Chapter 9
Elizabeth continued her walks in Hyde Park, as her schedule permitted. She preferred early in the morning, but when her mornings were busy, she walked in the afternoon with a maid.
Her walks were beneficial, both for her physical and mental well-being.
Daily life at the Bennet household was chaotic and her solitary walks provided a time for meditation and reflection.
Life with the Gardiners was far more peaceful, even with her three young cousins, but Elizabeth still desired time to commune with nature, breathe fresh air into her lungs, and settle the thoughts chasing around her mind.
Thus, she took advantage of her close proximity to Hyde Park.
That morning, free from any responsibilities, Elizabeth entered the park and began to quicken her pace as her leg muscles warmed. Soon, despite her petite frame, she was walking with long, powerful steps. Her arms swung freely at her sides.
A sound floated to her on the breeze. “Miss Bennet.” It was a male voice.
Cautious of her surroundings, she slowed to allow the footman to catch up with her. They glanced around but saw no one. She heard her name called again, this time louder.
Elizabeth and the footman turned to look in the direction they had come, and her heart thumped when she spied young Mr Darcy hurrying towards her.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet.”
“Good morning, sir. I was in the middle of my walk, if you will excuse me–”
“I would be happy to join you.” He stepped up to Elizabeth and offered her his arm. She felt obliged to take it, hiding a grimace. Noting the footman’s disquiet, Elizabeth gave him a minute nod.
Infuriatingly, the young gentleman set a pace so slow even a snail might outpace them. She had to fight down the urge to growl–at him!
Elizabeth forced her ire to cool as she began to search for an escape. Just ahead was a cross-path which would bring her back to the park gate, but more importantly, it would separate her from the wretched man.
Extracting her arm, she made the barest of curtseys. “Thank you, Mr Darcy. I shall return home now.”
He looked at her with a startled expression, unprepared for her sudden withdrawal.
Catching the footman’s attention, she indicated the path they were to take. Elizabeth, the footman directly behind her, departed with a pace even faster than the one Darcy had interrupted.
Grateful to be away, she sighed and shook her head. Her solitary walk was cut short yet there was nothing to be done but shake it off and face the rest of the day. Hopefully, the next time she ventured into the park, she would not be importuned.
Darcy stood for several minutes and watched Elizabeth disappear.
He had been thrilled to have the pretty lady on his arm. A chance overheard conversation between his mother and sister informed him of her walks, especially in the mornings. After stepping out several days, morning and afternoon, fortune had smiled on him that day.
He was only disappointed their time had been so short. Reluctantly, he directed his own steps towards home.
~ / ~
Elizabeth was intruded upon by Darcy far too often for her equanimity.
He had the uncanny ability to find her no matter the time or path she walked, and his presence grated on her nerves.
She huffed in amusement. Next she would complain in a loud shriek how ‘no one understood her suffering’ just like Mrs Bennet.
Elizabeth compressed her lips to keep her laughter from escaping.
Anticipating the vexing man might show himself yet again, Elizabeth made a plan. Thus, when he called out to her, she did not slow her pace.
“I see you make the most of your morning walks, Miss Bennet.” Darcy smoothly joined her on the path.
“I enjoy this time for private reflection, sir. It also has the added benefit of being enjoyable exercise.”
“A first-rate notion, and the perfect time to be out. With so few people around, you may gallop to your heart’s content.” He snickered at his use of a pun.
Elizabeth bristled. Mr Darcy seemed to have much in common with her mother. They both found her comportment unladylike. Despite his offense, she kept her voice light, “Are you comparing me to a horse, Mr Darcy?”
Darcy’s lips curled up in amusement, “No indeed, you could never be mistaken for a horse, Miss Bennet.”
“Yet, other women you know, might?”
His brow furrowed in confusion. Not replying directly to her question, he asked one of his own after they had moved down the path several paces. “Do you walk out every morning?”
“It depends on the day. I try to get out as often as I can, but not always in the mornings.” She caught the footman’s eye and signalled to him.
The same fork in the path offered a quick escape. Before the gentleman at her side could speak again, she bid him good day.
Yet again, Darcy watched Miss Bennet hasten away. He lifted a hand to scratch at the back of his head, cursing his inability to flirt properly.
