Chapter 14 #2
“I hope your visit to Longbourn was not too trying. We are a rather animated family, and it can easily become tiresome for those not accustomed to our ways.”
“Not at all. We had a lovely time yesterday, I assure you,” Georgiana declared.
“I am glad to hear that. So, do you have fixed plans for this morning?” Elizabeth addressed Georgiana.
“Not really; we are taking a ride in the neighbourhood so I can see more of the country. I have really enjoyed it so far.”
“So…since we are here and you do not have any fixed engagements, would you like to see Oakham Mount?” Elizabeth offered.
“We might not have time for such a trip in the next few days because it is a long walk from home, but from here it is only another half hour. And the view is spectacular.” “Oh yes! Yes, I would like that very much,” Georgiana answered.
She looked at her brother for his consent, which was delayed.
“How will we reach it?” Darcy inquired.
“We will walk. Or I can walk, and you may ride. Whatever is more convenient for you.” Elizabeth barely concealed a laugh as she imagined how appalled Mr. Darcy must be at the suggestion of walking all that distance.
During the conversation, Bingley became restless; he looked around, moved from one side of the group to the other, and finally said, “Forgive me, would you mind if I decline? Miss Bennet knows the surroundings much better than I do anyway. I should go to Longbourn and see whether I can be of help. Yesterday I left rather early and…would you mind? I am sorry I must leave you…”
Bingley’s struggle to divide the time between his friends and his betrothed amused his companions, and Darcy took pity on him.
“Have no concern about us, Bingley; we will manage well enough. I will take care of the ladies and see you again later.”
Elizabeth was tempted to tell Darcy he might go with Bingley. Surely, she could accompany Georgiana on a path she had taken all her life without a guardian at their back. She would clearly have been more at ease without him; he seemed tense and uncomfortable, and that affected her own mood.
But she dared not say a word. If a day before he seemed to bear her mother’s offensive remarks rather well, she would not take the risk of upsetting him by suggesting his presence was not welcome.
“Very well, we will trust you in this, Miss Bennet. Let us walk,” Darcy concluded, following the ladies and leading the horses.
As Elizabeth indicated, they needed about half an hour by foot. It was a moderately difficult path, enhanced by a hint of dark autumn redness in the trees and shrubs and a fresh breeze bearing the scent of rain.
When they arrived at the uppermost point, Elizabeth invited them to admire the valley, and Miss Darcy gasped in delight.
“This view is beautiful indeed —one of the best I have seen. I am happy you suggested we come here, Miss Lizzy.”
“I am delighted you like it, Miss Darcy, and I hope it was worth the effort; I know it is not an easy walk. Other than Jane, none of my sisters has made it this far on foot. And Jane only did so because she is too sweet to refuse me.”
“Yes, I can imagine she would do that. Miss Bennet is truly a most generous person,” Darcy replied, and Elizabeth started to laugh.
“I am sure Mr. Darcy decided to join us for the same reasons,” she whispered to Georgiana.
“I confess I did. Except for the ‘sweet‘ part, which is as far from an accurate description of me as possible,” Darcy responded, and Elizabeth turned to him, bewildered by his mockery.
“I hope you are not exhausted by the exercise, sir,” she dared tease him back.
“Oh, I am sure he is not. William is very strong,” Georgiana said with so much admiration and respect that Elizabeth could barely conceal her laughter.
Darcy observed her amusement and briefly held her gaze. “The view is truly worth the effort, Miss Bennet. It is also the first time I have seen it.”
“I am glad you enjoy it, sir.”
“I most certainly do. I wonder what else I missed seeing when I was last in Hertfordshire.”
His voice was serious, and Elizabeth wondered about the true meaning of his words. She saw him stare somewhere towards the valley, appearing lost in thought.
“William, you should have asked for recommendations of places to visit from Miss Lizzy while you stayed at Netherfield. Neither Mr. Bingley nor his sisters seem fond of spending time outdoors,” Georgiana said.
He turned to her, and Elizabeth was amused to see the siblings’ eyes glowing with mirth for a reason of their own.
“You are right, dearest. I shall keep that in mind for the future. Now if you do not mind, I would suggest we return. Look at the sky —there are signs that it will probably rain again soon. By horse, we could reach Longbourn in a few minutes, but on foot, we will need at least an hour.”
“That might be true; we should hurry back then,” Elizabeth admitted.
