, if indeed you do know your birds, flowers, and trees well.”
“Then she is to be on my team!” exclaimed Hamilton. “It is fixed. Miss Bennet and I are a team!
“We shall see,” Mr. Darcy sternly replied.
“So, your friend Bingley is finally to be married is he?” asked Mr. Hamilton. “What say you, Darcy? In no short time, you and I shall be the only remaining eligible men around!”
“You know that is absurd,” he answered with a small smile. “As a sea captain, you shall be the most sought-out man around. You shall have a bride in no time.”
“Ah,” Elizabeth interjected, with a hint of laughter in her voice. “But surely he must find one soon, for if not, he certainly cannot expect to find a woman once out on the great ocean!”
“The lady speaks the truth!” exclaimed Mr. Hamilton. “I must find a suitable woman before I venture back out to sea.” A glance at Elizabeth and a smile did not go unnoticed by Darcy, who pursed his lips tightly together.
“The difficulty is that there are so many ladies of so varied temperaments and qualities!” Hamilton turned to Elizabeth. “What type of woman ought I be looking for?”
“You must find a most suitable wife; one who has a strength of disposition, for she shall either have to remain home raising her brood of children while you are out at sea, or when you have a ship of your own, she may be required to be at sea alongside you.” She then let out a soft chuckle. “And she must be exceptionally plain!”
Hamilton threw his head back in amusement. “Pray, tell me why!”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “She shall be the only woman onboard that ship full of men!”
Mr. Hamilton shook his head fervently as he continued to laugh. “Miss Bennet, you have truly done some thinking about the matter.” His face grew solemn as he said, “But I do not fear finding a wife; my greater fear is that I shall be turned down if I make her an offer. What have I to contribute to a marriage but a meagre fortune?” He cast a mocking glance at Darcy. “Now my good cousin here shall never have worries in that matter. He has no fear of ever being turned down.”
Hamilton’s words evoked a tightening in Elizabeth’s chest that made it difficult to even take a breath. She saw Darcy’s hands clench tightly together before she turned away in discomfiture, not wishing to look upon his face and see what was written on his expression.
Hamilton continued, completely oblivious to the reactions of the two with whom he conversed. He then turned to Miss Bennet. “You are not the type that breaks hearts are you, Miss Bennet? Have you ever broken the heart of a man and turned down his offer?”
Confusion swept over Elizabeth. She drew in a shaky breath and looked at Mr. Hamilton in despair. “I… I…” She could say no more and looked down as she felt her face hot with mortification.
“You have!” Hamilton teased. “Can we hear about the brute? Have you any regrets?”
Shaking her head, she mumbled, “It… I…”
“Hamilton!” Darcy said firmly. “It is not yours or anyone’s business!”
Elizabeth cautiously lifted her eyes up to Mr. Darcy and saw him glaring at his cousin, his face set with disgust. When he turned and looked at her, she gave a slight nod of her head in thanks.
Darcy stood up abruptly, making the claim that he was required to take care of some things before the treasure hunt began. As he stood before them, he admonished his cousin to join him with such a stern demeanour that it would brook no hesitation.
The two walked away, and Elizabeth’s heart beat wildly as she heard Mr. Darcy’s hushed, but intense voice directed at his cousin. She kept her eyes cast down as she was filled with regret that he had been subjected to a reminder of her refusal in such a c
allous manner. She closed her eyes and took in several deep breaths, willing her heart to be still.
Chapter 12
Elizabeth kept her eyes on Mr. Darcy and his cousin as they walked some distance away, engaged in a highly spirited discussion. Her heart still pounded from the incident, both from her discomfiture over Mr. Hamilton’s remarks and the proximity of Mr. Darcy’s presence. As she attempted to collect herself, she peeked at Rosalyn, who was speaking with Mrs. Goldsmith. She took in a deep, grateful breath that her friend had not been near enough to hear that prior conversation; she did not need to have Rosalyn pressing her for information about whose offer she had refused.
Later, Elizabeth sat and watched as kites were brought out for the young girls. With the help of some of the men, they all greatly enjoyed this diversion. The wind was such that the kites easily soared high above the trees. Elizabeth treasured the glimpses she caught of Mr. Darcy as he took the time with Emily and her friends to show them how to keep the kite aloft. She had to admit to herself that she found his attentiveness to them rather appealing.