Darcy did not fail to walk in the park each morning seeking out Miss Bennet, but his efforts were in vain. To his astonishment, the next time he saw her would be much closer to home.
~ / ~
An invitation arrived for Elizabeth for the garden party at Matlock House. Lady Rosamund included a brief note, saying she hoped to see Elizabeth there.
Elizabeth bit her lip, her manner pensive.
Mrs Gardiner inquired gently, “What troubles you Lizzy?”
“It was good of Lady Rosamund to invite me, but I am not sure I wish to accept the invitation.”
“And why is that?”
“It was addressed solely to me.” Elizabeth raised her eyes to rest on her aunt.
“Indeed. Your uncle and I are not of the same circle as Lord and Lady Matlock. We have never been introduced.”
“You and Uncle are the best people I know. I dislike the idea of anyone disapproving of you.”
“Lizzy dear, we fully understand our worth and it is not dependent upon the acknowledgement of any peer’s society.” Mrs Gardiner paused, her attention on Elizabeth.
“I shall take this moment to address an issue we have been meaning to speak of. Your uncle and I know how loyal you are to those you love, and you defend them with your whole heart. However, sometimes your resentment blinds you to deeper truths. As much as you value your ability to judge characters, first impressions are rarely the entirety of any person. We are all a combination of virtues and flaws. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip, looking down. She nodded, “I allow my temper to get the better of me.”
“And you may often find yourself in young Mr Darcy’s company.” Mrs Gardiner took Elizabeth’s hands in hers. “Do not let ill humour towards him keep you from making a good impression amongst new society.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes but nodded again. “I shall try to control myself.”
“Now, you shall go and have a wonderful time. Think how disappointed Mr Vernon would be should you not attend.”
Elizabeth shook her head at her aunt, her lips curling on one side. “I believe Mr Vernon would be disappointed if Miss Mansfield did not show.”
“Well… did you not inform me Lady Rosamund insisted she would invite only young people to her garden party? Your mother would call for her salts if she knew you refused to attend an event attended by eligible young men.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips, trying to hold in her giggle. “Perhaps.”
At another look from her aunt Elizabeth conceded, “Oh, very well. I shall go. I would not wish to give you any reason to fear Mama’s lamentations if I ‘do not make the most of my time in Town’.”
“Lizzy.” The ladies laughed over Elizabeth’s accurate mimicry of Mrs Bennet.
When their laughter dissipated, Mrs Gardiner grew thoughtful. “I cannot send you in our carriage on your own, so how shall you arrive there?”
Both ladies looked at each other, their brows similarly pinched.
“What about Abigail Mansfield? She is quite friendly with Lady Rosamund. I would be very much surprised if she were not invited. Shall we inquire if I might accompany her?”
“Splendid idea. Let us send a note directly.”
~ / ~
A very nervous Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage in front of Matlock House. Her breath caught at the splendour of the mansion. Mr Mansfield offered an arm to both his sister and Elizabeth and together they climbed marble steps to the ornate door.
Elizabeth tucked in a loose curl. She wore a cream-coloured muslin day dress.
Its lines were simple with subtle embellishments of embroidered vines and flowers in varying shades of pink and green.
The overall picture made Elizabeth look like a floral bouquet.
The ribbon just below her breast matched the green of the embroidery.
A cream lace shawl and straw bonnet trimmed with matching ribbons completed her ensemble.
The door opened in answer to their knock. Awaiting inside were footmen and maids ready to assist the guests with their outerwear. The butler oversaw it all, as he accepted the invitations.
A maid escorted the trio down a long corridor until they reached large French doors opened to the veranda and steps leading down to an extensive garden.
The Gardiners’ new home was more spacious than their previous one near Cheapside, including the larger back garden, but it was nothing to what was before her now.
Elizabeth gaped, not knowing where to look first. Large trees shaded one side of the garden with a bench here and there in the shade of their leafy branches. The middle section had a meandering path bracketed by an assortment of flowers and plants on either side.
Further back in an open area, Elizabeth could see a pavilion had been erected with an array of foods and beverages on tables covered with white tablecloths. Footmen stood nearby to serve.
Elizabeth remained at the top of the stairs taking it all in. A good number of people were already in attendance; the array of colour in the ladies’ gowns added to the overall effect of the garden.