Trapped at Rosings

by Emily Russell

  Elizabeth hardly knew what to say. Though he had been much more comfortable over the previous few days, to see the proud Mr Darcy admit his faults was a puzzling experience, as if one of her father’s dogs had started speaking. She did not quite know what to make of it.

  “If your family is causing you distress, perhaps I can help shield you from them. We have a marriage to plan. There is much for us to do. I will need you to spend time with me. If that is not more unpleasant than spending time with your family,” he added with a smile.

  Elizabeth tilted her head as she pretended to consider his words.

  “I am sure I can endure it,” she said. “I hope you know that providing me with escape from unpleasant situations will be one of your most important duties as a husband. You made a splendid start in London with the Metcalfes, and I am pleased to see you will go on charmingly. Besides, I enjoy our conversations. Especially when they involve telling me of scandals that involve your acquaintances.” She raised her eyebrows.

  Darcy laughed. “After we are married, Elizabeth.” He grimaced. “I already have to speak with your father knowing I have compromised you. If he finds out I have been filling your head with sordid tales, he will never allow me to marry you.”

  “Then do not…” Elizabeth began.

  Darcy looked at her and went very still. Elizabeth blushed and laughed.

  “Do not be afraid to tell him of the scandal,” she said quickly. “If it’s a good story, he might declare you his favourite son-in-law.”

  “That would be an honour indeed, and I will not even allow the fact that I am his only son-in-law to tarnish it.”

  He offered her his arm, and without knowing where they went, they walked on toward Oakham Mount.

  “This is my favourite place to come. I often sit here to read or think. It is further than my sisters like to walk, so it is a welcome refuge from them.”

  “The view is exquisite. Hertfordshire certainly has its beauties. You will find Derbyshire pleasing, I think. Pemberley has woods and hills around it even to satisfy you.”

  “What is it like?”

  They took a seat on some rocks, and Darcy told her about Pemberley. As he described it, his eyes warmed with the memory of his beloved home.

  “The peaks are wonderful, Elizabeth. You will love them. And that far north, we are not too far from the lake district.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I have always longed to see the lake district. I have seen paintings of it and wondered how the original would compare. Have you been there?”

  “I have, and they are beautiful.” Darcy looked at her, and cleared his throat. “In fact, I wondered if you might like to travel there after our wedding. It will be a honeymoon.”

  “Oh.” Elizabeth looked down at the small bunch of daisies she held in her hand. She had been idly plucking them as they spoke. She took a deep breath. “Yes, I think I would like that.”

  “I am glad. And I will be happy to show you some of my favourite places there. There is one lake I think more beautiful than any other.” He paused and laughed though his colour deepened. “It was summer when I was there, and I had walked miles. Not as many as you cover, but still an impressive amount, I think. I wished to swim to cool down, and as there was no one else around, I took off my jacket, waistcoat and cravat and dived in. When I emerged to retrieve my clothes, a group of women from nearby farms were all staring at me in astonishment. I am sure I must have looked ridiculous.”

  Elizabeth laughed at his story, but she could not agree with him. Even when her dislike for him had been at its height, she had always considered him one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. When she imagined Darcy emerging dripping wet from a lake, she was sure he might have looked many things but ridiculous was not among them. The image made her feel rather warm.

  “I should like to swim in the lakes. It will also be summer when we are there.”

  “We can do that. There are several secluded lakes that I think you will like.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I cannot swim, sir.”

  “No?” Darcy looked surprised. “No, forgive me. Of course, you cannot. Well, that is easily remedied. I shall teach you.”

  “You shall?” Elizabeth’s eyes widened with astonishment.

  “Of course. I am sure you will pick it up fast. You are fearless, so you will not take long to move through the water without aid. And when we visit seaside resorts, you will be able to enjoy the water as it should be enjoyed. And I will not have to fear for you. I have always thought it ridiculous that swimming is rarely taught to women when they are then rolled down to the sea in machines and expected to splash about. Apart from the pleasure I know it will bring you, I want the comfort of knowing my wife can manage herself in the water.”

  Elizabeth’s smile had broadened as he spoke and she felt a thrill of excitement.

  “I would love that,” she said with animation. “How will you teach me? Is it hard to learn?”

  They spoke more, and in their animation, they made more plans for what they might do once they were married. For a while, Elizabeth could imagine they were a normal engaged couple who had chosen to marry one another out of love. For the first time, she felt an excited anticipation for what their married life would bring.

  The first stars were out when Darcy looked at them reluctantly. “It grows late. We should go to Longbourn.”

  Elizabeth looked up in surprise. “I did not realise we had been here such a long time. It feels much earlier.”

  “Should I assume you enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed yours?”

  “I enjoyed it very much. You can be an entertaining conversationalist when you forget your reserve and converse naturally.”

  Darcy offered her his arm as they crossed the path. He frowned as he contemplated her words.

  “Do you think I am very reserved?”

  Elizabeth hesitated. “I think you can be, yes. But I heard Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam express surprise at it before and I am seeing that you are not so reserved when you are at ease with someone.”

  Darcy smiled at that but did not respond.

