Chapter 49 Netherfield Park #2
“Of course. When you call again, I shall show them to you.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
They went outside together.
The morning was mild, and after the closeness of the drawing room, Kitty seemed glad to be in the open air, and she walked ahead. Bingley and Jane lagged behind, while Mary continued her conversation with Caroline.
Georgiana looked toward the trees.
“Can we see the hermitage from here?”
“Not until we are nearer the wood,” Elizabeth said. “The trees conceal most of it from the house.”
They followed the path beyond the garden.
“There it is,” Elizabeth said as the roof appeared through the trees.
The hermitage was even more charming at close range than it had appeared from the carriage.
Time had softened the old stone, and ivy climbed the walls and curled around the windows.
The roof sagged in places, and the little building had not been repaired in many years, but its age and neglect only added to its mystery.
Georgiana stopped before it. “Oh, Lizzy, it is delightful.”
Elizabeth walked to the entrance. “We thought so when we were children. Jane, Charlotte Lucas, and I played house here, and when Mary and Kitty were old enough, they joined us. We held tea parties with whatever we could persuade Cook to give us, and sometimes we pretended the hermitage was haunted.”
“Jane was always frightened when we played ghosts,” Kitty said, as she drew near.
“I was not frightened,” Jane protested from farther along the path. “I merely disliked having Lydia jump out at me from behind the door.”
Kitty laughed. “She was a sly thing and caught each of us off guard at one time or another. She delighted in making us startle and scream.”
Georgiana looked from one sister to another. “You must have had wonderful times here.”
“We did,” Elizabeth said. “Charlotte lived nearby, and she was with us nearly every day. We spent a great part of our childhood inventing one adventure after another.”
Georgiana sighed. “I wish I had had sisters.”
Kitty slipped her arm through Georgiana's. “Come with me, Miss Darcy. I shall show you everything.”
She led Georgiana around the hermitage, pointing out the places where they had played and then taking her inside. Elizabeth and Darcy waited with the others until the two girls emerged again.
As Kitty rejoined them, she said, “When we reach the edge of the garden, you will see our swing. Would you like to take a turn on it with me? I am certain Lizzy will push us.”
“I should like it very much.”
They continued toward the garden, and when the old wooden swing came into view, Kitty hurried toward it with Georgiana.
“Come, Lizzy. Will you push us?”
Before Elizabeth could answer, Darcy stepped forward. “Allow me, Miss Kitty. I shall push you.”
Kitty and Georgiana settled themselves upon the seat, and Darcy set the swing in motion.
Elizabeth stood beside him.
As the two girls swung beneath the branches, Georgiana's laughter mingled with Kitty's. Elizabeth raised her eyes to Darcy and studied his beloved face.
After Kitty and Georgiana had enjoyed a turn on the swing, Caroline approached her brother.
“Charles, will you push Jane and me so that we may have a turn as well? I never had a swing and would very much like to see what it feels like.”
“I should be delighted.”
Caroline took Jane's hand and drew her toward the swing. The others moved back to give them room as Bingley set them in motion.
Kitty said, “Lydia and I used the swing more than anyone else, for it was Lydia's particular delight.”
Georgiana's eyes met Elizabeth's.
Kitty went on, “Mamma disliked us coming this far from the house, but Lydia was forever persuading me that she would never know.”
“Kitty,” Elizabeth said gently.
Kitty lowered her eyes. “Excuse me. I forgot myself.”
When Caroline and Jane were assisted from the swing, they returned to the others, and the party started back toward the gardens.
Mary resumed her place beside Caroline. “Miss Bingley, have you ever embroidered a fire screen?”
“Not one I was willing to display. I began one last winter and became so dissatisfied with the flowers that I put it away.”
Jane said, “Then you must bring it when next you come. Perhaps it is not so hopeless as you believe.”
“I shall, if you promise not to laugh at it.”
“I would never laugh at another woman's needlework. I have removed enough of my own stitches to know better.”
Caroline laughed. “Then I shall bring it.”
Bingley looked from his sister to Jane. “I believe you have just ensured that Caroline will become a regular visitor to Longbourn.”
“I hope she will,” Jane said.
“If Miss Bennet means to help rescue my unfortunate fire screen, I certainly shall.”
They reached the garden, where the path divided. Jane and Bingley continued toward the roses, still speaking together. The others moved toward a bed of early flowers, and Caroline went with them.
