Chapter 14
Elizabeth’s reception in Gracechurch Street was as warm as she expected. Her little cousins missed her exceedingly and did not hesitate to prove it. Their genuine love and demands for attention were most welcome distractions from her thoughts.
Sir William and Maria stayed long enough to enjoy tea and some refreshment then resumed their travel home.
“Dearest, do tell me all. How was your visit in Kent? How is Charlotte? What a lovely coincidence for Mr Darcy and the colonel to visit Rosings at the same time…”
“Yes, lovely coincidence indeed. Charlotte is fine; she made herself a very comfortable home. She seems to be pleased with her present situation. I am happy for her.”
“I am glad to hear it; you will have to indulge me with a detailed report during dinner. In the meantime, I have some news, too. Next week we are all invited to Lord Matlock’s estate for a hunting party.
The earl and Selina insisted so fervently that they left me little choice.
I had to accept, though hunting is not my favourite amusement. ”
“A hunting party? That is quite intriguing, I must say, but I am afraid I will not be able to join you. I should return home in a few days. I miss Longbourn, and I know they miss me, too.”
“Surely, you cannot hope to escape so easily, Missy. The earl also sent an invitation to Mr Bingley and your father. As you might imagine, my brother Bennet refused to travel so long for a week of hunting, but he generously offered to send you and Jane. Jane will arrive the day after tomorrow in the afternoon. So you see—all is settled.”
Elizabeth was uncertain how she felt about the prospect of such a party, so she did not answer immediately. One question was particularly troubling, but she dared not ask it.
“The colonel did not seem aware of such a party,” she said.
“It was a hasty arrangement made by the earl, but the colonel will surely be there. I understand there will be quite a large party besides the family. Selina is very excited about it—and so is Miss Darcy.”
“Georgiana? I would never imagine her hunting.”
“She will most likely not hunt but enjoy her time at Matlock Manor. Miss Darcy said her brother is a skilful hunter. But again, if we were to take Miss Darcy’s word, Mr Darcy is skilful at everything.” Mrs Gardiner laughed and Elizabeth forced a smile.
“I hope you remember I do not ride. I would feel awkward to walk while others ride.”
Mrs Gardiner laughed loudly. “Yes you would. I am afraid you will have to spend your time taking care of your cousins, dearest. I have every intention of taking advantage of this week; it has been so long since I last rode. And you cannot count on Jane to keep you company, either.
“So, unless you learn to ride quite well in the next few days, you will have to find a way to entertain yourself. Or perhaps one of the gentlemen will sacrifice himself and abandon the hunt in your favour.”
She blushed and laughed. “If my aunt and sister are prepared to abandon me without mercy, I dare not hope that a gentleman would prefer me to a hunt. It would be uncommonly strange.”
With such jokes, the rest of the day passed, and dinnertime arrived with the promised detailed report from Elizabeth.
Every parcel of Mr Collins’s garden was described, as well as the windows and rooms of Rosings.
Lady Catherine was quoted at least five times, including the matter of proficiency through excessive practice.
When they retired to their chambers, Mrs Gardiner was exhausted from laughter and amusement.
She had not been so entertained in many years, nor could she fail to notice the frequency of Mr Darcy’s name being mentioned during her niece’s narrative.
∞∞∞
Breakfast had just finished when a servant announced Miss Darcy. She hurried to embrace her friend, who received her with the warmest feelings.
“I am so happy to see you, Elizabeth! I wished to come yesterday, but William said I should let you rest after your trip. He was right, of course. He had some meetings fixed for this morning, and as soon he was gone, I came to see you. How are you? You look very well!”
“I missed you too, Georgiana. You should have come yesterday; no rest is as important as seeing you. How are you? Mr Darcy and I spoke about you recently. I really missed you.”
“Oh, I am fine. Before I forget—Selina asked me to tell you that tonight we will go to the theatre. All is settled. Selina will come to see you soon; she had to prepare the children first.”
Elizabeth was equally amused and touched to see Miss Darcy so happy at their meeting and to watch the young girl becoming so lively. Her previous shyness seemed to be gone. She embraced the girl again, and then they both moved to the settee together, holding hands.
“Thank you for your invitation; I would love to watch a play.”
“Oh, Mrs Gardiner, did you tell Elizabeth about the hunting party? We all will be there; I am so happy. Matlock estate is beautiful. Only Pemberley is more beautiful,” she exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
She blushed, slightly embarrassed. “Please do not think I am being rude or vain, but Pemberley is truly the most beautiful place. You will see for yourself.”
