Chapter 12
Elizabeth’s argument with her mother lasted for several long minutes, until her father caught wind of it and returned to the dining room to put an end to it.
She was not certain what exactly drew him out of his book room.
She thought he might have heard her voice and decided to rescue her, but it could have just as likely have been that her mother threw a few teacups at the wall and it was the shattering of the china that caught his attention.
She shook her head as she tromped up the path to Oakham Mount.
Whichever it was, she was grateful for his appearance.
She hated arguing, especially with her mother, for the simple reason that it was unladylike.
She may have a fondness for equipages that would rival the most enthusiastic member of the Four-in-Hand Club in London, but she was still a gentlewoman and she still wished to behave in a manner fitting to her status.
If her father had not intervened, she and her mother might still be screaming at each other like fishwives.
Reaching the top of the rise, Elizabeth seated herself on a boulder that jutted up from the ground.
This was her favorite spot to sit and think.
She could see Longbourn’s house from here, and beyond it, the church that was part of the estate.
She had a good view of the stables and paddock, and the fields beyond.
In the distance, she could see small dark dots that were the tenants going about their duties on their farms. She drank her fill of the view and then closed her eyes and whispered a quick prayer, asking for forgiveness for losing her temper and being disrespectful to her mother.
Peace enveloped her, and she opened her eyes again, thinking about what Mrs. Bennet had said.
It was clear to her that, despite her father’s directive that her mother cease all attempts at breaking up her betrothal to Darcy, Mrs. Bennet was choosing not to obey.
Clearly, Mr. Wickham told her his story yesterday, Elizabeth thought.
I wondered what he was doing sitting with her like that.
She removed her bonnet, tying the ribbons and looping them over her arm.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Then, clasping her hands together around her knees, which she had drawn up to her chest, she allowed her eyes to wander over the view once more.
She noticed riders approach the house and knew they were probably Darcy and Bingley.
She thought she should perhaps head home but knew that Jane would tell the gentlemen where she had gone and her betrothed would soon seek her out.
Not two minutes passed before her prediction came true.
She saw Darcy exit the house and mount his gelding.
She waited patiently, enjoying the sun that warmed the stone on which she sat, despite the cool air.
“Are you well, my love?” Darcy lowered himself to the boulder beside her and leaned over to caress her lips with his before pulling back to examine her features closely.
“Jane told me what happened and where I would probably find you.” He lifted an arm over her head, settling his hand on her shoulder and pulling her close.
“I am better now than I was a few minutes ago.” Elizabeth smiled at him and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I would rather not talk about it, though; at least, not right now.”
Darcy kissed the top of her head. “Then, I will not ask.” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “I am sorry your day has begun so poorly.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Thank you. I suppose I should have seen it coming.”
“What do you mean?”
She explained to him the events of the previous day.
“I am concerned about what he might do now. After all, he has spoken to both me and my mother in an effort to break us up. What if he speaks to others in the area? He can be quite charming; what if the neighbors believe him? Too, my father has banned all officers from Longbourn. What will Mr. Wickham do in response to that?” She looked into Darcy’s eyes, and he could read the anxiety in hers.
“I am not at all worried about Wickham trying to ruin my reputation. He has spread his stories all over England.” Darcy shrugged. “I will not defend myself to those who judge without knowing all the facts. I cannot without exposing my sister and that I will not do.”
“I know, and I do not wish for that. I feel it is unfair, though, for you to be drawn as a black-hearted villain when you are not.” She kissed his jawline and then lifted her face to accept his kiss in return.
“Life is not fair, my love. These things happen.” He paused.
“As for his reaction to your unbelief of his tales and his banishment from Longbourn, your father banned all officers, not just Wickham. I doubt he takes it personally, at least not as far as you are concerned. I will write to my cousin, though, and see if he cannot find a position for him somewhere far away from here.”
Elizabeth nodded. She thought a moment, and then said, “I am certain my mother will spread what he told her all over Meryton. She is unstoppable when she has gossip to share. I apologize for that.”
