Chapter 1 #2
“I sent my carriage and servants ahead — they must have arrived already. I wished to enjoy the view on horseback, but it seems I am not as sharp as I hoped to still be at this age, and I have lost my way. It is the first time in my life I have needed a woman to guide me.”
Elizabeth laughed heartily.
“I am sorry to disappoint you, but women know that men often need guidance, although they are rarely aware of it.”
It was his turn to laugh. “You express your opinion quite decidedly for someone so young, Miss…” He seemed to suddenly mind his behaviour and stopped, making Elizabeth turn.
“I beg your forgiveness, miss. I have lost not only my path but also my manners. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Admiral Thomas Howard.”
He bowed, while Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief, silenced by astonishment. She finally recovered and curtseyed.
“Forgive me, sir. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It is an honour to meet you.”
“Please do not be so formal, Miss Bennet. It is a pleasure to meet you — a very fortunate one. Your father owns an estate, you mentioned?” he enquired, as they resumed their walk.
“Yes. Longbourn. It is three miles from Netherfield,” she answered, her voice altered by emotion. Never had she met an admiral, nor considered she ever would. She wondered how he could be connected to Mr Bingley, whose father had made his fortune in trade.
“Do you have a large family, Miss Bennet?”
“It might be called so. My parents and four sisters.”
“Five daughters? Your mother must be quite distressed with you all.”
She laughed. “Indeed. She mentions it several times a day!”
“And with four sisters, you walk alone?”
“Well, we do not all share the same interests. My eldest sister, Jane, often keeps me company, but not always.”
“I see. So, you are friends with the family at Netherfield,” the admiral continued.
Elizabeth hesitated again. “Mr Bingley is on friendly terms with everyone in the neighbourhood. His sisters are rather different from him,” she said, choosing her words carefully.
“And Darcy? I imagine he is not as desirous of company as Bingley? Or am I wrong?”
Elizabeth concealed a smile. “You are not wrong. Have you known Mr Darcy long?”
“Since he was born.”
“Oh…” she replied.
“Oh? You do not seem as impressed with him as you are with Bingley.” The gentleman laughed.
Elizabeth cleared her throat. “I have spent a little time in Mr Darcy’s company.
Enough to recognise he possesses some excellent qualities.
He is well-educated, well-read, has in-depth knowledge of the world, and appears to be very fond of his sister, his family, and close friends.
But his character is not easy to sketch, as he is always distant and severe. ”
“On the other hand, those who are too open and too willing to reveal their character might be deceiving, would you not agree, Miss Bennet?”
She paused and considered it a moment. “Do you refer to Mr Bingley?”
“Bingley? Not at all! That fellow is honest and fair. What you see is what you get. I am speaking in general.”
“In general, you might be right. That is why I am restrained in speaking too much of Mr Darcy or Mr Bingley’s sisters’ true nature until I feel confident in my judgment.”
“Bingley’s sisters are the same as him — what you see is what you get,” the admiral declared, and Elizabeth held back a peal of laughter.
“As for Darcy, yes, I can see why someone outside his close circle would find it hard to recognise his true nature. I may easily say he is one of the best fellows I have ever met in my life.”
Elizabeth was surprised by such praise. Could the admiral be Darcy’s relative and therefore partial to him? What was the connection to Mr Bingley?
With Mr Wickham’s sad story in her mind, and due to her growing familiarity with the admiral, she said, “But speaking of deception, is it not possible that one shows himself in a different light to his close circle of family and friends than he does to those outside it? Could his manners and behaviour be different?”
The admiral glanced at her in puzzlement. “Are you referring to Darcy?” he enquired.
“I am speaking in general,” she said, repeating his earlier words.
“Well, well, you certainly are as spirited and bright as you are charming and helpful, Miss Bennet. I hope we shall have the chance to meet and speak again soon.”
She blushed at such an honest compliment. “Thank you, sir. I shall accept your praise, although I am uncertain why I deserve it. So, there is Netherfield, and there is Longbourn,” she indicated when they finally reached the main road, and the view finally opened up.
He glanced around and sighed. “Quite a lovely prospect, I would say!”
“Indeed. You only have to follow this road, and it will take you to the manor’s entrance.”
“Will you not come with me and let me send you back to your home by carriage? I feel uncomfortable letting you walk such a long distance alone.”
“You are very considerate, but that will not be necessary. I have walked from Longbourn to Netherfield more than once. I am only half the distance now. I hope you arrive safely and your horse is well.”
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. Your assistance is much appreciated. It was a delight to meet you.”
“I am happy I could help, sir.” She curtseyed again; he bowed and offered a smile of gratitude that intimidated her even more.
Then she turned and departed at a hasty pace, while he gazed after her a little longer before he turned his horse and walked towards his destination.
The entire way back to the house, Elizabeth wondered and speculated about the strange encounter.
The presence of such an illustrious character in their vicinity was as thrilling as it was disturbing.
Mr Bingley certainly did not belong in the same circles as an admiral.
Were they mere acquaintances? Or was it only a quick visit with no other meaning?
Perhaps the admiral would be gone the next day.
The meeting impressed her in a way she could not explain.
The man himself had seemed impressive, even before she had learnt his identity.
So absorbed was she with musing about her new acquaintance that she forgot the annoyance of the old one, until she entered the house and heard Mr Collins’s voice.
She decided not to mention the encounter to anyone in her family, at least until she had heard the reports from Meryton or from Netherfield. If the admiral was in the slightest way connected with their lives, she would surely find out soon.