Chapter 14 #3
Elizabeth saw the rightness of his suggestion, so she reluctantly took his arm. She held it with the same reserve that she would hold something harmful. She marvelled at the feelings aroused inside her and felt herself shiver as she tried to keep pace with his long strides.
“You are cold; it is good we only have a short distance remaining,” he said. “Would you take my coat? Although I am afraid it is so wet that it would do more harm than good.”
“No…thank you…” She knew her cheeks were burning and felt grateful that he could not see her face. He had noticed her quivering but fortunately misunderstood the reason. How could he suppose something that was a puzzle even to herself?
The hold of her hand on his arm tightened.
She was walking arm in arm with a man who, until a few months ago, she hated —the man she considered responsible for her sister’s suffering and believed to be unfair, cruel, and disrespectful even to his dead father’s wish.
The man whose marriage proposal she violently rejected.
“Look, we are already home,” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling. “It was much faster than usual.”
“True. And it would surely have been even faster by horseback,” he responded in earnest.
She glanced at his profile.
“Will you never cease teasing me about my lack of riding skill? It is quite ungenerous of you,” she replied and then blushed as her voice sounded more flirtatious than she intended. Her uneasiness increased when, after a brief hesitation, he answered in the same manner.
“I apologise for any inconvenience, but I am not certain whether I will ever stop. Since you have few faults I can make sport of, I must preserve the one I found.”
She chuckled. “That answer is abominable, sir, and as I said —quite ungenerous!”
The conversation struggled to be light, but both were aware of the lack of composure in their voices.
The attempted mockery tried —with little success —to dissipate the tension and discomfort of being alone and in such an intimate situation.
They were soaking wet, her hand tightly gripping his arm, and their bodies touching at times during the hasty walk.
“Again —I apologise, Miss Bennet. But my remark was true and serious. We easily could have ridden together on my horse and it would have taken only a couple of minutes to arrive. However, I did not dare suggest a solution that would have been equally improper and uncomfortable for you. I imagine you would rather freeze in the rain than accept such a proposal from me.”
This time Elizabeth turned towards him, astonished and distressed by his statement and by its hidden implications.
He stopped too, and their eyes locked. The entrance to Longbourn was only steps away, and she withdrew her hand from his arm.
She licked her lips that, despite the raindrops falling on her face, suddenly felt dry.
“You believed me unreasonable to refuse a sensible suggestion for our mutual comfort, and yet you chose to join me in a situation that was solely my fault. Why would you do that?”
He frowned, and his gaze deepened while her breathing became unsteady.
Then a smile lifted the corner of his lips and narrowed his eyes.
“Because I am a complete fool. But one with rather gentlemanlike behaviour —at least most of the time. Now, let us enter; we have spent enough time in the rain.”
They were met in the yard by Bingley and Jane; Georgiana was behind them, covered with a large, dry towel and looking at them with worry.
“Oh, thank God you arrived so quickly; I had asked for the carriage to be prepared,” Bingley said.
“Lizzy, let us go upstairs at once,” Jane said decidedly. “Miss Darcy, would you join us, please? You should both get out of those wet gowns immediately.”
As the three ladies left, Bingley turned to his friend. “Come —you must change your clothes too. I can offer you a robe and a glass of brandy from Mr. Bennet. I have sent a servant to Netherfield to procure dry clothes for you and Georgiana; he should return shortly.”
“Thank you, my friend; that was thoughtful of you,” Darcy answered, following Bingley while his eyes gazed after Elizabeth.
“Yes, well…in fact the carriage was Miss Darcy’s idea, and sending John to Netherfield was Jane’s,” Bingley mumbled, happy to at least offer his friend a glass of brandy.
Upstairs in the bedroom, a blanket of wet clothes appeared on the floor with an eruption of voices.
Under Jane’s strict supervision, both Georgiana and Elizabeth were quickly dried and cleaned.
Elizabeth tried to calm her sister. “Jane, we are fine —do not worry.”
“I see you are fine, Lizzy, but I would like to know you will continue to be so in a few days and not catch a bad cold. So please keep the towel on your hair a little longer; you are still wet,” Jane replied then turned to Georgiana.
“Miss Darcy, for the moment, you will take one of Lizzy’s dresses. And please allow me to loosen your hair; it must be dried too.”
“Of course, Miss Bennet; thank you for your care,” Georgiana answered meekly, glancing at Elizabeth, who could barely withhold her laughter.
Jane had suddenly turned into a severe mistress who accepted no contradiction, but Elizabeth knew too well that it was due to her sister’s affection and care for their well-being.
A knock on the door introduced Kitty and Mary bringing tea.
First, Elizabeth and Georgiana were offered large hot cups and asked to sit close to the fireplace. Then the other three sisters took a seat and a cup of tea, and everybody finally managed to be calm.
“Miss Darcy, you are an amazing rider. As fast as lightning,” Kitty said admiringly.
“Thank you.” Georgiana smiled, red cheeked from the compliment and the hot tea. “But I confess it was more my concern for Miss Lizzy and my brother than my riding skills that induced me to ride so fast.”
