by Anne Louise
“Thank you, sir. Will it be an imposition if I stop by later today to call on Miss Elizabeth? Last evening we did not have much time to speak and both of us would like to visit each other before I leave for town.”
“That will not be a problem, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley may join you if he desires.”
“Thank you, sir, but I will be preparing for my meeting with the agent on the morrow.”
The friends next rode back to town and met with Mrs. Philips. She invited them in and offered tea but the men declined. To their astonishment, Mrs. Philips knew everything about the Netherfield property and what had previously been offered and about the condition and past history and all other questions the men asked her.
After thanking her for her advice, they left over an hour later with an excellent understanding of a price that they wanted to settle on and the reasons behind their offer. Later they returned to their rooms before eating dinner nearby.
The friends next went over Bingley’s offer and Darcy coached him how he should negotiate. Darcy took the position of the agent and Bingley and he practiced with questions and responses until he felt confident that he was in a good position to negotiate the best possible price. It was still comforting to him to know that if needed, his friend would be there to assist him. All of this would occur early on the morrow and if the details could be agreed to, Bingley would be able to move into Netherfield before Michaelmas.
Darcy then wasted little time in riding to Longbourn and before he had travelled half way there, he spotted a person in the distance. Soon he discovered that Elizabeth was on one of her long walks and moments later he and Elizabeth began to walk back to Longbourn.
“Miss Bennet, the dinner last evening was delicious, and I enjoyed meeting your family. I was so pleased to see you again. This has been a nice day that we have and it does not look like rain.”
Elizabeth’s face became one big grin. “The evening went very well and I was happy to see you again, my friend. As for the rain, one can never tell what the weather will do. The morning we went to see Pemberley was beautiful but we saw how the day turned out.”
“I believe it turned out rather well. Where else could I meet a special friend?”
“Mr. Darcy, when you speak such words you only make it more difficult for me to sleep.”
“Do you mean to tell me you lose sleep because of me? I hope you do not have nightmares?”
“No, it is just that there are so many memories of you and new feelings too. Sometimes my dreams have you walking away. That is the closest they come to being a nightmare.”
“You are always on my mind, Miss Bennet, and I also find it difficult to sleep. Just last evening I was trying to figure out how to ask you if I can court you.”
She stopped him and moved closer, her eyes sparkling in the sun. “I believe I can help you. Just hold my hand and ask me.”
“That is why you are my special friend. Will you consent to allow me to court you, Miss Bennet?”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, I would like you to court me.”
Next she felt herself in his arms and her head against his shoulder and caught his scent of spice and leather. He gently kissed her forehead and next her cheek before claiming her mouth. Again, just like that night at the shelter at Pemberley, she felt her heart to be in danger so he caught himself and backed away.
“I am sorry, Miss Bennet, but I will not be the cause of you losing your reputation.”
“But I have done things in my dreams with you that are naughty.”
Darcy chuckled softy. “Should I wait until Mr. Bingley moves into Netherfield Park to ask your father for his permission for me to court you?”
“That is the proper time, but we can kiss when we are alone and no person will be any wiser.”
Elizabeth had never walked any slower but Darcy had proffered his arm and she had taken it. All was again right in her world and her heart rejoiced that such a man would wish to court her.
“How was your inspection of the property, Mr. Darcy?”
“It went quite well, Miss Bennet. My friend and I will meet early on the morrow with the agent to agree on terms to take possession of the property before Michaelmas. After that, Mr. Bingley and I will stop at Longbourn before returning to town.”
After another hour together, Elizabeth watched as Darcy mounted Sampson and turned toward Meryton as she returned home to Longbourn to read her letters again.
The two men arrived at Longbourn late the next morning where Mr. Bingley told that he had leased the house for a year with an option to purchase it later. He next thanked Mr. Bennet for his recommendations including the meeting with Mrs. Philips and he said he saved money because of it. They did not tarry long but Elizabeth and Darcy managed a short walk in the gardens with Mary following them.
“Once I return to town I shall be lonely again, Miss Bennet, and I do not think I can wait until the week before Christmas to see you again.”
“But will you not visit your friend after he takes possession of Netherfield?”
“Yes, of course, you are right. Somehow I overlooked the obvious. Mr. Bingley will take possession by Michaelmas.”
“In a few weeks your friend will be our neighbor and Jane will also return.”
“That promises to be very interesting. Mr. Bingley is eager to return to town and has already asked your sister if he can call on her. Of course, later he will want to return to Netherfied so he can be near your sister. And once I return, I intend to call on you, Miss Bennet.”
“Will you stay in town this Christmas?”
“No, Miss Bennet, my friend has invited my sister and I to join him at his new home, and there is one charming young woman who lives nearby who has bewitched me, body and soul. As for my friend, I believe he is very interested in my new friend’s sister.”
“Please be careful and take good care of yourself, Mr. Darcy”
She next looked over her shoulder at Mary, and finding her sister reading her book, Elizabeth slipped her arms around Darcy and kissed him. Later she watched as the two men left to return to town. The day was sunny and warm but it did not seem so after she lost sight of him in the distance. In a little over a fortnight, Mr. Bingley would return, and days later he would take possession of Netherfield. Elizabeth had a lot to be happy about.
