Chapter 20
To Darcy’s surprise, the next morning at breakfast, everyone was present. However, the conversation was sparse, and the extended party soon continued their journey together.
After the torment of the previous night, Darcy felt uneasy at the notion of being trapped inside the carriage so close to Elizabeth. He decided to ride horseback, and the colonel joined him.
Elizabeth was also relieved by the gentleman’s absence. Her sleep had been poor and restless, so the morning found her tired but also anxious and embarrassed by her own feelings.
“My dear, I hope Emmeline’s remarks did not upset you,” Lady Hardwick said. “Please do not take them to heart.”
“Your ladyship must not worry —that is truly the least of my concerns.”
Elizabeth knew she was speaking the truth. A mere glance from Darcy disturbed her more than the entire conversation of the previous evening.
“Well, I am glad to see a young woman who is wise and reasonable for a change,” the countess continued. “I wonder whether I was as insensible and arrogant forty years ago. Probably not, as these unpleasant traits do not necessarily persist as one ages,” she concluded philosophically.
Elizabeth laughed.
“Then I am happy to know your ladyship when you are kind and generous.”
“I tell you, my dear, a woman who is desperate to secure a husband often loses her reason. Thank God I am over that too.”
“I confess I am worried about whom William will finally choose to marry,” Georgiana whispered.
“I hope and pray it will be someone kind and gentle —and worthy of him. Mrs. Reynolds has said the same. Lizzy, Mrs. Reynolds is our housekeeper at Pemberley, and she has been with us since my brother was four.”
It was the countess’s turn to laugh.
“If it were up to Mrs. Reynolds, nobody would be worthy of your brother. She is more protective of him than anyone else.”
“True. But indeed I am sure there cannot be a better man than William. He is excellent in everything he does.”
“Except for his manners in certain circumstances.” Lady Hardwick laughed again. “By the way, Elizabeth, I still need to hear the story of his refusing to dance with you. This would be the perfect time to share it.”
Elizabeth blushed then tried to sound whimsical.
“I am afraid I cannot do that. If the story is shared, Mr. Darcy should be present too. I cannot possibly speak behind his back, especially since I will live in his house for a time.”
“Do not worry, dear; if he throws you out, I will take you to live with me.”
“Aunt Amelia!” Georgiana cried in genuine distress, frightened that the joke might upset Elizabeth. “Why does everyone speak of William as if he were an ogre?”
“I do not know, dearest. It might be something he does to evoke such a common opinion,” the countess replied with amusement.
“It is strange that a young man with an excellent character and a kind heart has manners that rarely show it —unlike most men who pretend and show themselves to be better than they truly are.”
“Your ladyship is right,” Elizabeth replied thoughtfully.
Two hours later, the party stopped at an inn to have tea and change horses. Lord Mowbray and the colonel immediately helped the ladies out of the carriages while Darcy went inside to speak with the innkeeper.
Georgiana held the basket with Mist while Didi ran happily between their feet.
Still uncomfortable at the thought of facing Darcy, Elizabeth felt at ease in the company of the earl and the colonel. Since neither her heart nor her mind was in any way engaged with them, her wit was sparkling, and the conversation flowed easily.
Lady Emmeline was considerably less talkative than on the previous evening. She ceased her rudeness towards Elizabeth but spoke no more than a few words to her. Instead, she focused her attention upon Darcy, to whom she directed a question every few minutes.
Again, Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged few glances and not a single word.
Both were distressed by their own thoughts and reluctant to face the other.
“Mr. Darcy, we host a ball in two weeks. Will you join us?” Lady Livingston inquired.
“I thank you for your kind invitation, but I see little chance for that to happen,” he replied.
“You should have expected such an answer,” Lord Mowbray said then turned to Darcy. “But perhaps you can host a ball at Pemberley that we could attend?”
Darcy threw him a stern glance.
“That is even less likely to happen.”
“Well, there will be a large party at Pemberley for Christmas, we hope,” the countess interjected. “If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, I am sure we will be pleased to see you again.”
“I might take your invitation to heart, Lady Hardwick,” the earl said. “That is —if Darcy approves.”
“You would, of course, be most welcome,” Darcy responded. “Now, I suggest we leave; it is already late.”
“Where will you spend the night?” Lady Emmeline asked daringly. Darcy appeared disconcerted, and he stole a look at Elizabeth, who pretended to be engaged with Mist.
