Chapter 30
A few days later the morning dawned brilliantly blue and pleasantly warm.
Lord Holton had refused to look heartbroken; he forced himself to become more comfortable in Elizabeth and Darcy’s presence. He decided to accept his fate and be reconciled to it. After all Darcy was a favourite cousin of his, an honourable man who had helped him when his dear Mary had died.
Darcy had left his own concerns behind, his mother and sister, his tenants; put his life on hold and gone to Scotland to help him run his estate when all he wanted was to die like Mary had.
“Darcy,” Holton called, “is the path to MacWorth Castle ruins still manageable by horse?”
“Yes.”
“And is the waterfall still there?”
Darcy laughed, “Yes, who would steal a waterfall?”
“I would love to see MacWorth’s ruins again; do you think we could go there before I leave on Tuesday?”
“What are MacWorth’s ruins?” Elizabeth asked.
“It is a fourteenth century castle that fell into ruins a long time ago. Not much is known about it, only that the MacWorth family left the area around the beginning of the fifteen hundreds and today it is comprised of some rocks on top of other rocks.”
“But the waterfall is something to behold, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, it still is.” Georgiana exclaimed.
“Then I must see it for myself.” Elizabeth declared.
“Then I have an idea,” Lady Anne cried, “I think you young people should go and have a picnic there.” Lady Anne suggested, “The day is marvellous and the path is not too arduous.”
Georgiana shrieked happily, “Oh Mama, what a splendid idea.”
“It is indeed a very good idea, Mother, but would Miss Lucas and Miss Bennet be able to ride there? The path is not too difficult for an experienced rider, but Miss Bennet is only learning.”
“Oh pish posh, they will be fine. They will be surrounded by experienced riders. You and Duncan can be trusted to protect them, can you not?” His mother challenged them.
So, once the picnic was organised and put into saddle bags and distributed among all the horses, Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Holton and Charlotte left to see the castle ruins and the waterfall.
As they set out they split naturally into two groups with Georgiana happily shifting between either Lord Holton and Charlotte and her brother and Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth found herself alone with Mr Darcy, she teased, “I hope you do not mind sharing with us a place that meant so much to you growing up.”
“On the contrary Miss Bennet, I hope to share much more with you…” he stopped abruptly as the reality of his words dawned upon him.
His words obviously spoken in haste died suddenly on his tongue as Elizabeth stared at him. Darcy’s colour rose to a worrisome crimson noticeable even under the brim of his hat.
Elizabeth lowered her eyes to give him time to recover.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably, “I mean, while you are here, there is much to see and I hope I have time to share with you all the pleasures within and around Pemberley.”
He cringed as he realised that his second attempt at levity was not much better than the first, for she could, if she wished to, read an enormous amount of impropriety in his words.
But she did not, “I am counting on you, Mr Darcy to show me every inch of this beautiful estate, but I would not see you neglect your duty to your people just to satisfy my thirst for walks and rides.”
He looked at her intently, “it would be my honour to show you all, Miss Bennet.”
For a few moments neither spoke. It was a comfortable silence, though each was secretly occupied with some daydreaming of their own.
Darcy wondered if her friendship arose merely from gratitude for his hospitality. She was kind to everyone and he did not want to be daft believing that she had singled him out as her preferred companion.
At one point in his life he would have believed, foolishly, that she would be secretly wishing and expecting his addresses. Now he was wise enough to know that she was not as vacuous as the shallow ladies of the Ton.
She valued character more than status.
He also wondered where she stood regarding his cousin. It seemed Duncan had been paying less attention to her for a few days; in fact he seemed completely focused currently on her friend, Miss Lucas.
Darcy turned and looked behind him and immediately noticed the change between them, for they were both laughing and their colour was heightened with the pleasure they were finding in each other.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth also believed Darcy’s attentions to be nothing more than good manners. If he admired her at all, surely he would be more open. She had long ago convinced herself that a gentleman such as Mr Darcy could not truly care for her. She was in every way beneath him.
“You seem to be falling in love with these grounds, just as much as I have, Miss Bennet.” Darcy broke into her reveries.
“Very much so, Mr Darcy,” She confirmed, “There is such peace here. One can think without being constantly interrupted.”
He smiled contentedly, “I am glad you think so. Those are exactly my feelings also. I am able to be myself at Pemberley without any reference to how I am perceived by others.” His voice softened, “When I was a young lad I imagined no place on earth could be finer. Of course, since then I have travelled more and seen much that is beautiful elsewhere.”
“But,” she teased, “you still think Pemberley is the finest and has no competition.”
He laughed, “You have read me perfectly, Miss Bennet. It is not fair of you.”
She chuckled, “You are the second gentleman to accuse me of being unfair in as many days.”
Before he could reply, they had to get into single file for they were now crossing a little wooden bridge, precarious in its roughness.
