by J P Christy
“He does, but he likes to have my opinion. In truth, Papa has seemed unusually tired of late. I do not think it would be good for him to climb a ladder.”
I will do that for you! Darcy thought, but before he could offer, Elizabeth continued. “I, however, am endlessly curious. I have always enjoyed poking about to see how things are made and how they work.”
Then I will not offer my help. Anyway, I am overdue for another apology, Darcy thought.
Blushing slightly, Georgiana asked, “Brother, might you step away for a moment? I wish to confer with Elizabeth on a lady’s matter.”
After Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged looks, he moved a polite distance from the ladies. “If you need me, I will be enjoying this very, very pretty view,” he called as if they were miles away.
“Yes, Georgiana?” Elizabeth moved closer to her.
“Do you not wear stays? For if you do, how can you comfortably climb a ladder?”
“I usually wear half-stays, but when I have a task such as this, I forego them altogether. Happily, some of my workaday dresses fit in such a way as to conceal my shameful secret.”
“I hate wearing stays!”
“I should be very surprised if they were invented by a female. Was there anything else?”
“No. Thank you.”
Elizabeth raised her voice so that Darcy could hear. “We have concluded our conference, sir. You are welcome to rejoin us.”
Darcy half-turned. “Ah, but the view here is so very, very, very pretty that I find myself reluctant to leave it.” The ladies laughed and, walking arm in arm, they joined him. As Elizabeth had done for Fitzwilliam, she identified various landmarks; however, all too soon for Darcy’s liking, she said she needed to return home. He said, “We shall walk you to where the path divides.”
“And I will race Brother back to Netherfield,” Georgiana said.
“You are a brave lady. The thought of sitting atop a tall horse as it thunders across uneven ground quite terrifies me.”
“I suspect that is the only thing that terrifies you,” Darcy said.
“You may be right, sir.”
≈≈≈
After racing to Netherfield with Georgiana, Darcy rode alone at a slower pace to the Bennet estate, hoping that Jane was there and Elizabeth was not. Upon reaching Longbourn, he saw Jane and Kitty collecting rose petals in the garden. After securing Pegasus’s reins on the garden gate, he approached them. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning, sir,” Kitty said softly, for she still found him intimidating.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy. How are you today?” Jane asked.
He suspected her puzzled look was because he was alone, but she was too polite to ask after Bingley. “I am well, Miss Bennet, Miss Kitty. And yourselves?”
“Fine, sir,” Kitty said quietly.
“We are gathering petals for rose water. Lizzy and Mary are visiting tenants, and Mama and Lydia have gone to Meryton,” Jane said and waited for him to declare the reason for his visit.
“Ah, yes, good. Very good. I was wondering, Miss Bennet, if you might spare me a few moments of your time.”
After a brief glance at Kitty, Jane asked, “Will this do, sir, or do you prefer our parlor?”
“This is a pleasant place. Shall we simply stay here in view of the house?”
Kitty set aside her basket of petals. “If you will excuse me, I shall arrange for tea.”
Watching as Kitty hurried away, Darcy noticed Jane wave to someone in the house. Is Elizabeth back from visiting tenants? he wondered, following Jane’s gaze. When he saw Mr. Bennet looking at them from the window of his study, Darcy tipped his hat, noting with some disapproval that apparently neither Mr. Bennet nor Mrs. Bennet felt compelled to join their daughters in the care of Longbourn’s tenants. Hoping his disapprobation did not show, he indicated a nearby bench. “May we sit, Miss Bennet?”
“Of course.”
“I came here because, well, Bingley—”
Jane looked alarmed. “Has something happened to Char—to Mr. Bingley?”
“No, no, he’s fine. Well, in truth, I have not seen him today, but I have no reason to assume he is anything but fine.” After a pause, Darcy added, “And my sister is well, too, and my cousin. In fact, we are all very well.” Stop stammering, man, and get to it!
“I am happy to hear it.”
“I suspect I am making a fool of myself, so let me just say what is on my mind—on my conscience, actually. Miss Bennet, I owe you an apology.” Jane looked him from under raised brows but said nothing. He cleared his throat before confiding, “In late January, I learned of your presence in London, but I did not share this intelligence with Bingley.”
