Chapter 2.8 #2
“Not at all. You see, my dear, I will tell you what I also said to him. Since my two eldest daughters made such excellent matches, I have less reason for worry. I am certain that neither you nor Jane would allow your mother and two unmarried sisters to be thrown into poverty if I happen to die. Even more, Darcy violently refused any attempt to pay him back what he wasted to make my unworthy son-in-law marry my silly youngest girl. Therefore, I confess I shamelessly plan to be even lazier than before. I see no reason to put any particular efforts into improving Longbourn’s income and leaving a successful estate to Mr Collins.
I am fine just as I am now. But I do appreciate Darcy’s offer. ”
“Papa! You are just…I do not know what to tell you, really. I am not certain whether I should laugh or be upset with you.”
“Oh well, you may do either. Darcy agreed that I will have more time to spend at Pemberley, fishing in his lakes and taking advantage of his library.”
“That is an excellent plan, and I heartily approve of it.” She embraced him lovingly, and he kissed her forehead.
“And, of course, you have nothing to worry about. Besides, I am sure Longbourn will be in our family for at least another twenty years. Mr Collins is very well where he is—by Lady Catherine’s side. ”
“Well, well, I hope to be so. I really want to take advantage of my present favourable situation for as long as possible. Now let me finish my reading, child. I have had enough disruptions for one day.”
“As you wish, Papa, but it is not nice to throw out your favourite daughter,” she teased.
Elizabeth made to leave then turned to her father again. “Papa, did William say something when he left?”
“What was to be said? He was not off to fight Napoleon, only to take a ride. He will be back soon. Do not be so missish, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth closed the library door and took a deep breath. Her father was right: she was behaving ridiculously.
∞∞∞
Darcy returned more than an hour later with a large smile on his face. He tenderly kissed his wife’s hand and greeted everyone in an obviously good humour.
“How was Summer?” she inquired while Mr Gardiner poured him a glass of wine.
“Excellent—just as I hoped. I believe we should start the riding lessons this afternoon if you agree.”
“Yes, of course. But is she not too tired after such a long ride?”
“Tired? Well…no, I do not believe she is. It is splendid weather.”
She was puzzled by his disposition but found nothing more to say.
Later that day in the Longbourn stable yard, Elizabeth slowly became acquainted with the beautiful mare Summer under the careful assistance of Darcy, Margaret, and Becky—and Mr Gardiner supervising his daughters.
Jane and Bingley were also nearby, but they stole as many private moments as they could and were mostly oblivious to anything else.
Elizabeth already possessed the basic skills of riding, but she had always lacked confidence and pleasure in doing so. However, she quickly bonded with the new horse, and when she sat in the saddle for the first time, her eager excitement was clear.
Although she did not leave the back garden, Elizabeth rode for more than an hour. After walking beside the horse and holding the reins for half of the time, Darcy slowly allowed her to take control; even more, he rode by her side on his own horse, taking several tours of the garden together.
With each step, Elizabeth’s confidence increased as well as her delight. From time to time, she glanced at her husband with gratitude and infinite love.
Again, he had known her heart and her desire better than she knew it herself. He offered her one of the few things she did not have: the joy of bonding with a stunning horse, the pleasure of riding, and a new type of independence.
And she could easily imagine the happiness of riding with him through the grounds of Netherfield and enjoying together the beauties of Pemberley. Everything that she missed in her life before meeting him he was now generously offering her—complete, overwhelming bliss.
∞∞∞
A week passed, and less than one remained until the wedding.
The Darcys spent most of their time at Longbourn except for sleeping and having breakfast at Netherfield.
In the first days, they returned in the afternoon, changed for dinner, then returned to Longbourn again. Then Elizabeth decided to move several changes of clothing for both of them to her parents’ house to solve the problem.
In the evenings, they usually retired early, so there were few opportunities to be in the company of the Hursts and Caroline.
It was enough, though, for Elizabeth to notice Caroline’s and Louisa’s disapproving looks at every gesture of tenderness between Darcy and her, and that number was not insignificant.
One evening they played cards for half an hour, then Darcy abandoned the table and declared he intended to write to Georgiana.
