Chapter 12
Darcy sat in his study, a book open on his lap, but he had hardly taken in a word.
Elizabeth Bennet was irresistible; that was something he had accepted in Kent, but now he realised that she was also unforgettable.
He could not envision marrying anyone else, she was the only one for him.
The only obstacle was that he was a blundering idiot.
Richard had always claimed so and for once Darcy was ready to give credence to his cousin’s words.
Only the most pompous fool would propose to the lady of his dreams while insulting her whole family and her situation in life.
Then there had been that letter, he had been defending his honour, while he insulted her sister and called her sentiments insufficient for his friend.
He closed his eyes as abject shame filled him.
Could Miss Elizabeth ever forgive him? He thought of convincing her that he was a blockhead of catastrophic proportions, but then she would hardly be inclined to marry a witless man.
Finally, closing his book, he got up and paced the room.
He needed advice, for he was woefully inadequate to recommend himself with any credibility in front of the lady.
Richard would have helped, though he would have enjoyed every moment of his discomfort, but Richard was busy with the military.
His other cousin, Viscount Bainbridge, was of no use; he would just enjoy Darcy’s discomfort and flirt with Miss Elizabeth himself.
He did not have many close friends with whom to discuss such matters without appearing a fool.
Bingley was the only one who would have cheerfully helped him, but, well, he could hardly reach out to Bingley.
He stopped pacing as the thought of Bingley reminded him of Miss Bennet.
He needed to correct that mistake before he could even dream of convincing Elizabeth.
With a renewed purpose, he went to his desk and pulled out some paper, but before he could start writing it struck him that he was unaware whether Miss Bennet was still in London.
He decided that he might as well call on Miss Elizabeth and discuss with her how best to proceed.
He could also see for himself if she needed any help with Mrs. Hardwicke or the house.
The servants at Willowmere were in a state of perpetual anxiety.
Mrs. Hardwicke’s illness, though not life-threatening, had shaken them as they were still recovering from the loss of their master.
Margaret was old enough to sense the discomfort and had taken to sitting in silent vigil in her mother’s sitting room.
Deciding to cheer the child up a bit, Elizabeth approached her.
“My dear cousin, why do you sit indoors on such a fine day,” Elizabeth took a seat next to her.
“I am scared for Mama, Elizabeth. I will not have anyone if she leaves me.” Margaret whispered, causing Elizabeth to immediately hold her hands.
“You are not alone. I will always be there for you, I assure you, but there is no need for such thoughts, dearest, the apothecary is confident that your Mama will soon recover.”
“You promise, Lizzy?” Margaret responded in a hopeful tone, cutting straight to Elizabeth’s heart.
“Of course. Now come let us go outside. Your governess was telling me that you are behind in your art lessons. Would you not like to draw the back garden, it is quite picturesque.”
“Will you help me as you did with the sums,” Margaret asked, causing Elizabeth to chuckle in delight.
“I think you will be the better teacher, for I am woefully inadequate. I gave up any pretense of talent when my father, seeing my drawing, commented that the likeness to the neighbour’s cat was uncanny. ”
“But that is a nice compliment. Why would you give up?”
“Because the drawing was of the neighbour’s grandma,” Elizabeth responded in a deadpan voice, causing the young girl to shriek with laughter as she got up to change for the outdoors.
Elizabeth and Margaret ended up spending an hour in the back garden with Margaret taking great joy in teaching her grown cousins the nuances of drawing a single flower.
Elizabeth humoured the girl with a long-suffering sigh much to her amusement.
After a long and arduous effort, Margaret decreed that they needed a break.
Inwardly she was thinking that flowers were probably a complicated first lesson, maybe they should have started with a box or a basket for the image for Elizabeth’s attempt upon the easel resembled a tomato more than a rose.
“Lizzy, can we play blind man’s buff for some time, Miss Partridge could also join us,” Margaret pleaded as she signalled towards her governess.
“I think it a fine idea,” Elizabeth replied with excitement that rivalled her young cousin. Thus Margaret was soon blindfolded and the other two ran around her with laughter and gaiety. Elizabeth was the one to be caught and blindfolded the next.