When the wind died down and the girls tired of this activity, Mr. Darcy summoned everyone together. He called up Mr. Goldsmith, Mr. Willstone, and Mr. Hamilton, and then asked his sister to explain the rules of the treasure hunt.
Looking nervous, but fulfilling her duties as hostess, she began. “We have divided you all into three teams, headed by these fine gentlemen. Mr. Goldsmith’s team consists of me, Mrs. Willstone, and Miss Harriet. Mr. Willstone will have Miss Matthews, Miss Bartley, and Miss Emily on his team. On Mr. Hamilton’s team are Mrs. Goldsmith, Miss Bennet, and Miss Gladys.”
She continued to explain that each team was required to decipher ten clues and that each clue would tell where to find the next one. Her brother would be available if assistance was needed, and the winner would be the first team back with the least amount of help from him.
Georgiana smiled softly and looked with admiration at Mr. Darcy. “I want to assure you that my brother came up with all the clues and I have not seen one, so our team does not have an advantage!”
Mr. Darcy then stepped forward. “Are there any questions?”
When no one answered, Darcy held up some pieces of paper. “These are your teams’ first clues. They are all different, so you will likely be heading off in different directions. The men have been given information regarding the boundaries of the search, how a clue might or might not be hidden, and what you can and cannot do in searching for it. The more spirited ones can rush ahead of the others to retrieve the clues, and if anyone gets fatigued, you may return here and wait for the others. Your team may come ask for your help in deciphering the clues while you rest. Your team will not be penalized unless I am consulted. Are you all ready?”
Mr. Darcy could not have had a more captive audience, as everyone was excited to begin. He passed out each clue, admonishing everyone not to look at it until the hunt began. He then stepped back. Standing erect with his hands clasped behind him, he announced with all the dignity of the Master of a great estate, “Ladies and gentlemen, the treasure hunt has begun!”
The teams tore open their clues, gathering together to read and decipher them.
Mr. Hamilton looked at his team’s clue and then looked up, his mouth askew. “It is a verse from Cowper’s “The Poplar Field.” Is anyone here familiar with it?”
“I am, to some extent,” exclaimed Elizabeth. “What does it say?”
Everyone listened expectantly while Hamilton read the clue.
“Cowper’s ‘The Poplar Field’ will tell all;
If the third verse you can recall;
It begins with ‘Twelve years have elapsed since I first took a view’;
and ends with the place where you’ll find the next clue.”
As Hamilton finished reading, all heads turned toward Elizabeth, hope radiating from their eyes.
“Oh, my!” she said, as she began to recall how that verse went. “Let me see… ‘Twelve years have elapsed since I first took a view… of my favourite field… and the bank where they grew/And now in the grass behold they are laid/And the tree is my seat that once lent me a shade.’”
“A field?” asked Mrs. Goldsmith.
“No, the bank of the lake… or the stream,” interjected Hamilton.
Elizabeth shook her head firmly. “No, no! The very last line talks about the tree that is now my seat but once gave me shade.” She looked at Mr. Hamilton. “Do you know if there is a tree that has fallen, leaving only a stump?”
He thought for a moment, and then his eyes lit up in recollection.
“Yes! The old elm, down by the stables! Come, this way!”
He pointed the way, and Gladys skipped hurriedly ahead of the others, wishing to be the first one there to begin looking for the next clue. Mrs. Goldsmith walked briskly behind her.
Mr. Hamilton put his hand on Elizabeth’s arm to slow her. Her thoughts immediately went to this morning and how warm Mr. Darcy’s hand felt on her arm. Mr. Hamilton’s hand left no similar effect.
“Please, allow me to ask for your forgiveness, Miss Bennet. I was unforgivably disrespectful earlier, and I am deeply sorry for causing you unease. I exhibited immature insolence, and I can only hope you will forgive me.” He rubbed his hands together nervously and let out a slow breath.
“Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. I accept your apology and you are very much forgiven.”
