Suddenly Elizabeth Read online

  “Had I waited much longer it would have been a big problem. As it was, your sister was in severe pain and I had to act immediately.”

  “Lizzy, how does this sprain compare with others you have had?”

  “Jane, it was worse than the other times. I am indebted to Mr. Darcy for all he has done.”

  The carriage next passed into a section of town with larger homes and each block they rode the homes looked more grand. Finally the driver turned onto a street and they turned onto a circular drive under a canopy of stately oaks. Darcy assisted the others out of the carriage as Georgiana led Jane into the house and lastly Darcy assisted Elizabeth.

  “I can see your gardens, Mr. Darcy. Have you recently worked on this one?”

  “Yes, a few weeks ago I replaced a small boxwood with the flowers you now see. Let us look at the grounds in a few weeks when your ankle is fully healed. You will find it easier to walk inside away from the dreaded tree roots.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “You make a good point, Mr. Darcy, but now I would like to see all those beautiful books in your study.”

  The friends entered but Elizabeth needed to rest. As she and Darcy visited in his study, Georgiana showed the house to Jane.

  “I am pleased that you want to see my study. It is my favourite room, but we have a library as well.”

  Darcy was pleased that he had instructed the housekeeper to have the drapes cleaned as well as the windows and had instructed the housekeeper to air out the house before his guest would arrive.

  “Please show it to me before I fall asleep in this beautiful man’s leather reading chair. I do not believe I have ever sat on anything as comfortable.”

  Darcy said he liked to sit near the fire on a cold night before retiring to bed and that his cousin often joined him for drinks and conversation whenever he would stay at Darcy House when he came to town.

  “Miss Bennet, my cousin will join us this evening for dinner and perhaps another friend if he returns in time.”

  “Your home is very beautiful, Mr. Darcy. I regret I cannot see more of it today but I could see when we rode up all the stately oaks lining the drive and I knew it would be grand. Please tell me about it for I am certain it has an interesting history?”

  Her questions were sincere and he was pleased she asked. Darcy told the history of the house without going into too much detail and she commented on all the happy times the families had spent there. He could see her enthusiasm in hearing him tell his story but Darcy seemed moved at her talk of happy times.

  “Miss Bennet, I cannot say that I remember that many happy times at Darcy House. Most of my youth I spent in Derbyshire. I was not fourteen when my mother passed and Georgiana was an infant. We had a small family but my father always seemed to be busy with estate matters. After my mother died, my father changed. He grew more distant and never took the time to teach me about managing the estate. I often went to see him and talk with him about the estate and really anything but he never gave me the time. You told me that you and your father are on good terms and talk freely on many things. Though I am happy for you, part of me is jealous.”

  “I had no idea that you possessed such feelings. Everything seems so perfect in the world of Fitzwilliam Darcy but your eyes look sad when you speak of those years. It must have been difficult for you.”

  “It is more for Georgiana that I share such regrets. My father was not that close to Georgiana and I believe he blamed her for our mother’s death. Miss Bennet, I am indeed grateful that she has met you and your sister.”

  “And we are happy to know her. Perhaps she can meet my other sisters one day?”

  “I do hope so, Miss Bennet.”

  “You told me that you have some relatives in town.”

  “Yes, my mother’s uncle and his family are here. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is their son.”

  “I look forward to meeting him.”

  “He is one of the reasons I have been spending more time in town. The other is my friend from university now lives in town. There was not much to remember of my earlier visits here but after my father passed I looked to change things and wanted to stay in town several months a year for purposes of business. Fortunately, my cousin is assigned to the general’s staff and I see him often. When Georgiana has her coming out during The Season, I will spend more time here.”

  “That is something good to anticipate. Darcy House will certainly host many parties and balls for those occasions.”

  “I must say it is about time that this house sees happy times again.”

  Later the friends had a light lunch and after that, Darcy and Elizabeth entered the parlor. The two were soon interrupted as the butler entered and announced that Colonel Fitzwilliam had arrived. Elizabeth and the others turned to greet the man as he entered the study.

  “Darcy, I promised myself I would arrive early. Would you introduce me to your friend?”

  After those introductions, Jane and Georgiana returned from their tour and joined the others in the parlor.

  “This is something new, Darcy. Ladies, my cousin makes me look badly but it appears that we have two Bennet sisters in this room.”

  “I am the eldest Miss Bennet, sir.” Jane curtseyed as the gentleman bowed as Darcy introduced him.

  “You may wish to address my sister as Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Well, now that we have that sorted out, did my cousin have anything to do with your sore ankle?”

  Elizabeth enjoyed the challenge of the man’s question and boldly replied.

