A/N: This kinda just wrote itself. Much more entertaining than the last chapter ;) Thank you for the kind reviews! Still happy for constructive criticism- we've got Wickham and Collins coming up quite soon!
On Saturday evening, Jane was feeling well enough to finally venture from her sickroom after taking a supper tray in her room. It was hard to tell who was more pleased— Jane, Elizabeth or Charles Bingley. Elizabeth wrapped Jane in a warm shawl and escorted her gingerly downstairs to the parlor. Upon seeing his favorite Bennet sister, Charles rushed over and took over from Elizabeth, ushering Jane to a comfortable chair by the fire. He pulled up his own chair, asking Jane repeatedly how she was before Jane was able to convince him she was ever so much better, and grateful for his hospitality and allowing her sister to tend her so diligently. They enjoyed a tête–à–tête by the fire, and the rest of the party enjoyed coffee throughout the parlor. Elizabeth insisted on pressing a cup of tea into her sister's grateful hands, thinking it a better choice for her recovering patient than coffee.
Elizabeth thought of reading again, hoping not to be dragged to the pianoforte like she was the previous evening. No sooner had she opened her book, than Darcy sat at the other end of the couch, his intense gaze upon her.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth raised her eyes to look at the man a few feet from her, glad of the largeness of the piece of furniture they shared. His mere present so close was putting her on edge.
"I was just wondering, who is running Longbourn in your absence? Your presence here has been most agreeable, I'm sure your sister has benefitted most of all, but I was under the impression your estate was in need of you." Darcy smiled at her, setting Elizabeth's heart racing and a blush creep up her neck. He decided since this was likely their last night here, he should take advantage of the conversation.
"What ever would Longbourn need with Miss Eliza Bennet?" Caroline snorted in a most unladylike fashion.
"Why, didn't you know Miss Bingley? Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the Mistress, or rather Master, of Longbourn. It is her estate." Elizabeth couldn't tell if Darcy was mocking her or Caroline, being either insult or praise. Elizabeth's flush deepened. Louisa Hurst looked away in embarrassment at the proceedings, while her husband was mildly interested.
"Of all the silly things to say! A girl, not of age, owning an estate like a man!" Caroline clearly thought it was an insult aimed at Elizabeth.
"Tis true, Miss Bingley. Longbourn is my sister's. It is intended for her and her alone. She runs it with grace and finesse." Jane looked up from her conversation with Mr. Bingley to come to her sister's defense.
"She runs the estate? She owns it?" Caroline was beside herself. What sort of nonsense were these Bennet sisters trying to pull, and how was Darcy, of all people, involved in the joke?
"A laugh, you're having a laugh at my expense!" Caroline whined with a small stamp of her foot.
"We jest not, Miss Bingley. Papers have been drawn up. Since Papa's carriage accident four years ago, I have run our family estate. I am very close with my father, and our time spent together since my earliest memories included his duties on the estate. It proved to be most influential on me. It seemed most natural for me to take over. Pride may be a fault, but I am proud that Longbourn has yielded better and profits higher under my care." Elizabeth cast her eyes down at the book in her lap, one on animal husbandry that she'd had fetched for her from the library to read while Jane slept.
"That's not possible! Mr. Darcy, how is it possible?" Caroline appealed.
"The specifics I would imagine are between Elizabeth, her father and their solicitor. The estate could be in trust until she is of age. Once of age, an unmarried or widowed woman can hold property and sign contracts in her name." Darcy seemed unfazed, as he had looked into the matter himself, curious as to how Elizabeth could own property when she did not look to be of age.
"Mr Darcy is correct. I exchanged my intended dowry for Longbourn in trust when I was 18. I am to come of age in a few months. The estate is mine." Elizabeth smiled, but still kept her eyes down.
"But, why? Why would you bother with such a thing?" Caroline couldn't make heads or tails of the conversation, which was infinitely amusing to men in the room. Hurst may only have three passions, but he also enjoyed a joke at the expense of his spoiled sister in law.
"It is my home. It has always been our family's home, and I want it to remain our home. I will never marry, for I am married to Longbourn." Elizabeth looked up defiantly at Caroline, who let out a barking laugh.
"Lizzy, now, don't say that. There are options." Jane smiled from her chair at the fireplace.
"Jane, it is what it is. I am the Mistress of Longbourn and have vowed to take care of it and my family. It is where my duty lies."
"That is quite a bold opinion for one so young." Darcy replied, back to scrutinizing her.
"You cannot be so much older than myself, Mr. Darcy. And I would think as Master of Pemberly, supposedly owning half of Derbyshire, you would understand duty?" Elizabeth shot back at him. He was really being insufferable towards her tonight.
"I am eight and twenty. And yes, I understand duty, to land and family, quite intimately. But I have had more than five years as Master, and longer than you to prepare for my duty. It was always expected of me."
