by K C Kahler
After they had discussed the particulars and formed a tentative plan, they walked back downstream in silence. But her mind was yet again assailed by questions. What could he hope to gain by involving himself in the lives of those he clearly considered beneath him? Her curiosity got the better of her.
“Mr Darcy, although I am by no means ungrateful, I simply cannot imagine why you are helping me.”
He looked down as he continued walking, his hands clasped behind him. “I do not know that I can explain it fully. Perhaps I have been too long in London society. When I…overheard you yesterday, I was reminded there can be more to marriage than mercenary objectives. I am guardian to my own sister, and I can only admire your dedication to your sister’s happiness.”
“You can admire my dedication without assisting me.”
“True, but I do not think any young lady should be placed in the position of choosing between her family’s future security and marriage to man like Mr Collins, particularly when the young lady in question is pure of motive, as I now know Miss Bennet to be.”
Could his reasons really be so generous? He, who would not trouble himself to speak to poor Mrs Long while sitting next to her for half an hour, would voluntarily involve himself with her cousin and her mother—two people he clearly detested? “But it is not your place to ensure my sister be spared that decision. Forgive me; I wish to better understand your motivation.”
He was thoughtful for a moment. “It is not my place, but neither is it your place, Miss Elizabeth. It ought to fall to your parents, who in this case are either negligent or ignorant. If I can be of assistance to a worthy young lady in distress, then I feel I must.”
Though Elizabeth had already said as much to him, it was a bit of a shock to hear him refer to her parents so dismissively. But she could not let it irritate her. Instead, she focused on the one compliment he let slip. “There is no worthier young lady than Jane.”
He regarded her strangely. Something in his expression hinted at reluctance, almost conflict. She could not understand it. He spoke quietly. “I was referring to your distress.” Then he continued walking down the hill.
Elizabeth was rooted to the spot, staring after him. Had he just intimated that she was the worthy young lady? She, who was only “tolerable” and inspired constant disapproval from him?
When she caught up to him, his demeanour was again detached and businesslike. “I also find, Miss Bennet, that I welcome the diversion this bit of intrigue will afford me. I faced a rather difficult situation this past summer, and my mind has been much occupied by it. Nothing in Hertfordshire has been able to distract me until yesterday’s events gave me a respite from my thoughts.”
This was more like the Mr Darcy Elizabeth had come to expect. It explained his staring and eavesdropping. He was a spectator—a judgmental spectator—and his favourite players seemed to be Elizabeth and her loved ones.
They arrived back at the small clearing that led to the main path. Elizabeth wished to leave him. Now her attitude was businesslike. “Of course Hertfordshire society must be quite tedious to you. If it is entertainment you seek, perhaps we can arrange an exchange. I have been known to tell a good story, by local standards at least. Since I have nothing else to offer you, perhaps I can amuse you from time to time with tales of your neighbours.”
He merely inclined his head.
“I walk every morning around the same time, weather permitting,” she continued. “This particular spot is more often than not my destination. It is private and not too far for either of us. Is it an agreeable meeting place?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Very well, if you wish to speak with me, you will know where to find me. Any ideas you have regarding a certain parson from Kent will be most appreciated. If I do not see you here tomorrow morning, I shall expect you and Mr Bingley to call during the day, correct?” She glanced at him, and he nodded.
“Now, Mr Darcy, if you will wait a few minutes before returning to the road, I shall take my leave.” She curtseyed quickly and did not meet his eye before striding down the path.
As Elizabeth marched angrily towards Longbourn, she wished she had left well enough alone. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. She reminded herself that Mr Darcy’s intervention was necessary, thus she must accept the humiliation of being an object of his hilarity. She tried to calm and prepare herself for the long day of vigilance ahead.
Elizabeth found Jane breaking her fast along with her parents, Mary, and Kitty. She received friendly greetings from her sisters, but her father barely glanced up from his book. Lydia was staying abed due to her injury, and Mr Collins had yet to come downstairs.
