Chapter 9

Past Remembrances

T he next morning bloomed bright and all evidence of the storm two days prior faded. Elizabeth stopped in Jane’s room before going down for breakfast. “How are you feeling this morning.” Jane huffed, making Elizabeth laugh. “That well?”

“My knee is aching, my stomach is weary of the tonic, and my hair is a mess.”

“Let me brush your hair for you.” Elizabeth attempted to unsnarl some tangles, but Jane slapped at her hands.

“I want a maid to do it. You only know how to fix your own unruly hair.”

Elizabeth’s mouth tightened but she did not voice her annoyance. “I will ask for Sally to be sent for you.” Then, before she could rethink her decision, she sailed from the room.

On her way to breakfast, she passed Mrs. Nichols and asked her to send the maid to assist Jane with refreshing herself. When the housekeeper walked away, Elizabeth took three deep breaths, her ire ebbing with each. Equanimity restored, she entered the room.

“Good morning, Miss Gardiner,” Mr. Bingley called from the buffet. He was happily loading sausages onto his plate. Mr. Darcy gave a brief nod, his gaze never leaving hers as he subtly motioned toward a seat. Elizabeth felt warmth rise in her cheeks under the heat of his dark eyes.

“Allow me to prepare your plate. Do you prefer bacon or sausage?”

Elizabeth sat next to Mrs. Annesley, the only other person in the room, before answering. “Neither, actually. Just eggs and toast. And some coffee if it is available.” Mr. Darcy signaled to the footman who immediately fetched the pot.

“How does Mrs. Collins fare, this morning?” Mr. Bingley looked up from his heaping pile of sausages. “Is her leg better?”

“She is well enough to be cranky. My papa always said that is how he knew I was recovering from an injury or illness.”

Mr. Bingley was shocked. “Surely not. Mrs. Collins always appears so sweet and composed.”

“I assure you, sir, all ladies may become cranky at times. Jane does not like that she is tied to the bed, but she will be more herself soon.” Elizabeth added a healthy amount of cream in her coffee and stirred it before continuing. “If I guess correctly, I predict she will join the party tonight for supper.”

The breakfast conversation was enjoyable for Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley shared exploits of his youth prompting Mr. Darcy to share his own. “My cousin, Richard, bet me that I could not swim across River Derwent. It was March and the water was exceptionally cold, but I did not want to be proven unmanly.”

“How old were you?”

“I was at the very grown age of eight.” Mr. Darcy smiled causing a previously unseen dimple to appear in his right cheek.

Elizabeth’s pulse sped. She had thought him attractive before, but this Mr. Darcy was a true thing of beauty. She swallowed and reminded herself to speak. “Oh dear. You did not attempt it did you.”

He nodded gravely. “I did, but I was unprepared for the intensity of the freezing water or for how it caused my lungs to seize. I flailed around until my oldest cousin jumped in to rescue me. He was very cross about ruining his boots.”

Mrs. Annesley chuckled. “Miss Gardiner knows the River Derwent well.”

“How so?” Elizabeth groaned, knowing that Mr. Darcy’s question would soon be answered.

Mrs. Annesley smirked. “My charge had a love for climbing trees. Her family was picnicking when she spotted a tree that appeared to her eyes a ‘fantastic challenge’. That is exactly what she told me afterward.” Mr. Darcy leaned forward, interested to hear the rest of the story.

“Unfortunately, that fantastic challenge bested her. Her parents did not know she had even attempted the climb until they heard the splash. Her father had to dive in to rescue her as she was caught up in her skirts.”

“Did your father punish you, Miss Gardiner?” Mr. Bingley had become so engrossed in the various stories that he forgot all about his sausages.

“He did. I was made to stay inside for a solid week without a walk, a ride, and certainly without climbing a tree.”

“And have you climbed any trees since?” The mirth in Mr. Darcy’s eyes told her he knew the truth.

“A lady is allowed to keep some facts about herself private, sir.”

Mrs. Annesley rolled her eyes. “Miss Gardiner may choose not to answer, but I will tell you that she has broken her arm and sprained her ankle since then. I shall let you determine how each occurred.” He laughed heartily at the lady’s response.

Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley soon excused themselves to check on Jane. The maid had done her work and Jane sat up in bed wearing a fresh nightgown. Her hair had been brushed to a shine and plaited to hang over her shoulder. “I hope you are feeling better now that you have been refreshed.”

“I do. Thank you for sending Sally. She was kind enough to bring a deck of cards.”