"I would not give up my position or my home for anything."
"So it is more than just duty that keeps you attached to Longbourn? A selfish desire, shall we call it? I shall add that to my observations." Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, at it made her feel sick to her stomach.
"Would you describe yourself as such, Mr. Darcy? As I don't see you offering to give up your land or family." Elizabeth's scathing words wiped the smile off of Darcy's face.
"Darcy is most certainly not selfish! His care for his sister is admirable!" Charles came to his friend's defense.
"And mine is not? My sister Mary has been delegated charge of the estate while I am here, tending to my dear Jane. Our sisters Kitty and Lydia tending to the mistress duties in Jane's absence." Elizabeth said hotly.
"What does Miss Bennet have to do with all of this?" Caroline found her voice.
"Our mother, as you have observed, no doubt," Elizabeth's eyes narrowed at Caroline, "is an anxious woman and has always been prone to fits of nerves. After my father's accident, Jane helped her with her duties. Longbourn is now run between the two of us. We have taught our sisters, for when my sisters marry they need to be able to run a household and see to tenant's needs. Being mistress of a country estate involves much more than planning parties and dinners." Caroline's mouth flopped open at the tirade, unsure of what to reply. She knew very little of country life, and liked it even less. She never quite made the connection that her dear Mr. Darcy's beloved Pemberly was going to need such ministrations that Elizabeth described.
"Why don't we have a more pleasant conversation!" cried Charles, spotting a break in the conversation and throwing Darcy a glare for starting it all. Everyone was quite uncomfortable at this point, except for Darcy who looked a little smug and pleased with himself. Charles cast around for ideas and lit upon the idea of party planning that Elizabeth had mentioned at the end of her angered speech.
"A ball at Netherfield! Let's plan one, and we can all be happily diverted. Caroline, wouldn't you like to help plan a ball?" Charles appealed to his sister, hoping to steer everyone in a happier direction.
"Ooh yes, Charles! We can plan the most grand ball!" Caroline took to the idea and change of subject instantly. While previously feeling mocked, now she could be displayed in the most pleasing way.
"Miss Bennet, as soon as you are well, we will have this ball. Name the date and it will be" Charles looked upon Jane with the most adoring smile, which was returned along with a bright blush.
"That would be wonderful." Jane said shyly.
"Even I must agree how lovely that would be." Elizabeth gave in at her sister's happiness, letting her anger and frustration slip away. "Perhaps, Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, you would call upon us next week when Jane is well? We can discuss this marvelous ball you are planning." Elizabeth offered kindly.
"That would be agreeable." Caroline's smile did not reach her eyes, but consented.
"Ah, it is settled then! A ball at Netherfield. I am quite excited, aren't you, Darcy?" Charles clapped his hands together, grateful to have everyone no longer engaged in open hostility.
"It would be pleasing. Who am I to deny such enjoyments?" Darcy nodded, though his self-satisfied look had receded. Elizabeth's temper, he decided, was not one to get on the wrong side. And with a glare that came his way now and then, his moment of fun had placed him firmly on the wrong side.
'Blast, I am just going to be continually insulting her no matter what I say' Darcy glowered to himself. He wasn't sure why, but he desired her good opinion of him quite earnestly. She, whom he thought of as of as little consequence and with low connections, was putting him in the most grave danger and he wasn't entirely aware of it. He simply thought he was becoming a little too attached, but at this point his desire for her good opinion outweighed any doubts he had. Certainly someone's good opinion, especially a gentlewoman and mistress of their neighboring estate was someone worth seeking their good opinion. The danger he was not aware of was the one he'd dodged every time he was in London, and had since he'd become of age: Mr. Darcy was in danger of falling in love and he had absolutely no idea.
The next day dawned cool and clear, and Elizabeth woke early. She was pleased, most satisfied indeed, that she would be returning home. Her stay at Netherfield was a change from her normal duties, but she missed riding out. Her horse was here still, she remembered. Side saddle was not her preference, but an early morning ride would be just the thing to clear her head. After washing and dressing in the gown she'd initially worn to Netherfield, the least nice of her dresses, she headed to the stables to greet Mr. Taylor, the stable master and a kind soul she'd known since childhood.
"Hello Mr. Taylor!" Elizabeth called, coming to the barn. He turned and she saw that he was speaking to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth inwardly groaned.
"Miss Lizzy, will you be riding out this morning as well?" Taylor called back to her, an unasked question in the air.
"Yes, if it isn't much trouble. The side saddle my sister rode would be most suitable." Elizabeth blushed, looking down at her skirts.
"No trouble, we'll have you saddled up in no time." Taylor motioned for one of the stable hands to work on Elizabeth's request. Soon, she was mounted and ready to ride out. As soon as she was out of earshot of the stables, Mr. Darcy and his own horse trotted up, calling to her.
