Chapter 4
An Interlude on Oakham Mount
At daybreak, Darcy looked across the valley surrounding the hill and exhaled. Rolling fields of overturned dirt showed recent signs of harvesting. Smoke rose from Netherfield chimneys and, if Miss Elizabeth’s directions were accurate, Longbourn’s chimneys in the other direction.
Darcy had risen before dawn and jumped out of bed, intending to join Miss Elizabeth for her walk that morning. Sitting on the stump at the top of the hill, he chastised himself for thinking she would be about this hour after so late a night as they had due to the assembly.
Startled when he heard someone approach, Darcy stood.
Not wanting to intimidate her, he sat on the stump again.
Knowing he would do so when he saw her, he again stood.
He tucked a hand in his pocket, then took it out.
He folded his hands behind him, then crossed his arms, which he was prompt to uncross.
“I think you looked most at ease sitting and watching the sunrise, Mr. Darcy. Might I join you on the stump? I, too, prefer to watch the beauty unfolding at daybreak. The color scheme of pinks, oranges, and blues as they brighten is nature’s glory, I think,” Miss Elizabeth said, walking closer to him.
She held out her hand in greeting. Though unexpected, he shook it, amazed by the warmth, and he held her hand a moment longer.
He sat next to her, giving her all the distance one stump allowed two people.
Her intoxicating scent conjured an image of rain falling on lilacs. Darcy leant closer to breathe her in.
“Forgive my audacity, but you smell…enchanting.”
“My sister Mary makes this scent. It has no name, and she prefers to keep the ingredients a secret.”
She spoke in a hushed tone that did not disrupt the peacefulness enveloping them. Given that she was a new acquaintance, it was a significant consideration.
“It is the loveliest I have ever encountered,” Darcy said, unashamed, even though he had been caught out.
He could not claim to know her above what Gardiner had imparted.
But, if his cousin Fitzwilliam or Bingley asked, he would admit he never had been so comfortable with a woman not of his family.
Perhaps the reason was that Gardiner spoke of her so often.
“Your uncle has told me how clever and charming you are, but what do I not know about Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“You already know I am the second daughter. I have four sisters, and I have the best of connections in the Gardiners.”
“It is my genuine pleasure to become acquainted with you, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said. He was unable to look away from her, for her eyes had arrested him.
“I beg your forgiveness for my mother. Our estate is entailed to the male line. In consequence, she is desperate to see her daughters married. She makes every effort, though there are few eligible gentlemen in our hamlet. My father hates Town, where the husbands she seeks might be found.”
Nodding to the brightening sky, Darcy said, “It is both charming and restful.”
“I have never suggested anyone meet me at this summit, though my sisters and Charlotte accompany me on occasion.” She seemed to breathe in the warmth of the sun as she took in all before them.
Making every effort to follow her good example and see the scenery about them rather than continuing to find in her every loveliness, Darcy grasped for something to say. “I miss the noise that comes with four, even three, people in the home.”
“I love all my family, but there are days when peace would be preferred. All the greater on days my mother bemoans her efforts being wasted on Jane’s and my intent to marry for nothing less than esteem.
You can imagine her despair of my ever finding a husband.
Her list of complaints extends beyond my reading.
I also assist my father in the management of our estate.
But I do, of course, love her dearly.” After she took a breath from this little speech, she added, “I am sorry for the loss of your parents, Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you. It has been only a few years since my father died. Not a day passes that I do not miss his guidance. My mother was lost to us weeks after my sister was born, sixteen years ago. There are days I miss her more acutely than I do my father. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man who is not an old codger yet haunts the corridors of Pemberley.”
“I am sure I am intimidated. Fitzwilliam is quite an austere name.”
“I am Darcy to my friends and family. My sister calls me William. Fitzwilliam was my mother’s surname, so it became my familiar one. A tradition bestowed upon the first sons in the Darcy line. But when my cousin and I are in the same room, it becomes confusing.”
