Chapter 3
Chapter Three
T he two saw each other daily for the next six weeks. Each morning, Elizabeth arrived at Pemberley around ten in the morning, and then Darcy would accompany her and Georgiana to meet the tenants. On the first day, Elizabeth brought a blank notebook with her, and it was quickly filled, requiring them to order more from the shop in Lambton.
It was also discovered on that first day that Elizabeth did not know how to ride. They had intended to ride out to visit the tenants, but upon learning that Elizabeth had never learned, they had a small carriage hitched up that Darcy could drive them in. However, that afternoon, he insisted on teaching Elizabeth to ride.
The afternoons were soon spent in first teaching Elizabeth the necessary skills of riding and then taking her on frequent rides, not just to visit the tenants but to explore the estate and its environs. She learned quickly, and after a fortnight of lessons, they began to pack picnic lunches and visit scenic spots around the estate to eat between tenant visits.
Elizabeth and Georgiana developed a close friendship, as did Elizabeth and Darcy. Since neither of the ladies could mount the horse without a mounting block, they frequently relied on Darcy for assistance. While aiding Georgiana did not bother him, Darcy found himself increasingly affected by Elizabeth's proximity during these moments. It did not take long for him to observe her blushes, realising she, too, was disconcerted by their closeness.
Instead of avoiding her, as he might have done with other ladies of his acquaintance, he began to encourage Elizabeth. He found opportunities to touch her, even slightly, and delighted in seeing her blush when he did so. Too quickly, she became aware of what he was doing and found ways to turn the tables on him.
A little over a month after they met, the three were riding together when something startled Elizabeth’s horse, causing it to rear up. Despite her efforts to hold on, she was unseated and landed in a heap on the ground. Darcy leaped down and called for Georgiana to remain where she was, intending her to be ready to ride for help if needed.
Darcy rushed to kneel by Elizabeth’s side, his heart pounding as he saw her eyes closed. He feared she might have struck her head during the fall. For a brief moment, he stood frozen, gazing at her pale, still face, an overwhelming pain flooding him. The thought of losing her, even before she was truly his, nearly shattered him. He recoiled at the idea, but just as quickly, a realisation hit him—he could not imagine his life without her. He wanted her by his side, now and forever.
He whispered, “Elizabeth, my darling Elizabeth, please wake,” while checking her arms and legs for broken bones. “Please wake, my love.”
A moment later, her eyes blinked, and she looked straight into his eyes. She saw the pain there and a hint of something else. Her own eyes softened, and she became aware of his whispered pleas.
“Elizabeth!” he breathed. “Are you well, my dar… Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am well,” she managed, her voice uneven as she drew in shallow breaths. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the effort to steady herself evident as she struggled to reclaim the air knocked from her lungs in the fall.
“Oh, Elizabeth, I thought I had lost you,” he confessed, almost unaware of what he was saying.
She blinked at him again, confused by his words and uncertain she heard him correctly. “Whatever do you mean, Mr. Darcy?” she whispered.
Darcy started. “I apologise, Miss Elizabeth. I spoke without thinking.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes casting downward. She had come to admire the gentleman greatly and wished he felt the same. However, she was acutely aware of the difference in their circumstances and knew she was far too young. No matter how often she reminded herself of these truths, her growing feelings for him did not waver.
He seemed to recognise at least a little of this and spoke to reassure her. “I… I, well, Miss Elizabeth, my sister cares for you greatly. She would be devastated if something happened to you.” He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, then opened them and looked at her again. His eyes softened, and he whispered, “So would I.”
She reached up a hand and almost caressed his cheek. Before she could do so, a noise made her aware of Georgiana nearby. Darcy’s back would have hidden them from the young girl’s view, but it made her hesitate.
He did not allow it. He captured her hand in his and brought it to his lips to kiss. “I have come to care for you greatly, Elizabeth. I… I was devastated when I thought you were injured.”
This time, she did not stop but caressed his cheek. “I have come to care for you too, Mr. Darcy.”
“Fitzwilliam,” he breathed, desperately wishing his sister were not so near. He wanted to kiss her.
“Fitzwilliam,” she replied softly.
“I would like to court you. I believe it is too soon to consider marriage, and frankly, I imagine your father would believe you to be too young, despite your mother pushing you out so early. I might be wrong, but I…” Darcy trailed off, uncertain how to say what he wanted to.
“Sixteen is too young for marriage. While I know I cannot remain in Lambton for the next year, I would appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better. My aunt plans to remain here another month, so we might continue our acquaintance during this time. After a month, if we want to further our relationship, perhaps we can find a way to correspond.”
Darcy smiled at her, delighted to discover that she could help him express thoughts he could not quite manage to put into words. “Yes, that is precisely what I was thinking.” Sighing, he looked back towards Georgiana. “Come, my sister will be worried if you remain on the ground much longer. How do you feel?”
He offered a hand to help her sit up. She groaned. “I believe I will be a bit sore. The ride back might be unpleasant.”
Nodding, he stood before helping her to stand, his hand lingering on her waist to keep her steady. “Are you well?” he asked again.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and moved her limbs a little. “I will be well,” she replied. “We will need to take it slowly on our way back.”
Looking around, he realised her horse had left them. Instead of being annoyed, he grinned at her. “I think you will have to ride back with me.”
Startled, Elizabeth looked around and discovered what he had already. She laughed lightly. “I suppose I will, since I do not believe Georgiana’s horse will carry both of us easily. Very well, Mr. Darcy, you will have your way,” she said, smiling impishly even as she winced at the pain from turning.
He saw her pain and called his horse to come to him. It did, and soon he had her seated sidesaddle ahead of him. She attempted to maintain some distance for the sake of propriety, but soon, she leant against him, delighted in the feel of his arms around her and his scent surrounding her.
She sighed and leant into his embrace. Darcy grinned down at her. “This is far better than riding alone, is it not, Elizabeth?” he whispered.
“I am enjoying riding this way far more than I ought to, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered back, feeling a small thrill at the privilege of using his Christian name.
Too soon for both of them, they arrived at the stables. Elizabeth’s horse had reappeared, alarming the grooms; however, since only one horse returned, they hoped it did not signal a serious injury or difficulty. Darcy quickly answered their questions, allowing a groom to assist his sister while he assisted Elizabeth down.
She winced when her feet touched the ground, and once again, Darcy’s hands on her waist helped steady her. “We should take you into the house. You need a hot bath to help ease the soreness. I am inclined to suggest you stay the night and not attempt to travel any further today, but feel you would not agree if I were to command you to do so.”
Despite the pain she felt, Elizabeth had to laugh. “You are likely correct about that, Mr. Darcy. Though, in this instance, if you will send a note to my aunt requesting permission, I will do as you suggest.” She mouthed “Fitzwilliam” making him smile. He helped her into the house and upstairs to a suite in the family wing where Mrs. Reynolds and several maids bustled around to help her into a hot bath. Darcy suggested several additional buckets of water be brought up so she could soak as long as she liked.
After hearing his plans to have the young lady stay, Mrs. Reynolds suggested he invite Mrs. Gardiner to come to act as a chaperone to avoid any damage to Elizabeth’s reputation. Darcy agreed, knowing that despite all the servants in the house, having a married lady present would protect all their reputations. While gossip rarely left Pemberley, he wanted Elizabeth to one day be the mistress of his estate and wanted to ensure no one would think poorly of her.
Mrs. Gardiner arrived not long behind her note, accepting his invitation to stay the night with her niece.
That evening, the two Darcys and their guests dined upstairs in the sitting room adjoining Elizabeth's room. It was an unconventional arrangement, but Elizabeth, still sore after her bath, was reluctant to navigate the stairs. Upon hearing this, Darcy made the suggestion they all join her upstairs, and it did not take long for the arrangements to be made.
Elizabeth, who had drunk several cups of willow bark tea over the course of the afternoon and evening, was ready to retire not long after they finished eating. Georgiana went to her own room, leaving Darcy and Mrs. Gardiner alone in the hallway.
“I am uncertain what room Mrs. Reynolds assigned you, Mrs. Gardiner. I apologise,” Darcy offered.
“She showed me earlier, Mr. Darcy. I will go there in a moment, but for now, I wish to speak to you.”
“Of course, madam. How might I help you?”
“What are your intentions regarding my niece? I realise this is her father’s place, but he is not here, nor is my husband, though, frankly, I am uncertain my brother would say anything even if he were here. Nonetheless, I have seen the way you look at her, and her at you, but she is too young for marriage, despite what my sister might think. I want to know your intentions.”
“I agree she is too young for marriage. However, I believe she is far more mature than many other girls her age and knows what she wants. Regardless, I admitted to her after she fell from her horse that I have come to care for her and hope to one day make her my wife. I asked her today if I could court her for the remaining time you are here, and I hope we can come to an understanding before she departs. In deference to her age, I would like our engagement to last until at least her seventeenth birthday, though I would be amenable to it lasting longer, should her father wish it. As long as we can exchange letters during this time and I can visit her when I come to town for the Season, I believe I would be content to wait until a more acceptable age for her to marry.”
Mrs. Gardiner smiled at him. “Lizzy is special to both me and my husband. I do not know what she has told you, but her father is lackadaisical and has encouraged her interest in learning because it benefits him, giving him someone with whom to discuss his books and other matters. Her mother does not understand her and constantly criticises her for her lack of beauty and traditional feminine accomplishments. She holds her eldest daughter, who happens to look much like she did as a girl, as the example of feminine beauty. Should you visit Longbourn, expect my sister to attempt to push you towards Jane, even if you already have an understanding with Lizzy.”
Darcy looked aghast. “Surely not!” he exclaimed.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “Perhaps we should go somewhere and sit. There is more you should know before you go any further in your courtship. I believe you are an honourable man, and I would hate for you to commit to Lizzy without knowing all the facts.”
The two moved to the library where Mrs. Gardiner proceeded to explain Elizabeth’s family to her suitor. Darcy knew of the entail, but hearing of it from a different perspective altered his understanding of the situation. Instead of pushing him away, hearing of how Elizabeth had matured despite the obstacles only made him care for her more. Knowing she had never had anyone to rely on made him want to be the person she could trust.
Despite the short nature of their own acquaintance, they had spent a considerable amount of time together, talking about subjects that would not have been canvassed in an ordinary courtship. He knew she was exceptionally intelligent, well-read, and capable of deep thought. She would be a partner in their marriage, and he began to look forward to the day they could be wed.
He nearly laughed aloud at the absurdity of his thoughts. They had only been courting for a matter of hours, and he had yet to even approach her father for permission. Marriage was still a distant prospect, and it was clear that their path would require patience. He would need to rein in his thoughts sooner rather than later, as it appeared their courtship would be a lengthy one.