"Miss Bennet, would you be so kind as so accompany me on this fine morning?" He sounded like he was in a much better humor than last night to Elizabeth, but she wasn't quite ready to relent on her anger yet.
"I'm not sure that would be entirely proper, Mr. Darcy. A kind offer, no doubt."
"You are the owner of the neighboring estate, showing a visiting estate owner the area. Surely there is nothing improper about that?
Elizabeth didn't see much way out of this without being rude, which despite her annoyance at him for the night before, she once again didn't see a way to refuse him. The man always seemed to get exactly what he wanted out of her, which vexed her to no end.
"What would you like to see in the area, Mr Darcy?" He was going to get his due one day, Elizabeth had no doubt about that. She would see to it, with his switching between insufferable arrogance and charm. It was annoying her, trying to balance the two.
"I have not been to Oakham Mount. Would you show me?" Mr Darcy asked.
"Why, that's the divide between Netherfield and my home!"
"I know. I thought it would be most suitable if the owner of the neighboring estate showed me." Elizabeth would have liked nothing more than to say no to him, but as she'd already agreed to ride out, she also had to admit that it wasn't a bad idea and worked well within the confines of an estate owner showing another estate owner around.
"I see, Mr. Darcy. Well, follow along." Elizabeth urged her horse forward but couldn't keep up a fast enough pace to preclude conversation as she wanted to keep her seat. She forgot how uncomfortable it was to ride side saddle, and was really regretting her decision to ride out this morning.
"Do you frequently ride side saddle, Miss Bennet?" Darcy asked her, noticing her discomfort.
"No. I normally ride astride, as when we first met. It's more comfortable and I can cover more ground faster that way. I have neither my riding clothes nor saddle here."
"I'm sure Taylor would have provided both for you." Darcy was trying to be kind, but Elizabeth's clipped tone was irritated.
"I am a guest, it would be most improper."
"You do so much that others consider improper, and you take offense to this?
"Again, I am a guest at Netherfield."
"But at Longbourn?"
"I would be riding astride at my own home."
"You you often consider the feelings of others?"
"Don't you?" This struck Darcy. Of course he did, but giving it more thought than an instantaneous reaction, he realized her actions were more bound by society than his.
"I think I see. I'm sorry, I did not realize. My actions do not need to change dependent upon where I am." Darcy offered, hoping Elizabeth would see that he was making an effort to win her good opinion.
"No, you can always be the same. I must play a game within a game to achieve my ends." Elizabeth looked out at the crisp fall day that was blooming around them.
"You see it as a game?" Darcy asked curiously
"Navigating society to me feels much like chess, as I told my younger sister Lydia. I have to navigate as a gentlewoman and also as a master of an estate. It is two games, and to not lend impropriety to my family and ruin my sisters' chances at good matches, I have to delicately balance both."
"That is a tremendous burden." Darcy's thoughts turned again to his own sister, and how he'd only barely managed to avoid failing her, which was more chance than foresight.
"As I said when we met, Mr. Darcy, I gladly bear it. I have been able to do so much for my family, it gives me great joy. I only hope to continue to reap what I sow."
"Literally and figuratively" Darcy chuckled, the double meaning of the farming joke not lost upon him.
"Yes. Both" Elizabeth's smile was warm, infused with the happiness she derived from her work.
"And yet, you deny yourself."
"I do?"
"Marriage. You say to never marry to protect Longbourn. What are you protecting it from?" Elizabeth sighed.
"If I may be frank, I do not desire to marry. Once I thought I may be able to marry for love, but I found as I got older than I am not sure of it's existence for me. I love my family, I love Longbourn, and surely that is enough for me. I am protecting Longbourn from entail in default of a male heir, some distant son of an estranged cousin. I am protecting Longbourn from being split up between my sisters and my mother once the entail is broken, should my father die. There are more benefits to being unmarried, than losing my own home and my identity to my husband's."
"I— I never heard it put that way. There is talk in Parliament, but I'm afraid it will be a long time off before anything becomes law. I know a woman's property becomes her husband's, but why do you say you would lose your identity?" Darcy was thoughtful, and his words to Elizabeth seemed kind and well meaning.
"A married woman has no rights. It would be no different than I am now, having to hide behind my father in business. A husband and wife are one. He is always responsible no matter what her actions, and any wages she earned are his. He gives her his name. Where is identity in that?"
"Are you saying you have no identity now? I mean, not to offend you, just to understand." Darcy saw the flash of anger in her eyes disappear. "You have your father's name, you take care of your father's land in hopes it will be yours. You sign no contracts and business is managed through him. And yet, I see you have quite the identity. Instead of your father as partner, you could have a husband to help. Is help so undesirable?"
