Library

Chapter 52

52

D arcy had been remembering his calls at Gracechurch Street. Miss Elizabeth, with that obstreperous chestnut curl. Miss Elizabeth, walking in the garden with him, her steps energetic, with an undercurrent of purpose, so unlike the languid stroll and ennui of the ladies of the first circles. Miss Elizabeth, her sympathy for him and her understanding when he told her of all his dealings with Wickham, including Ramsgate, and that last day. He shuddered, and let his thoughts return to her.

Miss Elizabeth, telling him of the countryside of Hertfordshire, her love of the outdoors obvious to any observer; and Miss Elizabeth, filling his mind and dreams. He tried to keep his mind on what he must, but when troubled by memories of those few moments when Wickham ambushed them, he welcomed Miss Elizabeth into his thoughts, and it calmed him.

He hoped Georgiana would be well soon, and they could go to Hertfordshire. He missed calling on Miss Elizabeth; missed her presence in his life.

But Georgiana was improving; he carried her downstairs in the mornings, and she was beginning to walk between the main rooms of the house.

Although she was quiet, she seemed well enough, and had been overcome when Miss Elizabeth wrote to her, wishing her well, and enclosing a small piece of music. Although it was an old work from her collection, and not a Santorio, it was light and cheerful, and seemed just the thing for his sister to be able to play without needing to use the pedals.

He was almost as affected as his sister at Miss Elizabeth's kindness and thoughtfulness for her. His heart had bounded — could it possibly mean …?

But he pushed away his hopes and dreams; he must not act too soon. First, she must come to know him better; must trust him and learn that he was not seeing her merely as a possession.

After another two days, he sent for her companion. "How is my sister after the recent events, Mrs. Annesley?"

"She seems to be quite well, sir. Physically, she is enough back to normal that I think she will be able to manage the stairs tomorrow. The music from her friend was a wonderful inducement to come down here to her favourite instrument. It also helps that you have a retiring room on this floor, so she will not have to use the stairs too often." She hesitated. "I have heard her cry out in the night sometimes, and on those occasions, I have gone to her bedchamber and talked to her quietly, and encouraged her to take a little laudanum, although if it is too close to dawn, I have sent for valerian tea to help her settle for a few hours."

Darcy nodded. "Thank you. Is she still having bad dreams, then? She has not spoken to me of the incident."

The woman nodded. "She is. She does not elucidate what it was about, although one day she admitted she was afraid for you and what would have happened to her if you had been lost."

He winced. "I will find some way of reassuring her if I can. Meantime, I hope you feel able to remind her that her cousin is co-guardian with me for her, and that the family will never suffer her to be alone. And we are safe now."

He was relieved to know that she had not spoken of Wickham. Perhaps she had not recognised him. But he had other things to say.

"What I suppose I am really asking is how will she manage when I have to leave here for a while? I have to go into Hertfordshire for my friend's wedding next week, and he has asked if I can be there for the rehearsal, as I am groomsman." He rubbed his chin. "I had wondered whether I might take her with me, but I would wish to leave Netherfield to the newly-weds after the wedding breakfast, and will need to stay at the inn. It is not really suitable for a lady."

He did not mention that he would like to see Miss Elizabeth, and without the need to worry for his sister being left in the company of the Hursts. Worse, perhaps Miss Bingley had arrived back to attend the wedding of her brother.

Mrs. Annesley nodded. "Miss Darcy will not wish you to shirk your duty to your friend, sir." Her brow creased a little. "Would you consider if she could perhaps go to Matlock House while you are away? She is quite comfortable there, especially if Colonel Fitzwilliam is in residence."

His brow cleared. "That is a good idea. I will send a note to my aunt to request the honour of an invitation for her, and then I can speak to my sister. You will ensure an adequate supply of valerian and everything she needs, I am sure."

"Of course, Mr. Darcy. If that is all, sir?"

"Thank you." He nodded at her and hurried through to his study to write to his aunt. If he could get Georgiana settled there today, he could start at dawn and perhaps even see Miss Elizabeth in the afternoon. His heart lightened; he had not thought it might be so soon.

