Chapter 10
Dear sister,
I have not heard from my daughter. Is she making an effort to meet young men?
Do not let her run on the way she does at home, spouting her opinions and speaking on masculine topics. No man wants such an unladylike wife.
I expect her to return home with a beau or I shall be very vexed.
Francis
Mrs Gardiner sighed as she lowered the letter to her lap, shaking her head at her sister’s lack of understanding for her second daughter. She resolved not to tell Elizabeth; it would only make her unhappy.
~ / ~
Another dizzying week passed, and Elizabeth found the endless socializing wearying. Desperate for solitude, she commandeered a maid for a walk.
“Miss Bennet!”
She sighed to see Darcy rushing in her direction. “Mr Darcy, I see you have found me once again.”
“And I see you are enjoying this beautiful weather. Though not at your usual time.”
“Indeed, sir, I walk when I find the time.”
“Today’s pace appears to be a mild stroll compared to your usual tempo.” He fell into step beside her.
“True. You will have no need to keep up with my galloping today.” She glanced at his face in time to witness a pink flush rise in his cheeks.
Darcy coughed, but was too distracted to respond. His mind was consumed by the young woman at his side. Everything about her intrigued him. Her smooth skin, the shine of her hair, even her quick stride. The sight of her swaying hips titillated him as no other woman had.
Perambulating down the path, Elizabeth considered if conversation would make him flee her presence, or at the least, make the walk more palatable.
“I trust Georgiana is well?”
“Yes, she is busy with her lessons.”
“And Mr Darcy and Lady Anne are well?”
“Indeed.”
Elizabeth surreptitiously rolled her eyes. “And how is your cousin, Captain Fitzwilliam?”
He gave her a quick look. “He is waiting to hear news regarding his next posting.”
“I understand he was overseas and his regiment saw battles. He spoke of it briefly, during our visit to the museum.”
“We are all grateful he returned home unscathed from his last deployment, where he earned his captaincy on the field. Though I am surprised to hear he spoke of it. Richard does not often share his war experiences.”
“We did not speak on it at length, but he did give me leave to ask a question.”
Their steps continued in silence for several minutes.
Elizabeth had had her fill of this intolerable situation. Due to her burgeoning friendships with his relations, they were to be in company, it seems. Melancholy and vexation were not a usual state of mind for Elizabeth, and she made the conscious decision to look upon the whole affair with humour.
“Sir, this truly has gotten quite ridiculous.”
“I… Pardon?”
She smirked up at him, “I was not aware the young men of the Ton had so much leisure time on their hands as to roam the parks day after day, only to remain completely silent whilst in company.” She raised her brows at him in challenge.
He frowned, “I spend my time doing the usual activities required of every young man of my station when in town. I ride, meet friends at the club and fence, and attend balls and soirees. After all, the main responsibilities of the estate still fall to my father.”
“Why should that be so?” she taunted him, “have you never asked to share the burden?”
Stopping to better confront the young man, Elizabeth witnessed a strange expression cross his face.
“No.” A dumbfounded expression settled on his face, leading Elizabeth to understand the idea had never occurred to him.
“My father trained me, of course. Growing up, I rode out with him as he surveyed the land and dealt with tenants. But it was made quite clear that school was my top priority.”
“And now?” When he merely stared back at her, she spoke again.
“You have been out of school for several years, Mr Darcy. Surely you have taken up the duty of running your family’s estate?
My sisters and I all provide some form of assistance to Longbourn.
It differs for each sister, but we all help, even if it is our limited capacity as a female.
” She concluded mockingly, “Even here in town it is not all ‘frivolous shopping’.”
“Yes... erm, my sister… ah, explained you are busy.” He cleared his throat. “My sincere apologies for the misunderstanding from the other day.”
Elizabeth waited, anticipating an apology for his other insult. When it seemed like no further words would be forthcoming, she tsked and moved away, speeding up her steps. Darcy trailed behind before he caught up with her.
But Elizabeth’s floodgates had opened and the words came tumbling out.
“Your position in life is one of privilege,” her tone lectured, “however much one of pure chance. You are fortunate, not by all you possess, but in the opportunity it provides. One where you might make great change in the world, not only for your immediate family and dependents. It would be a shame for all that potential to go to waste!” She stopped again, to look him directly in the eye.
