Chapter 8. A Meeting in Netherfield Wood
With her father’s book of poems under one arm, Elizabeth walked across the pastures and fields, through the woods to a pleasant clearing where a downed tree provided a sunny seat.
Her head in the shade, Elizabeth set about memorizing a poem to recite for her family after supper that evening.
An hour passed quietly with the songs of many birds her only companions.
“I believe I have found the outlaw in my woods again,” announced a deep voice from behind the girl.
Elizabeth jumped from her seat on the log and the book fell to the ground. Turning around, she found herself faced with the big horse and his tall rider she had threatened with her bow and arrow only the week before.
“King Richard’s cousin, you have returned!”
“King Richard?” the man asked but then he smiled, remembering their last conversation. “Yes, Richard is my cousin. And you must be a sprite who lives among the trees?”
“I...” Elizabeth began to say before she remembered her book. Quickly retrieving it from the ground, she moaned when she saw that a page had torn when the book fell to the ground.
“What has happened, miss?” the man asked as he quickly dismounted and dropped the reins to the ground before approaching the young girl.
From her clothing he knew she was not the daughter of one of his tenants and certainly not a merchant’s daughter with a book in the woods.
He took the book–a recent printing of poetry that he had hoped to obtain for his library.
“And are you playing Robin Hood today?”
“No, I was memorizing a verse to repeat for my family tonight.”
“Your family?” he asked hopeful of learning her name.
“May I have my book please? My father will be seriously displeased that I have torn a page.”
With the torn page carefully returned to the proper shape and placed within the book, the gentleman returned the book to the young girl.
“Perhaps I could explain to your father that I startled you and made you drop it. Then the blame may fall upon Jupiter and myself.”
“Jupiter?”
“My horse,” he explained, indicating his mount waiting patiently behind them.
“Oh no, it is not the horse’s fault,” the girl assured him. “Horses are not to be blamed for a man’s faults.”
“Very well, I shall shoulder all the blame,” the gentleman assured her.
Looking about, the girl seemed to consider his words before she firmly shook her head, “I thank you sir, but I am not a child in need of protection from my actions.”
The gentleman smiled as he asked, “Tell me miss; are there suitable locations for a picnic hereabouts? I need to arrange a birthday party for my sister, and she enjoys picnics very much.”
“Does the king’s cousin have a sister? Is she a princess?”
“Certainly! She is a princess though she is only nine years.”
“She is almost a baby,” the girl replied.
“Much like yourself I dare say.”
“I shall be fifteen years in September,” she said proudly.
But then the man shook his head as though he were sorry for her and replied, “Ah, still in the nursery.”
Displeased at the implication that she was just a child, the girl lifted her chin and replied, “Why should I wish to be out in society? Once girls come out, they can never have fun!”
“No fun?’ the tall man asked. “Are you certain?”
“I am certain! They must allow the gentleman to begin every conversation, allow him to speak his mind without contradiction, dance with anyone who asks or not dance at all,” the girl said to dismiss the gentleman’s argument.
“And I believe you must sit between two gentlemen at dinner and listen to their conversation.”
The man laughed now. “I quite believe someone has been mistaken when they have given you instruction Miss...”
However, the girl did not introduce herself and she cast her gaze about nervously before saying, “Good day sir”.
She slipped into the woods and the gentleman was surprised but called after her, “Maid Marion! Wait! King Richard’s cousin requires your assistance! Will you deny me your aide?”
From in the forest, the girl’s voice called, “How can I aide you, sir?”
The gentleman paused a moment only and then said, “My sister arrives in a fortnight. I should very much like for her to make her friends for I intend to keep her with me. And I should very much like for her to have a birthday party.”
The girl reappeared between some trees and sighed while the man waited patiently. “There is a most pleasant meadow across the stream on the Longbourn side of the woods. You can have an excellent picnic there at any time this summer.”
“Longbourn?” he asked carefully, anticipating a particular confession. He feared she would faint for a moment; she trembled so.
But then she replied, “I am Elizabeth Bennet, sir. My father is Thomas Bennet, the master of Longbourn.”
And then she curtseyed bravely with the same determined look in her eyes.
“I am very pleased to meet you Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, the master of Netherfield,” he said in introduction as he bowed. “Your father and mother have spoken of you with great pride.”
Now she nodded. “Mr Darcy, my parents spoke very well of you sir though my mother says that you were very quiet at dinner.”
“But I listen well,” he said with a small smile that caused her to smile in return.
“Sir, my mother plans the most wonderful picnics and parties. I am certain she will be glad to arrange a most agreeable party for your sister.”
With that, the girl turned and ran through the woods while the gentleman mounted his horse and continued on his way through his woods.
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