Chapter Nine #7
“No,” she answered, turning to smile at Georgiana, who had taken a seat at the foot of the table. “Miss Darcy was kind enough to set up materials for me to sketch a view in Pemberley’s east garden I have longed to capture since my last visit.”
“How delightful, perhaps those of us not wishing to ride could join you in the garden. I am no artist but would love to see the process of art being created,” Mr. Bingley said.
“I would not call my creations art,” Jane demurred.
“Even so, we could keep you company,” Bingley persisted.
Elizabeth knew that two things Jane hated were competing inside her presently. Denying anyone something they wanted and being watched while she sketched.
“Do you not wish to ride, Mr. Bingley? It is such a lovely day for it. We plan to take the trail by the lake. Have you been?”
“No, I confess I have not, Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley answered, looking from her to her sister, who had tucked into her food. “I have been eager to try out one of Darcy’s horses. He is always bragging about them.”
“Charles, you are mistaken. Mr. Darcy does not brag; he was merely telling us about how magnificent Pemberley’s horses are. If it is true, I do not think it should be considered bragging,” Miss Bingley reprimanded her brother.
“Yes, yes, of course, you are right. Darcy would never do anything so prosaic as brag,” the colonel said. “He just always wants to be sure everyone knows how absolutely superior Pemberley and all its trappings are to absolutely everything else.”
“Too right,” Bingley agreed with a laugh.
Elizabeth would have laughed too, but when she looked over at Darcy, she stifled the urge.
She knew he was not, as a rule, averse to teasing, but she thought this audience was perhaps too large and too unfamiliar.
His expression had become guarded, and while he looked haughty and unimpressed, she saw behind that mask—he was uncomfortable.
“Then it is settled, Mr. Bingley must join us to test the quality of Pemberley’s stables—I assure you you will not be disappointed,” Elizabeth said. “And when we return, perhaps we can convince Jane to show us her sketch.”
“I would be happy to,” Jane said with a warm smile for her sister and a nod to Mr. Bingley. His answering smile was bright and hopeful.
“I would suggest Mr. Bingley ride Hades. Mr. Darcy, what do you think?” Elizabeth asked.
He still looked less himself than she preferred, but her question drew him back into the conversation at least.
“Yes, Hades should do nicely. Bingley is a fine rider. I believe he can handle Hades’ temper should it manifest.”
While Bingley beamed, Elizabeth addressed his sister.
“Miss Bingley, will you join us?” Elizabeth asked.
“I thank you, no,” Miss Bingley replied. “I was hoping Mr. Darcy would consent to giving us a tour of the greenhouse. He has spoken so eloquently about all of the trees and flowers grown there, I find myself quite anxious to see it.”
“Miss Bingley, you are right to seek a tour of Pemberley’s greenhouses.
They contain some incredible specimens,” the colonel told her.
“However, I happen to know my cousin has a meeting with his steward which he cannot miss. Would you allow me to accompany you and your sister and Mr. Hurst as well, if they are interested?”
He nodded towards the couple, one of whom seemed far more interested in his food than the present conversation or the colonel’s invitation. Mrs. Hurst, however, expressed her acceptance and delight.
“That would be wonderful, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she said, and with a meaningful glance at her sister, she accepted for all of them. “Shall we arrange to meet you in an hour?”
“Yes, let us convene in the main foyer. I would not want you to get lost trying to make your way. It is a little difficult to navigate the back hallways that take us most quickly to that part of the grounds.”
“We shall trust you to guide us then,” Miss Bingley said with a bright smile directed at the colonel. He nodded in response and then resumed eating his breakfast.
“Wonderful, it seems we all have our plans, then,” Bingley said with evident delight.
“Miss Darcy, Miss Elizabeth and I will be riding; Caroline, Louisa and Hurst will be under your supervision in the greenhouses, Miss Bennet is off to the garden to create her masterpiece and Darcy, true to form, will be meeting with his steward.”
“I am afraid it cannot be helped,” Darcy said.
“Yes, yes, you are forever the responsible one while the rest of us while away our time less profitably but far more enjoyably,” the colonel teased.
Darcy smiled at him indulgently before answering, “You are wrong only in that I do, in fact, enjoy the tasks required to care for Pemberley.”
