Chapter 5
Frederick accompanied them into Lambton, and the six of them went to Miss Pratt’s domicile, despite Darcy insisting they were too large—and boisterous—a crowd for her small sitting room.
But no one was content to wait in the carriage or agree to meet elsewhere.
All three ladies were home, and Darcy was gratified to notice Elizabeth observing him whenever her attention was not needed by one of their companions.
“We were desperate for a way to stave off ennui,” Bramwell said.
“Before we argued amongst ourselves,” Freddie added. “We surely would.”
Bramwell nodded and continued. “We do not intend to do anything beyond spend money on things we do not need, to the delight of the shopkeepers, and take refreshments at the inn. Miss Bennet, you must come with us. Darcy, do you not agree?”
Instantly, he felt pinned to the spot by multiple sets of eyes.
Daring to glance at Elizabeth, he saw only amusement in her features; there was not a speck of dislike at the prospect of spending the afternoon with him.
Despite discomfort that left him struggling not to squirm, he managed to keep his voice steady. “Yes, I do. Will you?”
The question was directed at Elizabeth, but before she could answer, Mrs Gardiner did, encouraging her to go. “It will do you good to get out of the house. I know you feel the want of exercise, and you will have such fun.”
Elizabeth smiled fondly at her aunt. How Darcy longed for the day she would look at him in a similar manner; he ached for it, for her, to have the right to call her his Elizabeth! At present, he was satisfied that she still smiled when she turned to him, her gaze briefly taking in the others.
“I shall gladly join you,” she said.
“Excellent!” Fitzwilliam exclaimed. “If it were not so cold, we would take you on a drive to show you some of the wonders of Derbyshire, which I assure you are even more wondrous at other times of the year. Mrs Gardiner, you can tell your niece I am not exaggerating.”
“My aunt has spoken often of how beautiful the county is,” Elizabeth said. “I have seen enough to know it is true.”
“Darcy told us you were intelligent, and recognising Derbyshire’s attractions shows that he was not overstating the fact,” Bramwell said.
“It is an excellent place to live,” Georgiana added, blushing.
“Well said, Georgie!” Freddie said, grinning at her.
There was more than one suppressed chuckle, including from Mrs Gardiner.
Frederick scratched his forehead. “Perhaps the lot of you had best seek your diversion now. Miss Pratt, Mrs Gardiner, if you do not object, I thought I would remain with you, let the young people rush about in the cold. Miss Bennet, if my son teases you too much, please do tell him his voice is making you ill, and he had best be quiet. I am afraid I have no control over Bramwell or the others. Rebecca and Georgiana will cause you no trouble, I hope.”
In the laughter that followed, Elizabeth met Darcy’s gaze.
Her smile grew, and he was elated; the contrast to her demeanour from just a week ago was significant.
How can it be that only seven days have passed?
There might still be some lingering uncertainty in her eyes, but he intended to banish it.
Ever since his sister and cousins had told him they not only approved of his interest in her but also wanted—encouraged—him to pursue her, he had been able to think of nothing else.
I shall do what I must to assure my other relations that she is the best—the only!
—lady for me. What price can I put on my future happiness, which I know she will secure?
Surely, it is far higher than the dowry another lady might bring to our marriage, even Anne with all of Rosings.
Darcy had considered returning to London soon after Epiphany, but that was before he knew Elizabeth was staying in the neighbourhood.
At present, his intention was to remain as long as she did.
If he were exceedingly fortunate, they would be engaged soon.
That might alter their arrangements, since he would need to secure Mr Bennet’s permission; Elizabeth might feel it was best to ask him in person.
He shook himself, giving his attention to the current moment. First, he needed to convince Elizabeth to care for him; then, he needed to propose.
With some noise and confusion, the young people were soon away from Miss Pratt’s home and strolling through the town.
Darcy was not surprised when the others contrived to leave him and Elizabeth to themselves, though Freddie had been a little too obvious in his efforts.
Walking beside Elizabeth, Darcy glanced at her; her cheeks were pink, and he did not believe it was due to the temperature.
Before his mind drifted too far into a day-dream of how he might keep her warm after they were married, he cleared his throat.
If he were not careful, he would be inappropriately distracted whenever he was in her company, and that would not help him earn her esteem!
“I am glad you were able to join us,” he said, inwardly groaning at how simple-minded he sounded.
Biting her lips together, Elizabeth briefly turned to him.
“I appreciate you including me in your diversion. I was beginning to feel the want of activity, but my aunt was reluctant to send me out on my own, given the weather. Your presence, and that of your uncle, helped convince her it would be well.”
“I am glad—” He almost groaned, realising he was about to repeat himself.
Elizabeth chuckled. “I am too.” The colour in her cheeks deepened. “May I say that I am unexpectedly pleased that we have had a chance to spend time together of late? I am afraid I am being too bold.”
“No, Miss Elizabeth. Pray, continue, if you have more to say. But I should first assure you that I am very agreeably pleased. What an awkward phrase! My tutor would have been horrified.”
