Chapter 2
Chapter Two
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
Darcy held Elizabeth in his arms as they travelled north.
He would not typically travel in the dark, but they had hoped to get far enough away from Meryton before they were missed to make it nearly impossible for them to be caught.
Perhaps a fast enough rider could overtake them, but Elizabeth doubted whether her father would make the effort on her behalf.
Regardless, his men were prepared for any possible company.
Unsurprisingly, his coachman remembered Elizabeth Bennet from her time in Derbyshire more than four years ago.
Like most, he was unaware of what had transpired between them since, though he certainly had an idea of their connection now.
Darcy's initial command to prepare the carriage had surprised the man, and he was further shocked when he learned the destination.
However, the moment he saw their additional passenger, he could not help but smile.
Although this entire journey went against every rule of propriety, Darcy was determined to act the gentleman and had refrained from kissing her beyond a few chaste pecks.
Yet, he allowed himself this closeness, unable to resist the urge to keep her near after so many years apart.
As she slept, he watched her, his mind dwelling on the events of four years ago.
DERBYSHIRE, SUMMER 1807
Darcy remembered that summer vividly—it had been the first since his father’s death, and the weight of responsibility still overwhelmed him.
As master of Pemberley, Darcy was in mourning not only for his father but for the ease of his previous life.
His days were filled with estate matters, leaving him little time for himself, but the unexpected sound of laughter from the music room down the hall had broken through his gloom.
A few days previously, Georgiana had made a new friend in Lambton when she visited the bookshop.
Darcy had taken her to select a few books for her birthday, and the two girls struck up a conversation.
The young lady, who introduced herself as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, was visiting the area with her aunt from London.
It did not take long for his lonely sister to form a friendship with the slightly older girl.
Elizabeth was outgoing yet kind, and in just a few scant hours, she formed a bond with Georgiana unlike any she had experienced before.
Unexpectedly, she even invited Elizabeth to call on her at Pemberley.
His study was just down the hall from the music room.
When he heard the unusual sound of laughter and giggling coming from that room, he went to investigate since he had not heard his sister that happy since his father died.
In that moment, he decided to greet their guest, aware that his sister had few friends and recognising his own need for a break from his work.
Georgiana had spoken a little about her new friend, and Darcy encouraged her in this, but he wanted to learn more about the girl who had befriended his sister.
Darcy had viewed her from a distance in Lambton, but he was astounded when he entered the music room and saw the two sitting beside each other.
Elizabeth was far more womanly than he expected, and he soon realised that Georgiana’s new friend was no mere girl, but a young lady.
Her dress indicated she was out, yet, in Darcy’s opinion, she appeared younger than the debutantes he typically encountered in town.
She was pretty, but when she looked up at him and smiled her impish smile, he was lost. Something about her, particularly in her eyes, captured and held his interest.
His attention on her was only broken when Georgiana looked up at her brother’s entrance and greeted him.
Quickly, she performed the introductions; Elizabeth curtseyed, and he bowed in return.
Georgiana’s governess sat in a corner, approving the interaction between the girls and indicating as much towards her employer.
Darcy felt relieved and began to speak with them, wanting to learn more about Miss Bennet, both from the perspective of his sister’s guardian, but also because she intrigued him as a man.
Their conversation touched on many topics, venturing from music to books, to farms, crops, and tenants.
Darcy was astonished to meet such an intelligent woman, especially one so young; he had learned her age when the girls revealed a shared birthday when asked for an account of their meeting.
It surprised Darcy to learn that her mother had pushed her out at fifteen, and despite learning of the entailment of her father’s estate, which had also come up in their conversation that afternoon, he still struggled to understand her mother’s motivation for such an action.
Finally, when the setting sun appeared in the window, Elizabeth realised how much time had passed. “Oh,” she cried out, “my aunt will be most worried. I should have returned to Lambton hours ago. I have been here far longer than planned, but it has been such an enjoyable afternoon.”
Pulling out his pocket watch confirmed that it was nearing five. “I will have a carriage readied to return you to the village. If you would like, I could have a rider convey the news that you are on your way so your aunt does not worry,” he offered kindly.
He was pleased when Elizabeth smiled brightly at him in response. “I would appreciate that very much, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for providing a way to relieve my aunt’s worries sooner.”
Nodding, Darcy stepped out into the hallway to speak to a footman who would ensure his orders were carried out.
“The carriage will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” he said when he returned.
“A groom will head into Lambton in a few minutes and will inform Mrs. Gardiner of your return before you leave the park. If you do not mind, I will accompany you to town to speak to your aunt and apologise for keeping you so long.”
In acknowledgement of his words, Elizabeth stood, followed immediately by Georgiana.
The three moved towards the entryway where a maid met them with Elizabeth’s outerwear and a manservant holding Darcy’s.
Another maid arrived already dressed for the outside, as part of Darcy’s orders had included a request for a maid to accompany the carriage into the village.
Georgiana farewelled her friend at the door. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm and escorted her to the waiting carriage before handing her in. The maid followed, and then, finally, Darcy entered, settling onto the rear-facing seat.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, using the name she had told them she preferred, “I am glad you and Georgiana have met and that the two of you have become such fast friends. I do not know what she has told you, but she has been fairly lonely since my father died. In truth, I suppose she has always been a bit isolated, but it has worsened since last October. There are few girls her age nearby, and, well…” he ran his fingers through his hair.
“I have not been the best of brothers to her lately. I only just finished my studies at university and arrived home to learn my father was ill. He spent the next month or so teaching me all he could, but it was not much since he was too tired to speak for long periods. It was overwhelming to become master so suddenly…”
He stopped again. “I apologise, Miss Elizabeth. What I wanted to say was thank you for befriending Georgiana. I hope you will continue to correspond with her even after you leave. She needs another young lady to speak to since I have been far too busy to pay her the attention she deserves.”
Elizabeth smiled softly and reached across to pat his arm, catching him off guard with the unexpected contact.
Though she was still young, her being out meant she surely understood the implications of such actions.
Yet, he found her gesture to be a natural expression of kindness meant to put him at ease rather than an impropriety.
Normally, he would have felt concern that a young lady might touch him inappropriately, perhaps with ulterior motives, but with Miss Elizabeth, he felt no such unease.
“She thinks you are an excellent brother and wishes she knew how to ease your burdens,” she murmured.
“I know she is young, but I have been visiting the tenants at my father’s estate for the last few years.
Perhaps I could teach her what I know about being a mistress, or at least to take on what she can.
The housekeeper or the steward’s wife could assist her once I leave. ”
Still, Darcy looked at her in surprise at what her words revealed. “Is your mother no longer living? I thought you said…” he paused when he saw the look on her face.
She blushed brightly and blew out a breath.
“My mother was not born a gentlewoman but was raised to that position by her marriage to my father. My grandmother taught me the duties of the mistress of an estate since my mother never could be troubled to learn. I began to accompany her on her duties when I was ten years of age, and when she passed a few years later, I continued what she taught us. My elder sister, Jane, learned with me; the two of us have cared for our tenants since Grandmama’s death.
We have tried to teach our younger sisters, but they are uninterested, and Mama will not encourage them.
She is an excellent hostess but does not concern herself with the matters of the estate. ”