Chapter 2
Chapter Two
WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 1811
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
D arcy held Elizabeth in his arms as they travelled north. He would not typically travel in the dark, but they had hoped to get far enough away from Meryton before they were missed to make it nearly impossible for them to be caught. Perhaps a fast enough rider could overtake them, but Elizabeth doubted whether her father would make the effort on her behalf.
Regardless, his men were prepared for any possible company. Unsurprisingly, his coachman remembered Elizabeth Bennet from her time in Derbyshire more than four years ago. Like most, he was unaware of what had transpired between them since, though he certainly had an idea of their connection now. Darcy's initial command to prepare the carriage had surprised the man, and he was further shocked when he learned the destination. However, the moment he saw their additional passenger, he could not help but smile.
Although this entire journey went against every rule of propriety, Darcy was determined to act the gentleman and had refrained from kissing her beyond a few chaste pecks. Yet, he allowed himself this closeness, unable to resist the urge to keep her near after so many years apart. As she slept, he watched her, his mind dwelling on the events of four years ago.
DERBYSHIRE, SUMMER 1807
Darcy remembered that summer vividly—it had been the first since his father’s death, and the weight of responsibility still overwhelmed him. As master of Pemberley, Darcy was in mourning not only for his father but for the ease of his previous life. His days were filled with estate matters, leaving him little time for himself, but the unexpected sound of laughter from the music room down the hall had broken through his gloom.
A few days previously, Georgiana had made a new friend in Lambton when she visited the bookshop. Darcy had taken her to select a few books for her birthday, and the two girls struck up a conversation. The young lady, who introduced herself as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, was visiting the area with her aunt from London. It did not take long for his lonely sister to form a friendship with the slightly older girl. Elizabeth was outgoing yet kind, and in just a few scant hours, she formed a bond with Georgiana unlike any she had experienced before. Unexpectedly, she even invited Elizabeth to call on her at Pemberley.
His study was just down the hall from the music room. When he heard the unusual sound of laughter and giggling coming from that room, he went to investigate since he had not heard his sister that happy since his father died. In that moment, he decided to greet their guest, aware that his sister had few friends and recognising his own need for a break from his work. Georgiana had spoken a little about her new friend, and Darcy encouraged her in this, but he wanted to learn more about the girl who had befriended his sister.
Darcy had viewed her from a distance in Lambton, but he was astounded when he entered the music room and saw the two sitting beside each other. Elizabeth was far more womanly than he expected, and he soon realised that Georgiana’s new friend was no mere girl, but a young lady. Her dress indicated she was out, yet, in Darcy’s opinion, she appeared younger than the debutantes he typically encountered in town. She was pretty, but when she looked up at him and smiled her impish smile, he was lost. Something about her, particularly in her eyes, captured and held his interest.
His attention on her was only broken when Georgiana looked up at her brother’s entrance and greeted him. Quickly, she performed the introductions; Elizabeth curtseyed, and he bowed in return. Georgiana’s governess sat in a corner, approving the interaction between the girls and indicating as much towards her employer. Darcy felt relieved and began to speak with them, wanting to learn more about Miss Bennet, both from the perspective of his sister’s guardian, but also because she intrigued him as a man.
Their conversation touched on many topics, venturing from music to books, to farms, crops, and tenants. Darcy was astonished to meet such an intelligent woman, especially one so young; he had learned her age when the girls revealed a shared birthday when asked for an account of their meeting. It surprised Darcy to learn that her mother had pushed her out at fifteen, and despite learning of the entailment of her father’s estate, which had also come up in their conversation that afternoon, he still struggled to understand her mother’s motivation for such an action.
Finally, when the setting sun appeared in the window, Elizabeth realised how much time had passed. “Oh,” she cried out, “my aunt will be most worried. I should have returned to Lambton hours ago. I have been here far longer than planned, but it has been such an enjoyable afternoon.”
Pulling out his pocket watch confirmed that it was nearing five. “I will have a carriage readied to return you to the village. If you would like, I could have a rider convey the news that you are on your way so your aunt does not worry,” he offered kindly.
He was pleased when Elizabeth smiled brightly at him in response. “I would appreciate that very much, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for providing a way to relieve my aunt’s worries sooner.”
Nodding, Darcy stepped out into the hallway to speak to a footman who would ensure his orders were carried out. “The carriage will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” he said when he returned. “A groom will head into Lambton in a few minutes and will inform Mrs. Gardiner of your return before you leave the park. If you do not mind, I will accompany you to town to speak to your aunt and apologise for keeping you so long.”
