Chapter 28
The next morning, Elizabeth rose at dawn, her usual hour.
Nothing could stop her from taking a long solitary walk in the country, a habit she had formed when she was fifteen years old.
While she often walked out of Longbourn with unkempt hair and mismatched gloves, now her maid made certain she was presentable, even though polite society was still asleep.
Jenny had come to serve both sisters because they had not wanted to overwhelm Mrs. Collins with two ladies’ maids within the parsonage, just as not bringing any maid would add a burden to the Collins’s household.
The air was brisk on this late April morning, and the sky seemed to be cloudless. Everything around her was fresh and inviting. The welcome signs of spring were unmistakable.
Elizabeth slipped out of the French doors on the ground floor, not at all aware that a pair of deep blue eyes were watching her from another set of French doors.
Since his childhood visits to Rosings, Mr. Darcy had found refuge in a set of rooms in the guest wing.
His aunt, who hardly left the drawing room and her bedroom suite, had constantly summoned him to spend time with her daughter.
He had discovered that this guest wing, reserved for the most important guests, was safe from his aunt’s claws.
The ground floor contained the state room reserved for royalty when they deigned to visit, but Sir Lewis’s hopes for such an honor were dashed when the Prince Regent, whom he assiduously courted, never came.
The previous night, he chose the Royal stateroom in which to retire.
Finally, the ornate bed fit for a king was being used for its intended purpose—sleeping.
Being the master of Rosings, he could, of course, use any room as he pleased.
He admitted to himself that his reason for choosing this particular room—an act of defiance against his aunt and his so-called wife’s wishes to control him—sounded absurd and juvenile.
However, there was a deeper reason, which he refused to acknowledge even to himself, and it concerned the woman sleeping in the room directly above him.
His valet, Curtis, had been watching Mr. Darcy’s every move. The master had not been sleeping much since their return from Westerham, which meant that he also was not sleeping.
In the previous fourteen years, he had witnessed Mr. Darcy’s youthful infatuation with Lady Caroline, and then his intense attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Netherfield.
Now, though, he feared that the passion suppressed by his outwardly stoic master was close to overflowing.
He was happy his master had found the love of his life, but the timing was all wrong.
Jenny’s cooperation would be needed to guard against any conduct his master would eventually regret. Thank God for a Pemberley ally!
Mr. Darcy watched as Elizabeth disappeared into the distance. Rosings’s grounds were mostly level. Could the gently undulating landscape around here be enough to whet the appetite of such a strong walker?
‘An excellent walker’ was what Miss Bingley had derogatorily called Elizabeth after she had walked three miles of muddy trail to care for her elder sister.
Warmth came rushing up from deep inside him just thinking about the lady’s compassion.
His younger sister would benefit enormously from having a sister like her.
He shook his head vigorously to chase away this alluring thought.
Thinking about impossible things at the moment simply made everything far more painful.
Rationally, he was still convinced his current life as a husband-in-name-only would end in the not too distant future.
That would free him to pursue the love of his life.
But why did he feel so anxious? Could it be that he feared it would remain his own unattainable dream?
Curtis saw his master’s hand on the door handle as if he were going to go after Lady Elizabeth, but then his hand dropped back to his side. The reflection of the master’s face in the glass appeared defeated and gloomy. The loyal retainer’s heart broke for his outwardly strong, confident master.
Later that morning, as part of his daily routine, Mr. Darcy went to see his wife. He was shocked to see her dressed for an outing, and not just bundled up for her usual five minutes in the sun.
“Anne, you agreed last night not to risk your health to go driving. Have you changed your mind?”
“Yes, I am going with you in the phaeton, as husband and wife,” Anne said weakly, but with determination.
“Did you consult your doctors?”
“I am tired of the doctors. Mama said I could.”
“Please excuse me, Anne. I shall be back in just a few minutes. The doctors’ consent must be sought before I risk ruining the good progress you have made. We would all regret exposing you to too much physical strain before you are ready.”
Anne did not answer, but pouted mightily. Mr. Darcy felt he was dealing with a petulant child: the same one he grew up with, and the same one he had always tried to avoid—except now he was married to her.