“You know I am Lizzy to my family and closer acquaintances. My dearest friend Charlotte is the one person I allow to call me Eliza.”
“My sister is Georgiana—Ana—is with me at Netherfield Park.”
“I am certain she is happy to have traveled with you. I commend you for your consideration of her.”
“It was not always so, but she is teaching me how to be a better brother and guardian. My name and fortune are why some ladies hunt me in Town. To you, since you are aware of my business partnership, I confess that I am worth more than the reported ten thousand a year. The number of hunters after me might dwindle if they knew I was a partner in Bingley’s venture.
But some would be all the more determined in their pursuit. ”
“I applaud your efforts in ensuring the future success of your family,” said Miss Elizabeth.
“Just so. Businesses will expand, and many tenants leave farms to work a job, knowing a wage is to be given by the week or month. Change is inevitable. I refuse to be blind by favoring the past the way other landowners are.”
“You claim the ladies hunt you? Should I be glad that by avoiding my mother, I am being counted amongst those who do not? Or, do you feel slighted for her not attempting to match you with Jane?”
“In choosing Bingley for the sister you claim the sweetest amongst you, your mother considers your happiness.” Seeing she did not laugh, he added, “I meant to make a joke, Miss Elizabeth. Forgive me. Please know I saw your mother’s efforts with a kindly eye.
She did not wish the sister that you hold dearest to be wasted on an ogre like me.
In this, she is far better than my aunt, who proclaims to all a betrothal to my cousin that never existed.
Anne would have been a far better match for my cousin Richard.
He is a second son and one of the best men I have known.
Her objection is to their having to live at Rosings Park.
I believe Lady Catherine wants Anne to marry me so that she retains control of the estate. ”
“That you try to jest about my mother’s scheming and claim it not to be the worst you have come across is another example of your own.
But I confess concern for your cousin. She might hear about these expectations of your marriage frequently.
Does she know you intend not to fulfill her mother’s wishes, or do you believe she has just read it from your mind?
My father has, on occasion, believed us capable.
I can attest that the outcome is never what he expects or wishes. ”
“I do love my cousin, though I cannot remember telling her thus in recent years. I asked Anne once if she wanted to marry me. She assured me she did not. She said we would have a dreadful marriage because we are too similar. In her words, we both sap the lifeblood from a room rather than invigorate it. She said Pemberley would become a great pit of despair, the one beacon of light being my sister.”
Miss Elizabeth asked, “You say nothing to her mother in favor of avoiding a scene, no doubt?”
“I do. I suppose you abhor this common failing of men.”
“It is insulting that men believe women will always cause a scene.” The debate enlivened Miss Elizabeth’s expression.
“An upsetting situation might have been tempered if she had been informed the moment he understood it would not be as expected. What is upsetting is the time we wasted waiting for what he knew would not occur.”
“No man I know wishes to disappoint a lady he cares for.”
“Yet, it will happen. My uncle appreciates that my aunt Maddie is the epitome of serenity, even when there is unwelcome news. But it is because he shares the news near the moment he, himself, is aware.”
“My friend Bingley has addressed things long needing attention. I will follow his good example. I shall send an express to my cousin Anne, warning her that I am writing my aunt. Anne will not thank me for her mother’s anger, but I believe she will be relieved by knowing this game her mother plays with us is ended. ”
“Is it the sort of news best done by letter? You may think it acceptable, and it may be. I do not know the intimate dynamics. Perhaps your cousin could visit your sister while your aunt accepts your decision?”
“You are quicker in thought than I this morning, Miss Bennet. I think Anne has never been invited to Town by my aunt and uncle, the Earl and Countess of Matlock. My uncle can bring Anne to London and escape the brunt of her mother’s anger.
While there, she might seek more qualified doctors to diagnose why she often feels weak,” Darcy said, taking Miss Elizabeth’s hand again.
When he held it a moment longer than proper, Darcy felt her eyes searching his profile as she, no doubt, wondered at his boldness.
“You have met many of my sisters. Please tell me of your sister.”