  “Colonel, I was out walking early in the park when your cousin showed up in the park riding a wild beast and I tripped and sprained my ankle.”

  “Have you been using your cane often? You may want to keep it as a weapon to keep Darcy on his best behavior.”

  “Sir, I have been using it for over a week to walk and your cousin has provided me a strong arm to assist me.”

  “Then you must remember, Miss Elizabeth, that you can still use the cane to protect yourself if he ever threatens you.”

  “That will not happen because your cousin is quite the gentleman.”

  “Yes, you are correct. My cousin is the best of men. Darcy, ever since my mother told me that you had met a young woman, I have hoped to meet her, but pray tell why you have both sisters here? I do not know of any lovelier sisters.”

  Both Elizabeth and Jane blushed.

  “Now cousin, you have embarrassed them.”

  “But Darcy, they are quite unlike any young women I have met. Yes, I believe I shall enjoy this evening very much.”

  “And I too, cousin, that is if you will agree to tell some of your funny stories?”

  “Yes, colonel, I enjoy meeting a man of many witticisms.”

  “Then I hope to not disappoint, Miss Elizabeth. Will you and your sister tell me more of yourselves?”

  The colonel drew out as much information as he could and after Elizabeth speculated that he was gathering intelligence about them he agreed with her.

  “You seem to have some knowledge on the military, Miss Elizabeth. Have you a friend in the army?”

  “I know of two boys who are now in the army but they were children when their families moved away. They are not officers. Most of what I know of the army comes from the papers and reading books. My father has discussed military matters with me and I have read books on such subjects.”

  “You amaze me, Miss Elizabeth. Darcy, where did you ever find such a young woman?”

  “You know how the story goes, but she does love history and one day we were speaking of the war for American independence and she replied how clever the Americans were in that war.”

  “Good, so I have someone who I can talk with about the military.”

  “I am glad you explained what you meant by saying the word, ‘good’. It certainly is not good that England lost the war.”

  “You are correct, Darcy, but I am not so certain that we might not give it another try. If that happens, I believe the result w
ill be the same.”

  “Colonel, I hope you do not really think we might enter another war with our cousins across the ocean?”

  “It is possible but these are random thoughts and such things have not been discussed by the general staff. Miss Elizabeth, is there a particular battle that you see as critical in that war?”

  Darcy started to reply but his cousin said he already knew of Darcy’s thoughts and now wanted to hear from Elizabeth.

  “Colonel, your question is worth the asking. There were several battles that stand out, but our American cousins had more to fight for and many times they adopted fighting techniques they learnt from the Indians years earlier.”

  “But tell me of those important battles?”

  “Very well, the first big success for the Americans was the attack by General Washington’s men at Trenton during the early hours of December 26, 1776. They marched several miles and crossed the Delaware in a blinding snowstorm and caught the Hessians by surprise. That battle was a turning point in the war.”

  “I imagine you know of another critical battle, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Yes, another turning point was the American victory in October 1777 at Saratoga which helped draw France into the war. Ten months later the Americans lost at the battle of Rhode Island and after that the fighting in the North was a stalemate for the remainder of the war. There is more, but the others may protest such discussions.”

  “Do not stop for me, Elizabeth. Like my brother, I also enjoy history.”

  “Yes, Lizzy, please tell more,” replied Jane.

  “After the stalemate in the North, King George went for the southern strategy to attack in Charleston, South Carolina and enlist the help of loyalist militia there to turn on the Americans. In October 1780 the loyalists suffered defeat at the battle of King’s Mountain and three months later, at the battle of the Cowpens, the Americans defeated a larger British force, thus setting the stage for Lord Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown in Virginia.”

  Darcy had watched Elizabeth the entire time and marveled at this young woman who was now his friend. He saw the brilliance in her eyes and watched how she made eye contact with her audience. All could see her excitement at telling these things.

  “Bravo, Miss Elizabeth, that was nicely done. Well, cousin, I believe we have a scholar of military history in our presence. Miss Elizabeth, which persons stand out in your mind from that war?”

  “It is too many to name, Mr. Darcy, but George Washington was a leader and was surrounded by other great men. The signers of The Declaration of Independence were also brave as were those patriots in Boston and other places who stood up to King George. I do think that Colonel Morgan’s victory at the battle of the Cowpens was the decisive victory in the Southern campaign.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, you could teach military history with your knowledge.”

  “Thank you Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I just enjoy history.”

  Elizabeth was happy to have a change in subject and Georgiana next asked Jane on her opinions of that war and Jane opined that it was a foolish war and one that England brought on herself.

  “Lizzy has always been most interested in history, though she seems preoccupied with American history. I would not be surprised if she visits America one day. Might you visit one day as well, colonel?”

