Chapter 37 A Quiet Day At Pemberley
The following morning, Mary was eating breakfast while reading a paper that lay neatly beside her plate.
Mr. Lewis entered and said, “So, my partner is an early riser.” He passed behind her chair, then stopped, the habitual frown that seemed his expression of choice puckering his forehead. “And she reads the paper. Singular.”
He moved to the sideboard and began serving himself.
Mary set down her fork and rose from her chair.
She had no intention of remaining and giving this man another opportunity to insult her.
She had made herself a promise: she would keep her distance, lest she again forget herself and speak to him with disrespect.
A blush rose to her cheeks as she recalled her insolence from the day before.
What would Mr. Darcy say if he heard of it?
He turned at once and set down his plate.
“Miss Mary, I have been remiss. I caused you injury yesterday. I might have broken your reading glasses or taken out an eye, and I have not yet apologized for my offensive behavior. Please allow me to offer my apology now. If such a thing had happened to my sister, I would have run the man off my property with a whip or at gunpoint. Since Darcy has not done so, I can only surmise that you have not told him of my offense. I sincerely apologize for my trespass against you.”
He looked down at the floor and then back at her. “I see you have a small mark on your temple where the stone struck you. I am grateful that it was a small stone, or you might have been gravely injured.”
When he had finished speaking, she replied, “I accept your apology, sir. It is gratifying to know that you understand how offensive your behavior was, and that you recognize you could have injured me for life. But as it is, I have suffered nothing more than a small bruise, and I hope you have learned a lesson from this.”
She curtsied. “Good day, sir.”
Mary turned and left the room. She decided then and there that Mr. Lewis was a man with a conscience, but he was so ill-humored that she wanted nothing to do with him, even though he was wealthy and owned a fine estate.
The price of security with a man who had a temper like his was too dear.
She would wait. Perhaps the rector had a small fortune and would offer for her.
He was a well-looking man, and his conversation had been engaging.
On that melancholy thought, she went to the music room and closed the door. She would practice for an hour and afterward change and walk to the castle.
Lewis sat down to eat and was soon joined by Hurst, Jane, Bingley, Elizabeth, and Darcy. He was surprised not to see his sister but thought no more of it when the conversation around him began.
Hurst spoke first. “Darcy, what say you, shall we fish today?”
Bingley added his vote. “I have not cast a line since last summer. It has been a year.”
Darcy looked to Lewis. “What say you, Lewis? Are you up for fishing today?”
“I am,” he replied. “I brought my rod and flies. I know you have several fine fishing spots, Darcy, and I intend to make use of them while I am here.”
Darcy nodded. “Very well. I shall make the arrangements.”
He rang for the butler and gave his instructions, then turned to his wife. “Elizabeth, may I serve you?”
She handed him her plate and moved to find a seat. Bingley did the same for Jane.
Hurst looked at Bingley. “Have you set a date for your marriage yet?”
“I have written to Mr. Bennet with the announcement of our betrothal and to set a date. I asked him to have the banns read this month, even though Jane wishes to wait until October, when we all travel back to London. We can stop in Hertfordshire on our way south, marry there, and afterward enjoy the season together.”
Darcy said, “I received the list of estates that are for sale, Charles. If you come with me to the study after breakfast, I will give it to you.”
Bingley’s face brightened. “Have you read the list? How many are there?”
“Six,” Darcy answered. “The nearest is six miles from here. The others range from fifteen to thirty miles distant.”
Hurst said, “I would not have expected so many to be available.”
Darcy replied, “My solicitor included the reasons each is for sale. The war has taken its toll. Two have no living heir, and another has been lost to financial mismanagement. I do not recall the rest.”
Bingley and Jane exchanged glances. He leaned in and said, “Perhaps we will live close to your favorite sister.”
She reached for his hand and pressed it.
Lewis, watching them, felt an unfamiliar stab of envy. Until now, he had never desired the married state, but seeing Bingley and Darcy so contented, stirred something within him. He began to think seriously of marriage and resolved to look about him for a suitable woman.
His thoughts turned to Mary Bennet. He winced, recalling how poorly he had behaved toward her.
At least he had apologized, and she had been generous in her forgiveness, acknowledging that no lasting harm was done.
Still, she had not looked upon him with favor.
He began to suspect she was avoiding him.
She had certainly left the breakfast parlor this morning almost in the very moment he entered.
His mind returned to the previous evening. He had watched her covertly. She had sat with Darcy’s sister, engaged in cheerful conversation, but never once had her eyes strayed toward him. Even later in the drawing room, she had chosen a seat far from where he sat with the Darcys.
He would pay closer attention. If she truly meant to avoid him, he could not blame her. Yet he was sorry for it, for she was a lovely woman and perhaps shared some of the same values as her elder sister.
Darcy turned to his wife. “And what are the ladies of Pemberley about this morning, Elizabeth?”
“We drive into Lambton. Cook has praised a confectioner there to the skies. She says they make the best puddings, and I offered to purchase some for our dinner tonight.”
Darcy’s eyes brightened. “Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Apple Crumble are my favorites. If you bring enough to have leftovers for breakfast tomorrow, I shall be in your debt.”
She winked at him, grinning. “I will. I wish for nothing better than to have you in my debt.” His face flushed, he turned red to his ears.
She continued, a sparkle in her eyes. “We are also going to the bookstore. Do you have any volumes on order?” She observed the faint color rise in his cheeks and felt a quiet thrill of hope.
Perhaps his brooding, reticent manner was no true measure of him, but only a careful restraint.
She had the sudden thought that her husband might not be so impervious as his outward appearance suggested.
He cleared his throat, striving to recover his composure. “Yes. Two books.”
“Very well, sir, I will see if they have arrived.”