In acknowledgement of his words, Elizabeth stood, followed immediately by Georgiana. The three moved towards the entryway where a maid met them with Elizabeth’s outerwear and a manservant holding Darcy’s. Another maid arrived already dressed for the outside, as part of Darcy’s orders had included a request for a maid to accompany the carriage into the village.
Georgiana farewelled her friend at the door. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm and escorted her to the waiting carriage before handing her in. The maid followed, and then, finally, Darcy entered, settling onto the rear-facing seat.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, using the name she had told them she preferred, “I am glad you and Georgiana have met and that the two of you have become such fast friends. I do not know what she has told you, but she has been fairly lonely since my father died. In truth, I suppose she has always been a bit isolated, but it has worsened since last October. There are few girls her age nearby, and, well…” he ran his fingers through his hair. “I have not been the best of brothers to her lately. I only just finished my studies at university and arrived home to learn my father was ill. He spent the next month or so teaching me all he could, but it was not much since he was too tired to speak for long periods. It was overwhelming to become master so suddenly…”
He stopped again. “I apologise, Miss Elizabeth. What I wanted to say was thank you for befriending Georgiana. I hope you will continue to correspond with her even after you leave. She needs another young lady to speak to since I have been far too busy to pay her the attention she deserves.”
Elizabeth smiled softly and reached across to pat his arm, catching him off guard with the unexpected contact. Though she was still young, her being out meant she surely understood the implications of such actions. Yet, he found her gesture to be a natural expression of kindness meant to put him at ease rather than an impropriety. Normally, he would have felt concern that a young lady might touch him inappropriately, perhaps with ulterior motives, but with Miss Elizabeth, he felt no such unease.
“She thinks you are an excellent brother and wishes she knew how to ease your burdens,” she murmured. “I know she is young, but I have been visiting the tenants at my father’s estate for the last few years. Perhaps I could teach her what I know about being a mistress, or at least to take on what she can. The housekeeper or the steward’s wife could assist her once I leave.”
Still, Darcy looked at her in surprise at what her words revealed. “Is your mother no longer living? I thought you said…” he paused when he saw the look on her face.
She blushed brightly and blew out a breath. “My mother was not born a gentlewoman but was raised to that position by her marriage to my father. My grandmother taught me the duties of the mistress of an estate since my mother never could be troubled to learn. I began to accompany her on her duties when I was ten years of age, and when she passed a few years later, I continued what she taught us. My elder sister, Jane, learned with me; the two of us have cared for our tenants since Grandmama’s death. We have tried to teach our younger sisters, but they are uninterested, and Mama will not encourage them. She is an excellent hostess but does not concern herself with the matters of the estate.”
For a moment, Darcy did not speak but merely watched this young lady speak. Finally, he responded to her earlier suggestion. “I think Georgiana would do well to begin to learn from you. Mrs. Reynolds, our housekeeper, can assist, but our present steward, Mr. Wickham, is widowed. I will try to think of another woman who could assist my sister when you go, but for now, I will accompany the two of you. I am very busy, but I can combine my duties of speaking with the tenants while you and Georgiana speak with their wives.”
Elizabeth grinned at him, causing him to smile slightly in reply. “My aunt hopes to remain through the end of the harvest, so we should be in Lambton for at least another two months. That should give us plenty of time to begin, and I can encourage Georgiana and answer any questions in letters after I leave. She is a little lonely. I know she is young, much younger than you, but she wants to assist however she can.”
Darcy closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “It has been difficult,” was all he could say.
Once more, Elizabeth leant across and impulsively laid her hand on his in a comforting gesture. “She does understand, Mr. Darcy. She also misses your father, but we have spoken a little about how much you have on your shoulders. My father’s estate is much smaller, and I began assisting him years ago when I was near Georgiana’s age. While Papa was a little more established as master and perhaps not quite as overwhelmed as you, I think your sister would adore spending time with you. She could help with some of your correspondence, and she is not too young to begin learning the duties of a mistress. She could also assist with your bookkeeping. I know Pemberley is much grander than Longbourn, but there are still things she could do even now.”
Darcy nodded, swallowing the lump that formed in his throat at her words. The weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever, and guilt gnawed at him for not giving Georgiana enough attention. He often worried that he was failing her, but felt powerless to change that.
“You have said several times that Georgiana is young for all this, yet you are scarcely older yourself. I also feel too young for my position, but circumstances forced me to assume the master’s duties far sooner than I would have preferred. Perhaps you are right, and I should begin teaching Georgiana to help me. It would at least allow me to spend more time with her.”