“Oh, you should not worry for Lizzy,” Mary said. “She does that all the time. Once she was caught in snow and returned home half frozen.”
Elizabeth laughed.
“Thank you, dear Mary. Please say something else to embarrass me in front of Miss Darcy.”
“But it is true, Lizzy. None of us can keep pace with you, not even when we walk to Meryton!” Kitty added.
Georgiana turned to Elizabeth. “Mr. Bingley told us you walked three miles from Longbourn to Netherfield to take care of Miss Bennet. My aunt and I found that to be an admirable gesture.”
“Yes, I did, but it was nothing. I would walk much further for any of my sisters,” Elizabeth said smiling.
“I imagined as much.” Miss Darcy returned the smile then turned to the others. “Miss Lizzy was incredibly courageous saving my little kitten. She actually climbed a dangerous tree and took Mist down before he could run off or hurt himself. Mist is my cat.”
“Yes, I can imagine Lizzy doing that,” Jane agreed.
Elizabeth waved her hand in disapproval. “Miss Darcy is too kind; it was nothing. But you know —Mist is a very rare breed of cat. He is actually blue. I have never seen one as beautiful.”
“He is? A blue cat?” Kitty asked incredulously.
“Yes, Miss Kitty. He is a sort of greyish-blue,” Georgiana said. “My aunt purchased it for me.”
The conversation continued in the same manner, increasingly animated, five young women enjoying each other’s company.
Elizabeth was amazed that Miss Darcy seemed comfortable among her sisters.
She easily adapted to Kitty and Mary, and her younger sisters quickly recognised Miss Darcy’s superior education.
They heard her speak of music, theatre, and books —and Miss Darcy appeared more willing to talk than Elizabeth had ever seen her before.
Dry clothes from Netherfield finally arrived. The maid handed over the package then announced that Mrs. Bennet and the gentlemen awaited them in the drawing room where refreshments were prepared.
The others left, and Elizabeth helped Georgiana change while their conversation continued.
“I really liked the trip, Miss Lizzy. Thank you for suggesting it. And although the rain interfered with our plans, it was a lovely opportunity to spend more time with your sisters. They are all so nice and friendly.”
“We were happy with your company too, Miss Darcy. I can safely say that you charmed my entire family. And…I hope you do not mind my asking, but…would you mind calling me by my given name? Elizabeth —or Lizzy as my family does,” Elizabeth asked, watching carefully for Georgiana’s reaction.
The girl’s eyes showed her immediate approval.
“I would like that very much…and please call me Georgiana. I would like that very much indeed.”
“Very well, Georgiana. That is lovely indeed —as long as Mr. Darcy does not mind,” Elizabeth added.
Georgiana looked puzzled.
“Why would he mind? I am sure he would not, Miss Lizzy —forgive me, Lizzy —I know my brother seems severe, and I know you two have had disagreements in the past…and he was upset and unfair when we met in London…but he was only worried for me. I have… it was a difficult year, and it was entirely my fault that I gave him reason for concern. But he is indeed the best man and the best brother. Everybody who knows him shares the same opinion.”
The girl’s voice trembled as her anxiety increased. When her eyes moistened with tears she obviously struggled to overcome, Elizabeth held her hands.
“Georgiana, any past disagreements I might have had with Mr. Darcy are long gone. I know he is doing everything for your benefit; anyone who sees you together can testify to this. Now —shall we join the others? They must be expecting us.”
“Yes, of course,” Georgiana whispered. “Lizzy, I am very happy that we have come to Hertfordshire —very happy indeed. I will be sorry to leave.”
“As will I, dear Georgiana,” Elizabeth answered, holding the girl’s arm gently.
The moment they entered the drawing room, they were met by Mrs. Bennet.
“Lizzy, I have always known that you favoured your father over me, but I never imagined you had so little consideration for my nerves. Where on earth did you get the strange habit of wandering outdoors, child? And you took your guests with you and kept them in the rain? How could you do that? What if somebody was harmed just before Jane’s wedding? ”
Elizabeth glanced at Darcy in embarrassment, but he seemed to be occupied with his drink.
“Mama, it was unfortunate that it began to rain. The walk to Oakham Mount is usually a pleasant one, and both Mr. and Miss Darcy enjoyed it.”
“Of course, they said they enjoyed it. What else could they say? Upon my word, Lizzy, if the king himself should happen to come to Longbourn, I am sure you would take him for a walk —preferably in the rain to be certain he fell ill afterward,” Mrs. Bennet concluded angrily.
Darcy choked and spilled his drink, then glanced at Elizabeth who was watching him with cheerful eyes. He could not remember when he was so amused. And the image of his sister —smiling at Elizabeth’s side and appearing perfectly at ease —lifted his mood even more.
Laughter filled the room, but Mrs. Bennet remained solemn. Elizabeth decided to make peace, and she embraced her mother.
“I apologise for the distress I caused you, Mama. And I promise that, if His Majesty ever comes to Longbourn, I will allow you to set the schedule.”