“When I called on Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, I expected them to tell their brother I was in town. As I did not call on you, sir—indeed, to do so would not have been proper—it was not your office to alert Mr. Bingley. Thus, I am perplexed as to why you believe you owe me an apology.”
“Last year, when I was here—charming the locals,” Darcy added in a mocking tone, “I saw that Bingley had a particular regard for you. Arrogantly, I,” he interrupted himself with a sigh before continuing, “I mistakenly believed you had no special regard for him, and I told him so.”
“Oh,” Jane said, her tone unreadable. “Did Mr. Bingley return to me on your advice?”
“No. In April at Rosings, Miss Elizabeth advised me of the falsity of my overbearing presumption. Thus, after returning to London, I invited Bingley to dinner and, during our meal, he asked whether I had news of you. I then confessed my error and apologized. He stormed out of my home but returned early the next morning to tell me of his intention to ask your forgiveness and to woo you. He also asked me to allow Georgiana to be his hostess at Netherfield.”
“Ah.”
“I now know I have no talent for recognizing other people’s feelings. Indeed, there are times when I scarcely comprehend my own. I have also been reminded that I have no right to interfere in the private affairs of others. Miss Bennet, I sincerely apologize for inserting myself into a matter that was none of my business.”
“I see.”
What is she thinking as she hears my confession? After a pause, Darcy said, “While I do not know your thoughts now, I believe you were hurt when Bingley left, and I regret my part in causing you pain. Bingley was most unhappy after he quit your company; he is much happier now that he has returned to you.”
Jane studied Darcy. “What of yourself, sir? Would you prefer to be elsewhere?”
“Well, who among us is eager to return to the place where he has so publicly made a fool of himself? But this is where I should be so I can make amends.” Impulsively, he grasped her hands, her cotton garden gloves rough against the smooth kid leather of his riding gloves. “Miss Bennet, I now realize you are all that is gracious and kind. If Bingley has the very good fortune to win your affections, he will be one of the luckiest men I know.”
Neither Darcy nor Jane was aware that Bingley had turned his horse into Longbourn’s drive, and although Darcy released Jane’s hands quickly, Bingley saw all. For a moment, jealous notions roiled in his mind. How could Darcy not fall in love with Miss Bennet—Jane? She is perfect, an angel! And with his fortune and Pemberley, will she even give me a thought?
“Good morning, Miss Bennet,” Bingley said loudly. Hastily dismounting, he secured his horse beside Pegasus and strode into the garden. As Jane and Darcy stood and greeted him, Bingley reached eagerly for Jane’s hand and shook it. “How are you, Miss Bennet? You look lovely, but you always look lovely.”
Her smile was welcoming. “I am very well, sir.”
Bingley’s eyes narrowed with displeasure when he turned to Darcy. “I did not expect to find you with Miss Bennet, my friend.”
He’s jealous! “I wanted to give the lady my regards and my apology, which was long overdue. Whatever futures you plan for yourselves, please know I wish you both every happiness.”
Looking
out at the garden rather than at her guests, Jane said, “While I thank you for your kind wish, Mr. Darcy, it is not certain the degree to which any of our futures will intertwine.”
Bingley understood both Darcy’s reassurance and Jane’s reluctance. With a forced cheeriness, he asked, “Where are your sisters today, Miss Bennet? It is unusual for you to be the only daughter about.” Just then, Kitty emerged from the house with a large tea tray.
“Excuse me while I offer my assistance,” Darcy said and walked quickly to meet her.
Equal parts embarrassed and appreciative, Kitty allowed her guest to take the tray. “There is a table under the tree at the end of the garden,” she said. “I shall return with a cup for Mr. Bingley.”
Kitty disappeared into the house before Darcy could tell her his business was finished and that he was leaving. Glancing at Jane and Bingley, he found them conversing with an intimacy in which the rest of the world had no place. Elizabeth would find this situation amusing, and it is not as if I am unable to carry a tray across a small garden.
