Chapter 5

Oakham Mount

T he next day, Elizabeth woke early and escaped the house before any of the residents awoke. She did not sneak away before the servants rose, but with the aid of good luck, she managed to slip out the door without being caught by her footman. Her mother and father would scold her if they were to learn that she willingly left Howes at Longbourn, but having grown up in London where it was neither proper nor safe for a lady to walk alone, she relished the opportunity to ramble without a care for whomever was forced to follow her.

Charlotte Lucas had mentioned Oakham Mount as the premier walking destination in the area. Elizabeth asked for exact directions and turned left when she reached the small road that connected to Longbourn’s drive. “Walk east along the lane, and then cross into my father’s land when you pass our house,” Charlotte had explained.

Elizabeth found the path easily and began the ascent. The trail was well cut and only a few places required careful attention. It was not as rigorous as climbing hills in the Peak, an area Elizabeth had visited many times on her trips north to vacation with her mother’s family. Despite the relative ease of this walk, she did find herself growing warm.

While she walked, she replayed the events of yesterday over in her head. The gathering of local ladies had not gone as desired. Elizabeth was disappointed by her aunt’s disapprobation and her brother-in-law’s rude comments. But she was more disheartened by her sister’s unwillingness to refute her mother’s or husband’s comments . I know she is a peacemaker, at heart, but I would have wished for her to stand up for me , she thought.

Elizabeth was more pleased with her sister’s company when their guests left and Mr. Collins returned to his study. “What shall we do today, Lizzy? I must sit for some time with Mrs. Hill to discuss the menus, but after that I can be available for anything you wish.”

While Jane spoke with the housekeeper, Elizabeth explored the other public rooms of the house. The building had been well made, with solid stone exteriors and a well-worn maple staircase. But the interior had not been redone in some time. The primary salon had pretty colors, but everything was faded. The curtains had white spots where the sun had bleached them, and the print on the paper was difficult to discern in some areas. But age did not account for the very decided lack of comfort to be found in most of the furnishings. Elizabeth had felt a stab of sympathy when Lady Lucas perched delicately on an exceedingly lumpy side chair during yesterday’s visit.

The remainder of the house was much the same, though older with more austere color choices. If Elizabeth was a betting woman, she would wager that the elder Mr. Collins had not allowed for any redecorating during his time. The paper in the other rooms appeared to be no less than forty years old. Only the east drawing room looked as though it had been remodeled during her lifetime. Elizabeth wondered if that was the only room her mother had redecorated before her untimely death.

In a mostly unused drawing room situated at the back of the house, Elizabeth found a walnut chessboard and a set of carved marble pieces. Only the bases of the pieces distinguished their set. For one set, the base was carved from matching marble; for the other, it was carved from ebony. Elizabeth thought it the most beautiful set she had ever seen, and she longed to play, knowing her father, of whom she held no memories, had once held every piece.

That afternoon she asked Jane about it. “You are correct, it belonged to our father. I doubt anyone has played since he passed. Neither Mr. Collins or I play, and I seriously doubt Mr. Collins’ father ever learned.”

“If you wish it, I can teach you,” Elizabeth offered, but Jane quickly refused.

“What use have I for such a thing? Chess is for the men.” To Elizabeth’s disappointment, Jane then took out a deck of cards and insisted her sister learn to play Piquet. Though cards held little appeal for the younger sister, she enjoyed her time alone with Jane.

Elizabeth was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not recall the last half of her climb. It was not until the view opened to reveal the town of Meryton that she regained her attention to her surroundings. “It is beautiful,” she whispered to herself.

“It is indeed,” a deep baritone voice replied.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth’s hands went to her chest. “Mr. Darcy, I did not see you there.” Darcy rose from where he sat on a small boulder.

“I apologize if I startled you, Miss Gardiner.”

“Think nothing of it, sir. I was lost in my thoughts and failed to take in your presence. Although I must admit, I am surprised to find you here.”

Darcy’s lips quirked. “You assumed a gentleman such as myself should still be abed?”

Elizabeth stepped closer to the edge and looked down upon the town. “Not at all. I only meant that I would expect you to ride rather than walk in the morning.”

Darcy held his hand toward the rock indicating that Elizabeth should sit. “I do prefer to ride, but I found a shoe was loose on my stallion, and I did not wish to take Bingley’s without his permission. Since I was already up and ready, I chose to walk.” And I am glad I did , Darcy mused, though his thoughts were more entangled than he cared to admit. The memory of their dance kept surfacing against his will—how natural it had felt to guide her, how every step seemed perfectly in sync. He had not wanted to dwell on it, yet here, in her presence, the recollection was unavoidable. The soft light of the sunrise cast Elizabeth’s face in a becoming glow, and he could scarcely look away. Elizabeth smiled at him, before turning her eyes back to the scenery.

