Chapter 14
~~~~~
The sun shone brightly on the surface of the brook as Darcy and Elizabeth walked along the worn path. With her glowing smile and loose hair fluttering in the breeze, she had never looked lovelier. Unable to remain silent a moment longer, he stopped and tenderly took her hand.
“Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how much I admire and love you.”
A crease formed in her brow, and she withdrew her hand. “I thank you for your charming declaration, Mr Darcy, but I must beg you to say no more.”
“My feelings must not be repressed.”
“No, indeed, you must follow your heart, but I fear you are much mistaken.”
He persevered, determined to prove himself. “You have bewitched me since the onset of our acquaintance.”
She sadly shook her head. “Prepare yourself for something dreadful, Mr Darcy, but I’m not Elizabeth; I am Jane.”
“You’re teasing me,” he said, delighted by her sparkling wit.
“You love my sister, not me.”
“But, how is this possible?”
“Magic.”
Now overcome with rage, he glared into the heavens. “Begone you witches and wizards. I’ve had my fill of your sort.”
A blinding whirlwind arose, pelting him with all manner of dirt and debris.
When he regained his sight, he was standing at the river’s edge at Pemberley. The current flowed with its usual serene majesty.
He was entirely alone.
~~~~~
Darcy awoke with a start. In the midst of a disturbing dream, Elizabeth had disappeared. Worse yet, she wasn’t really Elizabeth. As if his waking hours weren’t bad enough, sorcery had also invaded his dreams.
She had been constantly on his mind these past few days, so there was no wonder she had visited his dreams. At least there he was still Darcy, but similar to his waking moments, he’d been unable to impress her.
Resolving to banish all negative thoughts and influences, he threw off the bed covers and rose to face every trial and challenge the day might present.
Since he’d had no opportunity to speak with her after Services yesterday, he now had an overwhelming desire to see her again. He’d become accustomed to seeing her every day, and with any luck, she would be out walking this morning.
Eager to get an early start, he rang for the valet. When Henderson appeared with his usual sunny disposition, Darcy advised him of his intention to exercise his horse.
“’Tis a fine day for a ride – just what you need to shake off the doldrums. Naturally, we’re all relieved that Miss Bennet has recovered her health and the two ladies have returned home, but how dull things have become here without them.”
Darcy couldn’t disagree with this observation. Without knowing, Elizabeth had managed to make those first few days bearable. He could scarcely imagine how he would have endured that time without her calming presence.
As he shaved, he wondered if she believed in sorcery. Her younger, impressionable siblings might, but he rather doubted that a sensible woman like Elizabeth would be prone to such fantastical notions.
“Are we not fortunate to enjoy such splendid weather? And not a trace of rain on the horizon. My mama, God rest her soul, used to say that the rain made her bones ache.”
Eager to escape Henderson’s mindless chatter, he hurried through his ablutions and dressed in Charles’s buckskins and pale green riding coat. Finally free of the garrulous man, he rushed out of the house to collect Shadow.
He was struck with a twinge of remorse, knowing that Bart had been idle for a few days and was also in need of exercise, but he had no reasonable excuse to ride another man’s horse. He would discuss the matter with Charles later.
This morning, however, nothing would divert him from seeking Elizabeth. He set off at a trot down the driveway, cantered along the lane, then allowed Shadow to run all the way to Longbourn. As luck would have it, he spotted her walking in the grove and slowed to greet her.
“May I join you?”
When she agreed, he dismounted and left Shadow to graze. As she trod over the tall grass, she held up her skirts to keep them from getting damp.
“I wouldn’t normally call at this hour,” he said, feeling obliged to explain his presence in this part of the neighbourhood, “but when I saw you, I couldn’t ride on without inquiring after Miss Bennet.
I hope she’s more comfortable now that she is home.
” Charles would have undoubtedly said something to that effect.
“Mrs Hill was never happier to fix her own elixir for Jane.”
Her radiant smile put him at ease. “With so many remedies at her disposal, she is sure to make a full recovery.”
“I must thank you again for your hospitality, Mr Bingley.”
He nodded to acknowledge her civility, and her unintended reminder of his present situation. “We miss you at Netherfield. After having only our own company this past month, it was refreshing to have new friends in our midst. I hope you’ll give your family our regards.”
