by AmyJ
Elizabeth expelled a breath, and with it some residual frustration. It would feel good to talk to someone. She knew if Darcy had been to Longbourn, he would
have met Mr. Collins. He would empathize. "While you were at Longbourn, sir, did you happen to meet my cousin, Mr. Collins?"
"Yes. He was rather... loquacious... when he learned my identity and realized my relationship to Lady Catherine."
She easily imagined Mr. Collins grovelling at Darcy's feet. A small part of her was sorry to have missed it. "And did the good rector inform you of his purpose at Longbourn?" She did not even attempt to hide the sarcasm in her tone.
Darcy knitted his brow for a moment. "Something about following my aunt's advice. I confess, I tuned him out after a minute." He looked away in
embarrassment.
Elizabeth laughed. "Lady Catherine advised him he should set a good example for his congregation and marry. He decided to marry one of us Bennets since he is to inherit Longbourn." Darcy's eyes widened slightly. The scene he had witnessed at Longbourn was beginning to make sense. "He initially chose Jane, but my mother would have none of it." With a deep blush, she muttered, "She has hopes of better prospects for my sister."
"Yes. I have heard," Darcy murmured. An awkward silence descended between them. Darcy cleared his throat. "Your mother is no different from any other mother of the Ton. She is more vocal and direct in her intentions, but I know it does not reflect on either you or Miss Bennet. But pray, continue, Mr. Collins and marriage?"
"Being the second eldest, Mr. Collins decided he would offer to me, which my mother readily agreed to."
Uncertain of how to react, Darcy simply stared blankly at Elizabeth. Marriage to a clergyman was a good prospect for any of the Bennets, but he struggled with the idea of Elizabeth married to his aunt's sycophant.
With a wry chuckle, Elizabeth said, "Of course, I refused him." At this, Darcy let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. He was relieved. "In my usual manner, I made my sentiments perfectly clear. I believe I used the words, 奏he last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry'."
Darcy winced out of compassion for his fellow man. It was followed by a
smirk. Yes, that sounds like the Elizabeth I know.
"Now my mother is angry, and Mr. Collins has sworn he will have none of my other sisters. According to my mother, I am 奏he most ungrateful, disobedient daughter a mother has ever had to bear,' and 訴f it were not for my father, she would have turned me out years ago'."
Darcy was not sure whether to be angry or amused. He could easily imagine
Elizabeth's refusal; it was no doubt a very passionate speech of mutual respect and admiration. He almost wished he could have witnessed it. At the same
time, he felt for his friend. How could her mother not see how miserable Elizabeth would be married to such a man? Or is Mrs. Bennet simply that unfeeling? Recalling the matron's vociferous opinion of Elizabeth when he arrived at Longbourn, he tended to believe the latter.
In fact, until Mrs. Bennet let loose her opinion of her daughter, he had intended on returning to Netherfield and calling again the next day. Hearing such cruel words from Mrs. Bennet though decided him, even before Jane had said
anything. It was only reinforced by Jane's plea to ensure her safety. "I am sorry Li'l Beth. If you would like to stay at Netherfield for a day or two, I am certain Bingley would not complain."
"Mr. Bingley is all that is amiable. While he may welcome me, I am quite certain Miss Bingley would not be well pleased. I will be all right. I know how to deal with my mother; and I have Jane." With a sniff, Elizabeth added,
"Besides, my staying at Netherfield would not deter my mother; it would only give her an excuse to visit."
Not for the first time did Darcy wonder how it was that Elizabeth and Jane had become the genteel ladies they were. He rolled his eyes. "Are you headed home now, or would you like to remain out of doors a little longer?"
"Thank you, Fizzy. I should return."
"Shall I escort you?"
Elizabeth chuckled at his gallantry. "You are nearly to Netherfield. I will be fine."
"It is really no imposition. I consider it a rare opportunity in which I do not have to share you with Georgiana."
Elizabeth blushed at the truth of the statement. She had been paying more
attention to Georgiana lately. It was not intentional; she was only trying to draw the girl out and make her feel more comfortable. She took Darcy's arm in acceptance, and the two set off, Darcy's steed trailing behind.
"How is Georgiana?" The two friends talked about Georgiana a bit, both happy to be off the topic of Mr. Collins. Darcy again expressed his relief and gratitude at finding his sister so much recovered. "She is still intimidated by some..." He did not need to mention names. "... but even that, I believe she is handling better."
"Perhaps she is only concerned Miss Bingley may one day be her sister."
Elizabeth laughed when she saw Darcy cringe.
"I paid her one call, two at the most!" Darcy grumbled.
Together, they were able to laugh over Miss Bingley's jealousy.
As they neared Longbourn, Elizabeth looked at the house and let out a heavy sigh. "Li'l Beth, if there is anything I can do, you have but to say the word. It would be no imposition to take you to London as Georgiana's guest."
Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, Fizzy. If it becomes unbearable, I shall let you know. It will all be forgotten soon enough." With a pat on his arm, she headed back into the fray.
Chapter Nine
Darcy rode out the next morning, hoping to put some order to his tumultuous thoughts. Now that Georgiana was well on the way to recovery, his own
dilemma was again at the forefront of his mind.