When Elizabeth next went to visit her friend, Charlotte Lucas, she was much happier.
“Lizzy, I thought I asked you to have Mr. Darcy bring a friend back for me?”
“Well, perhaps he or Mr. Bingley knows such a man. I do believe Mr. Bingley has a cousin. Wait, Mr. Darcy has a cousin.”
PART VI
The trip back to town would be slow and more uncomfortable for Bingley. Darcy was a great rider and could ride long distances over many days. Bingley was not so fortunate. He could ride the distance from town to Meryton, but after that he needed to rest for several days before another lengthy ride, so he told Darcy that he would require several rest stops.
“Not to worry, my friend, in the future you can take the chaise and four when you return to Netherfield. As for today’s ride, we can stop whenever you wish. You are not the only person who needs to rest more often. Anyway, I want you spry and full of energy when you next see Miss Bennet.”
“If I do see her on the morrow, it will be later, after I have rested my bottom.”
Bingley arrived at his house first as Darcy continued on to Darcy House. Georgiana could hear her brother’s footsteps as he came inside and ran toward him as he grabbed her in his arms and twirled her around. “You look well, Georgie. It is good to be back home.”
“I am sorry to hear that. Do you not miss my friend, Elizabeth?”
“Of course I do, but there is good news. Mr. Bingley has taken the Netherfield property for a year. He signed the papers this morning and we will spend Christmas with Mr. Bingley at Netherfield in his new home. He will take possession by Michaelmas. Shortly after that, we will visit for at least a fortnight.”
“So
we will return before Christmas?”
“We must, because the Miss Bennets will be in town for a few days before Christmas and our aunt and uncle have invited all of us for dinner and to some holiday ball.”
“Then they will travel back with us?”
“Yes, Georgie, and you and her can talk as much as you want. I look forward to that trip.”
Later that evening, after dinner, Georgiana asked to hear more about the Bennet family and Darcy obliged.
“So are things the same with Elizabeth now that you are on her turf?”
“Things are going well. I gave her your letter and Mr. Bingley gave her Jane’s letter. Did you visit with the Gardiners?”
“I did, and Miss Bennet and I both played with the children.”
“Elizabeth said that she wished to see you soon. Here is a letter from her.”
“Thank you, William”
“Georgie, every time you speak of the children you have a contented look.”
“Yes, I enjoy my visits. What I really hope for is that you and Elizabeth will marry soon and give me many nieces and nephews.”
Darcy looked at her but made no reply.
“You are silent, William. Do you like the Bennet family?”
“Yes, I like the family. I saw Miss Bennet in Meryton. Actually, I bumped into her as she was leaving the bookstore and she dropped her packages.”
“You did not see her? Was she hurt?”
“Neither of us saw the other until we bent down to pick up the parcels. It just happened so suddenly. I caught her fragrance of lavender and saw her next to me and my heart nearly jumped from my chest. Both of us were startled but I could not turn my eyes from her and we both stared at each other until her mother arrived. Next she introduced her mother and I introduced Mr. Bingley. Georgie, I know that I told you earlier about Miss Bennet seeing me in my study at Pemberley and her thinking I was the gardener?”
“Yes, you did tell me that.”
“After Miss Bennet told her mother that she met me on the tour of Pemberley, her mother asked if I was on the same tour. Miss Bennet then explained that I was the Master of Pemberley.”
“That certainly would have been a good time to judge if she was a fortune hunter’s mother.”
“Indeed, but the woman seemed unfazed. Short moments later she learned that Mr.
Bingley was in Meryton to inspect the Netherfield estate. Once again, the woman acted unaffected by that news. Even so, she invited us for dinner at Longbourn that evening.”
“How are the rest of her family?”
“Miss Bennet definitely has four sisters and she described her father as an intelligent man of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice. Miss Bennet has said her mother was looking to marry off her daughters, but I did not see that side of her and neither did Mr. Bingley. Still, she appears to be a loving mother and I found her to be friendly. She is still a pretty woman and I can see her beauty in her daughters, as they are a good looking family.”
“Did Elizabeth tell much about our family when she arrived home?”
“No, it was apparent she did not tell anyone but her eldest sister. She told me later that she did not want her mother to know of her history with me.”
“Was she surprised that her mother did not act like a fortune hunter’s mother?”
“Yes, she told me that she was very surprised. She could not understand how her mother could change so fast.”
“Well, then, at least she kept up a good countenance whilst you visited. How were the others?”
Darcy next told her more about the sisters and Georgiana was particularly interested in learning that the middle sister, Mary, was taking lessons from a man that Georgiana had once met.
“You have implied that they like one another. Do you see a future where they are together?”
“Actually, I do think that might happen.”
“And how can you tell?”
“I can tell they like each other by the way they act around one another and by the way they look at each other when they think no one is watching.”
“Do you base your beliefs on your own history with Elizabeth at Pemberley?”
“Yes, I suppose that is so.”