“Is this the highest peak you have climbed, Miss Gardiner?” Darcy sat on a neighboring boulder.

“Not at all. I have traveled to the Peak many times since my childhood. I enjoy the challenge of climbing those paths very much.”

“The Peak District is very near my home,” Darcy said. “I must admit that I am surprised to find that you have been there. Where else have you traveled?”

“I have had many opportunities to travel. We often spend the Christmas season with Uncle Paul and his family in Gloucestershire. For my tenth birthday we spent a month in Ramsgate.” Darcy forced himself not to wince at the mention of that loathsome beach town. “But I must admit, the most adventurous trip I have taken was when we traveled to India.”

“India!” Darcy exclaimed. “That is a very far distance, indeed. You must tell me everything about it.” It delighted Elizabeth to share the details of her family’s journey east. She spoke for some time about the exotic foods, animals, plants, and clothing she saw while there.

“It was a hardship to leave the place, and not just because I did not enjoy the confinement of the ship. The culture was lovely. I hope to return one day.”

Elizabeth’s lovely eyes shone with joy at the remembrances of her voyage. Darcy felt a warmth spread through his chest. She is magnificent .

“But that is enough about me. What travels have you made, sir?”

Darcy found his body had turned fully toward her of its own accord and he was surprised by how engaged he was in their conversation. “I have not traveled so far as India, but I did spend some time in Italy and Spain. I was unable to complete my tour, however, due to my father’s illness. I returned home in time to spend two months with him before he passed.”

“I am very sorry for your loss, Mr. Darcy.” Darcy was used to such sentiments but was unaccustomed to hearing them said in such a way that he truly believed his loss pained the speaker.

Momentarily stunned by the sincerity of her words, Darcy took some time before replying, “Thank you.” Wishing to change the subject, he asked, “Do you ride, Miss Gardiner?”

Elizabeth laughed. “You think me incapable, I suppose, because I live in London. But I must disappoint you, sir. I do ride. My father keeps several horses in the mews. I ride a small chestnut. Her name is Portia.”

“I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now.”

“Bravo, sir. You guessed correctly her namesake. Or at least I tell people she is named in honor of my favorite character from The Merchant of Venice . She is, after all, very clever. But in truth, I simply liked the name. I was but nine when my papa purchased her, far too young to have read the Bard’s work.”

“Ah, but clearly you have read it since. I do not know many women, men either, who would have recognized the quote so readily.”

“I would chastise you for being harsh on the fairer sex, but since you were so moderate to include men in your censure, I can only bask in the praise.” Darcy laughed at Elizabeth’s good humor.

“Much as I have enjoyed this conversation, I must leave you. My sister and brother will be awake by now. It would be rude of me to arrive late to breakfast.”

“May I escort you?”

Elizabeth thanked him for the offer, but politely declined. “I believe my sister’s husband would be shocked to see you with me when I arrive at Longbourn. I would not wish for him to jump to the wrong conclusions.” With a pert curtsy, Elizabeth said goodbye. Darcy watched her descend the hill until she was out of sight.

∞∞∞

As he walked the path back to Netherfield, Darcy pondered his conversation with Elizabeth. It was odd but not unheard of for a man of business to keep horses in London, but for him to have the space for at least two carriage horses, his own beast, and one for his daughter’s pleasure — that was a rarity.

Darcy imagined her atop a horse. Would she approach riding with as much vigor as she did with walking and dancing? She would be resplendent in a dark red habit. Perhaps he would run into her after they both return to town, though he would likely have to go further afield to find her.

When in London, Hyde Park was Darcy’s favorite riding haunt, but, at nearly an hour away, that would be too far from Gracechurch Street. Darcy was not certain of her home’s location, having visited Mr. Gardiner at his warehouse on Bread Street, but he assumed she still lived in or near the home Bingley mentioned. Finsbury Circus was not far from Cheapside, perhaps Elizabeth rode there. It was a small park, but lovely, and soon to be even nicer when the changes to the garden were made complete. Yes, that was the most likely place he would find her.

Darcy shook his head, the movement helping to rid his mind of tantalizing images of Miss Elizabeth Gardiner. What are you doing, man? He chastised himself. Elizabeth Gardiner was a beautiful, intriguing young woman, but that did not change the facts of the matter. He could no more pursue her than he could wed a house maid.

Though mannerly, kind, and educated, she was not from the background expected of him as the master of a large estate and grandson to an earl. Darcy could afford to speak with Miss Gardiner, but nothing more. Resolved, he pledged to do nothing that would raise her expectations.