Chapter 6 #2
“Elizabeth seems to be similar in passions to me except that she does not like horses, which I can hardly understand. Do you remember when father gave me Duke?” She turned to Elizabeth to offer more explanation.
“I was about three years old, I think, and Duke was of the same age. He is sixteen now, you see. I loved him so much from the first moment I saw him! I shall introduce you to him when you come to Pemberley. I am sure you will love him. How can you not like horses?”
Mr Darcy looked at her with increased attention, and Elizabeth felt as though she had been caught doing something wrong by not liking horses.
She would have been amused if she were not growing increasingly uncomfortable with Georgiana’s genuine excitement.
She could sense that Mr Darcy did not entirely approve of the familiarity between them.
She clearly discerned a frown when Georgiana suggested as a certainty that sometime soon she, Elizabeth Bennet, would visit Pemberley.
She hoped her voice was light enough when she answered, forcing a smile.
“Well, perhaps if I had a horse of my own, my opinion on the matter would be different now. We only had two horses that, when they were not in the fields, were usually ridden by my father or Jane; and to be perfectly honest, I have to say the horses did not seem to like me any more than I liked them.”
Georgiana laughed, and her brother smiled. Elizabeth breathed deeply, allowing the cold air to assault her. She felt Mr Darcy’s gaze upon her still, but this time she was not certain whether he was looking at her to find fault.
∞∞∞
They had been in the sleigh for more than an hour, and Fitzwilliam Darcy still could not believe he was there—nor understand why.
When Georgiana informed him of their plan, he approved it without hesitation, but he never considered he might join them.
And yet, there he was! Perhaps he was still tired after the previous night’s party and could not think properly.
It was true that he had barely slept; as soon as he arrived home, he enjoyed a couple of glasses of brandy to put his thoughts in order.
The only result had been an increased disorder of his mind and a restless night.
He had enjoyed the party exceedingly—more so than he could remember in a long time. But he knew—and was afraid—that he enjoyed the party because of her presence. And, even more dangerous—she had enjoyed his company, too; he was certain of that.
He had left Netherfield after the disastrous ball and after a most enchanting dance with her. He had left—first of all—in Bingley’s best interest, but he had been content and relieved to do so. He had wisely put many miles between himself and those sparkling eyes.
And there she was—right in his face—cuddled under blankets, laughing and chatting with Georgiana, her cheeks red from cold, her hair partially escaped from her bonnet, wet and frozen from the snow, her eyes sparkling and laughing—at him.
When he first heard her voice in his house, he thought he imagined it.
He exited his office to find her in the middle of the room, and then he barely remembered what happened.
Georgiana invited him to join them, and Miss Elizabeth had asked him at the party whether he would accompany them.
What more clear indication could he expect?
How could he refuse them both? He accepted because he had to.
She had been in town for only a week, and Georgiana was charmed by her. They were already calling each by their given names. And, without much consideration, Georgiana had invited Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Pemberley! What should he do?
He must have the strength to make a decision; he knew he would be in real danger if he continued to see her so often. But could it be avoided? Her aunt was a close friend of his uncle’s family, and his sister seemed eager to gain her friendship. What should he do?
“Oliver, stop, please,” Georgiana said suddenly, and he startled, looking around. “Oh, this is beautiful!”
They were near a small forest on a hill.
Everything around them was completely white; it was no longer snowing, and no breeze disturbed the trees.
Everything seemed frozen. The horses stopped, and both girls freed themselves from the blankets and stepped out into the snow, which was higher than their ankles.
Darcy knew he should demand they return, but their joy was so infectious that it enticed him, too.
Eventually, he stepped out of the sleigh and instantly felt the snow invading his boots. He could imagine how frozen their feet must be in their thin shoes. There was still a long ride home, so he asked them to re-enter the sleigh.
∞∞∞
Georgiana and Elizabeth returned and resumed their seats in the sleigh, but their appearance was distressing.
Their shoes were heavy with snow, and their dresses looked positively frozen.
They tried to shake the snow from their shoes and gowns but with little success, as their hands were chilled.
This failure made Darcy cast them a disapproving look, and they fought to hide their laughter under obedient glances.
