Chapter 19 #2
His companions followed him at a less enthusiastic pace, both more restrained by nature, and, in Georgiana’s case, with a shadow of worry. Part of this worry was the embarrassment of an impromptu visit and the other part the shyness of being introduced all of a sudden to so many strange people.
They entered the property, and, approaching the house from the stables, dismounted, handing the reins to the stable hands who hurried towards them.
Bingley pressed forward towards the entry of the house, when the sound of voices, laughter, and joyful and playful cries drew their attention.
Coming closer, they saw Elizabeth and three young children, playing and sliding on a small frozen puddle.
Noticing Jane was not there, the scene immediately lost any interest for Bingley, and he continued to walk to the main door.
“It is Miss Elizabeth. We should go and greet her, should we not?” Georgiana asked her brother.
“Yes, of course,” he gladly approved. “Bingley, you go inside, we shall join you shortly.”
The Darcys moved in the opposite direction, and with every step the voices became louder and clearer.
Darcy’s heart raced at the sound of Elizabeth’s lively peals of laughter, and he felt a smile forming from within hearing the children calling her Lizzy — clearly she was a favourite with them.
He was impatient to witness what would make Elizabeth laugh, but all were silenced a moment later when they were observed.
Elizabeth was stunned by the Darcys’ appearance.
She stood still and averted her eyes, suddenly self-conscious of her wild and improper look: her bonnet was awry, her hair sticking out from its edges, her gloves and boots were dirty, her petticoat all wet and frozen, her cheeks crimson, and her eyes probably brightened by the exercise.
Mortified, she barely dared to look at the guests; little did she know that Georgiana was amused and Darcy enchanted by her look.
She braced herself for their disapproval but greeted them warmly.
“Mr Darcy! Miss Darcy! What a wonderful surprise!”
“Miss Bennet! How do you do? We have been out riding, and Bingley suggested we stop and greet you. I hope we are not interrupting you?” Darcy responded.
“No, not at all. You are most welcome. I beg you to excuse my appearance. I am afraid you find me most improperly attired. I did not realise how one’s garments might suffer from playing outside.
” Seeing her young cousins studying their guests with unhidden interest, Elizabeth added, “Please allow me to introduce to your acquaintance my cousins, Miss Ellen Gardiner, Mr Thomas Gardiner, and Mr Andrew Gardiner.”
Darcy and Georgiana greeted the children with perfect solemnity. Impressed by such attention, Ellen curtseyed most properly, while the boys each performed a deep and formal bow and immediately began speaking.
“Are these your horses?” Thomas asked, pointing behind them, to the stable boys walking the horses.
“Yes,” Darcy replied. “The black one is mine, a stallion named Incitatus. The white one is a very gentle mare and it is Miss Darcy’s.”
“The black one is so big!” Thomas declared, obviously impressed.
“He is, indeed. But for such a strong horse, he is very obedient and very calm. It is a pleasure to ride him,” Darcy continued, earning the boys’ full attention.
Thomas looked regretfully from Darcy to the horse and back. “I cannot ride. We have only two horses for Papa.”
“I can ride if I want, but I don’t,” Andrew interjected.
“No you cannot. Stop lying,” Thomas replied harshly.
“Children, please! Let us mind our manners in the presence of our guests,” Elizabeth scolded them affectionately.
“Are my manners at fault, Lizzy?” Ellen asked.
“No, my dear. Your manners are always flawless,” Elizabeth smiled at her. “Come, let us lead our guests inside.”
They walked together, the children looking at the horses every two steps.
“When we get home, I shall ask Papa to teach me to ride,” Thomas declared.
“And so shall I,” Andrew added.
“I would not want to ride,” Ellen admitted. “Lizzy does not ride either, and I love Lizzy and want to be just like her.”
“My darling, I thank you, but I am sure you can find a better person to admire and emulate than me,” Elizabeth said lovingly.
“There is no one better to em-late than you, Lizzy,” the girl said heartily.
“Oh, my love, that is not true,” Elizabeth replied, embracing the girl. She glanced at Darcy and noticed he wanted to say something but thought better of it and remained silent.
“Miss Darcy, do you enjoy riding?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, I do. My brother taught me when I was a bit younger than you are, and I confess I love riding.”
“Miss Darcy is an excellent rider,” Elizabeth praised the girl.
“I too will be an excellent rider when I grow up,” Andrew stated. “If only someone would teach me,” he added wistfully.
Darcy looked at the child, then at Elizabeth. Unexpectedly, he leaned towards her, whispering. The gesture took her aback, and she almost stumbled when she felt his hot breath on her skin.
“Miss Bennet, could we maybe place the children in the saddle for a little while? I promise they will be safe.”
He righted himself, looking at her, as serious as he ever was, waiting for her response.
Why was he so imperturbable? Why wasn’t she?
She felt flushed, slightly trembling from the closeness; his breath still burning the sensitive skin on her cheek and ear, and his scent — sandal wood and something she could not identify — intoxicating her.
Swallowing, she remembered she had yet to answer him.
“Yes, of course…if you wish to…and if you believe it to be safe…I mean…”
She hesitated a moment to gather her wits, then, struggling to catch her breath, she looked at her cousins. “Boys, how would you like to ride for a little while? Mr Darcy has kindly suggested that he place you on top of his horse for a short ride.”
The proposition was so unexpected the boys fell silent, in awe, but soon both expressed their excitement loudly.
