Chapter 26 Arbor Low #2
“Uncle, being in this beautiful place almost makes me forget the terrible losses our family has suffered.”
“Yes, Lizzy. There is balm for the soul in this lovely corner of England.”
“I often wish I had done more for Lydia. Had I spent more time with her, perhaps she would not now be sunk in ruin and possibly suffering.”
“We cannot mend the past, my dear. We can only make a better future. Attend to what can still be improved.”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes. He would be angry if he knew what had drawn her to Derbyshire, to this particular henge and to the very heart of Arbor Low, the stone circle.
She turned to the subject that interested her most. “Sir, what think you of Mr. Darcy?”
He gave a wry chuckle. “Do you mean to ask whether I too discerned his immediate attraction to you and how you should conduct yourself if he wishes to pursue the acquaintance?”
“You are very direct, Uncle Edward.”
“I must speak freely to you, Lizzy, for our visit is short. Maddie was loath to leave little Edward behind.”
“Yes, of course, sir.”
His expression was grave. “You and Jane must marry well, and you must marry as soon as prudence allows, lest Lydia be discovered with her protector at some other public place and bring ruin upon you all. Your mother’s likeness runs strong in each of you.
Anyone seeing Lydia would know you for close relations. ”
“Sir, do you truly believe she will continue under the care of one protector rather than passing from one man to another?”
“For now, yes. She is young, innocent, and very lovely. But no respectable man will marry a fallen woman, and in time she will pass from one protector to another. Perhaps an older gentleman may eventually take her under his protection for many years. Her prospects are bleak, Elizabeth.”
“Do not do as your sister Jane has done. When we return, we will do all we can to encourage that attachment. She should have accepted Mr. Bingley when he first offered rather than gamble with her future prospects. I expect the same from you, Elizabeth. If Mr. Darcy acts upon his early preference for you, you must encourage him and accept his hand if he offers it.”
“But Uncle, what of Lydia? He has a young unmarried sister. Should Lydia’s ruin become known, will not his sister be tainted along with us?”
“Yes, but his name and consequence will protect you and those under his care. Do you understand me, my dear?”
Elizabeth met the gravity in his expression.
“Yes, sir. I understand and will not take an offer from him lightly, though it is early days. His fancy may prove fleeting.”
“I know, Elizabeth, but I have reproached myself for not speaking to you and Jane while you still lived at Longbourn. Had I done so, your sister might now be well married, and her connection to such a wealthy man would improve your standing in Mr. Darcy’s eyes.
I depend upon you to act sensibly, Elizabeth. Do I have your word?”
Despite her guilt and unease, she made the promise. “Yes, sir. I will act in the best interests of my sisters.”
They passed the last mile in silence. Elizabeth’s thoughts churned too much for her to enjoy the view or her uncle’s company.
At last, they reached the crest of a gradual rise, and some fifty great limestone blocks lay before her, forming an egg-shaped circle upon the broad plateau.
Some had broken into fragments, but the stones still marked the circle upon the plateau.
A deep ditch enclosed the interior, with a substantial earthen bank beyond it.
The monument took her breath away.
What ancient people had constructed this great earthwork? How long had it taken them, and for what purpose had they built it?
Elizabeth stood mute before Arbor Low, taking in its ancient beauty.
The solitude of the place touched her to the core. She was so enthralled, she failed to observe the Darcys approaching from the opposite side. They rode along the bottom of the wide ditch.
“Come, Lizzy. Let us meet them.”
They followed the ridge of the earthen bank, then descended where the slope proved less steep. Mr. Gardiner took his niece by the hand and assisted her down.
The Darcys approached and dismounted.
“Mr. Gardiner.” Then, looking to her, he said, “Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy bowed over her hand, a formal courtesy for so informal a setting, she thought. Then she met his eyes. Affection shone there, and something akin to surrender. Did her own eyes betray as much?
So taken by his presence, Elizabeth missed her uncle’s first words. She drew her attention back to the conversation and heard him finish with, “… this remarkable structure?”
Her attention returned to the man before her. Elizabeth studied Mr. Darcy’s handsome face, and her gaze lingered on his lips. His lower lip was full and finely shaped. She wondered what it would be like to receive his kiss.
“What think you of Mr. Darcy’s confession, Lizzy?”
Hearing her name, she escaped the tangle of her thoughts and met her uncle’s eyes.
Heat rose from her neck into her cheeks. Had Mr. Darcy caught her staring? She felt certain of it. If not, he must think her a silly, stupid woman, for she had no notion what they had been discussing and could offer no response.
Fortunately, Mr. Darcy answered for her.
“Mr. Gardiner, I fear you will soon discover that neither our neighbors nor we hold this place in such high regard that we have studied its history. Instead, we know what is commonly known, those things we learned from our parents and grandparents.”
Elizabeth looked from the sister to the brother. His eyes rested upon her face, studying her as surely as she had studied him.
Then he looked away and addressed Mr. Gardiner. “Sir, though this henge forms part of my estate and therefore of my heritage, I was not brought up to venerate it, but rather to ensure its protection so future generations might enjoy its beauty and mystery.”
He cast Elizabeth an apologetic look. She kept her disappointment to herself. Both riders had dropped their reins, and the horses now strayed a little distance to crop the grass, while Georgiana ran ahead.
Darcy offered his arm. “Miss Elizabeth, may I escort you to the stone circle?”
She accepted, and as they proceeded, she found her tongue. “Sir, did you say this henge lies within the boundaries of your estate?”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Yes, ma’am, it does.
However, do not mistake me for a Druid or any manner of pagan.
I attend church as faithfully as any of my neighbors.
You will find that the Peak District contains as many as five and twenty such monuments, and I have little doubt more will be discovered in time.
They include henges, stone circles, ring cairns, and the like.
But we are civilized persons, Miss Elizabeth, and you need not fear me. ”
Elizabeth laughed. “Sir, did I appear frightened? I do apologize. I am not frightened in the least. Rather, I am pleasantly surprised to have met and conversed with the owner of this remarkable monument.”
His expression warmed. “Yes, ma’am. My family has owned these lands for the past six hundred years, since my forebears came from France.
They have protected this structure throughout that time.
Though I cannot say with certainty that no pagan rites have ever taken place here, no family record, local account, or tradition known to me speaks of such ceremonies during the Darcy family’s ownership of these lands. ”
Elizabeth laughed. “Sir, pray be at ease. I do not judge you or your family in any way. Did I appear distressed?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Please believe me. I was not. I first studied this particular henge in January, while my father still lived. We meant to study the works of the antiquarians together. But he passed unexpectedly, and now I continue our studies alone.”
He patted the hand resting upon his arm. “Very well, Miss Elizabeth. I am convinced.”
Mr. Gardiner chuckled, and they strolled on in contented silence.