Darcy, having decided that he needed Miss Elizabeth’s opinion urgently on the matter with Bingley, called at the manor house only to be directed to the back garden.
Normally, the servants would have asked the caller to return later but with Mr. Darcy now the owner of the estate, it was understandable that they did not wish to cause offence.
Darcy walked with urgency to the back garden, mentally rehearsing what he meant to say.
He was still reeling from the effects of Elizabeth’s sharp tongue at Hunsford and had no wish to repeat the experience.
As he turned the corner he was rooted to the spot.
Elizabeth was running around blindfolded, chasing her cousin and the girl’s governess as both of them cheered her.
The sight of the lady so dear to his heart laughing with abandon caused his heart to beat so loudly that he feared it would abandon his body.
Before he realised, he was standing close to Elizabeth and was caught by her outstretched arms.
“Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she took off her blindfold. “Forgive me, I did not realise your presence.”
“Yes, I could see that,” Darcy replied with a teasing smile.
“Mr. Darcy, why do you not join us?” Margaret immediately ran up to him.
“Margaret, I am sure Mr. Darcy has much more important matters to deal with,” Elizabeth chided her cousin.
“I think I can spare the time if you are agreeable, Miss Bennet. It looked quite entertaining,” Darcy responded, amusement evident in his voice.
“Well then, since you were caught, you may as well be the next one blindfolded.” Elizabeth responded, as she held up the blindfold.
Mr. Darcy willingly submitted to the blindfold and continued the merriment.
The four of them spent another half an hour in the agreeable pursuit before they were all tired and decided to retire indoors.
As the servants brought in some lemonade for them to cool off, Elizabeth asked the gentleman if he had some particular purpose for his visit.
“Actually yes,” Darcy looked around to check that no one could overhear.
“Miss Elizabeth, I had decided to write to my friend today. You see, Bingley is a cheerful person but has been downcast of late,” he said, inclining his head for Elizabeth to understand that Mr. Bingley was still missing Jane.
“I was thinking if I might pass him your uncle’s address, a visit to his home might cheer him up. ”
Elizabeth, realising the gentleman’s intent, was quick to suggest that they go to the study. She could write the address out for him, and also consult him regarding some matter which Mr. Davis had communicated.
“Mr. Darcy, I admit that there is no new detail from the solicitor’s office. I took Mr. Davis’s name as a pretext to get some privacy so we may speak directly,” Elizabeth said as soon as they had settled in the study.
“I appreciate your quick thinking, Madam. I will come out and state clearly that I have been uneasy about my deception regarding your sister’s presence in town, and would like to correct that mistake. I wanted to understand if that would be advisable or if Miss Bennet is currently at Longbourn.”
“Jane is still in London, sir. With my father injured and myself here, my uncle thought it best to extend her stay. My mother can be quite excitable as you are well aware and thus it was thought to spare Jane the anxieties of Longbourn.”
“Is your mother’s anxiety on Mrs. Hardwicke’s account? Please let her know that I would not leave her in dire straits.”
“You misjudge the situation, Mr. Darcy. My mother and my aunt are not on the best of terms, and she is worried that my aunt may come to live with us. My father was quite insistent on having his sister at Longbourn after he heard the terrible news.”
“In that case do convey to your father that I intend to do well by the ladies here,” Mr. Darcy replied.
“I thank you, sir, both for your generosity with my aunt, and your desire to mend things between Jane and Mr. Bingley.”
“Do not thank me for correcting a mistake that should never have been made. I just hope I am not too late. Bingley is young and adept at falling in and out of love.”
“Mr. Darcy, it is not your responsibility to reunite Jane and Mr. Bingley. That you seek to correct your error is to your credit, but if Mr. Bingley does not wish to continue the connection then that is his choice,” Elizabeth responded with genuine warmth, hoping to atone for some of her ill-conceived attack on the gentleman’s character at Hunsford.
Darcy soon took his leave and walked back to the dower house with a new purpose. For the first time since meeting Miss Elizabeth so unexpectedly did he feel hopeful. Maybe he could still gain her good opinion.