Elizabeth lingered behind, and Mr. Darcy came to her side.
After some minutes, Georgiana pointed beyond the garden toward the rising ground in the distance.
“What is that hill, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Oakham Mount.”
Georgiana studied it for a moment. “I should very much like to walk to the summit and see the valley from there. Is it far, and is the walk difficult?”
“Not at all. The path is quite easy, and we can reach the top in fifteen minutes.”
Georgiana looked around at the others. “Would anyone care to come with us?”
Bingley's eyes went immediately to Jane. “I should like to go, if Miss Bennet will accompany me.”
Jane colored. “I should be happy to.”
“I shall come,” Kitty said. “I have not been up the mount in some time.”
Caroline looked toward the distant hill. “I believe I shall leave Oakham Mount to those who enjoy walking more than I do.”
“Nor do I care for climbing hills,” Mary said. “If you would like to return to the house with me, Miss Bingley, I can show you the fire screen Jane is working on now.”
Jane considered this. “I think you might prefer the fire screen I made for Mamma's room, Miss Bingley. It is a floral design, and I took particular care with the shading of the roses and fern. I believe you will like it.”
Caroline's interest was immediate. “Then I should very much like to see it.”
Mary and Caroline returned toward the house while the others left the garden for the path leading to Oakham Mount.
Kitty and Georgiana soon went ahead, quickening their pace when they reached the open ground until they were running up the path with their skirts gathered in their hands.
“Kitty,” Jane called after her. “Do take care.”
“We shall,” Kitty called back before she and Georgiana ran on together.
Elizabeth watched the two younger girls for a moment before continuing up the slope with Mr. Darcy beside her. Some distance behind them, Jane and Bingley made slower progress. Neither was a great walker, and they were so deep in conversation that they appeared in no hurry to reach the summit.
Darcy and Elizabeth had gone some distance before he said quietly, “I am deeply sorry about your mother, Elizabeth. It seems particularly cruel that you should have to lose her twice in the same year.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I confess, I began to fear that history was repeating itself.”
“And how are you, darling? Are you well?”
“I am. Papa was with us, and so were my aunts and uncles. All four of my sisters are still here with me.” She pressed his arm. “I am doing very well, sir, considering.”
“And how does Georgiana go on? She appears happy. Contented.”
Darcy’s eyes remained upon her. “My sister is doing very well. Occasionally, I find her weeping in the evening, when she seems to feel the loss most, but she is doing well.” He covered Elizabeth’s hand with his own. “About your mother, if I had known, nothing would have kept me away.”
“Thank you, sir. It all happened so quickly that I never thought to write. We were constantly at her side, doing what little we could.”
They continued up the slope until Darcy said, “I received your letter concerning Lydia. It appears that she is safe now.”
“Yes. Papa continues to take every precaution, although I do not believe she would attempt anything now. Mamma's death has affected her terribly.”
“In what way?”
“She believes she caused it.”
Darcy looked at her. “Because your mother became ill after learning what happened?”
“Yes. Lydia knows how badly she frightened Mamma, and now she cannot separate that from the apoplexy. She has scarcely left her bedchamber since the funeral and eats very little. We have all told her that she did not cause Mamma's death, but she does not believe us.”
“She may need time before she can.”
“Yes, I believe so. She is only fifteen, Fitzwilliam. A fortnight ago, she was determined to prove herself grown, and now she has discovered how frightening the consequences of a foolish choice can be.”
Darcy was silent for several steps before asking, “Has your father spoken to Colonel Forster?”
“He intended to, but Mamma suffered the apoplexy almost immediately afterward. From that moment until the burial, there was no opportunity to think of anything beyond her illness and then her death.”
“Wickham has had an undeserved reprieve, but nothing more. Peter and Robert Miller have continued to watch him.”
They had gone a little farther when Elizabeth asked, “Did Peter and Robert tell you about Lydia's assignation?”
“Yes. Peter sent an express as soon as he was able. He told me that you and Mary had followed Lydia to Oakham Mount, that Wickham had been waiting for her, and that you and your sister returned safely to Longbourn.”
“I never saw them.”
“They are very good at what they do, Elizabeth. When I received his express, I was greatly concerned, and I began making arrangements to return ahead of the others when your letter reached Georgiana. It was reassuring.”
“I wanted you to know that Papa had taken charge.”