Elizabeth settled next to the bed, preparing for Jane to deal. “Another game of Piquet?”

“Not today. I plan to play vingt-et-un for a while and then take a nap.”

Elizabeth was disappointed. Though she did not care for cards, she did enjoy spending time with her sister. A one-person card game was not the way to accomplish it. Searching for a way to stay near her sister’s side she asked, “Would you like for me to read while you play?”

Jane dealt the cards on the lap desk that had been provided. “No thank you. You and Mrs. Annesley can do as you please. I will see you after my nap.” It was not the response Elizabeth had hoped for, but she refused to demonstrate her discontent.

“If you are certain you wish to be alone, I will go downstairs.” Jane nodded as she continued to deal her cards.

With false cheer, Elizabeth said, “It appears I will have a chance to walk in the labyrinth today.” Mrs. Annesley laid her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder as they walked down the hall.

After leaving Mrs. Annesley in the morning room to chat with Mrs. Hurst, Elizabeth made her way outside. The weather was fine, and the air was crisp. She breathed deeply. Mornings in the country were one of her favorite things. She had always enjoyed her trips to Gloucestershire to Uncle Paul’s estate. Netherfield was not as fine as Meadow Haven, but it promised a fine garden, and the fresh air was not to be discounted.

As she ambled toward the maze, Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley walking the path. “Miss Gardiner,” Mr. Darcy startled to see her.

Miss Bingley drew her body closer to her escort’s. “Eliza, I am surprised to see you here. You are such a great walker, I would have thought you would prefer the muddy fields to our well-kept paths.” Mr. Darcy’s lips tightened at Miss Bingley’s comment, and Elizabeth liked him even better for it.

“I do enjoy a romp across a field, Miss Bingley, but today I have chosen to stay close to the house in case Jane has need of me.”

Guiding a reluctant Miss Bingley toward Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy offered his arm. “Would you care to join us? Miss Bingley and I had planned to explore the maze for a while.”

“Mr. Darcy, you are ever the gentleman, but there is hardly enough room for the three of us. Besides, Eliza wishes to stretch her legs. She will not want to move at our more sedate pace.”

Elizabeth did wish to walk with more swiftness than Miss Bingley would prefer, but the temptation to be near Darcy was too great. If she could also annoy the lady, then so much the better. With her sweetest smile, she took Mr. Darcy’s arm. “Thank you for the kind offer. I will join you for a while.” Miss Bingley’s nostrils flared, but she did not speak against it.

The three walked in silence for a while, but one lady was displeased with this and soon broke the quiet. “I do love this maze, but it is nothing compared to the gardens at Pemberley. I have told Charles that he must give up the lease here and find a more suitable estate. One in Derbyshire would be preferable, I think.”

“Derbyshire is very far north. Your brother is often needed in London to deal with his business interests. I think for that reason, Netherfield is a better location for him. He would not enjoy staying so long at his estate. Here he is a half-day’s distance from the attractions of town.” Though Mr. Darcy addressed Miss Bingley, he kept his eyes on the path.

“My brother is ready to be a steady estate owner, Mr. Darcy. I think a place in Derbyshire would be perfect for him. There is no more beautiful county in all the kingdom.” Miss Bingley leaned slightly forward so that she could see Elizabeth. “If you are ever able to pull yourself from London, I recommend you visit The Peak District. Given your great love for walking, you will find it perfect for you.”

“I have visited Derbyshire many times and climbed many of the peaks in that area. We were there only a few months ago, though our stay was cut short by my father’s business. I did not do as much exploring as I would have liked.”

Mr. Darcy was intrigued. The story of her dunking in the River Derwent indicated that her family had visited the area once when she was a child, but to have come to his home county many times invited his curiosity. “How is that you have found yourself in Derbyshire so many times? While I agree with Miss Bingley about the county’s beauty, it is not often a location people visit without having family in the area.”

“You have caught me out, sir. I do have family in Derbyshire. My mother hails from near a small village called Lambton. Perhaps you know it?”

“Lambton! But that is only five miles from Pemberley. I have been there many times. But who are your mother’s people?”

Feeling left out, Miss Bingley interjected. “It is unlikely you will know them. Eliza’s family are far below the notice of a Darcy.”

Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy chose to ignore the lady. “My mother was a Brown. Madelyn Brown.”

“Miss Brown! I have met her many times at her father’s estate. I visited him, myself, just this summer. We probably just missed one another.” After a moment, he asked, “How often do you visit?”

