Chapter One #2
They entered and took a small table near the window. At length, a young woman came, taking their order. Brother and sister waited patiently, watching the people around them. While the wait was longer than Darcy was used to, he was not disappointed when he tasted his lemon pastry and vanilla ice.
“This is excellent!” Darcy suppressed a moan of pleasure. “How do you find your raspberry tart?”
“It is everything my friend described. Oh, tell me we can come every day, Brother?” Georgiana turned her pleading gaze to him.
“If that is what you desire, dearest. I shall not complain.” They enjoyed the rest of their treat and then departed, intending to walk on the beach before returning home.
The morning air carried the briny freshness of the sea, stirred by a steady breeze that lifted the edges of cloaks and set the ribbons of bonnets fluttering.
The tide had withdrawn only a little while earlier, leaving behind long stretches of damp sand that gleamed in the pale sunlight.
Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries sharp and cheerful, while the rhythmic hush of the waves formed a gentle accompaniment to the promenade of visitors who had come down to the shore for exercise and diversion.
Darcy walked beside his sister with calculated ease, his hands clasped loosely behind his back as he listened to Georgiana’s light conversation.
Ramsgate had proved agreeable thus far, and the morning’s air seemed to have restored some of the animation that had lately deserted her spirits.
She had spoken more in the last quarter hour than she had in an entire afternoon the previous week, and he found the change most gratifying.
The waves beat gently against the sandy shore, and Georgiana stopped to pick up a shell.
She turned to show Darcy when a great brindle-colored dog charged them, a stick in his mouth.
Darcy stepped in front of his sister, hoping to stop the beast from plowing her over, only to be knocked on his back by the giant animal.
The impact drove the breath from his lungs, and for a time, he lay sprawled upon the sand, staring upward at the pale sky while grains of sand worked their way most unpleasantly into his coat and cravat.
“Bruno! Naughty dog! Shame on you.” A young lady rushed to his side, wrapping her hands around the dog’s collar and pulling.
“I am so sorry, sir! Bruno is still a puppy—he is not fully trained. I am afraid I removed his lead so we could play fetch, but rather than return to me with his stick, he came after you.”
Darcy pushed himself upright, brushing sand from his sleeve while the enormous animal proceeded to wag his tail with shameless enthusiasm. The dog appeared quite pleased with the encounter, though Darcy could not claim the same satisfaction.
Darcy stood, brushing sand off his coat and breeches. He looked up intending to chastise the young lady, only to be rendered silent.
The lady before him was stunning. She was petite, with a light and pleasing figure.
Her bonnet had fallen back, revealing dark, curly hair.
There were glints of red in the locks that shone as she turned her head.
Her gaze was filled with remorse, and Darcy thought he had never seen such fine eyes in his life.
They were the color of hot chocolate and sparkling with intelligence—he could very well drown in their depths.
Her breath came quickly from her dash across the sand, and a faint flush colored her cheeks as she struggled to restrain the still-wiggling animal. The effort had drawn a few loose curls about her temples, giving her a disheveled appearance that was, paradoxically, most becoming.
Rather than scold, he bowed. “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at your service. This is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
The lady dropped a curtsey. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, sir. And this brute is Bruno.” She gestured to the dog, who finally lay in the sand chewing happily on his stick.
As if to demonstrate his utter innocence, Bruno rolled onto his side and thumped his tail against the sand with enthusiastic vigor.
“A Great Dane?” Georgiana stepped forward. “I have never seen one in person. You say he is a puppy? How big will he become?”
Her voice held both curiosity and delight, and she regarded the animal with fascination rather than fear.
“Believe it or not, he was the runt of his litter, though he has outgrown all his brothers and sisters. Bruno will be the size of a small pony someday.” Miss Bennet grinned.
“He was a gift from my uncle. My mother was scandalized at first but was convinced such a large animal would keep any ‘thieves and miscreants’ from invading my father’s house. ”
Georgiana giggled, and Darcy, too chuckled at the amusing anecdote. “He seems to be rather ferocious…until he is not.”
Miss Bennet agreed. “An accurate assessment, Miss Darcy.”