He kicked Achilles into a brisk canter.
Where was he to find a suitable bride? And in six months no less! For all of his Seasons, he had yet to meet a lady he could abide for more than a few hours.
They were either too mercenary, too vacuous, or simply did not engender any tender feelings.
He was well aware that most in his circle did not marry for love. He was not even attempting to seek it. He simply wanted someone whose company he
would not quickly tire of; someone he could trust to look after Georgiana; and someone to whom he could entrust the care of Pemberley, its servants and its tenants. He did not consider these goals unreasonable.
He felt mounting frustration. With a crack of his riding crop, he spurred
Achilles into a gallop.
Surely with all his connections, he could find one such lady. One by one he went through the list of courtiers he knew, and one by one crossed them off his list. He let out a grunt of frustration. The answer would come. It had to come.
The alternative... well, he would not think about that now.
He gave his horse his head and let the cool morning cleanse him of his turmoil.
Perhaps if he rode fast enough, he could outrun this particular familial
obligation.
After covering several miles, he slowed Achilles to an easy trot.
Unbidden, thoughts of marriage once again flooded him. Marriage. What an
ugly business it had turned into. He wondered how his parents had managed to emerge from the process unscathed, and then he remembered the uproar their
engagement had caused.
The late Earl of Matlock had attempted to forge an alliance with Lord
Wolferton through the marriage of their two children. When a young Lady
Anne rejected the viscount's suit, in favour of his father, the Wolfertons had taken it as a personal insult that Lady Anne had chosen an untitled gentleman.
To this day, feelings of animosity remained between the two families.
Seeing a nearby stream, he slowed Achilles even further. The horse was
panting heavily, and in need of water. He too needed a bit of a rest, so he sat down in the grass on the banks of the stream
. He inhaled deeply and let the serenity of the place take over.
He wished he could remain in Hertfordshire for some time to come. Nothing
but good had occurred since his arrival here.
Georgiana had made a miraculous recovery, and he and Elizabeth had renewed their friendship. He also had no doubt that Georgiana would continue to grow and mature under the influence of Elizabeth and Miss Bennet; and here it was easy to forget his impending doom for days at a time.
But it was not to be. Fall had come and gone, and Christmas was just around the corner. With that particular holiday would come the family and the
inevitable discussion of marriage. He cursed under his breath and stood. After mounting Achilles once again, he took a moment to get his bearings. He was
surprised to find himself near the same spot he had found Elizabeth just the day before, when she had escaped Mr. Collins and her mother.
He snorted at the remembrance and involuntarily shuddered against the very
idea of Elizabeth married to such a man. Even in the realm of the country squires, the business of marriage is ugly.
After giving it some thought though, he had to admit he was surprised
Elizabeth was not already married. She was not attractive in the classical sense, but her lively disposition was certain to have attracted her share of beaus. With a chuckle, he wondered how many men she had refused; he felt pity for them, though he could not help wondering if they were all ‘the last man in the
world...'
His thoughts followed their natural path, and he began imagining the type of man Elizabeth would marry. He no doubt had to be an educated man; Elizabeth would not suffer a fool. He also had to be modest; she would not suffer a dandy either. He would have to share her love for books, and he would have to know how to laugh and tease her. He would have to love the outdoors and have a
strong sense of responsibility and justice. He would have to be caring and
respectable, a true member of the human race. Elizabeth would not suffer
someone who mistreated servants and tenants merely because of their
station. Whatever man is fortunate to win your esteem, Li'l Beth, will be truly blessed.
His thoughts returned to his own marriage. Somehow this Season, he would
have to sift through the mamas and their daughters and find one he could
tolerate long enough to produce an heir. After an heir was produced, he would resign himself to a life of loneliness and celibacy, living solely for Georgiana's happiness and the good of Pemberley.
If this was his penance for the misstep in Georgiana's care, so be it. For his sister's happiness and well being, he would become the commodity his aunt
and uncle viewed him as; a piece of livestock put on the auction block of the marriage mart to go to the highest bidder.
His lip curled in disgust. There had to be another option. He still had time. He would find a way to satisfy the terms of the agreement without being bound to his boring and sickly cousin Anne or a self-important schemer like Miss
Bingley. He had to find a way. He was determined.
He looked up, and was surprised to see Netherfield already in view. He had not had any great epiphanies, but his head was a bit clearer. It had to be enough for now. A bath, some nourishment, and then he and Georgiana were to visit
Longbourn.
Later that morning, the residents of Netherfield piled into the carriage and made their way to Longbourn. Darcy had expected the party to consist of the usual visitors, himself, Georgiana and Bingley, so it was with not a little surprise when he saw Miss Bingley standing next to the carriage waiting for him to hand her in.
When the party arrived at Longbourn, Darcy was disappointed to see Elizabeth was not in the drawing room with the others. When he noticed Mr. Collins was also not in sight, an ill feeling swept over him, and he felt his stomach churn.
He looked to Jane for answers, but she was already occupied with Bingley.