Shortly after this exchange, the party began to disperse making their way out of the room. Before he could turn down the hallway, Jane stopped Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Sir, I wonder if I might join you and the others on the tour of the greenhouses?” she asked.
Elizabeth, who was standing nearby talking with Georgiana, was surprised at her sister’s question—both in her relative boldness in asking it and in that it would take her from her sketching, which Elizabeth knew she had looked forward to.
“You would of course be more than welcome,” the colonel replied. “However, if it is your wish to spend the morning sketching, I would be happy to offer you a tour this afternoon.”
“It would not be too much trouble?” Jane asked.
“Not at all.”
“Then yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”
The colonel nodded and bade her good morning before turning the corner and disappearing.
The guests spent their late mornings and early afternoons in these planned pursuits.
Elizabeth, as always, enjoyed riding Neptune at breakneck speeds across Pemberley’s fields and along its paths.
The weather was mild for summer, though the sky was more blue with sun than white with clouds.
As they cooled down their mounts, Elizabeth chatted amicably with Mr. Bingley while Georgiana worked silently on her other side.
She found him to be overly agreeable but in a way that charmed more than grated.
It seemed his eagerness to please came from true amiability and not a lack of conviction.
In addition, he asked as many questions as he answered, seemingly as desirous of her information and opinions as he was to share his own.
She did note that many of his queries were aimed at learning about another Bennet entirely, but she did not blame him.
Though gentlemen being inclined towards her sister was more the rule than the exception, she thought it showed good taste.
“I thought I might go to the garden and see the progress of your sister’s work,” Bingley said as they entered Pemberley’s grand foyer. “Would you ladies like to join me?”
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley, I need to meet with Mrs. Reynolds about dinner; please excuse me. Shall we plan to take tea in the east parlour before you and Jane leave?”
“That would be lovely,” Elizabeth said.
Bingley nodded his agreement.
“Let us meet there around two, then, and in the meantime, I will ask Abigail to supervise the packing of your things and have them put on the carriage.”
As Georgiana left them, Elizabeth beamed with pride at her young friend. She had come so far since that first day when they met in the woods. Now she was confidently helping to run Pemberley and seeing to her guests like any great mistress.
“I would be happy to accompany you to the garden,” Elizabeth began to tell Mr. Bingley. Before she could finish her response, Mr. Darcy announced his presence.
“Hello, Bingley, Miss Elizabeth. How was your ride? Did you find Hades to be a sufficient mount?”
“He was better than that, as I am sure you are aware,” Bingley answered. “We were about to seek out Miss Bennet. Shall you join us?”
“I think I will take care of some correspondence while everyone is occupied, but please continue to make yourself at home. I will meet up with you later.”
Elizabeth felt fairly certain Darcy was avoiding her.
“Georgiana invited us all to take tea in the east parlour at two. She has gone to make the arrangements for dinner and to see to our departure,” Elizabeth told him.
No matter his strange behaviour, she wanted to be sure he saw how well his sister was carrying out the role of mistress.
Due only to her nearly exhaustive catalogue of his expressions could Elizabeth discern in the slight lift of his brow and loosening of his lips that he too was pleased.
“Shall you join us?”
“I will do my best to finish my business by then.” With a bow, he was gone again, but not before she caught a glimpse of something that looked very much like displeasure.
Elizabeth took the arm Bingley offered, and they set out for the garden.
Unfortunately, Jane was not there. They enquired with a maid and were told she had left an hour earlier.
When Bingley assumed she had gone to her chambers, Elizabeth did not challenge his assumption.
She had nearly forgotten about Jane’s request to the colonel, but she realised that at that moment Jane was likely enjoying a tour of Pemberley’s greenhouses.
In fact, Jane had already had her tour and was changing into her afternoon dress when Elizabeth knocked on her door.
“Georgiana was right. That shade looks well on you,” Elizabeth remarked.
Jane’s pale pink dress was a different style than her morning dress, but the colour was nearly the same.
“Thank you,” Jane said as she rebraided her hair with a matching pink ribbon. “They were both our aunt’s, and she insisted on having them done over for me to wear this summer.”
“I did not realise she had done that. How kind of her. But of course, you deserve every consideration.”
“Mother has always said pink makes my skin appear dull and so has not permitted me to wear it, but it is my favourite.” Jane swished the skirt of her dress back and forth.