She agreed, and they walked on. “You were rather quiet yesterday after Sunday Services. I hope you weren’t unwell.”
Although he’d had ample reasons for being uneasy at church, he waved off her concerns. “No, just a bit tired. I’d had a restless night.”
“Mr Darcy seemed extraordinarily agreeable yesterday. Everyone remarked on his improved spirits.”
Dear Lord. His assumption that he and Charles had avoided being the topic of conversation in the community had been entirely mistaken.
At least Charles had made Darcy appear more likeable.
“Darcy is sometimes ill at ease with strangers. He feels more comfortable now that he is better acquainted with the neighbours,” he said, then added, “I would imagine.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I hope we’ll see you all at the assembly next week.”
He was struck by this earnest appeal. Yes, he could definitely get lost in those dark, expressive eyes. Perhaps dancing with this enchantress wouldn’t be the cheerless duty he had always supposed. In any case, Bingley wouldn’t permit him to sit out. “Everyone seemed to be in attendance last time.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “True, but gentlemen are always in short supply. Your friend’s refusal to dance or even accept introductions didn’t go unnoticed.”
He suppressed a groan. This was yet another reminder that he had acted like a top-lofty snob that night. “Are there no eligible young men in the neighbourhood?”
She sadly shook her head. “John Lucas resides in town, William Goulding is away at university, and Herbert Robinson was lost in the war.”
He recalled the man who walked with the aid of a walking stick. “I didn’t know Mr Robinson had lost a son.”
“Yes, he’s a widower and had only one child.”
Darcy couldn’t imagine suffering such a terrible loss. As the master of Pemberley, it was his duty to marry and sire an heir. But what if he never returned to his true self? Georgiana would inherit, and upon her marriage, her husband would assume control of the estate. Would Pemberley fall to ruin?
“You seem out of sorts, Mr Bingley.”
He dragged his fingers through his hair. “That’s because I’m not Bingley, I’m Darcy,” he said, now entirely out of patience with the current state of affairs.
She blinked in confusion. “Are you unwell, Mr Bingley? Should I send a footman to summon Mr Darcy?”
Her worried brow brought him back to his senses. Dear God—what had he been thinking?
“No, no,” he said, attempting to cover for his unintended slip. “I was merely being morose, and beg you to disregard it.”
She released a soft sigh. “I suppose we’re all bound to be out of sorts from time to time. After all, one can’t be continuously cheerful.”
“No, indeed.”
“Are your sisters well?”
Although relieved by her adept change of subject, he despaired at her reference to Charles’s abominable sisters. “They are both in excellent health,” he said, then added, “I hope you took no offence to them. They can sometimes be a bit…much.”
She offered a knowing smile. “Sometimes I wish my younger sisters had better control of themselves. You undoubtedly noticed their abysmal behaviour when they visited Netherfield with my mother. They often have trouble controlling their outbursts.”
“Yes, well, we love our sisters despite their foibles, do we not?” he said, recalling the unfortunate Ramsgate incident.
“We do, without question.”
How he would enjoy introducing her to Georgiana. His dear, sweet sister would appreciate Elizabeth’s bright, intelligent humour.
Wait—he’d never once thought to introduce Georgiana to any of the scores of women he had met in the past. How had Elizabeth suddenly inspired this notion? For that matter, neither had he dreamt of any other lady. How had she imposed on his innermost thoughts without the smallest effort?
These diverting questions were interrupted by thunder rumbling in the distance.
Turning his gaze upwards, no trace of an approaching storm appeared in the clear blue sky. Was this yet another mysterious signal from the hooded man? Had Darcy offended him or erred in some way?
Gazing at Elizabeth, he doubted she believed in the occult. No, she was far too sensible for such folly. “Have you ever had a problem that seemed insurmountable, Miss Elizabeth?”
She nodded her ready agreement. “It vexes you for days until the solution finally presents itself, and you wonder why you hadn’t thought of it sooner.”
Marvelling at her relaxed demeanour and knowing smile, Darcy wondered how he could have ever doubted her beauty. He now considered her a treasure he might never have discovered, if not for his friend’s generous invitation.
Her smile vanished, and she stood abruptly, prompting him to rise. “I must go or I’ll miss breakfast.” She thanked him for his visit, then took her leave and rushed away.