Suddenly Elizabeth Page 7

  Darcy was taken aback and he responded immediately. His eyes were serious and he seemed angry. “What are you saying? I am already over eight years her senior and you are older than me.”

  “Age does not matter in such situations. A young woman needs a man experienced in matters of the heart, not a man who has dedicated his best years to managing the Darcy estate.”

  “And you, how can you say you are such a man? Have you not been married to the army all these years since you left university? I believe neither of us have much experience in such matters. Charles Bingley has more experience in falling in and out of love than most men I have known.”

  “I grant you that Darcy, but what has that got him? He seems to be following that same pattern with Miss Bennet.”

  “Yes, but hopefully he will find the right young woman for him. As for myself, I had no other choice after father died but to work hard to learn to manage all the Darcy properties and investments. It has been frustrating at times but I do not regret the hard work. Regarding Miss Elizabeth, I have a good feeling about her and I like her very much.”

  “Good, I was hoping you would agree that she is a special lady.”

  “But you were just implying you have an interest in her, did you not?”

  “Yes, but only if you are not interested and you have told me that you are. Darcy, I can see that she cares for you. Does she understand your great wealth?”

  “I do not know if she does but she has complimented me on Darcy House and about the way I dress. She is not a fortune hunter but is young and innocent in matters of the heart, just as I am.”

  “And she has bewitching eyes. I wish those eyes were directed my way.”

  “Yes, that is a problem at night when I try to sleep. The woman is responsible for my long nights. I have never felt this way before.”

  “Then you are definitely in danger and have strong feelings for her. Can it be that these feelings are driven because you feel responsible for her injury? Have you actually considered her for a wife?”

  Darcy knew he had to be careful with his answer. He had already resolved that he had never met a young woman who had captivated him with her joy for life and none before had ever caused his heart to race or kept him up at night and none before had her excellent mind and knowledge of literature, politics and history.

  “The thought has crossed my mind, but she is of another sphere. Her father is a gentleman farmer in Hertfordshire.”

  “That makes Miss Elizabeth a gentlewoman, does it not?”

  “Yes, but she has four sisters and no brothers and her mother is shopping around to marry off her daughters. Their estate is entailed along the male line and will pass on to a distant cousin when Mr. Bennet dies.”

  “You cannot blame the woman for wanting her daughters to marry well. How did you come to learn these things?”

  “Miss Elizabeth told me her mother was after her and the eldest sister to marry soon.”

  “Do you intend to meet the rest of her family?”

  “I do not know how I can do that.”

  “Heavens, Darcy, you have to pursue her. If that means visiting her where she lives, then you must go there. The fun of it is in the pursuit.”

  “That may be partially true but does it not seem reasonable to develop a friendship first and let it grow into something better over time?”

  “We have a saying in the army and you have heard it, I am certain. One must strike while the iron is hot, just like a blacksmith. You do not have the time to dabble about. The woman will soon return home and with her mind and good looks and a good ankle she will be married very soon. How would you feel if you lost out on her?”

  “But she told me that she would only marry for the deepest love and not because her mother wished it.”

  “That tells me a lot. We have been gone too long but will talk more after you have returned the sisters to their relatives. Father said the uncle is the owner of Gardiner Importers and Exporters. I know the man works in trade but father said that he has a good reputation and is well liked. That should tell you that her family comes from good stock.”

  Darcy and his cousin returned to join the others but Bingley and Jane were sitting away from the others and talking. His face was all happiness and matched her own. Elizabeth wanted them to join the others but Darcy put a finger to his mouth so as to leave them to their privacy.

  Both Bingley and Jane Bennet soon joined the others and later Bingley and Darcy returned the Bennet sisters to the Gardiner home.

  ****

  “Lizzy, it is him, I tell you.”

  “Who is him and why are you panting? You seem out of breath.”

  “It is all too much, Lizzy! Mr. Bingley is the man who will rent Netherfield. How is that for a coincidence? And look how good it is for you. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are best friends. He will take possession before Michaelmas and he and his friend will visit us on the morrow. You must never mention this to anyone, do you promise?”

  “I cannot promise that, Jane. We must tell our aunt and uncle about it. She and our uncle will never say anything but they need to be told of our visit and not be surprised when the gentlemen stop to visit.”

  “You are right, Lizzy. What do you think of Mr. Bingley?”

  “It is too early but I have never seen you so excited. His moving to Netherfield is very good, but for now it is best not to reveal to mama that we know the man.”

  “Yes, Lizzy, if father is to retain his sanity, it is best that we do not agitate our mother.”