Elizabeth almost chuckled behind her teacup, waiting for Miss Bingley to offer to mend his pen again.
Yet, she did not do that, but she did not miss the occasion to praise Georgiana’s qualities, which—she declared—only a few women possessed.
During breakfasts, Caroline took every opportunity to make Elizabeth uncomfortable, often commenting about the faults of her family.
“In truth, I never would have imagined that things would progress in such a way, Mr Darcy. Less than six months ago I heard you expressing your disapproval of Meryton society, and now you seem rather comfortable in the midst of it.”
As much as she struggled to keep her patience and amusement, Elizabeth lacked the generous kindness that Jane possessed, so she struggled to reply calmly.
“It is fortunate that Mr Darcy changed his opinion about Meryton society, just as people from Meryton changed their opinion about him. I would say it was a mutual development. It is a proof of wisdom and wit for one to admit one’s errors and remedy them.”
“The entire situation is strange, that cannot be denied. I have never heard of someone from the ton becoming a brother-in-law to the son of his former steward.”
Darcy paled with anger, and Elizabeth was speechless with embarrassment while Bingley attempted to intervene and stop his sister. However, Darcy was the first to reply.
“It might be considered a strange situation; however, everything that brought Elizabeth and me together I can only consider a blessing, even if that involves some persons of whom I am not very fond. It is similar to having a good friend whom you deeply care for. One agrees to accept his family too, even if one disapproves of some of them and would be happy to avoid them.”
Elizabeth could hardly believe her ears. That Caroline had been rude was without doubt. But for Darcy to answer her so coarsely in her own house was hard to believe. Caroline’s and Louisa’s faces coloured as they glared at each other with fury.
“I see your point, sir, but you must understand my surprise. There was a time when you were not so easily pleased. I can still remember your harsh judgment of both Miss Eliza Bennet, her mother, and her sisters when you first met them and also later when you happened to be in their company again. You were not very favourable towards either her beauty or her wit,” Caroline replied, her smile barely compensating for her spiteful words.
“Ah, but you must not be surprised, Miss Bingley, since you were the first to whom I confessed my admiration for Elizabeth’s handsome face and her enchanting eyes. I hope you remember that too.”
“Oh, come now, Caroline, this discussion is ridiculous,” Bingley intervened decidedly, already bored by a conversation that seemed endless.
“You cannot question Darcy’s change of mind!
I, for one, am the happiest man since he married Elizabeth.
We will be brothers now although he might not be so happy to have you as his sister-in-law! ”
Both sisters stared at him with wide eyes.
“Charles!” Louisa cried, but he was preoccupied with a piece of cold meat.
“Forgive me, I shall retire to my room,” Caroline suddenly said and left the table, leaving her plate half-full.
Elizabeth and Darcy glanced at each other.
Neither of them felt satisfied with the small victory against Miss Bingley, and such sharp, unkind exchanges only threatened to ruin their mood.
Fortunately, they always lifted their spirits with long, passionate kisses in the privacy of their room, which they did most diligently as soon as they found a spare moment.
∞∞∞
By the fifth day of riding lessons, Elizabeth found the courage to travel between Longbourn and Netherfield on horseback. At a very slow pace, accompanied by both Darcy and Bingley—but she did it nevertheless, bringing her a sense of accomplishment that added even more to her present felicity.
After two more days, Summer’s pacing increased to a trot.
Elizabeth relaxed more and could pay attention not only to the road in front of her but also to the beauties around her.
Her husband remained close to her, always careful and protective.
She felt that, if anything went wrong, he would be there to help her in an instant.
“William, do you think we could take the path through the wood? I would love to see the cottage again,” Elizabeth pleaded.
“Well, maybe another day. The roads must be wet and muddy. We shall see…”
She had asked him to visit the cottage many times, and his answer was always the same.
He seemed uninterested in doing it and always found reasons to delay, which left Elizabeth puzzled and a little sad.
She had vivid memories of the day that changed her life, and although she felt the power of his love every moment of every day, she was heavyhearted knowing he appeared detached from that place.
Every time she attempted to open a discussion about it, he would close it with a kiss and a change of subject.