For a clergyman, Mr Collins lacked a certain eagerness to attend services. When he did finally make an appearance, Elizabeth engaged him in conversation. Between chewing his hasty meal and replying to Elizabeth’s inquiries about the quality of his slumber, his expectations for the upcoming service, and his preferences in fruit preserves, he hardly had time to say two words to Jane.
At the church, Elizabeth engineered the seating to her purposes, though her mother looked displeased at the results. When the Lucases arrived, Charlotte gave Elizabeth a conspiratorial wink. With the sight of her dear friend, Elizabeth did not feel quite as daunted by the day’s task. Between the two of them, they would manage. Reassured as she was, she still found herself wishing for a lengthy sermon.
Lydia could not stand the boredom. Her head still hurt, but it was not bad enough to make her stay alone in bed for one minute more. She entered the sitting room to find three distinct groups of people: Lizzy and Jane were quietly conversing in the corner over their needlework, Mary sat with Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins, and her mother sat by the window glaring at Charlotte while Kitty trimmed a bonnet.
“Lydia, my love! You should not be out of bed!” Mrs Bennet jumped up to take Lydia’s hands.
“Oh, Mama, I’m so bored up there I think I shall go mad. It cannot hurt to sit downstairs, can it?”
“Kitty, get up off the settee. Lydia will sit with me.”
“But I need the light from the window for my bonnet.”
Her mother was unmoved. “Oh, it is a horrid bonnet anyway.”
Kitty rose with a huff and sulked in the corner. Everyone else in the room asked after Lydia in turn, and she was quite pleased to be the centre of attention—pleased, that is, until the attention came from Mr Collins.
“Dear Cousin Lydia, I am relieved to see you so well recovered. Your sisters are much comforted at your improvement. Cousin Jane, in particular, has been ever so worried about your condition, and though I tried to console her as best I could, only your healthy and robust appearance can truly reassure a concerned sister. Not only do I welcome your recuperation for myself, as your loyal cousin, but for its palliative effects on such a dear lady as your eldest sister, whose worries are my worries.”
Lydia was at a loss. How was she supposed to respond to such a speech? Thankfully, Lizzy jumped in and began a new conversation between Charlotte and Mr Collins. Lord! Lydia was sorry poor Jane would be burdened with that ninny for a husband. If only he were a little handsomer or a little less tiresome, it would not be so terrible. It hardly seemed fair. But there was the entail, and Mama was determined to have Mr Collins as a son-in-law. Thank goodness he had taken a fancy to Jane first!
She had not followed the conversation, but Mr Collins soon offered to retrieve a letter from Lady Catherine so he could better express some advice when Charlotte asked for clarification. When he left the room, Lydia took the opportunity to speak to her mother about another gentleman.
“Mama, you always say we must make an effort to catch a husband.”
“Yes, my dear, and it is very true. How I worked my charms to catch your father, you will never know!”
Lydia winced in displeasure at the thought of it, but continued, “Well, I wish to make an effort with a certain gentleman, and I hope you will help.”
Mrs Bennet leaned forward, s
peaking in an excited whisper, which really was no quieter than her normal voice, “Has a young man caught your fancy, dear Lydia? Who is he?”
“He is Mr Darcy.”
“Mr Darcy!” cried Mrs Bennet and Lizzy in unison.
Lydia laughed at their surprise. “He is so handsome and rich, why should I not try?”
“He is certainly handsome and rich, but is he not a dreadfully dour man? I fear you would want for cheer.”
“He only needs a little liveliness to cheer him, and who better than me for that? He was very kind to me yesterday. He has the most delightful dimples.”
“Dimples!” Mrs Bennet patted Lydia’s cheek. “If you think better of Mr Darcy, then so shall I. Perhaps he finds your agreeable temperament pleasing and has shown you a softer side of himself. I can hardly persist in thinking poorly of a man who displays such discerning tastes.”