At that moment Bruno lifted his head and trotted several paces away, only to return again with the same stick, dropping it proudly at Miss Bennet’s feet.
“Oh! There are my aunt and uncle.”
“Will you not introduce us?” The words burst from Darcy’s lips before he had even considered them. All he knew was that he wished to know more of Miss Bennet, and if an introduction to her relations accomplished that, then so be it.
Miss Bennet regarded him with mild surprise, though not displeasure. “If you like.”
Miss Bennet raised a hand and waved her relations over. A handsomely dressed couple approached. The lady looked to be only a few years older than Darcy. Her husband seemed older—perhaps nearing his fortieth year.
They walked with the easy composure of those accustomed to society, and the gentleman’s expression carried a warmth that suggested good humor rather than formality.
“Aunt, Uncle, Mr. and Miss Darcy have requested an introduction. Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, my relations, Mr. Edward Gardiner and his wife, Mrs. Madeline Gardiner.”
They exchanged greetings and proposed moving to the shade nearby. Miss Bennet tugged on her unruly beast, and together they meandered over to a nearby bench positioned beneath a large tree.
The shade provided welcome relief from the strengthening sun. From their vantage, the curve of the bay stretched gracefully along the horizon, dotted with small boats that bobbed gently upon the water.
“Darcy, you say?” Mrs. Gardiner asked. “I hail from Lambton. Are you any relation to the Darcys of Pemberley?”
“The very ones!” Georgiana beamed. “My brother is master of that estate.”
“How very coincidental. I met your mother in passing—such a kind, elegant lady.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled kindly. “You look very like her.”
This pleased Georgiana, and the two fell into discussion. Mr. Gardiner in turn exchanged pleasant conversation with Darcy and Miss Bennet. Darcy learned the couple had come to Ramsgate on holiday, bringing their niece along.
“I have five nieces, sir. We often invite one or two along with us when we travel about. My brother by marriage does not like to travel and prefers to stay at his estate. Last year we took Lizzy’s elder sister, Jane. Next year we shall take Mary, the third in line.”
“Five daughters! I can scarcely imagine.” Darcy glanced at Georgiana. It was all he could do to care for one sister.
“Yes, it is a shame, according to my mother.” Miss Bennet raised a brow. “I shall now disregard all propriety, sir, and tell you that my father’s estate is entailed to a distant cousin. Having five daughters of whom she must dispose has vexed my poor mother’s nerves for years.”
Her tone held a note of dry amusement that did not escape Darcy’s notice. He found himself smiling in spite of the frankness of the remark.
Darcy sympathized. Pemberley was not entailed. The estate was a fee simple—it could be left to whomever he wished. Until he married, his will stipulated that everything would go to Georgiana upon an untimely death, though he hoped that would never be the case.
The conversation flowed easily thereafter.
Mr. Gardiner spoke of the fishing along the coast and the bustle of London trade, while Miss Bennet listened with lively interest, occasionally offering observations that revealed both wit and intelligence.
Georgiana, for her part, had grown thoroughly charmed by Mrs. Gardiner’s gentle manner.
Meanwhile Bruno stretched himself upon the sand at Miss Bennet’s feet, gnawing contentedly upon his stick, his attitude reflecting his opinion that the entire morning’s adventure had been arranged solely for his entertainment.
They spoke for another half hour before the Gardiners needed to depart. Eager to be in their company again, Darcy exchanged cards with Mr. Gardiner.
“I shall send around an invitation,” he said, bowing to the ladies.
“That would be most enjoyable. We have yet to make friends in Ramsgate, and I am certain Elizabeth would enjoy spending time with Miss Darcy.”
Miss Bennet inclined her head with a smile. Darcy could see genuine pleasure in her countenance and granted her a grin in return.
They parted ways, and Darcy could feel Georgiana’s excitement in the way his sister gripped his arm.
“Such charming people! When shall we invite them to dine, brother?”
“As soon as may be, dear one.”
He cast a brief glance back toward the retreating figures along the shore. Miss Bennet had paused to throw the stick once more, and Bruno bounded after it with joyful abandon.
Yes, soon. Darcy could scarcely wait to see the beguiling Miss Bennet again.