  They chatted as they walked down the lane towards Longbourn.

  “I was gratified to see Miss de Bourgh before we left London,” said Elizabeth. “I am astonished by the change in her. She is quite an altered creature.”

  Darcy nodded. In the time since she had left Kent, his cousin had come out of her shell more and more. Her face had filled out and gained colour. She had more energy, and her eyes shone. The headaches that sometimes made her pettish and irritable had faded, and she gained strength every day, pushing herself to walk further around Hyde Park.

  “I have long wondered who she would be if not under my aunt’s influence. I suspected my aunt of convincing her she was ill. I am pleased to see how she has blossomed away from her influence.” He looked down at Elizabeth. “You see, Elizabeth? You are not the only one with relatives who give you cause to blush. Your mother and younger sisters might be — a handful. But no one could accuse them of cruelty. My aunt, on the other hand… “ He shook his head. “I do not feel any pride when I claim her as my relation.”

  “I am so glad Miss de Bourgh remains in London with Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. I hope she gains such strength and spirits that she never falls under your aunt’s influence again. And Miss de Bourgh certainly comes to life around Colonel Fitzwilliam…”

  “What do you mean?” asked Darcy in surprise.

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but her smile was affectionate. “Oh, come Darcy. Surely you are not so blind?”

  “You mean to say you think Anne cares for Richard?”

  “She has never said as such to me, of course. We are not on those terms. But I see the way she looks at him. She cannot take her eyes from him, and she lights up when he is nearby. I am surprised your aunt did not notice it and put a stop to it, but I am sure your aunt sees nothing she does not wish to see.”

  “You have the measure of her exac
tly. My aunt does not see feelings that do not agree with hers.” Darcy thought of his own pointed preference for Elizabeth and how oblivious his aunt was to it in her rage to promote his marriage to Anne. “But Anne in love with Richard. Well, there is something I never considered.”

  “Do you think your cousin returns her feelings?”

  “I did not realise there were feelings to return. But I know he is fond of Anne and very protective of her. He cares for her deeply.” Darcy thought some more. “He has taken to sitting near her as often as he can. I am not sure if it means he can think of her as a man thinks of a woman, but perhaps it is a promising start.”

  “Would you like it if they made a match?”

  “If it would promote their happiness, I would like it very much. Fitzwilliam mentioned he might return to his parents’ estate in Wiltshire, but I think I might write him and ask him to stay longer in London.” He looked at Elizabeth with a feigned serious expression. “For the sake of Anne and Georgiana, of course. They will need male protection.”

  “Of course,” said Elizabeth with just as much feigned solemnity. “It is an excellent plan. They need protection, and your house full of servants could not possibly manage it. It must be Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

  “I am glad we are of one mind on this issue, Elizabeth. I hope we always shall be.”

  Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged a smile. When they finally arrived at the welcoming glow of Longbourn, the hearts of both were light with hope for the future.

  Chapter 21

  The next few days passed in a blur. The Bennet family were in a whirl of activity as they planned for the wedding. Elizabeth’s chief disappointment during those days was that Mr Bingley did not call to Longbourn. When Darcy informed her that the Bingleys were to join him at Netherfield, she had high hopes it would provide an opportunity to unite her sister with the man she loved if his feelings for Jane were just as they had been before.

  But when Bingley failed to call, Elizabeth couldn’t avoid the anxious thought; had he ceased to care for her sister? She did not see how his neglect could be seen in any other light.

  Well, if his feelings were so fickle and changeable, perhaps it was for the best. Jane could do better than a man who could seem head over ears for her on one night and by the next day, walk away without a backward glance. Elizabeth could not think well of such a man, and as she had never had a hunger for the society of Miss Bingley, she told herself she could tolerate the absence of the Bingley siblings with remarkable ease. Yet she was sure Bingley had loved Jane. No one could have mistaken his regard for her. But then, why did he not come to see her?

  There was another matter that caused her pain. For all she and Darcy had grown closer and more at ease with one another than Elizabeth had ever thought possible, her betrothed still did not exert himself to interact with her family. He arrived at Longbourn every day, but he did not engage them in conversation. The only person besides Elizabeth who he attempted to speak with was Jane. Elizabeth arrived at the parlour one morning to discover Jane was sitting with him as they waited for Elizabeth to join them. Elizabeth’s heart ached as she heard what Jane said.

  “And how is… how are Mr Bingley and his sisters, sir? I understand they travelled into Hertfordshire to be with you for the wedding?”

  “They did. At least Bingley and Miss Bingley did. Mrs Hurst remains in London.”

  “And is — are they in good health?”

  “They are in excellent health.” Darcy hesitated. “They send their regards and apologise for not calling sooner. I am sure they will remedy the situation before long. Netherfield has been empty for some months, and there is much they need to do before it is up to standard…”

  “Oh, I understand,” said Jane quickly. “Of course they must have much to attend to. I am sure it will be delightful to see them when they call.”

  Elizabeth entered the room in time to see Jane flush. She gave Elizabeth a relieved look and hurried from the room, excusing herself to Darcy. Darcy stared after Jane with an odd look on his face, but he said nothing to show what he might have been thinking.

