Chapter 2
The morning proved every bit as fine as Elizabeth had hoped.
A soft March sun filtered through thin clouds, and the air, though it still carried a hint of winter’s lingering chill, held the first true promise of spring.
The carriage rolled on at a gentle pace along the broad avenues of Hyde Park, and for a time the three ladies contented themselves with observing the early riders, the occasional fashionable equipage, and the delicate green beginning to appear upon the trees.
Mrs Gardiner, ever practical, pointed out a particularly elegant pair of matched greys drawing a barouche, while Jane remarked upon the graceful figure of a young woman walking with her maid.
Elizabeth, however, found her attention continually drawn to the wider prospect — the sweep of the Serpentine and the quiet dignity of the park itself.
After nearly half an hour of such pleasant observation, she turned to her companions with a bright smile.
“Might we stop a moment?” she asked. “I should so like to walk a little. The day is too fine to remain entirely confined to the carriage.”
Mrs Gardiner agreed with only a little reluctance, and the coachman was directed to draw up near a quieter stretch of the path.
Elizabeth stepped down with alacrity, adjusting her bonnet against a playful breeze while her companions elected to remain within the carriage for the present, content to watch her progress.
Elizabeth walked along with light steps, her eyes lifted to the delicate branches overhead.
The ground beneath was still damp in places from recent showers, yet the path itself was firm enough, and she took quiet pleasure in the simple freedom of movement.
A group of riders approached at a measured trot — gentlemen in dark coats, their horses well-bred and lively.
As they drew near, one of the animals tossed its head and shifted suddenly towards the grass.
Elizabeth was startled and turned more abruptly than was wise.
Her foot slipped upon a patch of soft earth. For an instant she tried to recover her balance, but the attempt proved unsuccessful. With a soft cry of surprise, she found herself upon the ground, her skirts spread in an undignified fashion about her.
Almost at once a carriage that had been approaching from the opposite direction drew up sharply. The door opened, and a young woman sprang down with remarkable swiftness.
“Are you hurt?” she asked, her voice soft yet clear. “Pray, do not attempt to rise too quickly. Let me help you,” she continued, while Elizabeth looked at her, dumbfounded. The young woman was fair, with a gentle expression and an air of shy concern.
Already gathering her scattered composure, Elizabeth managed a smile at her own expense.
“I am not injured, thank you, apart from my pride,” she replied. “I fear I have made a spectacle of myself most unnecessarily.”
She rose with the young lady’s assistance.
The damage, she discovered, was confined to a considerable quantity of mud upon the petticoat and side of her gown, and a slight tremor in her hands that she attributed more to surprise than to any real injury.
An older woman, of composed and respectable appearance, had by now descended from the carriage as well.
At the same moment, Mrs Gardiner and Jane, having observed the mishap, hurried forwards from their own equipage.
Elizabeth turned to the young stranger with genuine gratitude.
“You are very kind. I am much obliged to you for your prompt assistance. Might I know the name of the lady to whom I owe such gratitude?”
The girl coloured prettily yet answered with quiet dignity.
“There is no need for gratitude, I assure you. I am Georgiana Darcy. This is my companion, Mrs Annesley.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. For a moment she could only stare, blinking several times in her incredulity. Was such a coincidence possible?
“Miss Darcy? Can it be…forgive my boldness. Could you be the sister of Mr Darcy of Pemberley?”
Miss Darcy looked faintly surprised. She glanced at her companion before she finally responded. “I am. Do you know my brother, ma’am?”
Elizabeth recovered herself sufficiently enough to offer a proper curtsey, then an introduction.
“My name is Elizabeth Bennet. I made your brother’s acquaintance last autumn, when he visited his friend Mr Bingley at Netherfield Park. My father’s estate is only three miles away.”
The girl frowned for a moment, then brightened with interest.
“Indeed? What an extraordinary coincidence. So you are acquainted with both my brother and Mr Bingley?”
“I am. I must say your brother, as well as Mr Bingley and his sisters, spoke very highly of you, Miss Darcy.”
Casting a quick look at her sister, Elizabeth noticed a slight change in Jane’s countenance; she was likely measuring Miss Darcy as a worthy rival for Mr Bingley’s attention, and the young girl’s reply seemed to support that notion.