  “No, Miss Bennet, if I have that opportunity it likely would be as a soldier. No person knows what the future will bring but war and rumors of war are a certainty. It is the details that are unknown.”

  “Well, if you are in America in the army it seems clear it would be to fight.”

  “Yes, you are correct, but I hope that is not in our future. Anyway, I may not stay in the army that much longer. My elder brother is not well.”

  “I spoke with your parents right after Miss Elizabeth’s injury but they did not mention your brother being sick.”

  “They normally keep such things to themselves. The truth is his health has deteriorated since you last spoke with them. He is having a hard time keeping food down and has lost much weight and continues to have trouble breathing.”

  “We will talk of this later, cousin, for I have other things I wish to discuss.”

  “Yes, Darcy, we shall speak later after you have taken the sisters home.”

  There was other talk but Elizabeth and Darcy took a turn about the room and Darcy assisted her with walking whilst Colonel Fitzwilliam entertained Georgiana and Jane.

  “You have an excellent recall of history, Miss Bennet.”

  “Thank you, sir, but I believe we all enjoy what is dear to us.”

  “I grant you that, but most people are not as interested in history as you.”

  “Your cousin was speculating that we might go to war with America again.”

  “He is not the only person talking that subject. The papers sometimes have stories of what might happen in the event of another war with our American cousins.”

  ****

  The time had arrived for the dinner and the friends had entered the dining room and been seated when the butler entered and announced Mr. Bingley had arrived.

  “Oh, sorry ladies, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I just returned to town and saw the invitation.”

  “Come in Charles, let me introduce you to Miss Jane Bennet and her sister, Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bennet and her sister are staying with their relatives in town. Mr. Bingley is my good friend from Cambridge.”

  The women curtseyed as Bingley bowed but Elizabeth saw his eyes perused Jane’s person which caused her sister to blush.

  “I say, Darcy, this is a grand surprise. Georgiana, you have promised to keep your friends safe from these two lifelong bachelors, have you not?”

  “I do not know, Mr. Bingley, already my brother has caused Miss Elizabeth to sprain her ankle.”

  “Perhaps he now has an advantage because of her injury.”

  Charles Bingley looked at Darcy and saw a sly smile creep onto his friend’s face.

  “I believe you have it wrong, Charles. The advantage lies with Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Now that I am responsible for her spraining her ankle, my job is to help her walk. Miss Elizabeth, perhaps you can tell my friend of how you tripped?”

  Elizabeth went over the story but thanked Mr. Darcy and Georgiana for helping her but said she would soon return home to Longbourn, in Hertfordshire.

  During the dinner Darcy and Elizabeth again caught Bingley staring at Jane Bennet, and Colonel Fitzwilliam observed the same with Darcy and Elizabeth. After the dinner the men left for Darcy’s study for a glass of port as the women gathered in the parlor.

  “Where have you been all these weeks, Charles?”

  “Funny thing you should ask, Darcy. Remember months earlier when I was asking you all those questions about finding a country estate?”

  “Yes, I recall we finished off a bottle of my best whiskey and made a list of things to check off before buying. Is that your reason for being out of town?”

  “Yes, that is my reason, but I would gladly give up that pursuit and exchange it for Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy, she is an angel, and her sister is also quite pretty. I saw you and her making eyes.”

  “And Bingley, I saw you doing the same thing. What can this all mean? I have found a woman friend and you have found her sister.”

  “Sorry, Charles, but you do not have much time to catch her interest. What will your next move be?”

  “I will speak with her this evening, colonel, and will ask if I can call on her on the morrow.”

  “Then you would be wise to accompany Darcy when he visits the Gardiners.”

  “Do you mind my accompanying you, Darcy?”

  “No, you may do so, but you first should determine if Miss Bennet is receptive to your visit.”

  “I will fix that, Darcy.”

  He immediately left the room to join the ladies. Bingley’s leaving even for a few minutes gave Darcy and his cousin a chance to speak.

  “Darcy, your Miss Elizabeth is the mo
st impressive young woman that I have ever met. How old do you think she is?”

  “Georgie has said she has recently turned eighteen. I believe you will agree that she has the presence of a woman older than her years. She is the first woman that I have ever been interested in and it is out of the clear blue sky that she has come into my life.”

  “You sound like Charles and his angel. Did you see the way that he and Miss Bennet kept looking at each other?”

  “I did and so did Georgiana and Miss Elizabeth.”

  “You have a thing for Miss Elizabeth, Darcy. I thought that might be the case when my parents said that you had met the young woman. What are your intentions? If you do not intend to pursue her, I would like you to step aside.”