Chapter Eight #2
He awoke early and left Rosings’s warmth to brave a chilly spring morning that would thaw quickly from the strong sun and to wait for Elizabeth’s company.
He thought he knew which path she had described to Edward, but after a half hour’s stay, he questioned the information.
Reasoning Elizabeth likely assisted Mrs. Collins with the lady’s household duties, he gave himself permission to wait another quarter hour before he would return to the manor house.
To his relief, he finally spotted her as she approached the roughly hewed clearing where he waited.
Wishing for the appearance of an accidental meeting, by design, Darcy stepped into the shadows.
Not expecting to encounter anyone along the pathway, Elizabeth started when Darcy appeared before her. “Mr. Darcy,” she gasped and clutched at her chest, “You surprised me, sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he feigned surprise, “as you did me.” He bowed properly, but he searched Elizabeth’s countenance for the truth of her feelings upon encountering him. “I did not realize you too preferred solitary walks. They are most pleasant, are they not?”
“You know me to be a person who is not afraid of a healthy walking distance,” she appeared a bit unnerved by the mischance of their meeting.
“Are you nearing the end of your perambulation?”
“Yes … yes, sir,” she stammered. “I believe I will turn back.”
“Then allow me, madam,” he said, doffing his hat, “to escort you to the Parsonage. I would be remiss in my duty if I permitted you to return alone.” He liked the way this scenario had fallen in place. Everything was as he’d imagined.
Elizabeth flashed a questioning look in his direction, but she accepted his proffered arm as her support.
Darcy resisted placing his own hand on hers.
The warmth of her fingers tantalized his senses.
They walked for a few minutes in what he considered to be companionable silence; yet, he did not wish to waste his precious time with her so he offered up observations about the beauty of Kent.
“It has been many years since Kent has sported early blooms and greenery. The temperate weather has been kind to the parklands.”
“Yes, it is quite beautiful,” she said softly. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my walks.”
Being so consumed by the moment, Darcy barely heard Elizabeth’s response, but he caught enough of the words to realize she found Kent to be very pleasant. “Would you consider returning for another visit?” he ventured.
“Such would be a pleasurable sojourn,” she turned to look up at him. He prayed she would know his affections soon. Darcy glowed with the hopes she would find it more pleasurable if he were in Kent, as well.
Engrossed in her closeness, he questioned, “How do you find Rosings?”
“It has a pleasant prospect when one encounters its vista,” Elizabeth began. “Its many wings confuse me, however. Lady Catherine offered use of her library, but I must admit I found the billiard room instead. It is a bit amusing upon recollection.”
Darcy caught the glint of a smile, and he joined in her ease. “I am confident if you were to return as a Rosings’s guest, the likelihood of making such a mistake would be greatly reduced.”
The ambiguity of his words was not lost on Elizabeth, and that pleased Darcy.
He wanted her to think of him in a different role.
To realize he was more than she imagined.
She glanced at him briefly and shook her head.
The movement of her bonnet caught his attention, and he partook of the flush of her cheeks and the thickness of her eyelashes.
The walk was coming to an end, and they drifted into silence once more. Approaching the gate, he loosened the latch with his free hand. He truly disliked parting with her company, and he walked with her to the Parsonage’s door. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” her eyes rose to meet his.
“It was my pleasure, Miss Elizabeth. Your presence made the walk more agreeable.” Before she could respond, he offered her a quick bow and strode away.
Waiting until he was assured no one at the Parsonage could observe his reactions, Darcy finally gave himself permission to stop, lean against a tree, and replay the reflections of the last half hour.
It was another beginning. Darcy would like to think this was another step in his winning Elizabeth’s regard when, in reality, most of his beginnings were faltering attempts.
Accustomed to being the prey, not the pursuer, he knew what to do to sustain an interest once it began, but he had never met a woman such as Elizabeth Bennet and had never initiated a relationship.
The solitary paths of Rosings would permit him the means and mode to win the lady’s heart.
Later, Elizabeth’s essence remained with him as he sat in the high-backed chair in Rosings’s library.