After delivering the tray to the table, he turned to find Jane and Bingley but a short distance behind him. Jane said, “Oh, Mr. Darcy, do forgive my negligence! Where is Kitty?”
“She went to fetch another cup before I could tell her I would not be staying for tea.”
“Could I not persuade you to remain? It is unusual for us to be with two gentlemen in such an informal situation. No one hinting or hovering.” When Darcy and Bingley gave Jane an inquisitive look, she nodded toward Kitty, who was approaching. “My sister will soon be attracting the attention of potential suitors. As we are a household of five daughters and no sons—and as each of you has at least one sister—we would benefit from your advice.”
While Darcy wore a wary look, Bingley smiled eagerly. “I look forward to being of service.”
Kitty, a bit breathless, joined them. “Welcome, Mr. Bingley,” she said with a curtsy as she placed another cup on the tray. Her lips moved slightly as she quickly counted the pieces of shortbread she had placed on the tray, and she gave a satisfied nod after confirming the quantity was sufficient.
“Good morning, Miss Kitty,” Bingley said with what he hoped was a brotherly smile.
“Shall we sit?” Jane asked. When everyone was seated, she said, “Kitty, will you pour, please?” Feeling the weight of this responsibility, Kitty paid careful attention to the preferences of her guests. When everyone had tea, Jane said, “Sister, we have a unique opportunity. Our gentlemen friends have kindly agreed to give us their fraternal advice.”
“On what subject?”
“Why, any subject,” Bingley said. “Consider us your brothers for the morning.” Here is a chance to prove myself useful.
Darcy sipped his tea. Here is a chance to make an arse of myself; I doubt this will end well.
Jane spoke first. “Mr. Bingley, I believe Caroline is about my age. What advice have you given—or might you give—to guide her when a gentleman presents himself as a suitor?”
“As you may have noticed, Caroline is more inclined to give advice than to ask for it. And, if I may be permitted to generalize, her advice is uniformly dreadful.”
“Why?” asked Kitty.
Darcy smiled behind his teacup. This discussion might be more interesting than I thought.
“Because Caroline’s advice—indeed, all of her conversation—is entirely self-serving. Her suggestions, or rather her demands are based solely on what would suit her preferences.”
Solely suit her preferences? When did Caroline and I become so alike? Darcy wondered.
“Do you not trust her to have your best interests in mind?” Jane asked.
“Lately, I have learned two important lessons: First, I must listen to my own heart, for who knows my desires better than I? And I must be prepared to earn that which I value. So for my advice to a sister, I offer the words of Shakespeare, ‘Man is a giddy thing’; if a suitor seems indecisive, tell him you expect more from the man who will ultimately win you.”
Emboldened by Jane’s exchange with Bingley, Kitty found her courage. “Mr. Darcy, your sister is approximately my age. What advice will you give her about coming out in society?”
Darcy choked on his tea. After clearing his throat, he replied, “Bingley was being charitable with his quote; giddiness is the least of most men’s sins. As Georgiana is my only sister and my closest family, a part of me hopes she stays safely at home forever. Before I can give you a better answer, might I take a moment to consider the question?”
“Of course,” Kitty said.
Darcy closed his eyes and focused on his thoughts. Is this conversation a punishment for my failure to protect Georgiana? What should I have told her which would have prevented her from being taken in by Wickham? What warning or wisdom might have made her doubt him?
For a full minute, the friends drank their tea, ate their shortbread, and ruminated on their private notions. Finally, Darcy said, “I will tell Georgiana to be courteous yet cautious. If a man urges a familiarity which seems inappropriate given the duration and depth of their acquaintanceship, I will encourage my sister to tell him ….” He trailed off when he noticed Elizabeth approaching. As she walked, she swung her bonnet by its ribbon strings, and he was captivated by her cheerful vitality.
20
“I have been rejected by three females in Hertfordshire."
“A garden party—how delightful!” Elizabeth exclaimed. When Darcy and Bingley stood to greet her, she curtsied. “Gentlemen, sisters. Please excuse my appearance; I was helping in the Morgan family’s barn.”
