Chapter 7
Along the Western Border of the Longbourn Estate
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said when he caught sight of her sitting on an impressive rock jutting from the small hill.
“And a good morning to you, Mr. Darcy. Do you also make a habit of rising with the sun?” Miss Elizabeth welcomed him, moving to put her bonnet back on.
“I do, in fact. Might I join you on this throne of stone carved for you by your forest trolls?” Darcy waited until she acknowledged him, then began the short climb, facing the brightening horizon.
“Please do not put your bonnet on if you prefer to have it off. No one is here to complain to your mother. I would never wish to suspend any pleasure of yours.”
“Then I am even more willing to share with you this throne of mine made of stone, as you claim it to be.”
“You are too gracious.”
Miss Elizabeth filled her lungs before exhaling with the same measured pace. When he followed her example, her lips twitched as if to repress a laugh.
“I follow well-timed advice received from Charlotte on the night of the assembly. You, however, are staring, Mr. Darcy.”
“I attempt to divine your thoughts.”
“Given such unlikelihood, I rather think you are counting my faults though you encouraged me to break propriety and eschew my bonnet.”
“I spoke true. I am not one to struggle against the impossible, Miss Elizabeth. From where I stand, I see no faults in you and suspect trying to find one an exercise in futility.”
“I have faults aplenty, sir.”
“I disagree. You welcomed my company and do not require anything more of me than friendship.”
“I do not recall allowing you an opportunity to deny our being friends, Mr. Darcy, so why suggest we might not have been?”
Surprising himself, Darcy’s laugh filled the air. He could discern not even a twitch in Miss Elizabeth’s expression but hoped she knew a mighty struggle to maintain her air of expectation. If she were not, this would count amongst the ways he, who some called unflappable, was outdone by her.
Darcy saw that she kept her eyes closed as if she had done this often. The sun’s rays bathed her face in a golden light, illuminating her with such glory.
“I once wondered what one might observe were they to find me enjoying the start of the day soon after sunrise at Pemberley,” Darcy murmured.
“Perhaps one day I might have opportunity to see it,” Miss Elizabeth said when she opened her eyes.
“Do you know what your father intends to speak with me about?”
“No, sir.”
“I am happy to talk with him. I can speak with him later this morning before you come to Netherfield.
“Whatever will our neighbors think of your visiting Longbourn on the second and third days after the assembly?”
“Hmm, I shall also come tomorrow, so we can be certain to make them wonder. Then, I shall declare to one and all I have never enjoyed such company as can be found there.”
“You would not dare. It would cause some to speculate—oh, you are jesting,” Miss Elizabeth said, laughing.
“I am certain I heard the great Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, a man worth ten thousand a year, to be above that sort of thing. But William Darcy, friend to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire? He might be known to jest with those ladies he holds in esteem.”
“I would quite fear that Fitzwilliam Darcy fellow. I am, however, very glad to claim William Darcy, the excellent brother of Miss Darcy, as a friend.”
“I shall send the coach for those who can come for the luncheon Miss Bingley has arranged in two days. Bingley intends to send his to Lucas Lodge. Then we shall just keep you all the rest of the afternoon. Might I see you part of the way back to the door?”
“You may. But your perfect plan can begin in just five more minutes. Thank you for accepting the request to speak with our father.”
“I will send a note to your father asking for a convenient time to visit tomorrow. Whatever he hopes to speak of, I think, it cannot be half so interesting compared to that which ladies discuss when gathered in your drawing rooms.”
“Why, sir, did you not know that the only topic we speak of with any enthusiasm is the gentlemen of our acquaintance? If you find conjecturing about other men interesting, please do join us.”
Darcy was incapable of doing anything but rewarding her impertinence with a laugh, contented with how the day had begun. He enjoyed her company; her conversation was easier than any other young lady of his acquaintance, save his sister.
As the sky brightened, leaves whirled in the breeze all around her. Darcy murmured, “It is as if the whole world spins for you.”
When he heard himself, he blushed, both fearing and hoping she heard him.
He thought he saw her lips twitch, but he could not be certain.
When she did not look at him, Darcy eased, listening to the morning bird chatter.
His eyes returned to her when she sighed, donning her bonnet.
