Chapter 19
Drawing Room
Longbourn
Two Days Later
Normally, Elizabeth found the meticulous, repetitive motions of sewing tediously dull.
Today she was glad for an activity that necessarily occupied her hands and her eyes, as her ears were forced to listen to her cousin, Mr. Collins, who was apparently determined to fill any silence, no matter how small.
Such of the Bennets as were present, for Mr. Bennet was enjoying a well-earned reprieve in his library and the two youngest daughters were upstairs in the schoolroom with Miss Trent, were all quiet save for an occasional murmur of agreement.
It was Charlotte Lucas, dear friend that she was, who was the primary subject of Mr. Collins’s regrettable volubility today.
Two days now she had come to Longbourn to spend much of the day, listening with polite interest to the tiresome and stemless flow of words, and returning placid answers when called upon to do so.
Mrs. Bennet had drawn her aside to ask privately if her mother did not need her at home, but Charlotte had reassured the concerned lady that her mother could spare her for a few days.
None of the Bennets were inclined to attempt further dissuasion, too relieved at their temporary reprieve from being the focus of their garrulous cousin’s incessant rambling.
Elizabeth glanced at her friend, hoping to convey with that look all the gratitude the Bennets owed to the long-suffering Charlotte, before turning her eyes to the window.
The heavens were a beautiful crystal blue, the sun shining brightly with only the occasional wisp of cloud scudding swiftly across it to vanish again.
The winds high in the sky must have been as strong as those swift breezes that were hugging the ground, stripping away every last leaf from the shivering autumn boughs.
The bright sunshine was deceptive, Elizabeth knew, lulling those safely inside behind thick glass into believing the day to be warm and mellow.
On the contrary, a sharp bite in the air reminded those out and about that winter was coming, and quickly.
It was the type of weather that Elizabeth most enjoyed for a brisk walk, but she had refrained this morning.
Her first instinct, upon looking out of her window, had been to dress and run downstairs and out of the door before seeing another soul.
She had stayed herself, however, as she pondered Mr. Darcy’s recent words of caution regarding her penchant for walking alone.
Some part of her believed that she really never would come to harm; this was home and had always been safe.
And yet…
Mr. Darcy was correct. Old Mr. Harper’s money meant that Elizabeth was a prize now, and some men would have no scruples against winning her by fair means or foul.
It was possible that some rogue, having become conversant with her habits which were well-known in Meryton, might lurk in Longbourn woods awaiting his opportunity.
What would she do if she were compromised?
She would be forced to marry the scoundrel, lest scandal fall on her family, besmirching all of the Bennets and ruining her sisters’ chances of making good marriages.
No, it was not worth that risk, but oh, how her heart ached!
It was hard to give up the freedom she had always simultaneously cherished and taken for granted.
No one had batted an eye at her long, solitary walks before, here in sleepy Meryton, where everyone knew each other.
She had been grateful for the chance to escape outside, but now, with that pleasure denied her indefinitely, she felt its loss far more keenly than she had ever felt its presence.
Longbourn was often loud, with five more or less lively girls in it.
It was a blessing to slip away from it all sometimes, to be alone with her thoughts, to hear only birdsong and the wind in the trees and the rustle of grass or crisp fallen leaves or crunching snow underfoot.
Moreover, it would be a hindrance to be escorted every time she wished to go out, pulling a maid away from her work or a sister away from her own pursuits.
Inevitably, Elizabeth would naturally have to curtail her rambles.
Even if she did find a companion, she would be acutely conscious of the presence of another person with her.
A maid could be ordered to be quiet, but she would still be present, and likely thinking of the dozen tasks awaiting her back at Longbourn.
Jane and Mary were not over-fond of much exercise and even less enamored of the blistering pace that Elizabeth would set for herself when alone.
Kitty or Lydia might be amenable to accompanying her, but to have Lydia along would entirely defeat the purpose of seeking solitude and silence.