“My brother is always so kind to me, and he gives me more credit than I deserve. And Mr Bingley is such a good friend. He has mentioned several times a family living at…Longbourn, I believe?”
“Indeed. Longbourn is our home,” Elizabeth said, taking the opportunity to introduce her sister and aunt. Mrs Gardiner expressed her pleasure in making the acquaintance, while Jane remained pale and silent.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Miss Darcy repeated. “I am so glad to meet any friends of my brother’s.”
“We are honoured to meet you, Miss Darcy. I just wish it were under better circumstances. My little accident was harmless but embarrassing, and my appearance must be terrible. I am glad Mr Darcy is not here to see me — he has the strongest opinion of propriety.”
A frown appeared on Miss Darcy’s face, and Elizabeth realised her tone had perhaps betrayed too much mockery.
“I hope Mr Darcy is in good health?” she immediately continued.
“He is, I thank you. He is visiting some estates in Oxfordshire and Surrey that required his attention, so he will be out of town for a while.”
Elizabeth breathed with some relief, then glanced at Jane again and boldly added, “I know Mr Darcy is most diligent with his duties. His friend often mentioned as much. I hope Mr Bingley is in good health too.”
The statement about her brother seemed to please Miss Darcy, who replied lightly, “I trust he is. I have heard nothing to suggest the opposite. But I have scarcely seen him in recent months, since he returned from Hertfordshire.”
Once more, Elizabeth glanced at Jane, who was now flushed. “My sister has been in town for more than two months now, but she has sadly not encountered Mr Bingley. He must be very busy. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst suggested as much.”
“He might well be. I do not see Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst very often either, especially when my brother is away.”
Again, Elizabeth exchanged a look with her sister and her aunt. Miss Darcy did not seem to be an intimate friend of Miss Bingley’s, as the latter had proclaimed several times.
“Miss Elizabeth, are you sure you are not hurt?” the young lady insisted. “Should we not fetch a doctor?”
“Oh dear, most certainly not! I am mortified that I concerned you, and again, I am grateful for your kindness. Such grace and generosity is rarely seen in a stranger, especially—” She almost said ‘especially someone of your situation in life’, but she checked herself just in time.
She was certain Mr Darcy would never have stopped in the middle of the park to assist a stranger.
Elizabeth was pleased when her aunt interjected, though she did not expect Mrs Gardiner’s statement.
“Miss Darcy, you have certainly inherited grace and kindness from your beloved mother and generosity from both your parents.”
The object of the praise changed colour before she responded with a voice obviously filled with emotion, “Thank you. I struggle to uphold their legacy, and I am certainly not as successful as my brother. My parents, unfortunately, died a few years ago.”
“Yes, I know, and the news saddened me deeply. I am sure it pained everybody who had the privilege of knowing them even briefly.”
At such a response, Miss Darcy’s puzzlement became even more apparent, so Mrs Gardiner continued with heartfelt politeness.
“I grew up in Lambton and lived there until I was fourteen years old, when my family moved to London. I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Mr Darcy and Lady Anne several times, and even of experiencing their generosity — like everybody in Lambton.”
“Oh dear,” Miss Darcy whispered, and suddenly her eyes became blurred with tears. She turned her head to hide her distress, and Mrs Annesley tried to comfort her.
“Miss Darcy, I am so sorry that I troubled you,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I did not mean— Please forgive me…”
“No, no, please do not apologise. In fact, I thank you. I rarely meet people who knew my parents, other than those from my close family, and it always touches me…”
She regained a bit of composure, then added, “This day, these extraordinary coincidences, have overwhelmed me a little, I admit. But I am so grateful for them.”
“So are we, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth responded, and Mrs Gardiner nodded her agreement.
The girl seemed to hesitate briefly before she spoke again.
“I was wondering…do you often ride in Hyde Park?”
“Not as often as we would like,” Mrs Gardiner replied, smiling. “Elizabeth is particularly fond of long walks, while Jane and I prefer the carriage. But we live in Gracechurch Street, which is quite far from Hyde Park.”
“I see… If you happen to be in the neighbourhood again, I would be delighted to meet and enjoy a longer conversation. Perhaps you could join me for a cup of tea one day? In fact, we could have tea now. My house is on Grosvenor Square, only a few minutes’ walk from here.”