“As soon as we pass Birmingham, we will rest at the Wood Inn. We always stop there.”
“Why would you not come to my brother-in-law’s estate? Livingston’s residence is only half an hour ride by carriage,” Lady Emmeline continued, and Lord Livingston approved the suggestion enthusiastically.
“You are very kind, and I appreciate your generosity, but we will proceed according to our plan,” Darcy declared. “I am rather strict with travelling plans on long journeys.”
“It is such a pity,” Lady Emmeline continued. “A gentleman should change his plans when opportunities arise.”
“He should, my dear Emmeline, if he feels the opportunities are more tempting than his plans,” Lady Hardwick responded. “If not, as much as others might point it out to him, his firmness remains unmoved.”
“However enjoyable this conversation might be, we must leave,” Darcy interrupted the discussion, and the countess laughed, nodding towards Lady Emmeline.
“And here is your proof, dear niece. Yes, let us leave. I am eager to arrive at Pemberley. Long trips in a carriage have never been my favourite diversion.”
The party resumed their travels —the gentlemen still on horseback. Elizabeth was intrigued and abashed by the troubling conversation between Darcy and Lady Emmeline. Her stomach was tight and unsettled.
How could a young lady be so easy in manners with a gentleman in public? Not even Miss Bingley had ever dared so much —unless, of course, they had a previous friendship. Certainly, such a friendship was not her concern. And yet, she could think of nothing else.
Therefore, she remained oblivious to Georgiana’s question until the girl repeated it several times.
Darcy was relieved at the prospect of separating soon from the other party.
Emmeline’s manner had become more familiar than ever before.
It was likely due to the presence of Lady Hardwick, who was related to everyone in the group.
Still, he was displeased with any flirtatious display in the presence of his sister —and Elizabeth.
However, Elizabeth appeared to give it little interest. Her attention seemed engaged by the presence of the colonel and of Lord Mowbray, who was open in his admiration for her.
Mowbray’s easy conversation with Elizabeth troubled Darcy even more than Emmeline’s forwardness although there was nothing improper in the earl’s manners.
Darcy avoided staring at Elizabeth to ease her comfort, but it was a struggle as his dream from the previous night and her enchanting image glowing in the light of the torches were painfully vivid in his mind.
Her hair was now perfectly arranged, but he remembered it falling loose.
She was now properly dressed, but he recollected her neck, shoulders, and arms barely covered by the thin fabric of her nightgown.
“So I will come with you,” the colonel said, and Darcy turned to him in puzzlement.
“Forgive me, did you say something?”
“Yes —I said I will stay with you at the Wood Inn tonight, perhaps remaining at Pemberley tomorrow night if that is convenient for you, and I will be at the regiment the day after tomorrow.”
“It sounds perfect,” Darcy approved.
“I might stop and check on Wickham on my way back.”
“That should be interesting.”
“Do you still have him supervised?”
“Of course. I will until I am sure I have no reason for concern.”
“That might never happen with Wickham.”
“I am aware of that, Richard.”
∞∞∞
Another break in their journey followed around noon and a third one late in the afternoon when the group parted —to the disappointment of some and the relief of others. A warm farewell was taken, and hopes of a forthcoming meeting expressed.
Lord Mowbray mentioned several times how delighted he was to make Elizabeth’s acquaintance while Lady Emmeline flirtatiously accused the colonel of betrayal and Darcy of ingratitude for her efforts to leave London a day early with the particular purpose of meeting him. Both gentlemen apologised politely.
The party split with some delay, and Darcy’s group increased its speed to recover the lost time. Half an hour later, rain and wind began again, so the horsemen joined the ladies in the carriage.
“May I sit by you, Miss Bennet?” the colonel inquired. At her ready acceptance, he took the place next to her. Darcy sat on his aunt’s side, occupying the space previously claimed by Didi.
“I do hope it is not raining tomorrow when we arrive home,” Georgiana said. “I would really like to show Pemberley to Lizzy on a sunny day.”
“I am sure I will love Pemberley on any day from everything you have told me about it,” Elizabeth answered then blushed as she felt Darcy’s gaze on her. Somehow, speaking favourably about his estate was as uncomfortable as if she had criticised it.
“I am sure you will, my dear,” the countess replied. “I confess, I am very proud of Tidestone —the Hardwick residence —but Pemberley has held a special place in my heart since I was a child.”