Chapter 51
Darcy looked at the landscape as the coach bore him back to Tealing Park. He had not wanted to leave Elizabeth there, a lone woman at the inn, but he hoped very much that he had been able to conceal his distaste. In all other respects, he was satisfied with the evening.
Mrs Simmonds had arrived with a small case of his wife’s belongings.
She had bobbed a curtsy at him but immediately taken Miss Lucy’s hand.
“I am so sorry, but your Nan passed not three hours after you left this morning. I sat with her the whole time and held her hand. I do not think she knew it was I, not you. She had a friend with her, and is at peace now.”
Darcy had moved his chair back slightly, and gave the two ladies the privacy the occasion seemed to require.
He could see all this as further evidence that Elizabeth’s natural instincts were of needing someone to care for.
He remembered again the attraction he had felt when she arrived at Netherfield after walking three miles to care for her elder sister.
Mr Reed and Mrs Kerr had told him how good she was with Mrs Reynolds as the housekeeper descended into her senility.
Would Elizabeth agree to return to Pemberley in time to see the old woman alive? He would not ask it of her.
And, of course, although he could not remember the incident he had been told how she ran into the attack, frightened off his assailants and cradled him in her arms until rescue arrived.
She had cared for someone who needed it, reckless of danger, and heedless of the risk of scandal.
And that was for a man she despised, and after their argument during the dance at the ball.
How he loved her for it, and all that formed her. Now he prayed that she might allow him to care for her in return. He would dedicate his life to doing so.
Mrs Simmonds could do no more for old Mrs Price, and her nephew had told her to set the house to rights but would not continue her employment beyond that.
Darcy had wanted to leap in then, but forced himself merely to diffidently suggest that Lucy might appreciate a few days of her company until after the funeral.
Elizabeth had gazed thoughtfully at him for the space of a full minute and Darcy had felt the want of air as he waited.
Then she had turned to the other woman, and smiled at her.
“I am not likely to stay here in Minting very many days, Mrs Simmonds, but I would be very happy if you are free to provide me with companionship for that time. I am now in a position where I am able to pay you for it.”
Darcy had been satisfied to leave, then. He had stopped at the post counter and sent the two letters he and Elizabeth had written by express. He knew how delighted Bennet and the Gardiners would be.
At the house, he gave the footman the valise and hat box to take into the house and climbed the steps.
Anna met him at the door, her face disappointed. “Oh, did she refuse them? Have I offended her?”
“No, not at all,” Darcy hastened to reassure her.
“She had accepted them with gratitude, but then the maid from the Price house was able to bring her own belongings to the inn, and so Elizabeth did not need to impose on you for the loan.” He knew his lips turned up.
“I think you know how very independent she is.”
“That is true.” Anna wound her arm round his to lead him into the drawing room. “Dinner is nearly ready. And how is Lucy — I mean, Elizabeth? Is she very upset about not being able to go to her Nan?”
“How about we sit down and I tell you what has happened this evening over our pre-dinner drinks?”
But he had no sooner sat down than he rose to his feet again as his host entered the room. “Hughes.”
“Darcy.” Anna’s husband crossed the room and they shook hands.
“I thank you for your hospitality, sir.” Darcy took his seat again. “How are you faring with the problem fencing issue?”
Hughes laughed. “It is well, Darcy. Wilson agreed to make his side stronger and Davis undertook to move his bull from that field.”
Anna had been watching the two men. She rolled her eyes. “Perhaps you can save that for the port, gentlemen. William, you were going to tell me about what happened this evening.”
Darcy marshalled his thoughts together. He could tell her enough to satisfy her, he supposed. But there were some matters that were not his story to tell.
That night, he lay in bed, gazing thoughtfully at the ceiling, his mind more at rest than it had been before today.
He had encountered her yesterday, utterly unexpectedly.
But it was not until today that he had been able to speak to her, sit by her, and finish the day more confident that she would not run from him again.
But he had a long way to go before she would trust him again, could be confident that he would not revert to coldness, or isolate her as he had before.
But at last, he could see the way forward. He had written to Reed and Rawlins, calling off the search. He now knew where Elizabeth had been. Reed was to return to Pemberley and begin to take back the reins of the estate from Robins and assist Mrs Kerr in ensuring the whole place ran smoothly.
He had summoned Mr Rawlins here, to Lincolnshire.
Until this affair was settled, he wanted a personal steward with him, and having one who was an experienced investigator was a remarkable advantage.
The first thing he wanted to do was find out more and if Price was likely to cause Elizabeth any further distress.
But she had seemed entirely unmoved by the lack of his presence today; her concern had all been with the loss of Nan, and the presence of Mrs Simmonds. Perhaps Darcy was imagining things. Elizabeth could do without him being jealous.
She would want to stay here until after the funeral, he supposed, but he had been happy to hear her say that she was not likely to stay here very many days. He must plan for that. It was too soon for him to have any idea of what she wanted, and probably too soon for her, too.
But, although he was less than content with the fact she was staying at the inn without male protection, he was far more sanguine than he had been even the previous night. They had spoken, and she had laid her hand on his arm. He could still feel it.