“I am wholly relieved!” he said, a broad smile appearing. “Darcy gave me quite the tongue lashing that I thoroughly deserved. Initially, he was adamant that you not even be on my team, believing you to be so visibly distressed by my words, but I insisted. I needed to have an opportunity to express my deepest regrets.”
They walked a little farther and he continued, “One of my greatest faults, Miss Bennet, is teasing and not knowing when to stop. You must think me completely devoid of civility.”
“Mr. Hamilton, I have often found myself in trouble as well because of my own teasing. Let us forgive and forget.”
“Gladly!” he said, just as they reached Mrs. Goldsmith, who had slowed down.
“I lost sight of Gladys,” she said. “But I see the stables. She must be looking for the next clue.”
They turned to look up the path when they heard Gladys’s excited squeal. “I have it!” She came running toward them holding the clue up over her head as if she were flying one of the kites again.
The treasure hunt was entertaining; the clues being diverse enough so that each member of the team could work at least one. On more than one occasion in the midst of the hunt, Elizabeth’s thoughts went to the gentleman who would put so much effort into providing this type of diversion for his guests. She would have never imagined the man she knew in Hertfordshire to be capable of something like this.
There were puzzles, clues from literature and poems, as their first one was, and a few simple ones for the children that merely had a word written that was missing several letters. Gladys was easily able to decipher “sandbox” and “carriage house.”
When they found their last clue, they quickly made their way back to the canopy, hoping to be the first team back. They had only sought out Mr. Darcy’s help on one clue. They affirmed each other with confident expectation that they may, indeed, be the winning team.
Rosalyn sat underneath the canopy next to Mr. Darcy, having returned early due to fatigue. Elizabeth watched her friend laugh gaily at something he said, yet she noticed a look of anxiety etched upon her features. She was certain that Rosalyn may have returned to allow Mr. Darcy the opportunity to express his intentions toward her. It was apparent by her expression that he had not.
As the other teams returned, refreshing drinks and tea cakes were offered. Everyone laughed amongst themselves as they recollected their different adventures and how they either did or did not decipher the clues readily. Mr. Darcy seemed satisfied that everyone enjoyed themselves.
He drew their attention to announce the winners. As it turned o
ut, Mr. Hamilton’s team came in first, Mr. Goldsmith’s team came in second, and Mr. Willstone’s team came in third.
Georgiana handed out the prizes. All the men received fishing rods, the ladies received beautiful lace handkerchiefs, and the young girls each received a kite of their own, which pleased them immensely. Georgiana explained that while the treasure hunt did indeed have winners, the hope was that everyone enjoyed it, and so she and her brother decided all would receive a prize of equal worth.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent playing games. Elizabeth remained with the girls, and later, when they wanted a bit more activity, she walked with them over to the children’s play area, where they had earlier found several amusements. It was in a slightly sheltered area in the back courtyard of the house.
Elizabeth sat on a bench that faced an open area to the west, a view of the woods beyond. She could relax here, away from Mr. Hamilton’s curious looks and Mr. Darcy’s unsettling presence. She no longer felt awkward in his presence. Instead, it was his accommodating behaviour toward her, the way in which he ensured her comfort, the very nearness of him, and seeing the good in him that prompted within her a discomfiture of a very different kind.
Despite the warm afternoon, she shivered as a chill coursed through her. She twirled a ringlet of hair around a finger as she pondered what had brought about such thoughts and feelings. She slowly shook her head as the realization came unbidden to her. Could she have fallen in love with him?
Her head leant back abruptly against the wall of the house behind her, and she dropped the ringlet of hair, slowly bringing her hand down and placing it over her heart. She could feel its steady, but very strong and erratic pulsing. Perhaps this was what he had intended all along—for her to fall in love with him and to experience what he suffered at her hands. She was now a governess! He could never love her again, would never make her another offer. What man of his standing in society would?
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, staving off the tears that threatened to spill down her face. With her eyes closed, she could feel the slight breeze tease her face just as it whipped around the building; she could hear the leaves rustling in the great trees and smell the fragrance of the flowers that grew in the gardens. She could not escape the fact that she was at Pemberley. While all this could have been hers, it was more the realization that its Master was a good, honourable, and respectable man who would now have been her husband if she had only accepted his proposal.