  With the rest of the Bennets, Darcy made little effort. When the family gathered in the parlour in the evenings, he sat close to Elizabeth and admired her needlework and spoke only to her. One afternoon, Elizabeth returned from a walk to be informed that Darcy had been waiting for her for half an hour. She hurried to the parlour to find her mother and Mary sitting opposite Darcy in silence. They were both too in awe of him to engage him much, a fact for which Elizabeth was grateful, but it pained her he had not attempted to speak with them.

  Yet he was not as outwardly rude as he had been the previous winter. She did not know how she could affect a change in him.

  A few days after her return, Elizabeth finally had a few hours where nothing was required of her and decided to take advantage of them to walk into Meryton. Kitty and Lydia offered to come with her. They raced ahead, giggling about the officers they would meet, and Elizabeth tried with difficulty to tune them out.

  “There is Denny!” cried Lydia. “Come, Kitty. We shall sneak up on him and frighten him. What a fine joke it will be.”

  Before Elizabeth could stop them, the girls raced down the street and leapt on the officer’s back. He swung around, making them roar with laughter. As Elizabeth reached them, another scarlet coat emerged from a nearby store to see what the commotion was about. His eyes met Elizabeth’s, and the faces of both were instantly infused with a deep blush.

  “Miss Bennet,” said Wickham. “I had heard you had returned to Hertfordshire.” He approached her and gazed down at her. There was a strange look in his eyes; a look Elizabeth might have called a mingled expression of concern and regret. “I hope you are well?”

  “I am well, sir. I thank you.” She looked up at the handsome officer she had once desired. Did she still feel anything for him? She could not say.

  The officers offered to walk with them. Kitty and Lydia hung on Denny’s arms while Wickham fell into step beside Elizabeth.

  “I wonder if you have heard my news?” he asked after they walked in silence for some minutes.

  “What news is that, sir?”

  “My engagement to Mary King is at an end. I am sorry to say, her family did not approve of the match, and they took her away.”

  “I am sorry to hear that. I hope your feelings were not too deeply wounded?”

  “I am disappointed but — no, with you I must be completely honest. We have always had that sort of friendship, have we not? I must confess, Miss Bennet, that while I admired and cared for Mary King very much, I would be dishonest to say I loved her. I had a fondness for her, and I hoped my feelings might grow in time. But if I had the freedom to choose my bride, it would not have been her.” The look he gave her, filled with sadness, left her in no doubt of who might have been his intended bride if he had the freedom to choose. He cleared his throat. “I understand I am to congratulate you on your forthcoming marriage.”

  Elizabeth hardly knew how to respond to that. She thanked him in a quiet voice.

  “I confess, I find it hard to think — ah, but I cannot say as such to you any longer. It would not be right.” Elizabeth could still feel his eyes on her as she kept her face averted. “However, I am not without cheer. I have high hopes that with such a woman as you by his side, Darcy can only improve. Your influence will guide him and perhaps be the saving of him. Perhaps he will become the man I grew up with before he changed — well, before he… “ Wickham trailed off, as if at a loss for how to address his old grievance with Darcy any more. “He has found a woman who can only improve him to make him truly worthy of her. I only wish — well, there is little point in speaking of old regrets and what might have been.”

  “You are correct, Mr Wickham. There is not.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft. It was wrong of him to even allude to such things to an engaged woman, but she could not be too harsh. They had cared for one another, and it must grieve him to think of her marrying his old
enemy. Perhaps with time, she might persuade Darcy to correct the wrong he had done Wickham and either provide him with the living or, if it was no longer available, provide him with a financial alternative.

  “Please forgive me. I do not mean to offend you.” Wickham looked at her with such sadness, Elizabeth’s heart clenched.

  “I am not offended. I can say from my heart that I wish you every happiness. I hope you will find a woman who is worthy of you and who will make you happy. With your lively manners, you will not be long in finding her.”

  “I thought I had already — ah, forgive me, Miss Bennet.” He shook his head. “I confess, the news came as a shock. I am only sorry you went through such an ordeal.”

  “An ordeal?”

  “Your sisters told me.” He nodded to where Kitty and Lydia hung about Denny, beaming up at him. “I asked them to be quiet as I did not think it right they should speak of such things, but they are dear, lively girls and it pleased them to talk of your adventure as they saw it. If it had not happened, how different things might have been…”

  He sighed again, but Elizabeth could hardly hear his laments as she glared at her little sisters. Certainly, people would talk, and word would travel about what had happened to her and Darcy. Enough people witnessed it. But her sisters should know better than to gossip and tell everyone about the matter.

  Wickham followed her gaze to where she watched her sisters.

  “Please do not be cross with them,” he said. “They are young; too young to appreciate how terrible it must have been. But I confess, it was a great comfort me to know — to know the circumstances.”

  Before Elizabeth could respond, a tall man walking along the river path caught her attention. His gaze fixed on them and even at that distance, she could see his jaw tighten.

  “Oh dear,” said Wickham softly. Darcy strode across the grass towards them.