Chapter 17
Elizabeth had been lying in her bed for the past hour, but sleep eluded her.
She kept revisiting the whole conversation with Mr. Darcy in the garden.
Every day brought forth a new facet of his personality.
She had thought him proud of his position in life—which he undoubtedly was—but his pride was deep-rooted in honour and a deep sense of propriety.
She had thought that he would start resembling a beetroot if forced to stay in Mrs. Ashcombe’s presence any longer.
Mrs. Ashcombe was another matter altogether.
Elizabeth had no idea what the lady was doing at Willowmere; she seemed to have some knowledge of Elizabeth’s past contempt for Darcy, but to what purpose, Elizabeth had not the faintest idea.
Finally giving up any pretext of sleeping, she got up and went to her writing desk.
She had been missing Jane’s company and her father’s sarcasm, so decided to write to them both.
She kept staring at the paper for a few minutes then decided against writing to her sister.
Jane was perceptive and would easily catch on to her rather complicated feelings about Mr. Darcy.
She finally wrote to her father a rather delayed letter detailing all that the heir to Willowmere had done for his sister and the estate.
She had been free with her criticism of Mr. Darcy in Hertfordshire and thought it her duty to be equally vocal in her praise for his character.
Darcy was sitting in his study with a glass of brandy, but had hardly taken a sip.
He was staring at the fire with a smile for the past hour.
In the whole course of their acquaintance Miss Elizabeth had never been so friendly or playful as she was in the garden today.
He would never have approached her so soon and so directly if not for his aunt.
It had been the frustration at his aunt’s interference that had driven him to act so against his personality, but to get such a response, it was unbelievable.
He gulped the whole glass of brandy as he got up and walked up to his bedchambers with a smile which refused to leave his face.
Mrs. Hardwicke was sitting near the window in her bedchamber staring at the night sky as she sipped on honey water.
Her cough was keeping her from sleeping most nights and had left her feeling tired and drained in the morning.
The apothecary feared a relapse if she did not take things slowly for the next few days, and she was content to follow his directive leaving the house in Elizabeth’s care, but today she had been reconsidering that decision.
Elizabeth, for all her bravado, was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world and Mr. Darcy was a rich and handsome man without the encumbrance of a wife.
She had been uneasy with Mrs. Ashcombe’s residence at Willowmere but could hardly expect Elizabeth to refuse the aunt of the heir.
What had unsettled her today was to see her niece walking in the back garden with Darcy.
She was not so old that she did not remember the blushes and smiles of a young lady in the first throes of love.
She was confident that Elizabeth herself had not realised her feelings but young ladies in love were not the most self-aware of creatures.
Her maid, when questioned, had confided that Mr. Darcy did visit most days and had even spent some time in the study in Elizabeth’s company.
She had heard that the gentleman had been seen playing hide and seek with Elizabeth and Margaret.
Darcy was a rich man and a highly sought-after connection in the ton; he would never look towards a Miss Bennet of Longbourn for his wife.
Her husband had spoken about the man and how debutantes hung to his every word and gentlemen lined up to seek his acquaintance.
She had not the faintest idea why he was paying so much attention to Elizabeth, except for the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Mrs. Ashcombe’s arrival had made her feel that Mr. Darcy had a plan and Elizabeth was just a tool to achieve it.
She vowed to uncover his motives and would not let Elizabeth go astray; she was a good girl and did not deserve to be a tool in someone’s schemes.
“I see you are still busy in the fields, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth called as she walked up to him. She had just completed the tenant visits and had come to see the work on the drainage and speak to the gentleman so invested in the venture.
“Miss Bennet, how was your visit with the tenants? I hope you will let me know in case of any issues. While I respect Mrs. Hardwicke’s sentiments, it would be ungenerous of me to let her care for the tenants on her allowance.”
“Mr. Darcy, I doubt anyone hereabouts would ever consider you ungenerous.”
“I see that you mentioned hereabouts; I take it to mean that the denizens of Hertfordshire would not agree with those hereabouts,” Darcy replied, amusement evident in his tone.
“I apologise for my part in that, but you should know that Mr. Wickham has been free with his complaints once you left the area.”
Darcy’s expression darkened at the mention of the scoundrel. He took a deep breath to bring himself under control before replying. “You are aware of his offence regarding my sister, consideration for her reputation prevents me from taking action against him.”
“Who would believe him? It would be your word against his.”
“People do not have to trust him; they just have to allow him to speak and it will cast aspersions on her character. The Darcy name is old and esteemed and many would enjoy besmirching the name. She is a timid and diffident creature and this whole incident has left her even more unsure of herself.”
“I am sorry. It must be difficult to be a guardian of a young girl.”
“It was initially, but she had been as much a support to me after my father’s death as I was to her.
You know, Miss Bennet, when I left Hertfordshire, my biggest regret was that I did not introduce her to you.
You have such a way with your sisters, and I had hoped you might extend the same kindness to another young girl in need of affection. ”
“I am honoured, and would be happy to meet her if ever possible.”
“How long do you plan to be here? Maybe I will have her visit. You should be introduced to some relatives of mine that are not lunatics.”
A burst of laughter escaped Elizabeth, “That was unkind, and I have met Colonel Fitzwilliam. He can hardly be called a lunatic.”
“That is debatable, madam,” Darcy replied with a smile.
“Tell me more about your sister. Will she not disapprove of the hovel that you are currently residing in?” Elizabeth questioned with a smile.
“She has not a disapproving bone in her body and could never think to criticise something that I have already approved of.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at this comment, trying to suppress the amusement but failing miserably.
“My sister’s devotion aside, I have been meaning to redo the house. It would serve for Mrs. Hardwicke once she takes up residence, but well, I was hoping for some advice from you.”
“Advice on redoing the house?”
“Would it be better if I let Mrs. Hardwicke have use of the main house itself? I would have little use for it myself.”
“I do not think that is a good idea. My aunt is a proud woman and would not appreciate anything that she deemed as charity. She would be uncomfortable with the settlement itself once she learns of it.”
“I have no idea how to be a good heir to an entailed estate. Nothing seems to make sense,” Darcy responded in a rare moment of frustration.
“Maybe you should apply to Mr. Collins, he is excelling at it and that too before inheriting,” Elizabeth responded, bringing forth an unexpected laugh from the gentleman.