Chapter 13 #2
“You were uniformly courteous and polite,” Darcy insisted. “I remember being impressed with your gracious behavior towards Mr. Bingley’s servants.”
Elizabeth considered this thoughtfully, “Yes, I believe I have always been grateful for the ministrations of those who served us, but I had absolutely no idea how much work is involved in washing clothes, and cleaning and preparing food. It is somewhat overwhelming.”
“I venture to guess that your situation is made more difficult since you had no prior experience in such matters, Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied carefully.
In truth, he felt outrage in his spirit that his Elizabeth was forced to toil so hard at the parsonage, though he understood, intellectually, why her services were necessary during this time.
“That is true,” she agreed mournfully, then shook her head as if to clear it.
“What do you think of Christiansted?” she inquired in a brighter tone.
“I have not seen a great deal of it yet but it is a truly fascinating town. Do you know much of the history of the island?”
The girl laughed softly, “I know enough to be aware of how little I know, Mr. Darcy. St. Croix has been ruled under six flags, and I suppose one could argue that there is a seventh flag in the form of piracy. Denmark ruled the island until five years ago, when a British fleet claimed her without a shot fired.”
She lifted her head and pointed with one hand, “There is the fort, sir, built by the Danish and now the housing for the English military garrison.”
He looked up with interest; the yellow brick fort was surprisingly large and he could see on the ramparts a number of eighteen pounder cannons crouched in menacing fashion, prepared to fire upon any hostile navy.
“It is rather impressive, is it not?” Elizabeth inquired.
“It is,” Darcy replied with awe. It was a strange juxtaposition to see humble homes and buildings cheek by jowl with such a large and imposing structure.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth cried suddenly. “Do come with me! I see the plantain woman!”
Darcy willingly walked across one of the streets to where an old woman with dark skin was frying something round and yellow in a pan over a bed of coals.
Elizabeth smiled at the woman and held out a coin, which the woman took without comment. A few moments later, Darcy found himself seated next to his love on a bench with two cups of water, two forks, and two plates of the strange round yellow food.
He could see a wooden box next to the street vendor filled with fruit in the shape of yellow crescents.
“Are these bananas?” he inquired cautiously.
“Yes!” Elizabeth proclaimed excitedly. “I had only seen pictures of them in books before traveling here. They call them plantains here on St. Croix.”
“I have never seen one either,” Darcy commented, cautiously taking a bite of the slightly steaming fruit. He lifted a surprised brow at the taste.
“It is excellent, but not as sweet as I had anticipated.”
“No, it is not particularly sweet,” Elizabeth agreed, “but I very much enjoy it. Sarah has made it several times for our meals, but this woman seems to have a magical touch; these are especially good.”
He watched her as she continued to eat happily, her eyes roaming the dusty street of a small Caribbean town hundreds of miles from England. A year ago, he would never have imagined that he would set aside the precepts of generations of Darcys to chase a lovely young lady across the deep blue sea.
“Are you happy here, Miss Bennet?” he suddenly asked.
He waited while Elizabeth considered this question thoughtfully, her brow furrowed.
“Yes and no. Yes, because I am safe here from Sir Claude and St. Croix has been a good place to grieve. I am glad that I am able to serve the Kendalls, and I believe I am learning much about the world and my role in it. On the other hand, I miss my family, Jane especially, but my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner as well. My mother was incredibly exasperating the last time I saw her and I am, I confess, quite bitter about it, even though I know she was grieving and terrified of being destitute. Nevertheless, she pressured me to accept Sir Claude, even after Uncle Gardiner uncovered the man’s more unpleasant predilections . ..”
She shook her head a little, her curls bouncing, and then turned a shy look on her companion, “I am indeed grateful to you for crossing the Atlantic to bring me news of Jane.”
“I also can and will protect you from Sir Claude,” Darcy averred. “I pledge that to you.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied. She sat up slightly and turned to face him directly.
“I confess that my life has been so strenuous, and my mind so busy, that I did not think about all that you have given up to travel here to court me. I presume you cannot stay long, Mr. Darcy? You have a vast estate and a sister to care for back in England. How long can you stay?”
He stared at her, his heart beating rapidly, “I traveled here on the merchant ship Riley, which has proceeded to other Caribbean Islands in search of rare plants for several English horticulturists. I asked Captain Drayson of the Riley to return here to St. Croix before he leaves for England, and I anticipate being on board when she sails away, because, as you said, I do have Pemberley and Georgiana waiting for me. I had hoped ... I hope that you will accompany me, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, “Do you have any idea how long that will be, Mr. Darcy?”
“He said the ship would return between four and six weeks from now.”
The girl relaxed slightly, “That is a reasonably long time. I do wish to return to England, but I will not leave the Kendalls in their current situation. Mrs. Kendall is slowly improving, but she still cannot run the household adequately. I hope by the time the Riley docks, she will be well again.”
“It is kind of you to serve them so diligently,” Darcy observed. “It is most honorable to help those in need even when it requires sacrifice on your part.”
“They were very kind to me,” Elizabeth insisted. “They knew me not at all, but when my Uncle Gardiner told them of my need to flee England, they opened their lives to me. I feel it is the least I can do, to stay with them until Mrs. Kendall has sufficient help. I hope you can understand that?”
He nodded even as he prayed to God above for favor. He must return to Georgiana and Pemberley, but the very thought of leaving Elizabeth behind was agonizing.