“And you, my dear,” he asked, “what do you expect to purchase?”
“The clerk told me about a new author, and he says the book has been very successful. An anonymous woman wrote it, and I am eager to read it. I placed an order, and he should have received it by now.”
Darcy grinned. “Have your sisters given up on The Odyssey, then?”
She swatted his arm lightly. “I imagine men of your social standing hold a woman’s intellect in little esteem. Do not laugh at us, sir. We have not given it up. We have made progress, but we have finished our light reading and are now off to the bookstore in search of more.”
Darcy reached for her hand, and the look in his eyes sent a thrill down her spine. “Ask Walters to send the Miller brothers with you.”
“Yes. I daresay Walters would not dream of sending us out with anyone else, knowing what your orders are concerning our escort.”
“I am glad to hear that, Elizabeth. I have ordered luncheon in baskets for the fishing party. Do not expect us until this afternoon. If you need anything, Walters knows where to find me.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He bent and kissed the top of her head, then he froze, uncertain how she would respond to this liberty.
He straightened and watched her eyes. She did not appear to mind and behaved as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
He felt relief and pleasure. “I will see you at dinner then, my dear.” He turned to leave but then said, “Mrs. Darcy, not all men of my station hold women in such low esteem as you suggest. I certainly do not.” Then he bowed and left her.
Elizabeth stood watching him go, reflecting on his words. She had spoken unkindly of men, especially those of his station, and she realized there had been no cause to do so.
Mary was practicing on the pianoforte in the music room when Mr. Lewis passed through the hall. He paused, wondering if it was her. The pianist was repeating a single phrase again and again.
He opened the door quietly and peered inside. From where he stood, he could see only her profile. She sat very straight, intent upon the passage she was perfecting. She was a beautiful woman. What had possessed him to behave so poorly in the garden? He had been angry, angry because of Richard.
The blood rushed to his face as he wondered where Richard and Isabella were now. Neither had appeared at breakfast; perhaps they were out walking together. He must have made some slight sound, for the music ceased and Miss Bennet raised her eyes to study him.
“Sir,” she said, “is the sound of the pianoforte painful, or is it the sight of me that offends you?”
He shut his eyes. He had offended her again.
“Miss Mary, I apologize. Something else intruded upon my thoughts just now. I was not frowning at you, nor at the music.”
“Well, that is something at least,” she replied.
“Thus far, we have met three times, and on each occasion you have turned your frown upon me. It must be a habit of yours, sir. I feel it is my duty in Christian charity to warn you that when you decide to marry, I doubt any amiable woman will have you. With such a habit, only dragons and harridans will want you.”
He frowned again, but caught himself doing it and realized what she said was true. Frowning had indeed become a habit with him, but he could not think why he had become so disagreeable. He pushed the thought aside and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, for intruding upon you.”
With that, he turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Mary sat still and silent for several minutes, thinking of the man. Mr. Lewis was a very good-looking gentleman. In truth, he was as handsome as Mr. Darcy and the colonel. He was dark, tall, and had a fine figure. It was a shame that he should be so disagreeable.
Disagreeable? No, not disagreeable, he was rude, obnoxious, and mean. She shook her head. He would make some poor woman a very miserable husband, and she would lead a miserable life. It was a pity and a shame.
She turned back to her music and began to play again. A few minutes later, she was interrupted once more, but this time by her sister.
“Mary, I am driving into Lambton today to the confectioner’s to purchase puddings. Do you come? I also plan a visit to the bookstore. I have been told they carry a fine selection of music as well as books and women’s journals.”
Mary stood and began to gather her music sheets. “Yes, does Georgiana come?”
“I am going upstairs now to find her, and Isabella and Louisa,” Elizabeth said.
“Then I will go change my dress and meet you in the drawing room.”
Elizabeth left her to prepare and went in search of Isabella, imagining the young woman might be walking with Richard.
She wondered how long it would be before Mr. Lewis attempted to put a stop to their courtship.
At least the couple had enjoyed an evening and now a morning together after being apart for so many years.
Isabella was old enough to choose for herself; she did not require her brother’s consent.
Yet perhaps she did not wish to go against the head of her house.
Elizabeth paused as another thought occurred to her. Was Isabella’s mother still living? She would ask.
Stepping out the back door, she caught sight of the colonel and Isabella walking along the path that led from the castle. Elizabeth went out to meet them.
“Isabella, the men will be out fishing today. Do you come with us women to Lambton? We plan a bit of shopping.”
Isabella turned to Richard. “Do you fish, my love?”
“I must,” he said. “Lewis will notice if I am not there.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I am surprised he did not miss you at breakfast. The rest of us were there, all except the two of you.”
Both lovers flushed.
Elizabeth continued, “It is not I you should be concerned about. I fear Mr. Lewis and his temper. It would be a shame if he decided to leave Pemberley before our holiday was over.”
She looked at Isabella. “You are of age, you know. You do not need your brother’s consent.
If the colonel had a common license, Pemberley has a chapel, and a rector resides not a mile from here.
I am certain Mr. Darcy would stand up at your wedding, Richard.
And I would stand up for you, Isabella. You could be married here on Pemberley land. ”
Both Richard and Isabella stared at her in surprise, and then in delight as they realized the truth of her words.
Richard turned to Isabella. “Let us speak of it tonight. I cannot leave the others early, or your brother will take notice. But perhaps we can meet in the drawing room before dinner, before anyone else arrives. In the meantime, think on what Mrs. Darcy has said.”
Isabella, eyes bright with excitement, said, “I will.”
He pressed her hand, then ran up the stairs into the house and was gone.
Isabella turned to Elizabeth with a sigh. “I will be good for nothing the rest of the day, but I will come. I need something to help me pass the time until I can be with Richard again.”