He did not argue with her and went to find the doctors, who came with him to Anne’s room.
After a brief examination, they conferred with each other and said, “Mr. Darcy, we tried to reason with Mrs. Darcy, but she would not listen. We believe the best approach is to let her go on the phaeton drive. Her condition will not allow her to be out for long.”
“But will the exertion be harmful to her health?” Mr. Darcy decided that the Darcy family doctor would see Anne every week as her own doctors surrendered to the will of the de Bourgh women all too readily, even though he was now their employer.
“Sir, in my opinion, it is commendable that Mrs. Darcy desires to enjoy life in her remaining time on earth. Going for a quick ride in a phaeton should not diminish her health significantly, but may boost her morale.”
Mr. Darcy concurred that Anne’s wishes should be fulfilled within reason. He ordered the phaeton to be brought to the door. By the time he had escorted her to the phaeton, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane had also arrived.
The party left at a leisurely pace for their tour of the grounds of Rosings.
Anne leaned on her husband’s arm like a loving and beloved wife, making her husband squirm, even though he realized that she needed the support in her frail state.
However, not five minutes later, Mr. Darcy felt Anne shaking wildly.
He looked over and saw her face pale and sweating.
Her eyes were squeezed shut. He asked the footman standing on the footboard to inform the two riders that he would return to the house with the mistress.
Without chaperones, the riders had to return as well.
After settling his cousin in her rooms and obtaining the doctors’ reassurance that Anne was in good hands, he returned to the front entrance to inform the riding party that Anne’s crisis was under control, and he would arrange another chaperone for their tour.
He was surprised to see Elizabeth joining her sister and the Colonel. All three were examining the phaeton.
“I have been thinking of learning to drive one. It must be better than riding,” said Elizabeth.
“Ah, but there are places the phaeton cannot reach,” interjected Mr. Darcy.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth nearly jumped. She had thought Mr. Darcy would stay with his wife after such a scare.
“Forgive me for startling you,” said Mr. Darcy with a smile, looking not in the least penitent.
Watching the interaction between the two people and detecting the deeper feelings they both suppressed, the Colonel suggested, “Darcy, if Anne does not need you right now, why not show Lady Elizabeth a thing or two about driving the phaeton? Lady Jane and I need a chaperone. Please accompany us.”
Elizabeth hesitated, but felt a powerful urge to ride with this man in the phaeton. At the same time, she sensed the danger of being in close proximity with him and said, “I am famished from my long walk this morning and was hoping Jenny would get me some victuals, lest I fall over from hunger.”
“M’lady, Darcy has ordered a scrumptious picnic for the party.” The Colonel pointed to a rise in the distance with his riding crop. “The beautiful glen just beyond that hill is perfect for an outdoor feast on a day like this.”
Elizabeth looked at Jane, who smiled and nodded to encourage her to join the party. Jane appeared to want to continue the tour. Elizabeth, apprehensive yet excited, acquiesced.
Before she was helped into the phaeton, she asked Mr. Darcy, “Jane said you turned back because Mrs. Darcy felt unwell. How is she?”
“Oh, yes, Darcy, how is Anne?” asked the Colonel, shamefaced that he had forgotten about his sick cousin.
Mr. Darcy became solemn. He was thoroughly ashamed as well. The moment he saw Elizabeth, all thoughts of his sick wife had flown from him. And then the woman he loved asked after the woman he had married and made it even more painful by referring to his cousin as Mrs. Darcy.
“The doctor said Anne exerted herself beyond her limit, but she should be well after sufficient rest.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Elizabeth said without further comment and settled into the phaeton.
Eager to start a conversation on a less awkward topic, Mr. Darcy inquired, “M’lady, did you find paths at Rosings that please you? I saw you leave the house this morning for your walk. You must have covered a lot of ground if you have just returned.”
“Oh! Not a lot of ground. I came upon a grove in that direction.” Elizabeth pointed to the east. “It was so tranquil, so peaceful in the early morning, with the sun’s rays filtering through the new leaves. It was magical! Enchanting! I could not tear myself away.”