Elizabeth grinned at him. “It might help you as well. I think Papa encouraged me to help because he enjoyed having someone with whom to discuss matters. In a way, I became his confidante and assisted him with estate matters.”
This thought surprised Darcy. “You discuss estate matters with your father?”
She laughed, causing him to flush. “Yes, I suppose you could say I am accomplished in this way,” she teased. Seeing his slightly perplexed look, she continued. “This spring, I met a lady in London who had a great deal to say about what made a woman ‘accomplished.’ She listed all manner of qualities—everything from how one walks, to the tone of one’s voice, expressions, and manners. With such a lofty description, I found it difficult to believe she had ever met such a person.
“When I said so, she took great offence and called me an impertinent child for daring to contradict her. What surprised me most, though, was not her words but her attitude. While I have no issue with her background—my uncle is in trade, after all—she seemed intent on making herself appear superior to me. She spoke of her education, her dowry, and her connections in a way that made it clear she thought they outweighed any claim I might have as a gentlewoman by birth.
“I suppose what troubled me most was the way she sought to diminish me and my family through her remarks. True respectability, in my view, has less to do with wealth or polish and more to do with how one treats others. For all her talk of refinement, she seemed to forget that.”
Darcy laughed aloud, surprised by the sound. He realised he had laughed little in recent months and found himself enjoying the feeling. “That is perhaps an overly simplistic view, but still true. There was a man I met in my final year at Cambridge whose father is in trade, and his sister is very much like what you have described.”
“Once, I begged Papa to send me to school, but after meeting her, I wondered if I was better off receiving an education at home. Perhaps I am lacking in the accomplishments some believe are necessary, but I do not feel I am lacking in any important way. Besides, when I do marry, years from now, I want to marry for love, not for status or wealth,” Elizabeth countered, her eyes flashing as she spoke.
Looking at the girl across from him, he saw the sincerity in her words. The oddness of the conversation struck him when he noticed the maid sitting next to her. “I do hope you find it, Miss Elizabeth. Love matches are rare, but I aspire to find one myself. My parents married for love and were happier for it, even though I am uncertain my father ever truly recovered from my mother’s death.” His tone was gentle, and he looked away for a moment, gazing out the window at the buildings passing by. “We are nearly to Lambton. If your aunt permits you, come to Pemberley tomorrow to begin Georgiana’s training and send word if you need my carriage. Each day you come, it will be available to return you. Do you think your aunt will have a few moments to speak with me?”
“I would think she could spare a moment,” Elizabeth said as she glanced out the window. “She is waiting for me; do you see her standing in the doorway? I hope she has not been too worried.”
“She appears to be smiling,” Darcy replied, following her gaze. Something about the woman struck him as familiar, and he turned back to Elizabeth. “Who did you say your aunt is?”
Elizabeth smiled. “She is Mrs. Gardiner now, but she was Miss Clarke when she lived here before. She is visiting her aunt and uncle, the Wilsons.”
“Mr. Clarke was the rector of Lambton, was he not? I believe he died nearly a decade ago, is that correct?”
“Yes, although I think it was approximately eight years ago when he passed. It was not long after my aunt and uncle married but before they had their first child. She could not travel to Lambton for the funeral since she was with child, and he will turn eight later this summer.”
Darcy nodded his agreement. “I remember Miss Clarke before she married. She was a very kind lady, and I believe several of the local men were sorry to hear she would marry a gentleman from London. You say he is a tradesman?”
“His father was a country solicitor, the second son of a gentleman who owned a very small estate. My uncle did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps, and so, after attending university, he partnered with an importer. They did very well, and then my uncle’s partner died, leaving the entire business to him. He has done well for himself, and he and my aunt now have three children. I adore my aunt, and, next to my grandmother, I would say she has been the greatest influence in my upbringing.”
“Not your father?” he asked, surprised.
Elizabeth sighed. “Papa has no doubt influenced me, but I learned far more from my grandmother and my aunt. He has helped to educate me, but more often, he handed me a book and sent me off on my own. We would discuss what I read, but if I needed to know anything important, I would have asked my grandmother or, now, my aunt. I learned how to behave as a proper gentlewoman from those two women.”
“I wish Georgiana had an aunt or a grandmother to speak with. I fear I do not know what to do with a young girl.” His voice was almost a whisper.
The carriage pulled to a stop, and Darcy rapidly disembarked. He turned to assist Elizabeth and was surprised at the look in her eye. “You are doing well,” she whispered. “Georgiana does understand, and I hope my friendship will be of aid.”
Darcy nodded and then followed Elizabeth to the door where her aunt stood.