“Is this bridge sturdy enough for our weight?” She asked apprehensively.
“It has been for many generations. But now that you have mentioned it, I will commission a sturdier one before the summer is over for I know this place will become even more precious to me after today.”
Elizabeth’s posture stiffened and she frowned in confusion, why does he speak in riddles? She thought.
After another half an hour of steep incline in which Darcy stayed as close to Elizabeth as possible to offer assistance if she required it; they ascended the hill without any mishap for she proved to be more proficient than he had expected.
Elizabeth had become quite confident sitting on Aurora and the horse seemed to love her… Darcy pondered that everyone who came to know Elizabeth, inevitably fell in love with her, including animals like his favourite dog, Hamlet.
The little plateau opened up in front of them with the ruins taking most of the view.
The ruined castle stood upon a windswept clearing, its broken towers silhouetted against the brilliantly blue sky.
Ivy clung to the few crumbling stone walls still left standing, weaving through gaps where windows should have been and along ancient battlements.
Once-grand archways now opened onto empty halls where not even echoes remained.
Wild grass and thorny brambles covered the courtyard, softening the scars left by the passing of relentless Father Time.
Ravens perched upon jagged parapets, their cries carrying across the valley below.
Beneath the summer skies the castle ruins seemed haunted by memories of forgotten kings, royal feasts and battles, guarding its secrets in solemn, weathered silence.
Elizabeth felt the sadness of the place most keenly. Her eyes filled with tears seeing the grand old castle crumbling into dust and slowly being forgotten. Would her life resemble it one day? Would she die alone with no husband or children to mourn her?
Elizabeth let a laugh escape her lips; had she not just refused a proposal of marriage, one from an Earl, no less? What nonsense girl, get a hold of yourself. She reprimanded herself quietly.
Darcy heard her laughter, and turned towards her, “what amuses you, Miss Bennet?” He said dismounting.
He walked towards her and lifted his arms to help her dismount.
“Nothing, Mr Darcy,” she said falling into his arms without even blinking.
He brought her down slowly holding her by the waist while she rested her dainty little hands on his shoulders for balance.
The buttons of her riding habit brushed against the lapels of his coat and her face went ablaze.
“What is wrong, Elizabeth?” Asked Georgiana innocently, “your face just went all red. Is it the heat?”
Darcy put Elizabeth gently down and hid a satisfied little smile while Elizabeth touched her face, with both hands “yes, I believe it is, Georgiana. It is rather hot, is it not?”
Georgiana grabbed her by the hand and pulled her towards the back of the ruins where there was a heavy copse of trees. “Come to the waterfall then, and wet your face, the water is so refreshing.”
The three of them moved together, past the line of tress and immediately they could hear the roar of the water. They walked down a path and all of a sudden there it was.
The waterfall tumbled from the rocks behind bushes and heavy foliage, the silver ribbons glimmering through the leaves. The air was cool and fragrant with moss and damp earth. Fine droplets drifted on the breeze, the refreshing mist settling gently upon Elizabeth's skin.
After the warmth of the day, the spray felt wonderfully invigorating, washing away fatigue and leaving only a sense of calm. The constant murmur of falling water blending with birdsong, created a peaceful retreat hidden within the green embrace of the woodland.
Elizabeth laughed, “Oh what contentment, what are men compared to rocks, mountains and waterfalls?”
A breeze stirred the leaves overhead.
One rebellious curl escaped her bonnet and drifted across her cheek as she stood captivated by the beauty around her.
Without thinking Darcy took a step forward. Then he stopped, what right had he to such familiarity?
Elizabeth’s eyes caught the movement and wondered what had prompted it. The thought that he might have wished to brush away the curl was so absurdly hopeful that she dismissed it at once.
She turned towards brother and sister who kept looking at her. One amused, the other totally entranced.
“Thank you Mr Darcy, thank you Georgiana for inviting me here. It is by far the most peaceful and enchanting thing I have ever seen.”
Georgiana simply nodded contentedly but Darcy beamed, “the pleasure is all mine, Miss Bennet, I assure you.” His voice was hoarse. Whether it was the cool water droplets landing on him or something else, Elizabeth could only conjecture.
Lord Holton and Charlotte eventually joined them by the waterfall. Their faces were flustered as if they had been running. Elizabeth frowned and looked at her friend enquiringly but Charlotte pretended not to notice.
The men returned to the horses and retrieved the picnic from the saddle bags.
The ladies set up the picnic lunch on a green patch of grass overlooking the little lake formed by the cascading water.
Once the luxurious picnic lunch was over, the gentlemen discarded their boots and stockings and rolling the legs of their trousers up, waded into the cool pool, splashing each other with laughter like carefree boys.
The ladies were left to tease them and laugh at their silliness while feeling jealous that they could not do the same.