“We try to visit at least once a year, though there are years we go more often and years when we go less. Mama married my papa in the year seventeen ninety-seven. That was my first trip to the area. I was six years old and wished for nothing more than to finally have a mother to love me. Perhaps that is why I love the area so well. It is less about the area and more about what the county gave to me.”

Darcy looked at her in thoughtful contemplation until Elizabeth grew warm and Miss Bingley grew irritated. “The sun is simply too bright. If I stay outside any longer, I shall grow as brown as Eliza.”

Confused by the look on Mr. Darcy’s face, Elizabeth chose this moment to disengage her arm from his. “You should escort Miss Bingley back to the house while I continue to enjoy the outdoors for a while longer. I thank you for the escort and the pleasure of your company.” She dipped a quick curtsy to her two companions and then walked quickly down the path.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth disappeared around the bend in the path before Darcy had a chance to argue his desire to stay outside with her. Miss Bingley was certainly capable of finding her way back to the house without his help. He looked down at the lady still grasping tightly to his right arm. Perhaps it was for the best. Though she strove for his attention, Miss Bingley did not present one-tenth the level of temptation that Elizabeth garnered with so little effort.

On the walk back, he allowed himself to dream of a life unencumbered by duty and responsibility. If he were a different man and not Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, he would give in to his desires for Elizabeth Gardiner. But he was not a different man, and no amount of wishing would change that. His heart had soared upon learning that her mother was the daughter of a gentleman. Perhaps, he thought. But reality soon stomped his hope. Elizabeth was born to a tradesman and raised by another. It was better to keep his distance from the beautiful brunette, no matter how much he would like to do the opposite.

He helped Miss Bingley find her sister before excusing himself to the library. He had several letters from his steward to attend to, and that could not be accomplished with Miss Bingley’s constant effusions. He settled himself at the desk he had made his own for the duration of his stay and opened the first letter. His attention could not be captured by the tallies of the year’s harvest. Instead, his mind wandered to more fulfilling remembrances of a pair of fine eyes amid a pretty face.

Seventeen ninety-seven. The year his mother died and Elizabeth’s first visit to Lambton. It was also the first year of his father’s investment in Gardiner Imports, which could not be a coincidence. That had been such a painful year for Darcy. At the age of thirteen, his life should have been filled with boyish adventures and studies, but that was not the case. Thinking about those difficult months, a memory pulled itself forward from the depths of his mind.

“Father, I will stay here while you attend to your business.” Darcy sat on a bench comfortably placed in the shade of a large oak tree. His father had business with a guest of Mr. Brown, but Darcy did not wish to go inside. The weather was too nice. Besides, there would be ladies inside, and ladies always asked him how he fared since his mother’s death. He did not wish to fight back the tears that always threatened when someone mentioned her. He rubbed the ache that had bloomed in his chest.

“Who are you?” A small girl, covered in dust, jumped down from the fence behind him. “Are you here for the wedding?” She offered a broad smile. She had recently lost her front two teeth. A new tooth had recently pushed through in one spot, but the other remained bare. He could not help but smile back at her as he wondered what Georgiana would look like when she was this age.

“My father has business here.”

“But are you staying for the wedding? My papa is getting married tomorrow.” Uninvited, the girl climbed onto the bench and sat next to him. Darcy moved over a little to give her space.

“I do not believe my father will attend the wedding.”

She looked disappointed by this news. “That is a shame. My new mama said we will have cake and punch. Do you like cake?”

Darcy did like cake, but some obstinance prevented him from admitting it. “I prefer tartes, but cake is tolerable.”

“Oh, I love strawberry tarte! But that does not mean I cannot also love cake. It is the same with mamas. My first mama died when I was a baby, and I love her even though I do not remember her. But my new mama said that a person can love two people at once. So I love my new mama, as well.” She kicked her legs. “Do you have a mama?”

The question stabbed Darcy’s already tender chest. He rubbed the spot again. “My… my mother died last winter.” She placed her small hand on his arm but said nothing. They sat that way for many minutes.

“Elizabeth,” a lady called from the side of the house.

“I must go. I was not supposed to leave the garden area.” She hopped from the bench and waved cheerfully as she ran down the path toward the house.

That exchange had lingered in Darcy’s mind for years. The girl, now known to him as Elizabeth Gardiner, had effortlessly achieved what so few adults could. She had offered him comfort without uttering a word, without demanding conversation.