At Darcy’s request, the sleigh resumed its ride. “If you remain like that until we arrive home, you will both catch a dangerous cold, ladies.”
“Let us hope not, sir. I would be deeply saddened if Georgiana should suffer because of her generosity. It was my fault; I unwisely suggested that—”
“Miss Bennet, I have seen Georgiana many times in similar situations, and I doubt it was your fault. But neither of you can remain like this.”
To Elizabeth’s shock, he bent to his knees and, with his gloved hands, brushed the snow from Georgiana’s bonnet, her gown and shoes; then, without hesitation, he did the same for Elizabeth. She forgot to breathe for some moments. This cannot be happening!
He finally resumed his seat, removed his gloves and reached towards them, demanding, “Now your gloves, please, ladies!” Elizabeth did not move, incredulous at the meaning of his words.
Georgiana, however, stretched her hands to him, and he pulled her gloves then rubbed her hands to warm them and covered her with the blankets.
“William, I cannot believe you still treat me like a child.” Georgiana laughed, but he raised his eyebrow in reproach.
“My dear, apparently not much has changed since you were a child, and I still wish you to avoid catching a cold. So the treatment must be similar.”
Then he turned to Elizabeth, waiting. She stared at him, her eyes and mouth wide open.
Surely, he would not presume to—Without warning, he took her hands, removed her gloves, then covered them in his warm palms. Her hands were still, not daring to move; he looked at her, and their gazes held for a moment.
He continued to hold her hands then clasped and pressed them together—her cold hands wrapped in his, taking warmth from them.
She could not say how much time passed, but she was certain it was improperly long.
Eventually he released her hands, and as he did with Georgiana, he covered her in a blanket.
“Brother, we are fortunate that you came with us. Would you not agree, Elizabeth?” asked Georgiana.
Elizabeth hesitated a moment. “Indeed we are…”
A few minutes later, light conversation resumed.
Halfway home, Elizabeth’s hands were still warm, but her feet were becoming colder.
She briefly thought she should have removed her shoes the same way as the gloves, but instantly she felt her cheeks warming as she remembered the way her gloves had been removed.
It was already one o’clock, and it began to snow again.
“Elizabeth, would you like to come in and have a cup of hot tea with us?” Georgiana asked. “You could warm yourself by the fire and return home later in our carriage.”
“I thank you for your invitation, but unfortunately I must refuse. Jane and Aunt Gardiner are waiting for me; you know we must prepare for tomorrow’s ball.”
“Oh, but is still very early and—”
“Georgiana, we must not abuse Miss Bennet’s time,” her brother intervened. His voice was kind but determined, clearly expecting no opposition.
“You are correct, of course. I am sorry Elizabeth, it is just that—”
“Georgiana, I must say I am disappointed with how easily you broke our agreement,” Elizabeth replied, and both the Darcys looked inquiringly at her. Miss Darcy finally understood her meaning and laughed under the puzzled gaze of her brother.
“Please forgive me,” Miss Darcy said, and both started to laugh openly.
“Would you ladies be so kind as to inform me of your agreement and the reason for your sudden amusement?” Mr Darcy asked, obviously disconcerted.
“I cannot speak for Miss Darcy, but from my point of view, I would rather not share the agreement with any gentleman,” Elizabeth said. Georgiana nodded approvingly, and though she was afraid Mr Darcy might be offended, Elizabeth saw him smiling at her.
“As you wish, Miss Bennet. I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.” She recognised his words from the Netherfield ball, but his voice and his expression were so utterly different that she could not believe it was the same Mr Darcy.
“I thank you for your understanding, sir.” She smiled tentatively.
When the sleigh stopped in Gracechurch Street, Mr Darcy stepped down and handed Elizabeth out.
She collected her wet, dirty gloves, put them in her pocket, then took Mr Darcy’s offered hand.
Unlike the freezing air, his hand was strangely warm; he continued to hold her hand tightly, to protect her from slipping on the icy stairs.
He released her hand only when they reached the main entrance, and with a proper bow, he departed.
Elizabeth remained in the doorway until the Darcy sleigh disappeared from sight.