“Rather than only speak of her, I wonder if it would be too much if I ask to introduce her to your society today?”
“It would be my pleasure. I am certain she will find among us Bennets one who will suit her idea of a friend.”
“I can assure you she will enjoy the opportunity to meet you. Now, I must return to Netherfield to support Bingley. In our first set, did I mention that Miss Bingley also has no say in who I will marry? Bingley and I feared she might attempt to compromise me. She proved herself brazen enough to try. I am here with you, so you see, she was thwarted. But it is not to be an easy morning for my friend.”
“I regret you will have so tumultuous a day. Miss Darcy, is she old enough to be a hostess?”
“She is sixteen.” Darcy turned solemn while considering the complication of this new situation.
“Then I will invite Charlotte Lucas, too, when Miss Darcy comes to Longbourn. You say you find me to be quick of mind this morning? I feel it is incumbent upon me to caution you that Charlotte is all that is logical and practical. And she is my dearest friend, save my sister Jane. I can assure you Charlotte will enjoy meeting your sister and will likely offer to assist her the same as my aunt might.”
“You have now twice settled a concern for me, and we are not yet twenty-four hours acquainted, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said her name with quiet reverence, causing her to draw back.
It was too serious, too intimate. In moments like this, Bingley and his cousin made a lady laugh, so she was not uneasy.
He was determined to do the same. “If you can come up with a third, I will be certain you are an angel amongst mankind.”
“Then I must, as I have never before been considered an angel. Jane is often called angelic, and I am certain no man alive might deserve her. I rather think I should enjoy attaining such a status for a single day. I am certain I could not manage it for two.”
“Yet I am certain it is a status you can attain with your next turn of thought. Mine is not yet approaching cohesive whilst I attempt to gain some sort of footing in your austere presence.”
“My next turn of thought, you say? Well, then, Mr. Darcy, let us determine if your complement of compliments is unfounded or if I am worthy of such this day. Though I hear the library at Netherfield is very fine, if you prefer something other than what you can find on its shelves, please ask my father. His are filled with a diverse array of books. He enjoys when a fellow lover of books makes use of his collection.”
“I have heard from Mrs. Gardiner excellent things about this collection! And it is true, the library at Netherfield is indeed a fine room. However, the selection of books amongst the shelves is a tad thin. And so you have addressed a third concern. You must, therefore, be an angel, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said, both standing to depart.
“I thank you for your company this morning. I shall not bid you good day, for you have promised we will meet again before it is done.”
“I am pleased to know it as well. You are the first woman I have regretted parting company with in many years.” Darcy lifted her hand, his forefinger lowering the cuff of her glove, so he pressed his lips to the skin he had exposed.
“My sister did call you Prince Charming last night, and here you continue to emulate him. There must be a trail of hearts you have left broken behind you from Derbyshire to London,” Miss Elizabeth said with humor.
Darcy appreciated the verbal banter, for such conversation was easier than the disconcerting, nay, intoxicating sensations she caused in him.
“I am certain one should not claim an angel to be incorrect, but the truth is I am the opposite,” Darcy said, his good mood fading with the confession.
“I intend to take this same walk tomorrow and would be glad to hear your opinion of your character, Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Elizabeth curtseyed, then skipped down the hill toward Longbourn.
Darcy watched her until she had disappeared from his sight. He was both displeased at the loss of her companionship and pleased that she had encouraged him to write his aunt, a step he had avoided too long.
Returning to Netherfield, Darcy decided to write the letters to his uncle, Lord Matlock, and aunt Lady Catherine, whilst the conversation with Miss Elizabeth filled him with fortitude.
He wished to honor the one lady he had encountered who had asked nothing of him.
Instead, Miss Elizabeth asked him to make an effort toward the future he hoped to gain for himself.
Darcy marveled at this new friendship, and, through her, his sister would do the same. His spirit felt lighter, and he whistled back to Netherfield. Though he could not remember the last time he had done so, this morning, the lessening of his burdens made it impossible for him to refrain.