“Then you know enough to understand that you might be in love with Miss Elizabeth. Are you in love?”
“My mind will not allow me to answer your question, but my heart does not lie. It tells me that I am in love with her.”
The next morning, as planned, Georgiana and her driver went to the Gardiner home to collect Miss Bennet for an outing to visit some of the shops in town and later they would return to Darcy House. About an hour after they left, Mr. Bingley stopped at the Gardiners to call on Miss Bennet but was told she had left earlier with Miss Darcy. He next went directly to Darcy House, thinking he might discover them, but found Darcy alone.
“I did not expect you to visit Miss Bennet so early. Have you fully recovered from your trip?”
“No, Darcy, my bottom tells me I need to rest longer. I had thought to visit Miss Bennet much later, but it is a good day, and once I started thinking about her, well, here I am.”
“Georgiana said they would stop at a few stores and later return here for lunch. Feel free to rest your bottom until they return. You simply must get use to the ride from Netherfield to town. You likely will be doing a lot of that soon.”
“At present my bottom does not agree with that. I believe that for the future, I shall take the carriage or the coach.”
Mr. Bingley made himself at home but saw that Darcy was pacing about.
“Now what is this all about? You look as if you are bothered by something.”
“Yes, Georgiana believes that I am in love.”
“Are you in love with Miss Elizabeth? And do not think it is a sign of weakness to say you are, if that is how you feel.”
“You should know about that better than I. What do you think?”
“I believe you are in love. Do you think of Miss Elizabeth most of the time? Is your heart aching one minute and rejoicing a minute later? Darcy, I have known you for several years and have never seen you so affected by a young woman as you are now. Welcome to my club.”
“Bingley, I must answer yes to those questions. So how much longer must I wait before I can see Miss Bennet again?”
“You already know the answer to that question. If you are eagerly anticipating something, the clocks run slower, and if you are already in a hurry, they speed up.”
Darcy next chuckled, “That is true. At least you will see Miss Bennet soon.”
“I hope so, Darcy. You know, things will be better when both of us are at Netherfield, Once there, we can properly court the sisters.”
Within an hour Georgiana and Miss Bennet arrived at Darcy House. Both Darcy and his sister watched the interaction of Bingley and Miss Bennet and soon saw them holding hands and talking. Georgiana next invited Mr. Bingley to join them for dinner and he accepted.
The remainder of the day and later that evening all went well as Bingley told more about Netherfield and Jane asked both men about her family. She did have a look of surprise as both men complimented her parents and the others. Jane also asked what they thought about Meryton and later that evening they escorted Miss Bennet back to the Gardiners.
Most days Bingley visited Miss Bennet and the children. Sometimes he would accompany Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet and the children when they visited a nearby park.
A few days later, Mrs. Gardiner asked Jane if Mr. Bingley had expressed any interest in courting her. Jane was all blushes as she replied they had spoken of such things and that she was very happy with the man, but wanted him to wait until they were back at Longbourn to ask for her father’s approval.
“Well, Jane, your mother must be pleased that three of her daughters are poised to marry, is she not?”
“Are you not counting our chickens too early, Aunt?”
“I do not know about Mary’s friend, but neither Mr. Bingley nor Mr.
Darcy has asked our father to approve a courtship.”
“Jane, your uncle received a letter from your father today and he wrote that he has approved a courtship between Mary and Mr. Harrison. I predict she will be engaged in a few weeks and may be married before the new year.”
“This is extraordinary news, and I would never have thought such a thing that first day he gave Mary her lesson.”
“And why are you so surprised, Jane?”
“Aunt, Kitty helped her with a new hair style and new clothes and Mary looked like a new person, but as I watched from the parlor, I could see her frustration and disappointment in her playing. She seemed on the verge of tears, even though they were alone. That was when the man calmed her down and held her hands and said they were beautiful and that soon she would play beautiful music. Mary has not been the same since meeting him.”
“Your father wrote that the man’s parents live not far from Darcy House and that he is the only child. Apparently, he is an attorney, but he likes to give piano lessons, and he is giving Mary all her lessons at no charge.”
“Good, so mother must be most pleased with this news.”
****
Back at Longbourn, Elizabeth met her mother as she approached the house after her afternoon walk.
“Lizzy, I wish to speak with you if you will give me a few moments.”
“Certainly, Mama, we can talk.”
“Thank you, Lizzy. I am worried about you. Is there something wrong?”
“No, Mama, I just miss Jane and Mr. Darcy and his sister and Mr. Bingley. I am also perplexed to understand why you suddenly have not been obsessed with finding husbands for my sisters and I. Why have you changed?”
“Lizzy, I could see that you avoided talking to me that day you returned home. I was about to ask if you had found a husband while you were away and saw you leave for your room. That was wrong of me and I apologize. When you saw Mr. Darcy in Meryton, I understood your situation. You are in love and it appears that Mr. Darcy loves you. I vowed that very moment that I would not embarrass you again by behaving like a suffering mother out to marry you off. You have done well, Lizzy, and now it appears that Jane and Mr. Bingley have feelings for each other.”