  “I like him, Jane. He is very friendly and is easy to talk to. I do give you leave to like him. After all, he is a man of large fortune from the north of England.”

  “You sound like mama.”

  The two sisters joined in a laugh but then Elizabeth got serious. “Jane, you know how mama will react when she learns we have met these men. It is best that we say nothing about either man for now if there is to be peace at Longbourn.”

  The sisters talked much later that night until nearly one before retiring for the evening. As happy as Jane was to meet Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth was just as happy and more so. She had visited Darcy House and saw the way her friends lived and how they interacted. Darcy had looked at her with the caring look he always had when he was with her. He had gently squeezed her hand as he handed her out of the carriage but they soon found their body parts together briefly as she lost her balance and Darcy caught her. It was nothing to see but she could feel him against her briefly and felt the tingling sensation along her spine and became flush as new stirrings came to the forefront.

  For the first time in her life she had a physical desire for a man, but this man was the very same one who she had felt herself in danger when he was near.

  Whilst the Bennet sisters tried to sleep, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and Bingley stayed up later talking about the events of the day.

  “I tell you Darcy, Miss Bennet is the most beautiful creature I have ever known and after such a short time I feel she is my soulmate. What say you colonel?”

  “She is a good match for you, Charles. How convenient that you will live so close to her and her sisters.”

  “Yes, providence is shining on both of us, ” replied Darcy.

  “I say, Miss Elizabeth’s stumble will likely change both of your lives. I trust you both have settled on a strategy for capturing the Bennet sisters’ hearts, have you not?”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam watched as the men did not respond to his question and believed it may have been because they had consumed too much drink. Darcy got up and walked around a bit and stopped at the mantle of the fireplace. He took in a deep breath as his fingers tapped the mantle. “Charles, will your sisters be joining you at Netherfield any time soon?”

  “No, Darcy, I have not told them of my intentions. Presently I am not on good speaking terms with my sisters. Hopefully that will change in the future but for now, I like it this way.”

  “Then you will be in that big house alone to rattle around in.
”

  “But that is where you and your cousin and other friends come in. You must visit me as I take possession of the property. Darcy, you would not wish to stop seeing Miss Elizabeth, would you?”

  “No, I am not ready to do that. Do you mind if I invite Georgiana to visit as well?”

  “I hope she will come. She may like the change in scenery and I believe she will get on well with the Bennet sisters.”

  ****

  Later, during breakfast, Mrs. Gardiner asked her nieces about their visit to Darcy House.

  “It went well, Aunt. From what I have seen, the home is very elegant and stately and it is situated in the best area of town. Darcy House has appeal to both men and women. I would love for my father to see the great library and his study. Jane took the full tour and I will have to wait until my ankle is better before I see it again.”

  “Yes, but of course your ankle prevented you from seeing everything.”

  “Miss Darcy showed me the house as the housekeeper stayed with Mr. Darcy and Lizzy in his study and in the library.”

  Jane next went on for several minutes describing the house and telling of all she had seen.

  “Aunt, I have never seen such a beautiful home and the grounds looked well maintained. We met Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and later their friend, Mr. Bingley, joined us for dinner.”

  “You both seem excited about something else. Can you not tell us?”

  “Uncle, Mr. Darcy’s good friend is the man who will lease Netherfield.”

  “Can you believe that?”

  “Yes, both Lizzy and I have discovered two men who it will be fun to like.”

  “I do not know if I have ever heard it put that way, Jane, but I suppose those words reflect both you and Lizzy’s innocence.”

  “They have asked if they can come by later this morning,” replied Elizabeth. “Was I wrong to invite them?”

  The Gardiners looked at each other and softly chuckled. Both knew this was an important moment for the sisters. The Gardiners had watched as Lizzy and Jane had grown up and now they saw the very real possibility that both nieces might have found a partner. Darcy and Elizabeth had become friends and now Jane had met Darcy’s best friend who would soon move to the estate near Longbourn.

  “That is not a problem, Lizzy, but I will be at work. Your Aunt will tell me about your visit. Will Miss Darcy visit as well?”

  “No, Georgiana has a piano lesson and will not visit today.”

  “I see, then I must leave these matters for you to discuss as I must go to work. I do wish you all a fine day, and please give the gentlemen by best wishes.”

  With those words the man left the table and soon left for work.

  “Tell me about your new friend, Jane?”

  “Mr. Bingley is very kind and also is good looking and acts like a gentleman. Much like his friend, he is also tall but not as large a man as his friend. He has easy, unaffected manners and has a pleasant countenance. Unlike his friend, Mr. Darcy, who immediately draws the attention of everyone as he enters the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features and noble mien, Mr. Bingley is more amicable and easy to talk with and I am more comfortable with him than any man I have ever met.”