He looked back through the entry, willing Elizabeth to show herself, preferably without Mr. Collins. His discomfort with the missing personages must have
been apparent, because Mary suddenly offered, "Lizzy is in the still room, she should be here directly." At Darcy's nod of thanks, she added, "Our cousin will be sorry to have missed your call, but he had business in town to attend." Darcy nodded his thanks again.
Upon hearing Elizabeth's preoccupation, Georgiana asked, "The still room?
May I see her there?" She bit her lower lip and shyly looked at her skirts, thinking she may have been too forward.
"My dear Georgiana, the still room is no place for a lady like yourself," Miss Bingley answered before Darcy could reply. "You have servants for that type of work."
Georgiana bit her lower lip in dismay and then looked at her brother.
"If Miss Mary would be so kind as to direct you, I have no objection," Darcy said.
Georgiana's countenance brightened instantly, and a moment later, she
disappeared with Mary.
Twenty minutes later, the trio returned to the drawing room. "Forgive our absence," Elizabeth said to the room. "We became a little distracted." She gave a significant look to Georgiana and Mary. Both girls pursed their lips together in an attempt to stifle giggles.
Georgiana then piped in. With a proud grin she said, "Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Miss Mary, and I have made up care packages for some of Longbourn's
tenants. Elizabeth said I may help her deliver them tomorrow if you approve."
The statement instantly conjured fond memories for Darcy. His mother used to make similar calls when Pemberley's tenants were ill or infirmed. He
remembered watching as his mother would compassionately check each package, and then add her own special touch. Then, she would oversee the
loading of the curricle, making sure none were missed.
Georgiana had never visited the tenants. If their mother had lived, perhaps she would have taken on such duties, but his father had allowed Mrs. Reynolds to take over, and he saw no reason to change it when he became Master. Now,
with a pang of sadness, he realized this was just one of many lessons his sister had missed with the death of their mother. It seemed so simple, and yet, it had never crossed his mind.
"Georgiana dear, you need not visit houses of the poor," Miss Bingley said.
"Their homes are dirty and carry all manner of disease. We could not have you risk your health."
"Yes," Elizabeth chimed, "Much like us other humans, our tenants also sometimes become injured and sick."
"But certainly there is no need for a lady of good breeding to be romping about the countryside. It may be fine for country folk, but Georgiana is a Darcy,"
Miss Bingley rejoined.
At Miss Bingley's statement, Darcy's ire was instantly ignited. How
dare that woman presume to know what it is to be a Darcy! "You may attend Miss Elizabeth if you wish, Georgiana, but only if Mrs. Annesley or I
accompany you. I am pleased to see you taking an interest in this. Our mother used to do the same for Pemberley's tenants. It is a tradition I fear I have neglected."
He glared at Miss Bingley. Had he not been so disgusted by her, he would have laughed aloud at her pinched expression. He could only imagine the thoughts going through her head. Not only had he condoned the action, but had stated his own mother had done similar things. He was certain Miss Bingley did not believe the previous Mistress of Pemberley deigned to call on tenants. He was even more certain that were he to marry anyone like Miss Bingley, she would never undertake the task.
He turned his attention back to Georgiana, Elizabeth and Mary, discussing the families they were to visit. Suddenly, he was struck with an epiphany.
He furrowed his brow, certain there was some mistake. He looked to Miss
Bingley and then back to Elizabeth. As his revelation sunk in, he was no longer able to remain seated. Abruptly, he stood and walked to the window
. For
several moments he did nothing but stare outside. There had to be a mistake.
Surely this was not the answer!
The words, "Marry her" resounded so clearly in his head, he turned, expecting to see someone beside him. He shook his head. There had to be another
solution!
He snuck another glance at Miss Bingley, and then Elizabeth. He clenched his fist, unwilling to accept what his mind was telling him.
In one seat sat Miss Bingley; a prime example of the type of woman he was
supposed to marry. A lady of the ton; a woman who had ventured the social
rituals of London; a woman with connections and a large dowry; a simpering, vapid, insincere, money grubbing, social climber. Next to her was Elizabeth, a witty, sincere, kind and affectionate woman. A woman, who aside from being
raised a gentleman's daughter, had none of the benefits of a wealthy
upbringing. Yet it was Elizabeth who looked after his sister as though she were a family member, and was teaching her to perform tasks his mother had.
He walked over to Elizabeth and Georgiana and stood there for a moment,
curiously looking at Elizabeth. He opened his mouth to say something, but
nothing came out. Without a word, he retreated back to the window.
After a moment, he looked again at Elizabeth, who returned a curious
expression. He felt himself flush and turned back. "But it is Li'l Beth!" he muttered quietly to himself in protest. I can not make her my wife! She deserves a loving husband! He pressed his fist against the window frame. No!
There has to be another solution!
He took a deep breath and returned to the others. Resuming his seat, he forced himself to attend the conversation, which had turned to music and the theatre.
Much to Darcy's relief, it was not long before the party took their leave. As he rode towards Netherfield, thoughts of marriage and Elizabeth returned. Again, he forced his mind from such thoughts; he would think no longer of marriage this day.
The following day, the weather had once again turned to resemble the coming winter. The sky was grey, the temperature cold, and a light mist hung in the air.