Chapter 13 #2
Elizabeth laughed. “Indeed. I have heard him complain about that on occasion. The second son of an earl cannot possibly suffer too many restrictions though. He surely does not deserve commiseration.”
To Elizabeth’s surprise, Lady Kendal looked at her somehow discomposed. She waited for her ladyship to continue, but she said nothing, only walked further, then took Elizabeth’s arm and held it until they returned home.
∞∞∞
The following morning, soon after breakfast, the three ladies arrived in a phaeton.
Elizabeth was surprised to see Darcy riding beside them on his black stallion. He dismounted but seemed reluctant to enter the house.
“I shall not stay long. I only wished to be certain the ladies arrived safely. One of us will come in the afternoon to accompany them back,” he explained, avoiding Elizabeth’s eyes.
“Do not worry, sir, we shall take good care of them,” Lord Alveston said. “We have an army of servants who will attend to their comfort.”
Darcy bowed and replied politely, “We do not doubt the care. We wished to be sure they arrived here safely, since they refused to take a servant. My sister and Mrs Bingley both claimed to be proficient at driving a carriage.”
“We are,” Georgiana answered. “We surely do not need an escort, but we could not possibly convince my brother or Charles to allow us to come by ourselves.”
Elizabeth smiled with delight, seeing how Georgiana was growing more and more at ease, more open, more confident.
“Mr Darcy, you are more than welcome to join us,” Lord Alveston offered. “I apologise that I was not here yesterday to greet you.”
“Do not worry. We arrived unexpectedly. Unfortunately, I cannot stay today.”
Darcy’s instant rejection sounded like an understandable excuse to the others, but Elizabeth did not miss his meaning. He had no intention of staying in her company. She briefly wondered whether he would attend the dinner the next day or find a reason to decline.
“I have other business to attend to. I cannot stay unless my service is required,” Darcy continued to explain, his voice slightly softer.
“Not at all. We would simply have enjoyed your company,” the earl said.
Darcy bowed to him. “I appreciate your invitation, but as I said, I already have fixed engagements today. Thank you again for being so kind to my sister and cousin. Good day.”
Then he left, leaving Elizabeth to wonder what important engagements he might have. She followed him with her eyes as he rode off at a gallop along the beach, until he disappeared from sight through the strip of trees.
∞∞∞
The day Elizabeth spent with her two sisters and two friends was a delight, and all looked forward to repeating it. Charles arrived to fetch them later in the afternoon and, together with Jane, he repeated the invitation to dinner the following day.
“My dears, Philip and I shall be unable to attend. But I am sure Elizabeth and Mary will have a lovely time,” Lady Kendal said over refreshments.
“I hope you do not take offence,” the earl said.
“You will be dearly missed,” Jane assured them, “but of course we do not mind.”
“We shall plan another dinner soon—and I hope everyone in your party will come here,” Lady Kendal added.
“I am sure we shall,” Bingley readily answered. “I must say this end of the beach is simply wonderful. Darcy told me that the wild seashore goes on as far as the eye can see. He was certainly right, and I intend to see for myself. Riding at the edge of the water is quite exciting!”
“I would love to join you, but I cannot,” Jane answered, hand in hand with her husband.
“Do not worry, my love, you will join me next year,” he replied, kissing her hand.
“I shall come by horse at the next opportunity,” Georgiana said excitedly. “I look forward to riding, to feeling the wind and the spray of the sea on my face as my horse gallops in the surf.”
“You speak so enthusiastically that I regret not being more proficient at riding,” Elizabeth said. “I can only imagine how lovely it must be to gallop through the water. Of course, I cannot hope to do that any time soon, as I am not much of a horsewoman. But I might attempt a slow ride one day.”
“I loved to ride,” Lord Alveston confessed. “It is one of the things that I miss the most. And I am truly sorry that I cannot teach you to ride, Elizabeth.”
He brought her hand to his lips, and she stroked his arm, answering tenderly, “We may take a ride along the seashore in the phaeton one of these days. Would you like that?”
The earl kissed her hand again. “Very much. I like anything that I can do with you, my dearest.”
“I never ride,” Anne said. “Mama said it would be too dangerous for me. I would like to but have never dared. I tried to learn last year at Pemberley, but I lacked both the skill and the courage.”
“Lizzy did learn to ride,” Jane interjected. “But we had a rather unruly horse that threw her when she was fourteen. She hurt her leg and her shoulder quite badly, and she has refused to ride ever since. I do not know why, as she is so brave in any other circumstance.”
Elizabeth laughed. “It was not so much the horse’s fault but mine.
I was disobedient too and ignored Papa’s instructions.
I was hurt but mostly frightened. Mama, Aunt Gardiner, and Jane cried, Papa shouted at the horse, the horse gave a frightened neigh, reared and threw me to the ground.
The whole scene is still vivid in my mind, but the cries frightened me more than the fall. ”
“I am sure it would all pass if you tried again,” Georgiana encouraged. “My brother taught me to ride when I was very young. I have been riding since I can remember. I have fallen a few times, too, but I was never frightened.”
The mere mention of Darcy warmed Elizabeth’s cheeks. “Georgiana, I have seen you ride a few times, and you have as fine a seat as any gentleman. I must say you are quite intimidating. You seem to excel in everything you do.”
“Oh, you are teasing me, Elizabeth. I am fortunate enough to have the best brother one can hope for, and I was provided with the means and opportunities to study and to improve myself.”
“Your brother seems an admirable gentleman,” Lady Kendal said.
“He is, indeed,” Georgiana answered. “My only regret is that he is always so busy and rarely at home.”
“You must be thrilled that he will marry soon,” her ladyship continued. “He will certainly spend more time with the family after the wedding.”
To their general astonishment, Georgiana replied with a gentle smile, “I am happy to have Anne with me, as I have always wished for a sister.”
“So am I,” Anne de Bourgh said, unexpectedly. “This is the happiest time of my life, and I would wish it to remain just as it is forever.”
“Well, we should be on our way,” Bingley reminded them. “It is already late and Jane must rest. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
The guests took their leave and finally departed.
In the cottage, the family prepared for dinner, but Elizabeth was not hungry.
She did not miss that Georgiana and Anne had attempted to avoid the subject of Darcy’s marriage.
Although she struggled to keep her mind away from that matter, she failed.
Anything related to Darcy was a reason for more distress, and she could not escape from it.