Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Elizabeth suffered a full morning of her mother’s scolding at her inability to secure a proposal from Mr Darcy before she was eventually able to excuse herself.
I am not sure what my mother hoped I would achieve over last night’s dinner, she thought wryly as she went to find Jane.
She spent some time with her sister, who told her of Mr Bingley’s hint that he might stay in Hertfordshire for longer than he first planned, and they discussed what he might have meant by it.
News came by way of their scullery maid that a young mother in one of the small cottages at the far side of Longbourn’s estate had safely given birth to a daughter, and this prompted Elizabeth and Jane to prepare a basket of old fabrics and gowns that might prove useful for the family.
At the last minute, Jane was called to their mother’s side.
Not wanting to abandon their task now they had set about it, Jane insisted Elizabeth continue with their plan, and it was with no small amount of relief that Elizabeth escaped the confines of Longbourn and Mrs Bennet’s complaints.
Elizabeth walked along the path that led to the cottages, relishing the freedom and peace.
There was a small gap in the hedgerows where one might take advantage of the views of the farmland beyond.
Unable to pass by without stopping, Elizabeth scrambled up the short bank and took in deep lungfuls of fresh air.
A white shape on the winter fallow caught her eye.
A rider was putting his horse through its paces.
She watched for some moments, thinking how well the two responded to one another.
To her surprise, the rider raised his hand to her in greeting and then directed his horse towards her.
It was Mr Darcy. She waved back and then averted her eyes, suddenly embarrassed at the idea that he had caught her observation of him.
He drew near and dismounted, his eyes bright and his cheeks flushed. “What an unexpected pleasure Miss Elizabeth.”
She had never heard him greet anyone so warmly and it took her a moment to recover from her surprise. He dropped the reins over his horse’s head and looped them around a branch. “May I ask where you are going?”
Blushing, Elizabeth explained her errand and held up the basket.
“A shame! I thought perhaps you had learnt of my hunger and had come bearing food.”
She giggled. “I might have a loaf of bread or two at the bottom, should you be desperate.”
“And deprive a family of food? I would not be so cruel.”
She smiled, enjoying how easy it was to speak with him. “Have you been riding long?”
His brow creased. “Since I was seven years of age…” He stopped when he heard her laughter, his cheeks red. “Oh, you were referring to this morning.”
He suddenly looked uncomfortable, and compassion stirred in her heart. She could not imagine he was in the habit of being teased. Had she not once said that he was safe from her laughter? She wished that his discomfiture might disappear so they could return to their familiar way of conversing.
Gently, she said, “The fault is mine. I should have made myself clearer.” When he did not immediately reply, she continued, “You are a skilled horseman. I confess that I cannot ride. Well, I can a little, but with nothing of the skill you exhibited a moment ago.”
“Should you like to?”
“Yes,” she replied. “It must give one an enormous sense of freedom.”
“It does. It is a feeling unlike any other. Why did you not learn?”
Elizabeth paused. How was she to tell him that the cost of an additional horse suitable for her to practise on would have meant that she and her sisters would have been without gowns?
As though he guessed her thoughts, now it was his turn to change the subject.
“Would you allow me the honour of accompanying you to the cottage?”
“It is not so far. I do not know if your horse would manage the path.” Mr Darcy’s shoulders sagged a touch and she realised how uninviting her words must have sounded. “But I should welcome your company if you think it is possible.”
His dark eyes glowed with pleasure, and he pushed a curl from his forehead. He pointed to the corner of the field. “Is that the direction in which you are heading? There is a space in the hedges down there where Peg can pass.”
“Peg?” She stifled another laugh, not wanting to embarrass him again.
Mr Darcy did not seem to mind as much in this instance.
He gave a boyish grin. “My sister insisted I call him Pegasus, which I duly obliged even though the name is quite clearly ridiculous. She then had the audacity to shorten it to Peg—which is now the only name he answers to.” He chuckled, a deep rich sound, and patted the horse’s nose affectionately.
He returned his attention to Elizabeth. “It will not bother you if I ride ahead and we meet farther along the path?”
“No, not in the slightest. I only hope you will not be kept waiting long.” Elizabeth turned to make her way back through the gap in the hedge.
“You must let me help you,” Mr Darcy offered his arm as she clambered down the bank. From anyone else, Elizabeth might have refused this assistance, but there was something comforting in the way he escorted her, and she accepted his aid without protest.
True to his word, Mr Darcy accompanied Elizabeth to the Bates’s cottage.
He did not ride his horse, instead choosing to walk with Elizabeth, his hands on the reins.
They spoke of many things. Elizabeth found herself telling him about her godfather and how he once brought back the skin of a twelve-foot python for her to sketch.
“Poor Mary found it curled up in a basket and she has not been able to look at a snake since.”
In return, he described his home in Derbyshire and the many summers he spent fishing and riding in its grounds.
She was not sure if he was horrified or impressed when she revealed that the largest fish she had ever caught was an eighteen-inch trout.
Only the sharp clipping of Peg’s hooves could be heard over their laughter, and it was with no small amount of regret when Elizabeth discerned a baby’s cry and realised that their walk was nearly over.
She stopped just before they reached the small cluster of houses. “Thank you for your company. I have had a delightful time.”
“The pleasure has been entirely mine, Miss Elizabeth.” She expected him at this point to take his leave of her, but he did not.
“I am almost at Mrs Bates’s house. Your kindness towards me has been sincerely appreciated, but you do not need to stay. I hope I have not delayed your ride.”
“Our walk has been a most pleasant addition to my morning.” The tips of his ears were scarlet. “I had hoped I might be able to join you, and we might continue our conversation.”
She coloured. “You cannot mean to accompany me into the house!”
Mr Darcy glanced at the modest cottages and then back to her. “Because you worry that I will be aloof to its inhabitants?”
“Goodness no!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “My concern was that Mrs Bates would not wish for a man she does not know to call upon her so soon after giving birth.”
Understanding dawned upon his face and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “You are correct, of course. Please accept my sincere apologies. I will wait for you here.”
“That is not necessary,” she said firmly. “You do not need to accompany me everywhere. I have lived here my whole life, and I know everyone about these parts. There are no dangers. I am quite safe.”
Mr Darcy held her gaze before answering quietly.
“Unfortunately, Miss Elizabeth, in my experience it is the people and places with which we are most familiar that have the capacity to cause the greatest damage. But you are correct. I have detained you from your worthy errand and I respect your wishes.” He bowed low.
“I have enjoyed your company immensely, and I await our outing to Birkstead Castle with impatience.” He raised his head and said with a hint of mischief.
“It will be nice for us to meet each other in an organised way, rather than constantly chancing upon one another.”
She chuckled, before tucking a wayward curl, behind her ear. “I might stand a chance of showing myself at some advantage then, sir.”
His gaze lingered upon her face before falling to her boots. “And deny me the pleasure of seeing you as you should be—surrounded by nature and covered in mud? I should hope not, Miss Elizabeth.”
Warmth curled through her at his familiar tone, but a child called out her name before she could reply. With a bow, he mounted his horse and bid her farewell as he disappeared from view.