She laughed. “Speaking to you has helped me realise that I am not as proficient at judging characters as I once thought, which is a valuable lesson. And…I have enjoyed the time I have spent with your family.”
And me? he wanted to ask, but that would be too bold.
“My cousins and sister all speak highly of you and hope to know you better.”
She gave him a long look, which caused their steps to slow and put greater distance between them and the others.
Finally, she smiled, though he could not determine the meaning behind it.
Was she acknowledging his statement? Perhaps she thought he exaggerated or was wondering whether he was referring to his own feelings and wishes.
Since they were alone, and because he had no notion what to say to continue the current topic, he told her of the letters he had written.
That necessitated explaining his history with Wickham.
Without providing all the details, he mentioned that the scoundrel had attempted to use Georgiana as a means of revenge against the person he blamed for his reduced circumstances, in other words, himself.
Elizabeth’s complexion paled the longer he spoke, and he regretted saying so much, but once he began, he decided it was better to disclose it all.
Bramwell ran back to inform them that they were going into the haberdashery. Darcy nodded and said that he and Elizabeth would join them in a few minutes; they wanted to step into the bookseller’s briefly. He led Elizabeth towards the shop, gently holding her elbow.
“I am sorry,” he said softly. “I should have refrained, told you at another time, one where you might be alone to—”
“No, no,” she interjected, shaking her head. “I am well. It was just a moment of shock. You informed my father of Mr Wickham’s true nature, the danger he poses to young women?” Her eyes were clouded with anxiety, no doubt imagining the cur near her beloved sisters and friends.
“I did. He can make enquiries of the men I mentioned in my letter.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was as sincere as he had ever heard it. “I shall write to him as well.” Lowering her chin and shaking her head, she said, “I owe you an apology for believing his lies.”
Darcy lacked the words to describe how he felt knowing that she trusted he had told her the truth; she did not require he provide proof—although he had mentioned he would the day before.
“No, you do not,” he said, whispering since they were presently in the shop. “My behaviour was not what it should have been, and I have only myself to blame if people thought ill of me. But let us put it aside and seek diversion instead. Can you?”
Once again, her eyes met his. There was a very brief pause before she smiled and nodded. “A bookshop is the perfect place to begin!”
Elizabeth did not know why it was, but she believed Mr Darcy’s recitation of his history with Mr Wickham.
Although she had once been sure the latter man had been truthful, listening to Mr Darcy, she sensed a rightness she realised had always been missing from the story Mr Wickham had told her.
Besides, why would Mr Darcy lie, especially when they were surrounded by people who could refute his claims?
The hours she spent with him and his relations in Lambton were as amusing as she had hoped.
Lord Bramwell and Freddie Darcy were particularly droll, Colonel Fitzwilliam interesting, and the two Miss Darcys just the sort of ladies Elizabeth would like to have as friends.
As for Mr Darcy… How could her view of him have changed so much in such a short period of time?
She hardly dared to imagine where it might end.
That evening, she shared part of what he had told her with Mrs Gardiner and wrote to her father. Afterwards, when she was lying in bed and finding sleep difficult, she dreamt of seeing him again, of the questions she would like to ask, some about Mr Wickham but mostly about himself.
I want to know everything about him, what he thinks about music and books and travel and even which are his favourite flowers and any other subject I can think of! She quietly chuckled, which only made her long to find ways to make him laugh, because he was even more attractive when he did.
As it happened, they did not meet again for several days.
Elizabeth, Mrs Gardiner, and Miss Pratt then went to Pemberley on New Year’s Eve; a carriage collected them before noon.
The Darcys had arranged a day of festivities, beginning with skating for those who wished to partake, followed by dinner, games, and music.
Georgiana assured Miss Pratt and Mrs Gardiner that chambers were prepared for them to rest, should they like.
They were almost twenty people, most of whom went skating, though only a half a dozen remained out of doors longer than an hour.
Elizabeth was amongst them, as was Mr Darcy.
It was cold, to be sure, but the exercise was enough to chase away the chill, and it provided her with an excellent opportunity to study the gentleman, which added greatly to her pleasure.
Rebecca was the one who finally insisted they must abandon the ice for the comforts of the drawing room. “As fun as it is, I am afraid we are all on the verge of becoming great blocks of ice.”
Lord Bramwell gave her a rather wicked grin and said, “I shall gladly help warm you.”
This caused some laughter. Georgiana looked shocked, and Mr Darcy said, “It is a very, very good thing my uncle did not hear you say that.”
The viscount laughed. “I would not have said it if he was here. What do you take me for? Rebecca knows I was jesting.”
“You are a jest,” Rebecca said, playfully slapping his hand away when he reached for hers.
Elizabeth laughed and skated to her side. “Come, let us lead the way. You are correct that we have been skating long enough for one day. It might be making some of us addle-headed—or soon will.” She spoke with humour, ensuring no one would mistake her meaning.
The loudest resulting laugh was from the viscount, who said to Mr Darcy, “I like her more and more. You know what to do, Cousin.”