4. Chapter 4 #2
Bingley turned to Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth is quite the conversationalist!” He glanced back at the carriage, then again at Darcy. “And her eyes . . . have you noticed her eyes, Darcy? They are beautiful!”
Darcy nodded. “They are indeed. It was one of the first things I noticed about her when we made her acquaintance.”
Darcy watched his friend closely as Bingley looked in the direction of the carriage again just as it turned out of sight.
He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment.
For some reason, Darcy’s heart pounded. Bingley’s praise of Miss Elizabeth made him feel agitated.
As they walked back into the house, Bingley began speaking of something that Sir William Lucas had mentioned, and Darcy found himself relieved that his friend had moved on from the topic of Miss Elizabeth’s eyes.
The reason he was relieved was not something he wished to examine too closely.
The next day, Elizabeth went for a walk, as she did most mornings when the weather permitted.
The assembly was that evening, and as predicted, their father would not be attending.
Mama had decided they would travel in groups of three so that each of her daughter’s gowns would be in the best possible condition upon arriving.
Elizabeth would leave with Jane and Mary.
The carriage would then return to convey her mother and younger sisters to the assembly rooms. Elizabeth and Jane had privately discussed their mutual concern of appearing at the assembly without either of their parents.
To avoid such an impropriety, they sent a note to their Aunt Phillips explaining the situation and requesting to pick her up on their way to the assembly. Fortunately, she was agreeable.
Elizabeth came to the fence that separated her father’s land from Netherfield Park and climbed the stile.
She had just crossed over the fence and jumped down when she heard her name called.
She looked up to see Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy approaching on horseback.
Oh no! I did not realize I had an audience!
I hope I leapt from the stile in a dignified manner . . . if such a thing can be done.
“Good morning!” Elizabeth greeted them.
“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth!” Miss Darcy said cheerfully.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy greeted her and tipped his hat.
“It is a lovely morning, is it not?” Elizabeth asked.
“Indeed, it is. Where are you headed this morning?” Miss Darcy asked.
“I am on my way to Oakham Mount.”
“How far is Oakham Mount?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“From here, it is half a mile away,” Elizabeth replied.
“Would you like some company?” asked Miss Darcy, her brows raised in hopeful anticipation.
“Yes, I would indeed,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
The Darcys dismounted, then the three of them set off together with horses in tow.
“Do you often walk in the mornings, Miss Elizabeth?” Miss Darcy asked.
“Yes, I do most mornings. How often do you ride?”
“I have gone out riding a few times since we arrived on Monday. When I am home, I tend to ride more.”
“There is always a comfort and familiarity that comes with being at home. I enjoy visiting my aunt and uncle in London, but I certainly cannot venture out with the same freedom as I can when I am home,” Elizabeth said.
“Do you visit them often?” Miss Darcy asked.
“Usually we do two or three times a year. Actually, our next visit is less than two weeks away.”
“Do you have much planned for your stay in London?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“I hope to see some exhibits, visit some bookshops, and, of course, do some shopping.” Elizabeth said the last with a conspiratorial tone to Miss Darcy, who laughed in response.
“Will you attend many dinners and parties?” asked Miss Darcy.
“I believe we will attend several while we are there. The society here is mostly confined and unvarying, so I always look forward to any opportunity to make new acquaintances.”
“I wish I had your ease and confidence when meeting new people. I am even reserved with many people I do know,” Miss Darcy admitted.
“Am I correct that you are not yet out?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes.”
“May I ask your age?”
“I am sixteen.”
Elizabeth nodded. “You have time to develop more confidence. As with many things in life, we will not improve if we do not practice or put forth effort to improve.” She continued with laughter in her voice, “I am sure you remember Mary and I speaking of my less-than-diligent efforts at the pianoforte.”
Miss Darcy laughed softly. “I do.”
“I might add that even though you can gain confidence, it does not necessarily mean you will be completely at your ease in company. You remind me very much of my sister Jane at your age. She was very shy and reserved, and she still is to an extent, but she pushed herself to work at it.”
“I would never have guessed. She seems so self-assured!”
Elizabeth smiled at her and nodded. “And you can be as well with time. This period in your life before you come out is an excellent time to be working on things you want to improve on. Spending time with a woman you look up to and respect can be very beneficial, too. You can learn by observing how she handles different situations and personalities, then model your behavior on hers.”
“Yes, I can see how that would be very helpful,” Miss Darcy said.
Once they reached the top of Oakham Mount, Elizabeth pointed out different landmarks to them.
“It is a lovely view, is it not, William?” Miss Darcy asked.
“It is indeed,” Mr. Darcy replied.
“Would you like to sit, Miss Darcy?” Elizabeth asked. “I have this log strategically placed here for just such a purpose.”
“I would, thank you,” Miss Darcy said and seated herself beside Elizabeth.
“Have you read any good books lately?” Elizabeth asked.
Miss Darcy turned to her with a grin. “A few weeks ago, I finished a novel that I enjoyed very much. It is called To Tell a Secret by G. Hawthorne.”
“Oh, I have heard of that book! So you liked it?”
“Oh yes! It was full of suspense! I simply could not put it down, could I, brother?”
Mr. Darcy looked at his sister with a smile and shook his head as if she were amusing. “You did have some trouble doing so,” he said drily.
Elizabeth was shocked. She did not realize Mr. Darcy had a sense of humor.
Miss Darcy simply smiled at her brother’s words.
“You know, there is speculation as to whether the author is female,” Elizabeth said.
“No, I did not know that, but I think I would say that it must be a woman. Some of the descriptions and feelings of the female characters are so authentic to what a young woman would think. Surely a man did not write them!” Miss Darcy said.
“It is a mystery,” Elizabeth said with a waggle of her brows.
She next asked Miss Darcy about her studies and which subjects she enjoyed.
Miss Darcy told her about her love of science, and Elizabeth expressed her own fascination with science as well.
They got up to head back, but continued to discuss the advancements being made in the field of science.
Mr. Darcy spoke of some lectures he had attended and his own observations on the topic.
They kept with this discussion all the way back to the border fence.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am so glad we met you this morning,” Miss Darcy said, smiling.
“So am I. It was a delightful surprise,” Elizabeth said, returning her smile. “I wish you both a good day.”
“Good day to you,” Miss Darcy replied.
Elizabeth turned to the stile, preparing to step up when she was brought up short at the sight of Mr. Darcy standing next to it.
He met her gaze. “Please allow me.”
Elizabeth was so startled she just stood there blinking up at him for a few seconds. Then, his words registered, and she looked down to find his hand waiting patiently for hers.
“Oh!” she said with sudden comprehension and placed her hand in his. “Thank you.”
Blushing with embarrassment, she met his gaze again for a quick moment and smiled politely.
She then stepped up the stile with his assistance and crossed over the fence.
He did not let go of her hand until she had safely reached the ground on the other side, and then only after she nodded to assure him she was steady.
Elizabeth thanked him again, waved goodbye to Miss Darcy, and started home.
Her cheeks hot with color, she was eager to flee the scene.