"No. I have Jane, I have my sisters. They help me."
"But they will marry and leave."
"I know."
"And you?"
"I will have Longbourn."
"And when you are old?"
"My sisters and their families will care for me. I'll name a nephew heir."
"You have it all figured out, it seems."
"I've have four years to think on it."
"You're an admirable woman, Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
"And I thought I was impertinent."
"You are lively."
"That's what I call my sister when she is silly."
"You have wit and intelligence. Is that better?"
"Thank you." A blush was creeping up Elizabeth's cheeks. The conversation felt much too intimate to be having with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Why did he oscillate between proud insufferable arrogance and such charm?
"Mr. Darcy, I am afraid I am not cut out to ride side saddle. I must turn back. If you continue down the road, you will come to Oakham Mount. There will be a fine trail to your right." Elizabeth reigned in her horse and dismounted. She was already sore from the uncomfortable position and could feel herself starting to slip in the saddle.
"I will walk you back, it is the least I can do." Darcy reigned in as well, dismounting and walking his horse around, so that the two could walk side by side, while leading their horses back towards the house, which was not yet out of sight.
"I guess we will have to see Oakham Mount another day. With a proper escort. Estate owner or not, as we discussed I need to watch propriety for my sisters' sakes."
"Was my request so transparent? I desired your company. I'm afraid I used you ill last night during conversation."
"It felt that way." Elizabeth pursed her lips, biting back an angry retort. If he could be nice, so could she.
"It is nice to know that the estate can run without you. You are most pleasing company."
"And here I thought you detested my presence. You have an odd way of showing it, Mr. Darcy."
"Detest? No! Caroline Bingley gets on my nerves. One cannot have an enjoyable conversation when she is around."
"And she never leaves you alone. It was amusing to watch."
"I'm glad my discomfort brought you pleasure." Darcy's familiar glower returned to his face.
"As mine brought you last night, if you remember." Darcy reddened at this.
"It was very ill of me."
"It was."
"Do you travel, Miss Bennet?"
"I haven't recently, but I may go to the lakes with my Aunt and Uncle summer next, now that Mary is at ease taking charge of the estate. It would be nice for a rest."
"Derbyshire is not that far off from the lakes."
"Is it? Well that would explain your preference for lakes and streams. I have heard the countryside is most beautiful."
"I believe so. The grounds at Pemberly are largely untouched. The walks are wonderful."
"Mr. Darcy, I believe you mean to make me jealous."
"Of what?"
"Of your estate over my own"
"That was not my intention. But, should you care to visit and compare, the grounds are open."
"Is that an invitation?"
"If you'd like one. There are public areas of the house and grounds. No invitation is needed, but you have mine, should you like one."
"That is most kind of you. My aunt grew up in Lambton, I understand that is in Derbyshire."
"It is not five miles from Pemberly. I know it well."
"Then perhaps we will visit."
"Perhaps." Darcy smiled, looking at his fair companion. He was sad to note the house was quite close, and therefore this pleasant outing near an end.
"Miss Bennet, please do me the honor of visiting Pemberly while you are near next summer?"
"That sounds most lovely. Thank you." Elizabeth nodded, blushing. Mr Darcy could be so charming when he wanted to be, but why be so horrible the rest of the time? They reached the stables in a comfortable silence. Taylor and the stable hands took their horses, Taylor being unsurprised Elizabeth had returned on foot. From his brother, he knew that Elizabeth disliked riding side saddle, and was only a decent horsewoman astride, tending to her estate. He thought it was very elegant of her to request the side saddle while a guest in her neighbor's house, and told his wife so that night. The news of what an elegant gentlewoman Miss Lizzy was while visiting neighbors was soon spread quickly through the neighborhood and Meryton.
After breakfast and a stroll around the gardens, the Bennet sisters were picked up by their family's coach and ferried home, a stable hand in attendance to ride Elizabeth's horse back to Longbourn as well. Mr. Bingley was quite withdrawn for the rest of the day and evening, no one particularly noticing Mr Darcy being in a similar state as Darcy frequently kept his own council and sought solitude.
Historical Notes:
Coverture: "By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband: under whose wing, protection, and cover, she performs every thing; and is therefore called in our law-French a feme-covert; is said to be covert-baron, or under the protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord; and her condition during her marriage is called her coverture. Upon this principle, of a union of person in husband and wife, depend almost all the legal rights, duties, and disabilities, that either of them acquire by the marriage. I speak not at present of the rights of property, but of such as are merely personal. For this reason, a man cannot grant any thing to his wife, or enter into covenant with her: for the grant would be to suppose her separate existence; and to covenant with her, would be only to covenant with himself: and therefore it is also generally true, that all compacts made between husband and wife, when single, are voided by the intermarriage" (William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England )