The library was one of the places at Rosings he would not encounter interruptions, for the other occupants of the house had little use for the precious volumes.
Like everything else at Rosings Park, the library provided a show place where Lady Catherine could proclaim excellence.
Although his cousin was far from unlearned, Edward’s military career left him little time beyond his usual fare of newspapers and military history.
A light tread entering the sanctuary disturbed Darcy’s solitary moment. Anne was the last person he expected to find in the library. “Anne!” he blurted, as he rose to his feet to greet her.
“William,” she returned his astonishment. Then she curtsied as if to leave.
Seeing her retreat from him so quickly, Darcy did the uncharacteristic thing. He gave “himself the trouble” of engaging his cousin. “Please join me.”
“William, I did not mean to disturb your solitude,” she protested weakly.
“You have no cause for censure, Anne,” he coaxed her towards a nearby chair and returned to his own seat. “It seems we see so little of each other.”
She blushed, but he noted a certain openness not previously evident. “If I may speak candidly, Cousin,” she began tentatively. He nodded his assent. With trembling lips, she continued, “I avoid your company because my mother would perceive her plans for our marital felicity as progressing.”
Unaccustomed to such honesty, Darcy said amusedly, “I see.” Then he considered how much effort it had taken for Anne to comment on their situation, and he softened his tone.
“I am ashamed I have never realized you felt as such. Edward has counseled me as to your true feelings, but I fear I trusted him not.”
“Actually, it was Edward who convinced me to reveal my wishes. I sought you today, but when I saw you, I thought to leave before I began. I wanted to say so much for so long. If I have offered an offense, I beg your forgiveness. However, Edward has assured me you do not wish us to marry either.” The last line was more of a question than it was a statement.
Anne opened a discussion which he had not anticipated, but one which he welcomed.
Clearly, Anne had felt the need to speak the truth before Lady Catherine discovered them.
“Anne, without wishing you harm or reproof, I do not feel your mother’s desire would serve either of us well.
Our dispositions are too much in contrast.”
“That is a relief,” she whispered. “In truth, I fear your dark, brooding nature. Did you know I have been afraid of you since we were children?” She glanced around hurriedly.
“I can speak no more now. My mother will be looking for me. Thank you for allowing me to speak in earnest and in haste. It shall give the situation ease when we both choose to look elsewhere for our mates.” As quickly as she entered, Anne took leave of the room.
Darcy shook his head in disbelief. Edward had told him recently that Anne was not what she appeared to be.
It went without saying that she did have “charms” of which Darcy was unaware.
He had always thought himself to be an astute observer of others; then, how could he not have seen Anne?
It had really been a day of new beginnings.
When Darcy met Elizabeth along her favorite path, he encountered some resistance on her part, but he had prepared for her reluctance.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he began upon meeting her accidentally for the third time in as many days, “I have purposely sought you out.” His words registered a mild shock upon Elizabeth’s countenance.
“After leaving you yesterday at the Parsonage, I recalled a particularly pleasant prospect I believe you would enjoy. I came today in hopes of having the pleasure of showing it to you.”
“Thank … thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she stammered, “that will not be necessary.”
He said apologetically, “I understand if you are too tired. I should have thought better than to intrude upon your time.” He retrieved his gloves from where they lay upon a bench.
“I had only thought of how much you have enjoyed the park while we have kept each other company. The walk I thought to share was one of my late mother’s favorites.
I had forgotten about it until Lady Catherine reminded me of it.
” He prayed that such a small prevarication would not return to haunt him.
“I simply thought you might find it a pleasant choice for a solitary walk.”
Elizabeth hesitated briefly before saying, “If it is not too far, I would take delight in seeing it, sir. Thank you for considering my pleasure.” Even without his offering it, she reached out to place her gloved hand on his arm.
Walking along the narrow, winding path, Elizabeth often moved closer to him for support, as the footing was heavy with tree roots. Lost to her closeness, Darcy considered the pleasure he would know in lifting Elizabeth into his arms and carrying her to his bed.