Chapter 7 #3
Elizabeth stifled a sigh, but lifted her eyes.
She could not lose her temper and open herself to Julia’s vitriol, though a small part of her wanted to announce to Julia that Darcy would be marrying her.
And another spiteful part she was not proud of wanted to tell her that the forfeit kisses Julia shared with him were nothing to the demonstrative embraces Darcy was capable of when his affections were engaged.
But that would not be kind, and she had to exercise patience.
Besides, she could not lose her head and think about Darcy’s kisses right now, not when there was such a hurry and bustle of activity of the races.
The horses did seem unbothered by the noise and activity.
There were laughing children, servants carrying food and drink, footmen guarding the carriages from thieves, and many bystanders talking to friends, heedless of the race about to begin.
But most of the spectators like her had climbed atop the carriages or stood in their open ones for a better view.
The Epsom Derby was a thrilling event to behold.
There were no barriers at the course, and the horses ran in the midst of the crowd who left only a space sufficient for them to pass through, and at the same time encouraged them with loud shouts.
The victor, in green, found it difficult to disengage himself from the crowd who rushed forward to applaud the winner.
They congratulated, patted, and embraced him with an effusion of heart difficult to explain to those who had never seen a race.
“Such a crowd on the road coming to Epsom,” said Mrs Tessier when they were enjoying a meal inside the carriage before the next race. “What a fine day, girls. It is a shame your mother had a headache, Julia.”
Elizabeth did not miss Lady Metcalfe. At least this way, she only had one unpleasant woman in a confined space to manage rather than two.
Julia peered out with a frown. “A fine day, I suppose, but I would prefer to see the course and meet a few of the men.”
She meant she wished to see Darcy. “You might have joined me yesterday in boys’ clothes,” said Elizabeth, wishing she could declare that she spent the afternoon with Darcy.
But that would be petty of her, and would serve no purpose but to injure another.
“I understand Mrs Tessier had found clothes for you as well.”
Julia turned to glare at her. “I hardly think such a ploy to your credit, Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine sent you here to find a husband, and you damage your own efforts with an unwomanly scheme. You have few traits to appeal to a man to begin with; dressing like one will not help you.”
Elizabeth stared but said nothing. Julia had hardly a single trait of kindness of heart.
Mrs Tessier stammered about whether or not the scheme to dress girls as boys for the outing was a good one.
“But many females wore males’ clothing, and some came on horseback rather than in carriages.
Is it such a strange thing for a race meeting?
Your mother thought it was appropriate yesterday when she encouraged Miss Bennet to go. ”
“I say it is a strange thing, ma’am, but it is no wonder that a woman of Miss Bennet’s connexions would not have known better.”
It had been a proper scheme when it was originally suggested, but of course, the most recently stated opinion was the one Mrs Tessier now held.
Elizabeth was counting down the hours until she and Darcy could leave Monday morning.
Perhaps they could forgo a little decorum and travel on Sunday instead.
It was perplexing that he recommended she leave early over a silly mishap.
Why would she want to return to Longbourn without him?
This warm feeling of being in accord with Darcy, with knowing what it was to love and be loved back, was too precious to forgo.
The vase should never have been placed in a crowded corridor above the stairs, but Mrs Tessier loved her ornaments.
It was only an accident, and no harm was done.
Darcy had, in fact, saved her life. It was a good thing she was already in love with him, because any woman’s heart would have been devotedly his after that.
If her parents struggled to believe he was fond of her, she need only mention how he pulled her to safety and shielded her with his own body.
Although, she ought not to mention how they had been alone in the dark, locked in each other’s arms, and before they were engaged, too.
She was going to marry Darcy. It was a fantastic, wonderful thing, and she blushed to think about it.
She sank back into her seat, pressing her hands against her hot cheeks.
He still loved her, and they were now engaged.
Her family would be incredulous, but that would be overcome.
And his family’s opinion must not matter; Darcy would not have proposed in the first place if it did.
His expressions may not overflow in uncommon mirth, but there was no mistaking what he still felt for her.
When he turned and noticed her this morning in the garden, a look of heartfelt delight diffused over his face.
It took all her strength not to put her arms around him and kiss him in greeting.
Secret looks and knowing glances were to fill the rest of the week at Woodcote.
Her feelings had come on gradually, but now they were firmly settled in her heart and mind. She and Darcy would be the happiest couple in the world. How foolish she was to dread coming to Epsom. The rest of the race meeting would be a pleasure, certain as she was of Darcy’s regard.
“Ma’am,” called a footman at the door, “the Gold Cup will race shortly.”
The ladies descended and Elizabeth expected them to climb atop again, when Julia said, “Mrs Tessier, I cannot climb up there again. Let us walk and talk with your friends instead.”
“You do not want to see the race? We can sit inside if you do not want to stand on the roof.”
“Certainly not. I have seen one, and they are all the same. I prefer to talk with the ladies here who are more interested in society than horses.”
“Well, if you are certain, but—”
“I must insist, Mrs Tessier. I cannot sit in the carriage a moment longer, and I need to stretch my legs.”
There were just as many people walking between the carriages as there were climbing atop them to better see the horses move to the starting line.
“I hate to be disagreeable,” Elizabeth said, “but I would like to see this race. Can we not talk with friends when the race is over and whilst we await our turn to leave?”
Julia said coldly, “I did not ask you to join us.”
Elizabeth wished for Caroline Bingley’s company.
She would have covered her dislike with the appearance of civility.
Elizabeth doubted even Miss Bingley would have dared to announce that she was not welcome to walk with her and Darcy even if she knew Darcy intended to propose to her on that same walk.
Had Mrs Tessier not been so agitated, fidgeting with her necklaces against her chest, Elizabeth would have been tempted to give Julia a scathing set down.
“I would not wish to intrude, Miss Metcalfe,” she said to spare her hostess’s feelings. “You must have private affairs to discuss. I will stay with the carriage and watch the race alone.”
She was not sorry to see them go as she had the coachman’s help to climb into the box and then hoist herself up to the top of the carriage.
Not even Julia’s condescending attitude could spoil the thrilling enthusiasm of a race meeting.
It did not matter that she had no money wagered on this race.
There was something invigorating about the shared experience and the excitement of wondering who would win.
Elizabeth watched the flag signal and cheered on the horses, choosing one in her mind she wanted to win, when she heard the coachman beneath her cry out, “Hoy there!”
She turned from the race to see a boy in a hat run past the horses and strike one of them viciously with a whip.
It nickered in pain and panicked. Elizabeth lost her balance as the horse leapt forward, dragging the other horse and the carriage with it.
The coachman rushed to settle the horses, but the force of the lurching carriage tumbled her off the back with a shriek of alarm.
She crashed hard on the downs. Pain flooded her body and her vision faded black.