Mr Darcy's Summer Love Page 2
After that Darcy told that his uncle had good news about finding more investors and said he wanted to learn more about his business after he returned.
That night Mr. Gardiner told his wife of Darcy’s visit and the two began to discuss the possibility that their niece and this man might have a future together. They also agreed to tell nothing of the man and stay out of the way unless their advice was solicited.
Though Mrs. Gardiner still would not tell Elizabeth about the man, she already knew her niece had developed feelings for him. This was confirmed a few days later when Lizzy came downstairs and visited with her aunt. Madeline Gardiner was certain that her niece was missing Mr. Darcy.
“Lizzy, you have not been yourself lately. Is your arm hurting you?”
“No, Aunt, I am just thinking that I will leave soon and ever since my accident I have been of little use to you.”
“No, that is nonsense. You were hurt because you came to my aid. You still play with the children and tell them stories and have been a great help to me and the children.”
“I have hoped to see Mr. Darcy and wonder if he is back in town.”
“Give it a few more days, Lizzy, he will return. Are you worrying about his safety or do you just miss his company?”
Elizabeth did not reply and her aunt did not press her. Her niece definitely had feelings for the man, or perhaps a girl’s crush, but this was a first time she had felt this way and she wished the man would soon return.
CHAPTER 2
Darcy had intended to travel to Pemberley earlier for he had some business with his steward and would later return to town with his sister, Georgiana. He visited the whole of his first day with her where he told of how he met Miss Bennet.
“I should like to meet her, William.”
“That is my plan. We will leave in a few days to return because she will soon leave for her home in Hertfordshire. We will not have but a short time to visit with her.”
Georgiana next asked him to describe the young woman and he did the best he could without seeming too excited, but his sister knew in her heart that her brother was very happy. She had never known him to have an interest in a young woman and was eager to meet her.
After all business at Pemberley had been concluded, Darcy and Georgiana left to return to town. They arrived back in town two days later and late the next morning they arrived at the Gardiner home.
Mrs. Gardiner had been expecting Darcy to return and greeted him and Georgiana. All could hear the sound of children playing upstairs when Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to tell Elizabeth that she had visitors.
Elizabeth had heard a male voice but had nearly given up on seeing Darcy. Now her heart beat wildly and she suddenly felt nervous and uncomfortable. She was presentable but not well dressed, and her hair could have been better as she came downstairs to meet the visitors.
As she entered the room Darcy and Georgiana greeted her as he introduced Elizabeth to his sister. Mrs. Gardiner next left the young people alone as she went upstairs to sit with the children.
Elizabeth was still nervous but asked Darcy about his trip but soon she and Georgiana were talking of many things, but she kept looking at Darcy just as he did with her. On one occasion Elizabeth caught him staring at her and she blushed crimson.
“Georgiana, would you like to meet the children? Your brother can join us as well.”
The three next went upstairs and met the children and it was the first time that Georgiana had visited with children for longer than just greeting them. Immediately she was swarmed by the little people who wanted to play with a friend closer to their own age, though Georgiana was thirteen. Elizabeth watched as the young woman read to the children and played games with them. After over an hour all the children gave her a big hug before she left and asked her to return and play with them again.
Georgiana next invited Elizabeth to visit with her at Darcy House that afternoon and Elizabeth asked her aunt if she could visit and return that night after dinner. Mrs. Gardiner encouraged the outing and Elizabeth took some time to put up her hair and change into another dress before the three got into the carriage and left for Darcy House.
Elizabeth immediately liked the young woman. Georgiana was the same age as Lydia, Elizabeth’s youngest sister. She was shy and naive, but Elizabeth was mostly a confident young woman and Darcy could see that Elizabeth helped Georgiana with her own self confidence.
Darcy House was a mansion situated in the best part of London and she could not believe she had been treated so well by these people who barely knew her. When she mentioned the size and grandeur of the house, Georgiana next showed her around and they walked the grounds.
“It is all so impressive, Miss Darcy. Do you ever get lost in such a large home?”
“No, but it is too big for just my brother and myself. Miss Bennet, I should like you to call me Georgiana.”
“Very well, Georgiana, but you must call me Elizabeth.”
“I should imagine that your brother’s favourite room is his study, is it not?”
“You are correct, Elizabeth. Let us stop by to see him now.”
As they entered the room Elizabeth noticed the many bookcases rising nearly to the ceiling and the large walnut desk and a large meeting table and more comfortable leather chairs and a settee near the fireplace.
“Let me guess Mr. Darcy, this must be one of the largest private libraries in town?”
Georgiana chuckled and Elizabeth watched the man.
“Miss Bennet, this is a large volume of books for a study. The library is next to the study.”
“But I thought that…”
“Do not worry on such things. Most first time visitors think the same. I just moved many of my books into this room. Please feel free to peruse any of them and you may take any that interest you back to the Gardiner’s home if you like.”
He saw her study the shelves and pick out a few books and rub her little fingers on the leather cover and the gilded pages.
“These are so beautiful. Oh! What my father would think to see such a collection of books?”
“The next time he is in town you can bring him here if you wish?”
“But you are such a busy man and he would wonder why I am friendly with you and your sister.”
“Miss Bennet, we rarely have visitors and this is a lonely house. Your company makes this house alive and both my sister and I wish to see more of you. I hope that I have not scared you away with such talk?”
“No, of course not, but I will leave in a few days to return home.”
“Do you visit the Gardiners often?”
“No, sir, we see them maybe five times a year. Every Christmas they come to visit and usually in the summer they will take one of my sisters on a holiday and visit different places. Also, my older sister, Jane, and I try to come into town before Christmas to do some shopping. My younger sister, Mary, will next visit the Gardiners.”
“So you take turns visiting them and help with the children?”
“That is correct, but as you can see, I do not get here that often.”
“But if Georgiana should invite you to visit, would that be acceptable to your family?”
Darcy saw her pretty smile as she responded that she would enjoy such a visit and that the visit would likely be approved.
“Then it is all settled, and we shall see one another again. I suppose that I shall just have to share you with Georgiana.”
“Will your visit not be keeping you from other business at home?”
“No, Mr. Darcy, I am certain my mother would encourage my visit b
ut that is not the case with my father. He and I are very close.”
“Yes, you said he was responsible for educating you. And the others you said were taught by your mother?”
“You have a good memory, sir.”
“Thank you, but my uncle told me he and Mr. Gardiner are friends and that Mr. Gardiner has told him of his Lizzy.”
Elizabeth blushed again and Darcy tried not to stare. “I did not know of this, so my uncle knows of you?”
“He knows that I am the nephew to the Earl of Matlock, but Mr. Gardiner and I first met the day before I went out of town on business. Both he and my aunt wish to meet you.”
“I should like very much to meet them, but I am running out of time.”
“Miss Bennet, with five daughters and no sons, how does your father get along?”
“He misses male company but sometimes treats me as if I am a son. We talk of history and current events and things he cannot talk about with my mother and my sisters. He is the one who got me interested in England’s wars and the American Revolution and the ongoing war with the French. He has taught me to stick up for myself but my mother believes that I can be impertinent at times and says I flaunt my knowledge.”
“You do have a remarkable memory but you are also an attractive young woman. Previously you told me that you like to take long solitary walks. Do you not consider that doing so puts you in harms way?”
“My father believes the same. I am afraid there is no other person to walk with me or I would walk with them. None of my sisters like to walk except to Meryton, the little village near Longbourn. We have not had much crime and certainly no murders. My father has taught me how to stop an attacker and I am a fast runner. Sometimes, especially on cold days, I do not venture out far from the house. If I see someone approach I will grab a rock and hold it to protect myself.”
“What did the doctor last say to you about the healing?”
“He came two days ago and said all was going well but that I had to be careful about the trip back to Hertfordshire.”
Just then Georgiana returned to the room.
“What is all this talk about your arm, Elizabeth? Has my brother not told you that we will take you home in our coach. The trip will be good for your arm and you will travel in comfort.”
“But this is an imposition to you both.”
Darcy next replied. “Your uncle agreed to this and said he would not allow you to take a public coach with your arm and so I proposed that we take you. Everything is arranged, and your family will be expecting us to visit at Longbourn and then return to town after a couple of days.”
Elizabeth could not believe this was happening and that she was not consulted before hand.
“Miss Bennet, of course it is your decision on how you will return home, but Georgiana and I would like to see you home and the Gardiners told me that your father will insist that we both stay at Longbourn. Apparently the two men often correspond.”
“But you may find my family unpleasant at times. My mother is just now becoming nervous about marrying off her daughters and my eldest sister and I are seeing pressure from her. If she saw you she might jump to the conclusion that you and I are a couple. It would be embarrassing for both of us.”
“Then I must assume that with no sons and the entail of Longbourn facing your family, that is behind your mother’s desire to have you all married soonest?”
“Yes, sir, that is the reason.”
“I will be the first to admit that I dislike The Season and having the suffering mothers push their daughters on me. In your case, I am interested in getting to know you better and the trip will be a delightful diversion.”
“And I wish to do the same, but as long as you know in advance how my mother might react, then I will accept your kind offer. I did miss you when you were gone. Where exactly did you go?”
“I went to visit Pemberley.”
“What is that?”
Georgiana and Darcy exchanged looks. Apparently the Gardiners had never mentioned much about the man. Elizabeth did not know that she had been befriended by one of the most eligible bachelors and richest men in all of England and the man’s sister.
“Elizabeth, Pemberley is the name of the estate my brother owns in Derbyshire. It is located near the little village of Lambton.”
“Lambton is where my Aunt Gardiner grew up. I wonder why she did not tell me these things? Does it have a library as well?”
Darcy watched with embarrassment as Georgiana laughed.
“Miss Bennet, the library is somewhat larger than the one here. I believe you will find the trails about the place to be quite pleasant and to your satisfaction.”
“It does sound lovely.”
“Miss Bennet, does your father have tenants?”
“He has six tenant farms but they are each less than thirty acres. My father is his own steward but he is getting too old to manage the properties.”
“Does Pemberley also have tenant farms?”
“Yes, we have some.” Darcy did not wish to talk about Pemberley but hoped instead, to show her the estate one day. The friends next shared a light lunch in the smallish family dining room. They had finished and had entered the parlor just as Darcy’s aunt and uncle entered.
“So Darcy, how was your trip? Oh, excuse me for I had not noticed you have a guest.”
“Yes, Uncle, this young woman is both Georgiana’s and my friend. Allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet to you. Miss Bennet, this is my Uncle Fitzwilliam and my Aunt Marilyn. My uncle is the Earl of Matlock.”
The visitors exchanged bows and curtseys.
“We are both pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet. Your uncle has often spoken of his niece, Lizzy, and I knew that I had to meet you since you were in town.”
“I am pleased to meet my uncle’s friend,Your Lordship. Let me see, Mr. Darcy said that you are his mother’s brother.”
“Yes, that is so.”
“And Miss Bennet, I too am pleased to meet you. My husband tells me you are very wise.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship, but I mainly remember things, be they important or trivial. Wisdom comes with age and experience so I have a long way to go before I can call myself wise.”
“I understand you will leave soon to return home?”
“Yes, but I am not so certain that I want to leave. Mr. Darcy and his sister have been so kind to me.”
“Now Darcy, you must take Miss Bennet to her home using your coach.”
“Yes, Aunt, that has already been arranged. I spoke with Mr. Gardiner before I left for Pemberley and he was worried about Miss Bennet traveling by a public coach with her broken arm so I offered that Georgiana and I would accompany her home. She would likely hurt her arm even more if she had to ride in a packed coach, not to mention the ride can be brutal on a body.”
The Fitzwilliams stayed about an hour and talked with Elizabeth. They were surprised when they learned that she had never heard of Pemberley until today.
“Now Georgiana, you must invite Miss Bennet to visit Pemberley with you later since she loves to walk. Miss Bennet, Derbyshire is a beautiful county.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship, I should like to see it one day.”
Darcy watched the exchange between his Elizabeth and the others. Already his feelings for her had gone from concern for her health to admiration to a desire for her friendship and now had grown into a desire for something even more permanent. Though he would never speak such a word so early in his relationship, he had made up his mind to pursue this young woman until she loved him.
That evening, after a private dinner, Elizabeth returned to Gracechurch Street before ten where she greeted her aunt and uncle as her aunt asked if she enjoyed her visit.
“It was a good visit and I like Miss Darcy. She is a lot like Jane. Mr. Darcy’s home is a mansion. Why did you not tell me of his great wealth?”
“Lizzy, you have always acted as if that is not important to you and I did not want you to look at the man thi
nking only that he is very rich. Do you like him?”
“I do like him but nothing can come of it. He would not be interested in the daughter of a country gentleman farmer.”
“Best to leave such talk for the future, Lizzy. There is no comprehending what the man is all about. Lizzy, he has asked if his sister and he can take you home and I have agreed.”
“Yes, Uncle, he told me these things. In fact, I was getting concerned about the return trip. I suppose the Darcy coach will be easier on me. So father has blessed all of this?”
“Yes, Lizzy, here is his last letter. You need not feel uncomfortable. The family expects you and your new friends to arrive as scheduled. Truth be said, your father will enjoy the man’s visit.”
And I shall enjoy his company. I wish he would carry me in his strong arms again Oh, what is the matter with me and these thoughts? They are not the thoughts of a young maiden. It is best that I take my leave soon and go to bed.
“I imagine he will enjoy meeting both of them, but he will be glad to have a man to talk with. He and Mr. Darcy have much in common in what they read and are interested in. Anyway, thank you for letting me visit with them, but I am getting sleepy.”
Elizabeth found it difficult to sleep as thoughts of her new friends could not be easily dismissed. For the first time in her life she had met a man who she cared for, and he had a younger sister who she also cared for. She believed that Darcy was shy and inexperienced in matters of the heart, but knew she might be wrong based on the feelings he induced as he massaged her little hands and fingers. Elizabeth was just as innocent and realized the stirrings he created with just the slightest touch might be a danger signal. Just in helping her into and out of the carriage she felt him against her in a not unpleasant way.
The evening before had been wonderful and just the three of them had dinner in the family dining room. Elizabeth could not remember eating on any better china and with more expensive silverware and the candle light in the chandelier made the crystal glass sparkle like diamonds. She knew she had consumed two small glasses of wine but Darcy refused to drink more than that and Georgiana drank only tea and water.