Darcy, still holding the reins, walked behind the two ladies who were now stepping arm in arm, supporting each other. He knew Georgiana was not used to walking long distances, but she was obviously making an effort to indulge Elizabeth.
He was pleased to see his sister at ease and open in Elizabeth’s presence.
Their obvious bond threatened his contentment with a fear.
The more Georgiana became attached to Elizabeth and the more she enjoyed her time in Hertfordshire, the more she would suffer when they left.
And it was no different for him; he was well aware of that.
As long as he made himself believe he hated her, despised her, and blamed her for the torment of the last months, the easier it would have been to break any connection with her.
But as his opinion slowly changed, her manners towards him softened, and fate bonded him to her through Georgiana and Bingley, his situation became more difficult and painful.
His thoughts were disturbed by Elizabeth’s voice unexpectedly calling to him.
“Mr. Darcy, I understand and take your censure to heart. I admit it is my fault for not being able to ride that it will take such a long time to return to Longbourn. And if rain comes before we arrive, I will immediately bear the guilt.”
She was half serious, half joking, and he wondered whether she knew how deeply her smiles and teasing cut his soul. He still remembered those soft lips bowed by smiles in his previous night’s dreams, and he did not trust himself to endure her amused look.
But he managed to reply with composure, “I was certain you would, Miss Bennet. As my sister said, it is strange that such a determined young lady does not excel in an activity that many people enjoy. I am sure that even the horses that now follow us steadily are puzzled that we humans are not using them properly.”
Elizabeth stopped to look at him, and their eyes finally met for an instant, then she started to laugh wholeheartedly. She turned to Georgiana —who was equally amused —and whispered: “Does your brother happen to speak to animals too?”
“I am not certain, Miss Lizzy, but he well might,” Georgiana replied, still uncertain whether the teasing between her brother and the Bennet family was diverting or offensive to him.
“Despite your tendency to argue with me every time an opportunity arises, I hope you will admit that this time I am right, Miss Bennet. And when you start to ride, you will surely discover that it cannot replace the pleasure of walking but could be a faster and equally delightful choice.”
“I am willing to admit that, sir; I am just doubtful whether I want to experience it anytime soon. Oh, and I hope my tendency to argue with you has somewhat diminished recently.”
Again, they exchanged glances while Miss Darcy gave them a sideways look, somewhat amazed since she had never before heard a lady speak to her brother in such a forthright manner.
A few minutes later, Longbourn appeared in their sight just as the rain started. Large drops fell slowly along with a chilly wind.
“Georgiana, take your horse and ride to Longbourn. I will accompany Miss Bennet on foot,” Darcy said as he quickly sorted the reins.
“But, William —I would rather remain with you. I cannot leave by myself,” the girl argued.
Darcy put his hands on her shoulders. “Dearest, please listen to me. I would also like you to take my horse. There is no point in all of us getting soaked. Ask Bingley to put the horses under shelter, and stay warm inside. We will follow you in no time.”
The girl glanced from her brother to Elizabeth, her eyes tearful from distress. She was unwilling to abandon them and ready to fight her brother on that. Elizabeth stepped forward.
“Miss Darcy, I fully agree with your brother. Please do as he asks. Besides, you would do me a great favour by reaching Longbourn sooner. My parents will surely be worried about me if they have no news.”
“That is not fair, Miss Lizzy —you only wish to trick me into listening to William. You both treat me as if I were a child,” Georgiana replied with obvious displeasure.
“Not at all, Miss Darcy. I would have done the same with my own sisters. I am already distressed for exposing you to this weather; I beg you do not make me feel worse,” Elizabeth pleaded.
“Very well…but I shall ask Mr. Bingley to send a carriage for you,” Georgiana agreed reluctantly.
“You may do that, dearest, if you do not see us coming by then. Now hurry.”
Darcy helped his sister into the saddle and tied the reins of his horse, and Georgiana departed in haste.
He then turned to Elizabeth as the rain increased steadily. “Come, Miss Bennet; we must hurry. Please take my arm.”
“Sir, I am so sorry that I put you in this unpleasant situation. You should have left with Miss Darcy; I assure you I do not mind. I am well accustomed to walking this distance, including through rain or snow.”
“I am sure you are, Miss Bennet, as I am equally sure you cannot seriously believe that I would run and hide from the rain and leave you here alone. As I said, you should take my arm so we can move as quickly as possible.”