“Where is Mary?” Kitty asked.
“Still visiting with the Laidlaws, I suspect.”
“Will you join us for tea?” Jane asked.
“I had tea with the Morgans, but I am happy to sit at your feet and share your company.”
“Will you not take my chair, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked.
“I thank you, sir, but no. I am a dusty country miss today.”
“I must insist,” Darcy said.
Dropping to sit on the grass, Elizabeth said firmly, “And I, sir, must decline.” After a brief staring contest with Darcy, she was the first to look away. “Please sit, gentlemen, and allow me the pleasure of relaxing in the grass. Now, despise me if you dare!”
“I never could,” Darcy said quietly.
“Please, I ask that you all take your seats again,” she said. The men exchanged uncomfortable glances but resumed their chairs. With a grin, Elizabeth announced, “Mrs. Morgan said that Mrs. Goulding said that Mr. Ainsworth has a pleasant-enough face … for a parson.” Shrugging at the gentlemen, she said, “Country gossip, sirs; I hope you are not offended.”
Bingley asked, “Is it a compliment or an insult to have a pleasant-enough face for a parson?”
Kitty explained, “Mrs. Goulding considers her sons to be the handsomest fellows in the county; thus, all other men suffer in comparison. She is famous for describing other gentlemen as having some flaw or other regarding their appearance.”
“We have discussed collecting her descriptions in a little book,” Jane said.
“Has Mrs. Goulding pronounced a judgment even on Darcy here, whom the ton has declared the handsomest bachelor in London?” Bingley joked.
Darcy reddened. “Really, Bingley, such nonsense—”
Elizabeth interrupted, “Alas, gentlemen. When last you were in Hertfordshire, Mrs. Goulding declared each of you to be only tolerable looking.”
While Darcy’s complexion flushed even redder, Bingley, Jane, and Kitty laughed. At once, Elizabeth felt she had been unkind, so she spoke quickly to make amends. “You know I jest, sirs, and I hope I never ridicule what is good. Allow me to say Mrs. Goulding has done you both a disservice; you are both very handsome. What say you, sisters?”
“Truly,” Jane said, and Kitty nodded.
“Lizzy,” Kitty said, “Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were sharing their brotherly advice as to what they would tell th
eir sisters about having suitors. Mr. Darcy, I believe you did not finish.”
“Ah, yes. Well, I would urge Georgiana to give more weight to a man’s actions than to his words or charming manners, and I would caution her not to be in a hurry to take a man’s measure.”
Elizabeth said, “Permit me to offer an example. Mr. Wickham made himself so agreeable, I did not question the appropriateness of some of his disclosures, which, upon reflection, were too familiar to be shared with a new acquaintance. Thus, I have learned to be careful in forming my impressions, whether those impressions be favorable or otherwise.”
“As ladies, we are taught it is unseemly to question people regarding the manner in which they present themselves. This puts us at a disadvantage,” Jane said.
“I do not wish to be taken for a fool,” Kitty said, “but neither do I wish to regard the world with suspicion. What am I to do?”
“Oh, that is easily answered,” Elizabeth said. “You must simply be born to parents who are comfortably well off but not too rich, as too much wealth makes you a target of fortune-hunters while too little makes you dependent upon others. And when you are arranging to have fortunate parents—fortunate in every sense—I suggest you also arrange to be born male.”
“Do you think men have an easier life than women, Miss Elizabeth?” Bingley asked.
“You cannot deny that your sex has more opportunities than ours to shape the world and be self-sufficient,” she replied.
“But we men have responsibilities you women do not,” Darcy said. “Bingley must see to Caroline’s welfare just as I must see to Georgiana’s.”
“While we Bennets have no brothers, the duty we feel toward each other is equal to what you feel for your sisters.” Elizabeth held out her hand to Kitty, who was within easy reach of this affectionate gesture. Kitty squeezed Elizabeth’s hand fondly and then turned it palm up and placed a piece of shortbread on it.
“Thank you!” Elizabeth took a bite of the cookie before continuing. “Jane, do you not feel we ladies are as committed to the welfare of our loved ones as gentlemen are?”