The dawn mist was barely curling from the ground when Darcy hurried to his coach, careful of the ice at the side of the path. Thankfully, the warming bricks helped take a little of the chill from the inside of the vehicle, and he stopped to speak to the coachman. "You all have hot bricks by your feet?"

"Aye, sir, thank you." The horses were snorting and impatient, their breath curling above their tossing heads.

"All right, we may leave as soon as the door is shut." Darcy huddled into his greatcoat in his favourite corner, his gloved hands deep in his pockets. It was as well he did not wish to read, intending instead to think of Miss Elizabeth.

He wanted so much to formalise his courtship. Would she be ready to listen to him soon? He wanted above all, to make her safe from those who wished to possess her.

But she was an independent lady. It was obvious to him now that she would not welcome being cosseted and protected. In any sort of marriage, she would need to be free to follow her music, to do with it as she wished. He would not be able to control her; ensure she performed in society or at all.

She would also need time to follow her passion; she would not be available to do all the duties of the mistress of an estate. But Mrs. Reynolds would be there to assist her, and he could arrange that she appointed a junior housekeeper to assist as well. There was no question of Miss Elizabeth needing to give up her music, none at all. He was well able to provide for her.

He frowned; it might be difficult for him to control his need to protect her. He could do so at balls and gatherings, by standing near her — he could ensure she was not importuned. But he could not control what she wished to do.

He was glad Georgiana had been happy to go to Matlock House; his eldest cousin and his family were in residence for the winter, and his sister loved the children; Darcy could concentrate on Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth, descending the great staircase at Pemberley, a satin gown swirling around her slender body, a warm and loving glance just for him …

He roused an hour later, a smile upon his face. The horses were just turning into the yard of a post stop, and the footman jumped down, and opened the door. "Do you wish to stop, Mr. Darcy?"

He shook his head. "I will remain in here, Hanson. We will leave as soon as you have changed the horses. Then we will be there and in the warm house sooner."

"Very good, sir."

The coach drew up outside Netherfield Park an hour before noon, and Darcy nodded at the coachman. "A good journey. Thank you, Mr. Evans."

Then he turned and hurried up the steps to the great front door.

Bingley clapped him on the back. "I am so glad you have come, Darcy. I have need of you."

"I am at your service." Darcy was puzzled. "What is the problem?"

"It is nothing, really." Bingley wrung his hands together. "It is just that I am abominably nervous. Louisa has done a wonderful job with the wedding breakfast and has managed Mrs. Bennet's expectations …" he lowered his voice "… and constant changes of mind, exceedingly well." He glanced around.

"But Caroline has arrived for the wedding, and I cannot stop her comments to Louisa, who is becoming very nervous about it."

Darcy considered his reply, but they were interrupted by Miss Bingley, who came through to the hallway and clutched at Darcy's arm.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy! I am so pleased to see you. Everything is taking so much time to put to rights, but I have ensured your chambers are as you like them, and we will have time to exchange all our news over the drinks before luncheon."

He saw Mr. and Mrs. Hurst in the doorway of the drawing room. Bingley's elder sister looked weary and worn down. He glanced at his friend, then decided the time for action would wait no longer.

He firmly removed Miss Bingley's hand from his arm and took a step away from her. "I am quite sure Mrs. Nicholls has arranged everything, Miss Bingley." He approached Mrs. Hurst. After all, she was Bingley's hostess for the occasion. "Good morning, madam. Thank you for agreeing to accommodate me before the wedding. I have heard from Longbourn of your wonderful preparations for the wedding breakfast. The Bennets have been delighted at all you have done." He bowed, and saw her straighten up, her expression wondering.

He turned back to Bingley. "Well, I will begin my duties as groomsman at once, then. Have you been to Longbourn today, or are we riding over this afternoon?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Miss Bingley's narrowed eyes and pinched expression. Yes, he had been a little rude, but really, the woman was insufferable.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.