Nonetheless, for the time being at least, Elizabeth must take an escort with her when she wished to walk.
She still believed that the likelihood of her coming to harm on her father’s land was slim, but slim was not quite none.
The militia was largely composed of second sons of the gentry and minor nobility.
If Mr. Darcy knew so much of her paternal grandfather and her mother’s first marriage, more even than she had been aware some few months ago, it was possible that the union between Viscount Langdon’s daughter and the Cit, Mr. Harper, was generally known.
If the marriage was known, it was certainly conceivable that her fortune was too.
The door opened, and the butler entered with a group of visitors who made her momentary sorrow at being trapped inside give way to pleasure.
“The Misses Darcy, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley,” Mr. Hill announced and then withdrew.
Mrs. Bennet stood up and said, “Welcome, welcome. It is so good to see you today. Do sit down. I hope you are well?”
“We are very well,” Mr. Bingley said jovially. “We are naturally delighted to spend time with friends, but we are also here to give you an invitation to a ball which will be held at Netherfield Hall a week hence.”
“Jane mentioned that you were thinking of hosting a ball,” Mrs. Bennet said with a smile. “We are overjoyed, of course. It has been many years since there has been a dance at the Hall.”
“We wished to show our gratitude for the warm welcome from our neighbors,” Miss Bingley said in a mellifluous tone.
“Pardon me,” Mr. Collins said from the corner of the room, “I realize that I am not an occupant of Longbourn, but I would be greatly honored if I too were permitted to attend the ball.”
“By all means, sir,” Bingley said cheerfully from his position next to Jane.
“Mrs. Bennet,” Miss Georgiana piped up, “I will not be attending the ball, of course, but I was wondering if perhaps Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia could spend the evening with me upstairs at Netherfield Hall. It would be such a delightful time.”
“I am certain my girls would enjoy that very much,” the mistress of Longbourn said and then turned an interested look on Miss Darcy, who had silently taken her place next to Elizabeth. “What of you, Miss Darcy? Will you be spending the evening with your sister?”
Serena Darcy blushed noticeably and said, “No, I am, that is, my brother is agreeable with my attending the ball, or at least the first part of it. It will be a good experience before the Season next year.”
Elizabeth reached over to pat her friend’s arm. “I think that is a wonderful idea, Miss Darcy. I daresay that this ball will likely be the finest I have ever seen and will be good practice for me as well.”
This provoked a pleased look on Miss Bingley’s face, and Miss Darcy managed a slight smile. Elizabeth thought it likely that the young lady was extremely nervous about the upcoming celebration, and she resolved to do her best to make the experience a pleasant one for the young lady.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy said softly.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if, perhaps, you would be willing to do me a very great favor.”
Elizabeth, noting her guest’s uncertain expression, smiled encouragingly and said, “If I can, I would be honored.”
Miss Darcy blushed a trifle and lowered her voice further.
“I have two evening gowns which are appropriate for a ball, but they will require a bit of work. I intend to take them to the dressmaker in Meryton, but I would feel better if you were there as well to advise me, as I have little experience with such matters. Would you be willing…?”
“I would be absolutely delighted to do so,” Elizabeth said, “and if you do not mind, I will bring Jane as well, as she has a wonderful eye.”
“That would be tremendous,” Serena Darcy replied.
The door opened again at this juncture to reveal both Mr. Bennet and his two youngest daughters.
Kitty and Lydia made their way over to where Miss Georgiana was sitting, while Mr. Bennet said, “Mr. Darcy, I am glad you are here. I came across a few books in my library which I thought you would enjoy reading and intend to have one of the servants wrap them up for you if you are interested.”
Mr. Darcy looked surprised and then grinned, which caused a surprising quiver in Elizabeth’s chest. He really was marvelously good-looking.
“I would like that very much, sir,” he said.
The door opened at this moment to reveal a maid with tea service, and for the next twenty minutes, the visitors enjoyed comfortable conversation and refreshments until it was time for them to leave.