Darcy squeezed her shoulder again. “There is no need. There are gossips everywhere and at all levels of society. I would be surprised if she did not share it. We will deal with any repercussions as they happen.”
“Thank you. I do wish she would keep it to herself, though.”
“So do I, my dear, but it is of no consequence if she does not.” Darcy was silent for a while but then changed the subject. “Why did you not drive the curricle when you needed time alone?”
“Papa does not allow me to drive when I am upset. He says it leads to poor decisions. He knows walking also helps me to settle my mind and emotions and he urged me out of doors but sent word to the stables that I was not allowed to take the gig.” Elizabeth snuggled closer to her betrothed as she spoke.
“That is wise.” He thought about the times he had gone for a ride to do the same and how he had taken a few tumbles because of his recklessness. He shuddered to think what could happen to his Elizabeth if she were driving in such a state. The wind suddenly picked up, becoming sharper and colder.
“Come,” he said, “it is far too cold to be sitting up here. Let me take you back to Longbourn. Bingley and I planned to stay the day; you can entertain me for a while and save your poor father from having to do so.”
Elizabeth laughed at his words. She accepted his hand to help her stand and then jump off the rock. “He is more likely to need rescuing from Mr. Collins than from you. I do not believe he would mind your presence in his library.”
~~~***~~~
An hour or two later, Elizabeth and her sisters were sitting in the drawing room completing various projects they had recently begun.
Darcy and Bingley had joined Mr. Bennet in his book room, partially to blunt the effect of Collins’ presence and partly because their company was pleasant for the elder gentleman.
Mrs. Bennet had retired to her rooms after her argument with her second daughter and was not expected below stairs until at least time to dine.
Kitty jumped up. “I think I hear a carriage!” She leaned against the window. “I do! It is huge! I wonder who it could be?”
“Well,” Lydia remarked, “at least it cannot be Mr. Collins, since he is already here.”
The other girls giggled but rushed to put their things away. They then sat and composed themselves, their hands clasped in their laps, shoulders back, and spines straight.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh to see you, Miss Elizabeth.” Mrs. Hill made the announcement before curtseying and leaving the room.
“Which of you is Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
Elizabeth had been surprised to hear the name of the visitor. She examined the older lady with the grey hair and pompous demeanor and wondered what Darcy’s aunt could want with her. She stepped forward. “I am she.” She curtseyed. “Welcome to Longbourn.”
Lady Catherine lifted her chin, looking down her nose at Elizabeth. “I am here to have a word with you.” She glanced around at the other young ladies, a severe look on her face. “In private.”
Elizabeth hesitated. She did not wish to speak in confidence to this woman, but neither did she want to expose her sisters to any more disdain than they had already experienced.
She opened her mouth to invite her to walk in the garden when the sound of thunder rumbled through the windows and a heavy rain began beating on the glass. She sighed to herself.
“Lizzy.” Mary approached and put her hand on her older sister’s arm. “Perhaps you can take your guest to the back parlor. It is quiet back there and the book room is nearby, in case you need anything.”
Elizabeth understood what her sister was telling her: her betrothed and her father were both a few steps away, should she need assistance.
She nodded. “What an excellent idea, Mary. Thank you.” She smiled, pressing her hand on the younger girl’s before turning to her guest. “If you will follow me, madam.”
A minute later, the pair of them were ensconced in the empty room, alone. Lady Catherine turned to Elizabeth.
“You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand why I have traveled here to Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened and her brows rose. “Indeed, I do not understand. What is your purpose in visiting Longbourn, a home you have never before entered, and asking to speak to me instead of one of my parents?”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. Her lips compressed to a thin line and remained that way for half a minute before she opened them again.
“I am not to be trifled with! As insincere as you appear to be, you will not find me so. I have been told that you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, upon whose cousin this home has been entailed, are engaged to my nephew, Mr. Darcy.”