Miss Darcy seemed so proud of her home and so certain that her friend would have the opportunity to see it for herself soon that Elizabeth felt unable to make a proper reply.
“I can testify as to your statement, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner happily intervened.
“Pemberley is indeed a magnificent place, though I only have had the pleasure of being inside a couple of times. Is Mr Darcy well after his trip?” Mrs Gardiner masterfully changed the subject from what appeared to be a momentary indiscretion.
“Yes—yes he is. I think he will come to call on you later… I heard him saying so…”
“Georgiana, I was talking to my aunt yesterday. Do you really hunt?” Elizabeth finally managed to intervene in the conversation after spending the last minutes wondering about the probable opportunity of seeing Pemberley sometime soon.
“Hunt? No, not really—I could never hunt a living animal…”
“I imagined as much.” Elizabeth laughed.
As expected, Lady Selina called shortly with her two children and Lord Matlock.
“My, my, you truly look beautiful, my dear Miss Elizabeth. Where have you been all these months? I am pleased to see you are unharmed after spending a fortnight with my sister Catherine. How is your cousin? Still busy kissing Catherine’s footsteps?”
“Papa, please!” Lady Selina scolded him. “I am sure Miss Elizabeth had a most pleasant time at Rosings. Aunt Catherine is a very attentive host.”
“Robert said it rained most of the time; he said he had a most boring time,” the earl added.
“It did rain, but there were a few beautiful days, which fully compensated for the rainy ones,” Elizabeth answered, hoping nobody would notice her blush.
“My brother told me he enjoyed his stay at Rosings very much.” Miss Darcy tried to support her friend, oblivious to the reason for Elizabeth’s crimson cheeks.
“Perhaps Miss Elizabeth and Darcy found a way to employ their time much better than Robert,” the earl concluded.
“Well, Robert is not very fond of spending time in the country unless there is a hunting party or some other activity that requires a challenge. Do you notice how eager men are to challenge each other?” said Lady Selina.
“My dear, all male creatures are eager to challenge each other; it is a manly way of living. I confess I like a good challenge anytime,” the earl said.
“I know you do, Papa. Sometimes I would prefer that your young spirit was tempered more frequently by the voice of wisdom.”
“My love, man and wisdom are two words that rarely go together.” The earl laughed and—not surprisingly—none of the ladies tried to contradict him.
“My brother is a very wise man,” Miss Darcy said a few moments later.
“Yes dear, we all know Darcy is very wise and perfect in everything,” replied the earl.
“I thank you for your trust, Uncle. I shall prove my wisdom by struggling to avoid the challenge raised by your mocking tone,” Mr Darcy answered from the door. He was staring at them, a large smile twisting his lips as he looked at his uncle challengingly.
“Here you are, my boy. Come—let me see you. And do not pretend to be offended. You know very well that you are not much wiser than the other men of our family.”
Darcy moved to Mrs Gardiner and greeted her politely, kissed his cousin and then shook his uncle’s hand. Finally, he turned to the place where his sister and Elizabeth were and smiled.
“Well, I am glad we are all here to clarify a few things. I have fixed our leaving for next Wednesday, and I do not wish to hear about any urgent business delaying our departure.” The earl cast a meaningful glance at Darcy.
“Do not worry, Uncle; we shall be ready for Wednesday.”
Mrs Gardiner called for some refreshment, and the discussion continued animatedly. Darcy took a glass of wine, and after a brief hesitation, he sat on a chair near Elizabeth.
“I hope you rested after your trip,” Darcy said a few moments later.
“I did, thank you… I was not really tired but more anxious to see my friends,” Elizabeth answered. “How is Thunder?” she asked and he glanced at her with surprise.
“He is fine. I think he misses the long walks in Kent,” Darcy said, and Elizabeth felt a wave of redness spreading over her neck. She daringly held his gaze.
“Thunder is wonderful,” said Miss Darcy. “And my horse, Duke, is wonderful, too,” she added, and Elizabeth smiled. She could feel Darcy’s eyes on her.
“Mrs Reynolds—our housekeeper at Pemberley—says that Thunder is strong and intimidating but gentle and trustworthy—just like William,” Miss Darcy whispered.
Elizabeth turned her head for an instant, enough to see Darcy’s face redden with embarrassment. She returned her attention to her friend. “I am sure Mrs Reynolds is right.”