  “What do you think, Lizzy?”

  “Indeed, I believe Jane is correct. From my limited observation, both Jane and Mr. Bingley are similar in nature and their behavior can be described as friendly and good-natured and ready to think the best of others.”

  Darcy and Bingley arrived at the Gardiner house later that morning and soon Elizabeth and Jane had introduced Mr. Bingley to the others. It was no surprise when Mr. Bingley and Jane began playing with the children while Darcy and Elizabeth were talking with Mrs. Gardiner.

  “Mr. Bingley, you seem to be a natural with the children. Have you had much experience with the little people?”

  “No Miss Bennet, but I do recall what it was like to have a younger sibling, and I can still remember when family friends would come visit and sometimes they would talk to me and entertain me with children’s games. Do you see the Gardiner children often?”

  “No, sir, I believe we see them perhaps four or five times a year. Of course, we do see them over Christmas and during other special days. Each year they take one of us on holiday with them and we do visit the Gardiners to help with the children.”

  “Darcy has spoken of them and said he enjoys watching them play.”

  “Lizzy tells me that I am the favourite of the children, but I believe their favorite is whomever is playing with them at the time.”

  “Have all your sisters visited with the Gardiners to help with the children?”

  “Yes, all have. Our youngest sister, Lydia, visited for the month of April and Catherine, who we call Kitty, followed her in May. The middle sister, Mary, was here in June for a month and Lizzy was to stay six weeks and was due to return three days after spraining her ankle. I was to follow her and stay through September.”

  “So you will not be home when I move into Netherfield?”

  “No, my aunt has told me that I can return with Lizzy and we plan to return on September 15, so I will be there when you arrive.”

  “Good, for I am due to take possession before Michaelmas.”

  “And I hope to see you at your new home. Will Mr. Darcy and his sister join you at first?”

  “No, he said they will not arrive until the first week of October.”

  “The reason I ask is there will be a dance in the nearby village of Meryton and it will take place at the Assembly Hall. Lizzy and I do hope you and your friend will join us there.”

  Darcy and Elizabeth returned to the room in time to ask about the dance, but Jane and Mr. Bingley remained with the children.

  “Miss Elizabeth, I am wondering if Georgiana might stay with your sisters the night of the dance? As you can understand, she is not out yet and since your sisters are also young, I am thinking that it might be better for Georgiana to stay with them that evening.”

  “That is a good idea. My younger sisters will not attend the dance and the middle sister, even though she is older, does not like attending such functions. There should not be any problem with making those arrangements for Georgiana.”

  “I assume you will be very pleased to be back home. These last few weeks have been a trying time for you but you have done remarkably well and your ankle is much improved. Might I join you on some of those early morning walks? I do promise to make sure to avoid roots and holes and assorted ruts in the path.”

  “Then I am happy to have you join me, but there is no guarantee that one of us will not turn an ankle. If it were you, I could not carry you even ten feet.”

  “In that case it might be wise to limit the distance that we walk and also to walk a route favored by others. The last thing we need is for one of us to become incapacitated and have a long way to go to find any help.”

  “Your concern is thoughtful but I tell my father which direction I will walk before I leave the house. If I stay too long he will come to find me.”

  “I take it you eat once you return?”

  “Yes, that is when I join the others. I usually eat a piece of toast and have some coffee before leaving the house.”

  “You seem to have this all figured out. Are you always so thorough in your preparation for these morning walks?”

  “No, I walk nearly every day and there is nothing to plan.”

  “Others might say that you should not be out so early walking alone.”

  “Yes, my father admonishes me often, but still I walk.”

  “I would not let a daughter of mine walk like you do.”

  Elizabeth was hurt and let her feelings show. “How can you say such a thing? You do not know what the future has in store. Even if you marry, that does not guarantee children. You are just being too careful.”

  “No, I am being practical. We are speaking about personal safety and you are a beautiful and innocent young woman and now that you are my friend,
I feel a responsibility for you and want to be cautious.”

  Oh no, he said I am beautiful. He cannot mean that. Jane is beautiful, but not me.

  “I appreciate your concern but I will be safe.”

  “You are too important to me and my sister and it pays to be careful. I wish to walk with you because you are my friend and I enjoy hearing your voice and your laughter and watching your reaction to things.”

  “And I enjoy you and Georgiana’s company very much. I believe it will be hard for me to leave town in mid-September and not see you again until early October. I have relied on your presence and the comfort it provides me.”