“Mama!” interjected Elizabeth. “You cannot mistake Mr Darcy’s gentlemanly behaviour yesterday for anything more. He has displayed no preference for anybody here in Hertfordshire. Indeed he has shown only disdain. Please do not be so foolish as to pursue a man who clearly thinks himself better than you.”
“La! Just because he does not find you handsome does not mean I should renounce him.”
Elizabeth stood, her needlework falling unheeded to the floor. “A man of Mr Darcy’s consequence shall despise the tasteless wiles you use for husband catching. Nothing but mortification lay there. I beg you to reconsider this folly!”
“Oh bother! You are no fun at all anymore, Lizzy. But I am determined. I shall pursue Mr Darcy and I daresay I shall be successful.”
“Yes, Lydia, we shall pursue him for you. Do not let Lizzy’s resentment dampen your enthusiasm. I wish all my girls would show such initiative. And you, the youngest!” Mrs Bennet cast her eyes about the room in mild censure. “But it is incumbent upon me to give you this small warning. You set your sights very high for a first try at a husband. Mr Darcy is a man of more consequence than any personage we have ever known. I fear for your disappointment should we not succeed.”
“Oh, let us not worry about it. I am too excited! What fun we shall have—me and Lizzy as partners as we pursue Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley together! Lizzy, you must not be so vexed, or you will ruin everything.”
Elizabeth looked between her mother and Lydia and then sighed and sank back down on her chair, her head in her hands. Jane patted her leg and asked, “Should someone not tell Papa of these plans?”
Kitty gave up sulking with her bonnet and laughed. “Papa doesn’t care what husbands we attempt to win, so long as he hears no details.”
“That is right, girls. Mr Bennet knows that such schemes are better left to me.”
Mary entered the fray. “All these elaborate plans and schemes to procure that which is not meant to be procured! A lady should be the modest recipient of a man’s attentions, not the other way around.”
“Lord, Mary! I can’t decide who the bigger bore is today: you or Lizzy!” Lydia expected it from Mary but not the normally high-spirited Elizabeth.
Mr Collins returned, carrying a long missive in his hands. “Ah, Miss Lucas, I am ever so grateful you suggested I retrieve this letter, for now I see that my poor synopsis could not do justice to the clarity and wisdom of Lady Catherine’s phrases on the subject. Here, allow me to share her words with you…”
The groups settled back into their separate pursuits. Charlotte and Mary made up a willing audience to Mr Collins. Jane again spoke quietly to a now unhappy-looking Elizabeth. Kitty resumed trimming her bonnet, though had to squint a bit more, and Lydia and her mother spoke animatedly about a certain gentleman from Derbyshire.
* * *
On the way to his second morning tête-à-tête with Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy told himself that he was going to Oakham Stream to learn whether her intervention efforts had succeeded the previous day. It was a perfectly logical explanation, for if the unthinkable had happened, there might be no reason to call later in the day. He rounded the last turn before the clearing with breathless anticipation. And there she was.
She was not pacing. She stood perfectly still with her shoulders slumped and her gaze lowered, staring at the water. She looked utterly miserable. After dismounting, Darcy walked up beside her, and she shifted slightly.
“Has he proposed already?” he asked by way of a greeting.
She smiled briefly. “No, it is not that. Charlotte and I were successful in our efforts. I am glad you have come this morning, Mr Darcy, for it gives me a chance to warn you. And it gives you a chance to escape.” She closed her eyes as if preparing for something very unpleasant. “There have been unexpected developments.”
He waited for her to elaborate, but she seemed in her own world, eyes downcast and breath shallow. “Of what nature are these developments?”
She looked up at him. “I am sure you will abandon our scheme now. I could not blame you.”
Darcy furrowed his brow at her distress.
She took a steadying breath before plunging into an explanation. “Lydia has become infatuated with you. Your…ah, the cricket game, I suppose. And…and she has spoken to my mother, who, as you know, is quite willing to help any of her daughters find husbands.”
“I see.”