Darcy, infected by the children’s exuberance, lifted Andrew first and placed him swiftly into the saddle, and, after confirming he was safe, placed Thomas behind him.
He showed them how to hold the reins, where they should put their feet, and how to support themselves, then grabbed the horse’s bridle and walked slowly, not taking his eyes off the boys.
Their little faces were glowing with happiness and wonder, feeling from the height of the stallion that they were twenty feet tall.
Neither of them noticed their parents peering from the windows.
“Miss Gardiner, would you like to try riding?” Darcy asked ceremoniously, but the girl shook her head in refusal, gripping even tighter onto Elizabeth’s hand.
The two proud riders remained in the saddle while the horse, guided by Darcy, circled the yard a few times. Then Darcy helped them down, one after the other. Once again on the ground, Thomas bowed again, deeper and ever more solemnly, saying, “Thank you so much, kind sir!”
Darcy barely hid his amusement, but he bowed back with complete seriousness.
Andrew mirrored his brother’s gestures and unexpectedly said, “Mr Darcy, you are the best gentleman ever! You are not frightening at all!”
Elizabeth froze, flushing again, this time from shame, while Darcy replied with astonishment, “Thank you, Master Andrew. But did you think I was frightening?”
“Yes. No, but Cousin Lydia said so. She said you were frightening, and my aunt Bennet said you were proud and unpleasant. But Lizzy and Uncle Bennet said they liked you very much! And Lizzy is always right — I like you too!”
Elizabeth prayed hard for the ground to open up so she could hide in a hole from mortification; even Georgiana seemed embarrassed by the offence to her brother. However, Darcy smiled, looking so boyish that Elizabeth felt dizzy again, especially when the dimples returned to his cheeks.
“I am sure Miss Lydia and Mrs Bennet have their reasons to think so. But I am truly happy to know Mr Bennet and Miss Elizabeth like me — and you too.”
“I like you too, Mr Darcy,” Thomas added. “I heard Mama saying you look like your father — tall and handsome. And that you have a very large and impressive house and a very large and impressive park.”
“I thank your mother, too,” Darcy said, amused although slightly uneasy at such praise.
“Mr Darcy?” Andrew interjected, unexpectedly grabbing his hand.
“Yes, Master Andrew?”
“I think your horse is tall and impressive too. Just like you.”
A short pause followed, while Elizabeth’s cheeks were burning. Her eyes latched onto Darcy’s for a moment, then he answered with playful seriousness, “I thank you, Master Andrew. I hope that is a compliment.”
“Oh yes, sir, very much so.”
With that, they entered the house, and the children were urged to change out of their wet garments while sharing the latest news with their parents.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy, for your forbearance. That was very kind of you. And very sweet,” Elizabeth whispered.
Then, before he had time to object, she led them to the drawing room where the entire family was waiting to welcome Miss Georgiana Darcy — the young lady who seemed the very image of ladylike accomplishments.
They met a girl with a beautiful figure, pleasing countenance, stunning blue eyes, an open but timid smile, and who was warm, polite, and gentle, so that, in a matter of minutes, she became everyone’s favourite.
As soon as the introductions were performed and refreshments ordered, Darcy withdrew to a corner, holding a cup of tea, pleased to witness his sister in the centre of general admiration.
As for himself, since he had found out that Elizabeth liked him — and from the most honest and reliable source — he was perfectly content with the others’ disapproval.
When he noticed Elizabeth peering at him occasionally and her smile brightening just a little more when aimed at him, he wished for nothing more that day.
***
While he enjoyed these kinds of musings and the scene in front of him, Darcy was startled out of his reverie by Mr Bennet.
“Mr Darcy, there is something that has bothered me since the day we met before your departure to London. You might find it too inappropriate, but I have to ask.”
“Of course, sir. I hope you know that you may ask me anything.”
“That is an unwise reply when you are dealing with our prying family. You should be more cautious for your own good.”
“I believe I shall take the risk, Mr Bennet,” Darcy said with amusement.
“Very well then, here it is. That day, when you came to talk to Lizzy, you said to me that you wished to marry her to protect her reputation and to save her from unfair and harmful rumours. But I wonder…”
“Yes?”
“Would you have presented this marriage proposal to just anyone?”
“I beg your pardon, sir? I am afraid I do not take your meaning.”
“I think you do. But I shall be more explicit. What if one of my other daughters had been in Lizzy’s place, in the exact circumstances? Or Maria or Charlotte Lucas, or Mary King, or any other young woman you are acquainted with in our neighbourhood? Would you have proposed marriage to any of them?”
The question caught Darcy unprepared and the thought was unnerving.
“Probably not,” he eventually answered honestly, holding Mr Bennet’s enquiring gaze for a moment. He struggled to maintain his composure, feeling guilty for keeping a secret from Mr Bennet, but he was not willing to reveal it yet. Even Elizabeth knew but a small part of it.
“Yes, I imagined as much,” Mr Bennet declared. “How about Lizzy? Is she aware of… your preference?”
“She is. On the day of our last encounter, before my departure, she asked me questions similar to yours, and we clarified the matter.”
“Well, I am relieved to hear that. Let us enjoy some brandy — my brother Gardiner brought several bottles from London. I hope it is good enough for your taste.”
“Everything is perfect for my taste these days, Mr Bennet. And thank you, a brandy would be perfect.”