Darcy stared back at her, apparently struck mute by her chastisements. She watched him a moment longer to see if he would respond. When he did no more than blink, she curtseyed and left him.
Bewildered, it took Darcy a moment or two to emerge from his stupor.
How did such a small woman wreak so much havoc on his equilibrium?
Her words rang in his head. Had he been remiss in not assuming part of Pemberley’s management?
His father never asked it of him, merely encouraged his youthful activities and spending time with his friends.
Darcy walked aimlessly into the house and through the halls, his steps ultimately directing him to his father’s study. He hesitated before knocking, opening the door when he heard his father’s ‘enter’.
“Fitzwilliam, my boy, how are you?”
Mr Darcy watched his son cross the floor to silently stare out the windows.
“Son?”
When the younger man did not speak, Mr Darcy rose to join him. In a hushed voice he encouraged, “What is on your mind, son?”
Darcy did not reply for a moment. Then he swallowed audibly, “Do you… Are there perhaps tasks or estate errands you would wish me to attend to?”
The older man did not reply, watching the conflicting emotions pass across his son’s face. Mr Darcy ushered his son to a comfortable seat, “Come. Let us have a drink and you can tell me what brought on this question.”
With drinks in hand, they sat across from each other by the unlit fireplace.
“Fitzwilliam, what is this about?”
“Pemberley is a large estate. I think it is time I train and take on some of your workload.”
“This is what you truly desire?” Mr Darcy scarce allowed hope to enter his heart, but his expression remained calm.
“Yes. Yes, it is. I wish to learn from you.” His son’s reply was earnest.
“We might be able to arrange it so.” Mr Darcy strove to keep his voice even. “We shall start with specific tasks first. Then, discuss the daily running of Pemberley and move on from there to the other estates and investments. Ease you into things, so to speak.”
“Thank you, Father. I can only apologize. It did not occur to me to inquire before now. You seemed so capable and always encouraged me to follow my own pursuits.”
“All things come in their own time. I am pleased you have approached me now.”
“Father,” Darcy grimaced, then braced himself. “Why did you not demand I participate more in the running of Pemberley?”
Mr Darcy looked away. A pained expression reflected his troubled thoughts when he refocused on his son.
“Your grandfather was a diligent master of Pemberley.
An excellent one, some say. He was not, however, a good father.
From what I can recall, I do not believe he was a good husband to my mother, either.
A hard, proud man, his expectations for me, his only son, were high.
And his demands were higher. There were no margins for any errors in his world.
I will not go into further details, but suffice to say I was fortunate your grandmother was a kind and loving mother.
“I never wanted to be the same sort of father to you, or for you to have a similar upbringing.” Mr Darcy smiled at his son. “You are here now, and I shall be happy to teach you everything you need to know about Pemberley and our investments.”
Mr Darcy smacked his hands onto his knees and stood. “That being said, there is no time like the present. Let me show you what is on my desk at the moment. Some correspondence has arrived from Wickham, with questions in regards to a couple of tenants.”
~ / ~
Darcy had a spring in his step the next morning as he exited Darcy House, to hopefully find Elizabeth in the park.
He headed to her usual path and, espying her up ahead, pushed to reach her.
“Miss Bennet, good morning.”
“Good morning, Mr Darcy.” She did not lessen her pace.
That was well. Her pace suited his ebullient mood, “I took your advice.”
She shot him a startled glance to see a grin on his face. She swallowed a gasp at the sight of his dimples. Elizabeth was reminded that Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy was a very attractive man. She cleared her throat, “My advice, sir?”
“Your words inspired me yesterday. I spoke with my father and we agreed to begin immediately.
“I watched my father do his duty to Pemberley all my life. When I was home from school, I rode out with him, but I always felt it was more for company. The truth is, I was rarely home. The sons of peers and gentlemen are sent away to school for years, first to Eton and then on to university. After my years at Cambridge, I took an abbreviated grand tour, with friends. As soon as we returned, we were expected to throw ourselves into Society’s marriage-mart.
” His glance over at Elizabeth caught her staring at him, her mouth agape and he flushed. “Forgive me, I am prattling.”
His loquaciousness astounded her. It was the most she had heard him say for the whole of their acquaintance. He also emitted a sincerity she had not seen before. It became him, as none of his haughty expressions had.