He did not dare laugh, but he knew Georgiana would agree with the sentiment.
“Shall we?” Miss Elizabeth gestured toward a path he presumed led back to Longbourn. “Your sister was a treasure trove of new topics, and we were fortunate to have her company.”
“She tells it the exact opposite, of course, that her fortune was the greater. As I now understand, you are both correct, I shall bow out and support each side of the proclamation in equal measure.”
“Amusing, rich, and wise? I may have to entrap you after all, Mr. Darcy.”
“I had not looked upon this trip with any pleasure, but your inclusion of my sister amongst you and, in great measure, helped her find the joy of her youth is a priceless gift. I shall ever be grateful that Bingley extended the invitation to us. We see the changes the ladies of Longbourn have wrought with Miss Bingley as nothing short of wondrous. I am in your debt. All my riches are yours. Compromise at your leisure.”
“Hmm, I shall indeed have to rethink our acquaintance. No sensible man worth ten thousand a year is willing to be ensnared by a woman he met near a week previous. You must require coffee, good sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy stopped. “My sister spoke of her adventures at Longbourn: the experience of having so many sisters, the beauty of its gardens, and of how difficult it had been when there was a near argument at breakfast, which started from an innocuous comment of Miss Kitty using her own pin money.”
“I do apologize. There was tension in the house stemming from what you witnessed at the assembly. I will again apologize to your sister, though we are seeing many pleasant changes for my sisters. We sheltered her from the argument, and she made a tea blend that she took to Netherfield. You saw yourself, even Lydia feels the benefit of it, though it took her most of the day.”
“You misunderstand. I would like to thank you all. In private conversation, Ana expressed her appreciation for ensuring our family’s future.
She asks to use some of her time in a charitable pursuit, as our mother once did.
Because of you, my sister is willing to make this foray despite her innate shyness.
No words can express my gratitude, but you have it. ”
“Then we are even in our mutual appreciation, just as friends are supposed to be.”
He did not dare react when Miss Elizabeth gave his arm a gentle squeeze. He did not trust himself not to pull her closer. When he was certain her attention was diverted from him, Darcy pinched his thigh and was relieved to confirm he was awake.
Revelations Revealed at Longbourn
Darcy had not thought Mr. Bennet might admit his indolence or be as forthcoming. To his mind, Mr. Bennet was a man seeking redemption in his family's eyes. To regain their respect as a father and make efforts to keep his wife out of the hedgerows upon his demise.
Darcy did not expect Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to join them for the discussion of improvements—one lasting above three hours. His shock was complete when, at its conclusion, Mr. Bennet said he hoped these measures would keep Miss Elizabeth from service.
Darcy could just withhold his protest when Miss Elizabeth declared it too late to be enough.
She explained that she and Miss Lucas intended to go to London after Christmas.
They would interview for positions, hoping they were close to one another.
To split expenses so that they could potentially build some savings.
Knowing Miss Elizabeth’s intentions spurred Darcy into aiding Mr. Bennet’s plight. “I daresay, the shelves in this room, sir, bow under excessive weight. A few might sell again for a higher price, given their rarity.”
When Mr. Bennet sat to write to Mr. Edward Gardiner, his brother-in-law, requesting his assistance in selling some of his rare and more expensive books, Darcy respected the intent.
Darcy enjoyed lunch with six ladies, ones more interested in asking him genuine questions regarding his sister than himself.
The two questions of which he was the principal subject referenced which parks of London he most enjoyed walking his sister through.
Darcy returned to Netherfield on his horse alongside Bingley, who had come for tea.
In further contemplation of his time at Longbourn, Darcy had found working alongside Miss Elizabeth in her father’s study that morning illuminating. He had learned many things he felt Bingley should be made aware of.
Though pondering whether the pleasure he felt that morning was mostly due to Miss Elizabeth’s presence, Darcy confessed to being impressed by how vested the women were in the future of Longbourn.
Wondering if he might have appreciated the exercise no matter who it had been, Darcy now knew that making decisions with only his counsel these many years was a detriment.
Pondering the coming decades, he relished the thought of having someone with whom to speak of business concerns and enjoy the pleasures that come with a life of happiness.