“I am sorry, Mr Darcy. I tried to dissuade them both, but they would not listen. I can only recommend that you avoid what will surely mortify you, and do not come to call today. You can imagine what they will do, how they will act towards you.”
Now that would be unpleasant. Lydia Bennet was just a foolish young girl who knew no better. Darcy blamed her parents’ neglect more than he could blame the girl’s ignorance. But he recoiled at the thought of Mrs Bennet’s vulgar attentions directed at him. Through some lucky chance, he had been able to escape her notice up until now. “I had been under the impression that Mrs Bennet did not like me very much.”
“You were correct in your assessment. But apparently, by gaining the approval of her favourite daughter, you have negated my mother’s earlier displeasure for slighting her least favourite daughter.”
Darcy winced, wishing those comments at the assembly were long forgotten. “Miss Elizabeth, I am exceedingly sorry that I ever made that comment and it was relayed to you.”
She shook her head, interrupting him. “You apparently underestimate the volume of your voice, for I heard it directly from the source. But I can hardly blame you for having your own opinions.”
“I assure you, that it is not my opinion at all. Bingley was infuriating me with his entreaties to dance. I…it is not remotely true.” He held her gaze, for how long, he did not know. Her brow made a small crease above her nose and her eyes registered confusion. At least Darcy read it as confusion, and he had been studying those eyes at every opportunity.
She looked away. “Well, I thank you for the assurance, sir, but it really does not matter.”
Darcy wished to change the subject. “So I am to be the new object of Mrs Bennet’s matchmaking schemes.”
“I do not expect you to subject yourself to them. I am quite relieved that I was able to warn you before you were thrown into such a situation.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I have endured far more cunning, avaricious ladies and their grasping mothers for years and have not yet fallen prey, though it was not for their lack of effort.” He looked at her gravely. “Indeed, I have managed to escape more than one plan to ensnare me in a compromising situation.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “How dreadful! I have heard of such things, but my mother, though tenacious, would not attempt such entrapment. She has confidence that only her daughters’ charms are necessary.”
“So you see, I shall be quite safe—charming as Miss Lydia may be.”
Miss Elizabeth’s mouth fell open in a silent gasp. “But…you mean you still plan to carry out…what we discussed yesterday?”
“I am as willing as ever. I must say that I have never been pursued for anything other than my wea
lth. It is rather refreshing to be admired for my cricket skills.”
He smiled, and she stared back, blinking several times before bursting into laughter. It felt good to cheer her. And then he laughed. There they stood on the bank of Oakham Stream, laughing together.
“And to think, Lydia used to call you ‘such a bore!’” This brought another round of laughter.
Eventually, Elizabeth announced her need to return home. “I am fortunate my cousin places greater value on his leisurely mornings of sleep than he does on his courtship. Should he ever alter his priorities and exchange a couple hours of slumber for Jane’s company, I would not be permitted these walks.”
“A man must place limits on what he will sacrifice for love.”
She laughed again, curtseyed, and walked away. He could hardly wait for the afternoon to come.
* * *
Darcy had never known a man to primp so much. Tapping his foot while waiting in Netherfield’s library for Bingley to appear, he finally tossed aside the book he was holding—his attempts at reading futile—and began pacing the room. He prayed Miss Bingley would not find him; he had even less patience for her cloying flattery than usual. Finally, Bingley entered.
“I trust you are sufficiently preened.”
“Darcy, listen. I do not think I should accompany you.”
“Why ever not? I cannot go by myself. You know I am not easy in such company.”
Bingley rolled his eyes. “You mean such company as five friendly, gently bred young ladies? You are tedious at times.”
Darcy was surprised by Bingley’s outburst of ill humour. “Clearly, you do not object to the company. So again I ask, why should you not come?”
“I, ah, I just do not think it would be wise.” At Darcy’s insistent stare, Bingley sighed. “I find myself drawn to Miss Bennet beyond any young lady I have ever known. But I ought to distance myself, for she is, after all, soon to be betrothed.”