Chapter 4 #2
“As to that,” Charles said, “I believe I am a fortunate soul in that I find myself content in most situations. I find Netherfield a most convenient estate. I do hope you can visit someday, Darcy; I believe you will be pleased with it.”
“Not that it compares in the least to Pemberley, of course!” Caroline exclaimed.
“Every estate is different,” Elizabeth said.
“Pemberley is certainly larger than Netherfield, and Netherfield is larger than Longbourn. There is more than size to consider, however; one advantage of Hertfordshire is that it is within easy distance of London, whereas it takes several days to reach Town from Derbyshire.”
“I would argue, Miss Bennet, that such a distance is not necessarily a disadvantage,” Darcy commented.
Elizabeth bent an arch look upon her host. “I quite understand, sir. If one is not particularly enamored of city life, it is convenient to be able to use distance as an excuse for declining invitations.”
“Oh, Eliza,” Miss Bingley exclaimed, “I am confident you misunderstand Mr. Darcy! As nephew of the Earl of Matlock, he has such wonderful opportunities for enjoying the very best of London society. Doubtless his experiences are far different than yours have been when you visit your uncle and aunt in Cheapside.”
“That is true enough,” Elizabeth agreed. “Certainly I enjoy parties and dancing, but in my mind, the real advantages of London lie in the museums and plays and the like, and our relations, the Gardiners, are kind enough to expose us to such amusements when we visit them.”
“Mr. Gardiner is a man of trade like my father,” Bingley explained to Darcy. “He and his wife are delightful people, and I am certain you would like them very much.”
Darcy nodded but did not speak. While he was impressed with Mrs. Bingley’s manners and affection toward her husband, he could only be dismayed at this further proof of her poor connections.
Bingley, as a graduate of Cambridge, blessed with a great fortune and a winsome personality, could have easily found a wealthier bride with grander relations.
If only Darcy had been able to join Bingley in Hertfordshire the previous autumn!
He took a bite of roast pheasant and found his gaze shifting to Miss Bennet, who was now engaged in a subtly antagonistic exchange with Miss Bingley.
She was a beautiful woman, Miss Bennet, and obviously intelligent.
Miss Bingley obviously disliked her and took every opportunity to denigrate the Bennets, their connections, and their estate.
It was to Miss Bennet’s credit that she managed to be consistently courteous while also holding her own against Bingley’s waspish sister.
At that moment, Miss Bennet’s gaze shifted to his, and he felt his heart lurch within him.
It was not the coquettish look that he generally received from single ladies.
No, Miss Bennet was staring directly into his eyes, and her own eyes, a glorious mixture of greens and browns, were full of challenge.
He was aware of a prevailing sense of discomfort in the room, and realized that he had missed part of the conversation.
Given that Bingley was staring reprovingly at Miss Bingley, she had probably said something obnoxious.
“I apologize for my inattention,” he said helplessly. “I was woolgathering. What did you say?”
“I said,” Miss Bingley stated with relish, “that the customs here in Derbyshire are likely different than in Hertfordshire, and that Elizabeth should be certain of your approval before she traipses about the estate entirely alone.”
Darcy coughed and repeated, “Alone?”
“Yes, Elizabeth is accustomed to wandering the paths of Longbourn and Netherfield entirely unaccompanied.”
Darcy bent a surprised look on Miss Bennet, who said with a smile, “That is true enough. I enjoy walking very much, more than anyone else in my family.”
“Furthermore,” Bingley interposed, “Elizabeth walks so rapidly that there are few who can keep up with her.”
“That is true,” Caroline agreed brightly. “My new sister is such an excellent walker, and pays no heed to the weather.”
“I do, of course,” Elizabeth said calmly, “and when I walked to Netherfield last November, the storm was over.”
This confused Darcy, naturally enough, and Bingley hastened to explain.
“Last autumn, Jane came to visit my sisters and fell ill, which required her to spend the night at Netherfield. The next day, the carriage horses were not available at Longbourn, so Elizabeth walked to Netherfield so that she could nurse her sister.”
“I was very grateful,” Jane Bingley said.
“Nonetheless, it would be inappropriate for you to roam around Pemberley without your host’s permission, Eliza,” Caroline said smugly.
“Indeed. Mr. Darcy, do I have your permission to walk the estate alone?” Elizabeth asked, one dark brow raised.
Darcy blinked a few times to collect his thoughts. “The park is a full ten miles around, Miss Bennet,” he said after a moment, “and I think that rather too far for you to walk alone. But of course there are numerous winding paths and you are certainly welcome to enjoy them.”
Her expression relaxed and she smiled, which caused Darcy’s throat to constrict oddly. She really was very beautiful, Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn.