Mr Darcy's Summer Love Page 3
Though she saw the grandeur of Darcy House, she also saw that the brother and sister were lonely. Sure, her own sisters and her mother created enough angst at times to nearly drive her mad, but at the end of the day all was forgiven. She had a family and knew Darcy had lost his mother when Georgiana was born and both he and his sister had lost their father almost three years ago.
Elizabeth had always wanted a brother and Georgiana had told her that she had always wanted a sister. As much as she tried putting off thoughts of a future between Darcy and herself, she allowed a small hope that they might be suitable for one another. That night as she finally found sleep, she had a dream where Mr. Darcy kissed her and when she awoke she was happy.
CHAPTER 3
The night before the friends left for Longbourn, Elizabeth prepared to stay at Darcy House as Georgiana’s guest because the plan was to leave early the next morning. She had spent all of her last day in town with the Gardiners and that afternoon Mrs. Gardiner and her had tea.
“We will be sorry to see you go, Lizzy, but these past weeks have seen much change. We would have preferred to see you home but your riding with your new friends is the best choice. Your uncle cannot break away from his work and our coach is not big enough. You do still look nervous. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Madeline Gardiner knew it was not her niece’s arm that bothered her so she waited for a reply. She was not one to pry information from a person and had always kept whatever anyone told her to herself and was a good listener.
“Aunt, I am just worried that the visit will not go well. Papa has certainly spoken with mama and my sisters about maintaining their countenance, but what if they act up?”
“I believe you have little to worry about, Lizzy. Your sisters will keep Miss Darcy busy and your father will likely want to learn as much about the man as he can. Your mother will likely not embarrass you at all, not if she sees even the faintest hope that you and the man might have a future together.”
“But Mr. Darcy and his sister probably have not been around such a family.”
“No, but you saw the way they played with the children. Did you not say that you thought they lived a lonely Life? Look, Lizzy, their parents are both dead and they have only each other as well as an aunt and uncle nearby. That is not a large family. Now I know that the papers in town cover Mr. Darcy as if he is the most sought after bachelor in the country, but I do believe he is a lonely man and that he cares for you.”
“And I like him and his sister, but I do not want to be hurt.”
“Then do not let such thoughts prevent you from enjoying the present. For the moment you can be satisfied to like both of them as friends.”
Her aunt knew right away what Elizabeth meant when she spoke of getting hurt and tried again.
“Lizzy, the man likes you and so does his sister. Just follow your heart and see where it leads. Mr. Darcy is likely doing the same. Just be yourself for that is why he was attracted to you to start with. Here, please take your uncle’s letter and give it to your father.”
That night at Darcy House Elizabeth tried to sleep but found it difficult. She had never slept in a more comfortable bed but her thoughts were of the ride into Hertfordshire and what Mr. Darcy and his sister’s reaction will be when they meet her family.
She wondered of her feelings for the man and even more so about the stirrings he induced whenever they accidentally touched and especially remembered the feelings when he massaged her little hands and fingers and touched his fingers to his lips and then touched hers. It was not a first kiss, but again, that was the meaning. Darcy’s dark eyes and black curly hair and handsome and strong stature and baritone voice made her wish to never leave his side and the two times she fell against him as he handed her to and from the carriage, she wished to linger.
Finally she found sleep and a few hours later the coach pulled away from Darcy House. Georgiana sat next to Elizabeth and across from Darcy and Elizabeth took note on the excellent equipage that would be her home until she arrived back at Longbourn. The coach was built for luxury and safety and though the road was rough in spots, the excellent springs and soft and luxurious cushions and padding and other appointments soon had her sleeping with an opened book of poetry still resting on her lap.
With both women napping, Darcy used the opportunity to study Elizabeth. He could hear her breathe and watched and thought a couple of times that she may have been dreaming. When the coach next stopped to let the passengers refresh, Darcy switched places with Georgiana and soon had Elizabeth next to him, and her good arm was against him. Again Georgiana began to nap and Elizabeth later did the same, resting her head against Darcy’s shoulder.
His manly fragrance of spice and leather intoxicated her and soon she dreamed that Darcy was carrying her in his arms inside a large house. She could feel his nearness and he again touched his fingers to his lips and touched her lips. Unlike a similar dream earlier, this time he suddenly kissed her fully on her lips. When she awoke she saw that she had been laying against him.
After that she saw that Georgiana and her brother were still napping and she took her turn at studying her friends.
Now she thought of how much she had changed in so short a time. If someone were to have told her before she left to visit town that she would meet such a man and desire his company, she would have laughed at that. Things had changed and certainly she would never be the same, not with these new feelings. She still wondered what her father and the rest of her family would think, but now it worried her that her father would suspect her feelings for the man and she did not exactly know how she would respond. Elizabeth Bennet had only recently turned eighteen and this man clearly was several years older than her, though she did not know his exact age.
Certainly Mr. Bennet would ask her these and other questions. Her neighbors would see her traveling in style and some might conclude she was a fortune hunter. Alas, she knew there would be talk of her and the man, but she always knew how to protect herself and would rise to any challenge put in front of her. Elizabeth could successfully dispel any such talk and rumors. She also resigned to be as forthcoming as possible to respond to most inquiries concerning her history with the man.
All three were awake as the coach entered Meryton and Elizabeth saw some of her neighbors as the coach turned onto the road that led to her home. She looked out from her window next to her seat to see her father in his library, but by the time the carriage had come to a stop, she noticed her family had come outside to greet her.
Darcy was first out of the coach and assisted Elizabeth and next his sister as servants off loaded the trunks and bags and brought them inside. Her sisters took care not to crowd their sister as her arm was still in a sling, but soon she was the recipient of many hugs and kisses before she introduced her friends to her family.
Mr. Bennet watched the greetings and led the others inside and Mrs. Hill next showed the man and his sister to their rooms. After briefly refreshing themselves, they returned downstairs as Elizabeth and her friends were asked many questions. Not too many minutes into the visit, the two youngest sisters, Lydia and next Catherine, called Kitty by the others, went off with Georgiana as the middle sister, Mary, and the eldest, Jane, remained with their mother and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the sitting room.
“Mr. Darcy, we appreciate your bringing Lizzy home to Longbourn. Also, thank you for catching the man responsible for breaking her arm.”
“You are very welcome. It all happened so quickly but her arm is on the mend.”
“Have you visited Hertfordshire before?”
“No, I have not had that pleasure. Mrs. Bennet, you have a lovely home. My sister and I appreciate you and Mr. Bennet inviting us to stay but it will be no more than two days.”
“You can stay longer if you like.”
“Thank you, but I have business back in town to attend to.”
“I see that my two youngest and Miss Darcy have gone off to entertain each other.”
/> “I am glad that Georgiana and your daughters have met. She also has visited with the Gardiners and their children. Meeting the little people is new to her and frankly I have had little experience around children. The Gardiner children are delightful.”
“Lizzy has written that your sister is very accomplished.”
“Thank you. She enjoys playing the pianoforte and has a private tutor for her subjects. Georgiana and your youngest daughter are of the same age and I believe meeting your family will be good for her. Already her self confidence has improved since she met your daughter.”
“Oh yes! Lizzy does possess a lot of confidence. She also plays the pianoforte and the harp, but Mary is the daughter who plays the pianoforte the most. Jane, my eldest, is the best singer of anyone in the family but clearly Lizzy and Mary are voracious readers. I think that Jane and Mary are the kindest of my daughters.”
Such words were said with certainty but Darcy watched as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“Mrs. Bennet, just meeting your daughters for a brief time I can see they favor you. All are quite handsome to look at.”
Mrs. Bennet seemed pleased to hear such compliments but Elizabeth was in a hurry to go on a walk to Meryton and asked Mary and Jane if they wished to join her and her sisters agreed to the suggestion.
“Lizzy, you might wish to speak with your father before you leave. We will have lunch once you return. Do you think the others, including Miss Darcy, might wish to join you?”
“Yes, Mama, I will look for them and ask them to join us after I visit a few minutes with papa.”
A knock on her father’s door brought an immediate reply.
“Come in Lizzy.”
She carefully entered and studied the man in front of her and wondered what reaction he might show with her returning from town with this man and his sister.
“Well, it is very good to see you again. We have all missed you. I can imagine that Mr. Darcy’s doctor treated your break but do you think that Doctor Jones should be consulted?”
“Yes, Papa, both the doctor in town as well as Mr. Darcy agree that I should see my doctor soon, but today is not the time. After we get everyone together we will walk to Meryton.”
“Of course you want to walk. Do you think you have enough females to escort the man?”
“I had not thought of that, but he is use to having a passel of young women chasing after him.”
“So Lizzy, has he finally been caught or have you?”
Elizabeth blushed by knew the man would later ask her more. “Papa, we will talk later on the subject, but I do wish for you to get to know the man.”
“Later, Lizzy, but be off with you now.”
He chuckled as she left and later watched as the others left for their walk. As the party walked away Mrs. Bennet came into the library. “Well, what have you to say about Lizzy and the man?”
“It is too early to say, Fanny, but I hope to talk with him later, after dinner. It is odd that such a man would take a liking to Lizzy.”
“How can you say such a thing? I know she has a mind of her own and can be headstrong, but she is intelligent and quite pretty at times, but still not close to Jane in terms of being a classic beauty.”
“Lizzy is pretty enough but her beauty was never one of my concerns. Perhaps the man sees her other qualities. Lizzy is not one to praise him to gain his attention. Others who may have done so have not gotten very far. Your brother said the papers cover him as if he is the most sought after bachelor in all the country.”
“Well if he is, our Lizzy does not stand a chance. The man is quite handsome and I do not doubt that he is the object of many young women in town.”
“And he is very wealthy. He is certainly out of our sphere. I will wait until after I talk with him, but Lizzy is no fool and she will not allow herself to be used.”
“Surely you do not mean..?”
“No, of course I do not mean such a thing. She likely sees a lonely man behind a facade generated by writers. As innocent as Lizzy is in matters of the heart, Mr. Darcy may be the same.”
“I just find it so surprising that Lizzy would attract such a man, but she likes him and his sister and they also seem to like her. By the way, how am I doing so far?”
“Fanny, you have managed to keep calm.”
“Yes, I shall leave it to our youngest to behave like silly girls, but he is such a good looking man. I should not wish to spoil her chances with such a man by acting like a fool.”
“What are we having for dinner?”
“Why we will have your favourite, Mr. Bennet. How does roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, served with potatoes, green beans, fresh rolls and pie for dessert sound?”
“With a good red wine, it sounds delicious.”
****
Meanwhile, the party took their time walking to Meryton but Lydia and Kitty ran ahead with Georgiana as the others stared at them, especially Lizzy and Darcy.
“Miss Bennet, when will it be your turn to visit with the Gardiners?”
“Mr. Darcy, I will be leaving after Mary returns. She will be leaving soon.”
“Then it will be Georgiana and my pleasure to take her back when we return.”
“How does that sound, Mary? You see, Mr. Darcy and his sister wish for you to ride with them.”
“Yes, Jane, but I feel as if I will be imposing. What are your thoughts, Lizzy? I should think that your friends will have had their fill of the Bennet sisters by the time they leave,” replied the middle sister.
“No, Mary, that is the last thing they would think and I know that Georgiana would enjoy spending more time with you. Mary, you must see that I need you to watch Mr. Darcy and keep the fortune hunters away.”
Mary looked at Elizabeth and seemed confused. Darcy gave out a soft chuckle and wondered what Elizabeth would say next, but Jane was next to speak.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, when we learned that you were involved in capturing the man who broke Lizzy’s arm, Kitty pulled out some of the society pages she collects from The Times and told us that you are sought after by many of the women in town.”
“Miss Bennet, this is not town. It is unlikely that anyone knows me here.”
“That statement rings true, but the locals do read the papers. It will not be long before word is out that you are visiting at Longbourn,” replied Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth and the others entered the little village of Meryton she saw her neighbors watching her next to Darcy. If her mother had told her Aunt Phillips about Darcy, everyone in Meryton would recognize him, but her mother had never spoken about the man.
The party visited some of the local merchants and Elizabeth was welcomed back and was often asked about her arm but she only said she fell when she lost her balance but did not say anymore. She did introduce Mr. Darcy on some occasions and also Georgiana when she was close. They managed to visit the bookstore and later purchased some ribbons and candles and candies and nuts for later when they stepped outside a store and heard a ruckus outside a local tavern down the street. A man was well into his cups, though it was just past noon, and they watched as other men restrained him.
“I am sorry that you had to experience that, Mr. Darcy. We do not often see such a display.”
“Yes, Miss Bennet, but who is the man?”
“He is not a man that I have seen before. Lizzy, do you recognize him?”
None of the sisters knew the man. They returned to Longbourn and later, after a light lunch and much talk and a brief nap by the travelers, the family and their guests had dinner. Elizabeth was surprised that her family acted perfectly and she wondered how that came to be for all her family was civil and the dinner could not have been better or the time spent more enjoyable.
After dinner Mr. Bennet invited Mr. Darcy into his study.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, this is the first time we have had time to talk. Thank you for looking out for Lizzy. I do not know what I would do if she was ever harmed. My brother wrote that you were a hero in capturin
g the assailant.”
“I can assure you that it was a simple task. The man was intoxicated.”
“You and Lizzy seem to get on well. You do know that she is much younger than you?”
“She has told me that she recently turned eighteen. I am not yet twenty-six, so with her maturity and knowledge, I put us about equal.”
This was Mr. Bennet’s time to chuckle but he was serious. “But you are both far from being equal and you were educated at the best schools, including Cambridge.”
“Did your daughter tell you these things?”
“No, but my brother Gardiner did.”
“Well, your daughter is also educated and I have it from her that you are responsible for her learning.”
“Yes, I did encourage her to learn as much as she wanted and I did help her in learning languages and some math and science, but Lizzy is a great reader and a great thinker and has an excellent memory.”
“That is what I meant by saying we are equal. She is at least the equal or better than all the learned men that I have ever known and I could listen to her talk for hours.”
“You do yourself an injustice, sir. Lizzy has never ventured far from her home and has little to no experience with your society.”
“And my lifestyle is one made up by certain society writers who make me out as a very eligible bachelor in order to sell papers.”
“No, you are considered to be the best catch in all the land. So there it is Mr. Darcy. What is this fascination for the daughter of a country gentleman farmer from Hertfordshire?”
“You have one thing right. I suppose she does fascinate me. Before I say much more, let me promise you that there is nothing untoward going on between your Lizzy and myself. She is the first woman who has caught my interest and I feel drawn to her. My sister is also very fond of her. I have not asked her if I can court her for I wanted to ask you to approve of it before I asked her.”
“But you live in town and are not that close where you can come and go and see each other when you wish.”
“But I shall find a way to see her more often. If I must purchase property nearby in order to see her, then I will do that, if she also wants to see me.”