Random Acts of Kindness
A moving sermon and a random act of kindness impacts the lives of the Darcys and changes the course of their story. What will be the final result for Elizabeth and Darcy?
Chapter 10 – Then and Now
A/N: I wanted to answer mencia's question to clear up any misunderstanding. The valid question was: "Do assemblies serve supper... or women perform, since it is not a ball" (Note: slight paraphrase). The answer is no... and yes. I made the assembly a harvest assembly. In small communities the community members would gather together for an assembly after the harvest, bringing some of their own increase, and basically have a potluck. In England, at that time, the servants did the work of preparing the dishes and getting them to the table. It was much less formal than a ball, but the young ladies often provided entertainment while the food digested.
Fitzwilliam Darcy arrived at Longbourn promptly one hour after noon on the day following the assembly. Based upon what Georgiana had told him about Elizabeth's habits, he suspected that she had been awake for hours. Still, it didn't seem right to impose on the day after a night event.
He arrived riding Perseus and leading Phoebe, a graceful white mare which was a favorite of his sister. Mrs. Hill greeted him at the door and directed him to the still room at the side of the manor. Elizabeth and another sister, I think her name is Kitty, were hanging herbs to dry. The variety, freshness, and organization of the room showed that this was a regular activity in this household.
Elizabeth saw the shadow at the door and turned. Her face blushed delightfully before she got her emotions under control. "Good day, Mr. Darcy. I didn't know when to expect you."
"I hope that my lack of foresight hasn't inconvenienced you unnecessarily? We should have agreed upon a time. My exposure to Town manners has taught me never to visit on the day after a ball or dance, or at least not until after the noon hour. Georgiana assured me that you would rise much earlier, but I didn't want to take that chance."
The other young lady… he was sure that her name was Kitty now… slipped past the pair as they conversed. Then they heard an exclamation. Darcy wheeled and stepped out with Elizabeth fast on his heels, but they quickly realized that there was no need for concern. Kitty, the devoted animal lover, had just met Georgiana's beautiful white mare. Horse and lady were now getting acquainted.
"What is her name, Sir?" Kitty asked, never taking her eyes off of the horse.
"Phoebe," Darcy replied.
Elizabeth smiled, "The Bright One… did you suggest the name or did Georgiana already know the meaning?"
Darcy turned, impressed once again. "A little of both. Georgiana was looking for a name with meaning. I listed several possibilities which might match the mare. She chose Phoebe for the obvious reasons."
"Is she here? I don't see her?"
"No, actually, she loaned the mare to me. I thought that you and I could cover more ground if we both rode? I hope that I'm not presuming too much?" Darcy looked so worried that Elizabeth had to laugh.
"Fear not, kind sir. I will be happy to ride, but first I will need to change into a riding habit. Perhaps this might be a good time to introduce you to my father, since you two have been corresponding?"
Darcy agreed and followed Elizabeth into the house. Elizabeth led him up the stairs and to a door. She knocked and entered when a man's voice responded. After a moment's discussion, Darcy was welcomed into the room.
With the help of Sarah, the maid, Elizabeth changed quickly into her riding habit. Kitty slipped into the room and leaned on the door, "He is sooo handsome."
"Yes… I've noticed," Elizabeth responded.
"Well then, have a very nice ride, dear sister." Kitty giggled and skipped out of the room.
Dressed appropriately for a ride, Elizabeth went to her father's door again and knocked. The door was slightly ajar, so she heard Mr. Darcy's deep voice saying, "…and thank you, Sir."
"Thomas, please, Fitzwilliam. Enjoy your ride."
Darcy stepped out with a small thoughtful smile on his face, which transformed into a much larger smile when he found himself standing in front of Elizabeth. There was a breathless moment before both could school their features into something less revealing. Then Darcy offered his arm, "Shall we, my lady?"
Not quite trusting her voice, Elizabeth nodded and took her companion's arm. When they arrived outside, the horses were waiting. This was fine for Darcy, but Elizabeth needed a mounting block to climb onto Phoebe. Elizabeth twisted her lips slightly, looking over towards the stable where the block was visible. Darcy must have seen the direction of her gaze, because he leaned close and said, "Allow me?"
Elizabeth shivered as his warm breath and deep tone washed across her face. She startled a little, turning and stepping back, almost stumbling. Strong hands caught her shoulder and she was suddenly looking up, mesmerized, into Mr. Darcy's blue eyes. They might have stayed that way forever had Phoebe not nickered.
Shaking himself, Darcy repeated, "May I assist you, Miss Elizabeth?"
"Y-yes… please." Mr. Darcy's hands enclosed her waist and Elizabeth was quickly and easily lifted onto the saddle. If his hands lingered slightly longer than absolutely necessary, Elizabeth was not objecting. He stepped back and Elizabeth adjusted her seat. She was experienced at riding side-saddle, but much preferred riding astride when she was alone. Once in place and comfortable, she adjusted her skirts and watched Darcy mount.
He swung his long leg over his saddle with ease. Perseus was as black as Phoebe was white, and stood two hands taller. This, combined with Mr. Darcy's own height, made Elizabeth suddenly feel quite small; but in this instance she didn't feel intimidated. If anything, she felt exhilarated. Her waist still tingled where his hands had been, even through her riding corset.
Elizabeth regained her composure as they rode. She took him around the tenant farms first. They discussed crops and soil and even drainage. Even with such mundane topics, Elizabeth was thrilled. They had talked for more than an hour before she finally realized what it was, other than Mr. Darcy's mere presence, that thrilled her so: He was talking to her as an equal. There was no feeling of condescension, amusement, or tolerance in his manner. He listened to her ideas, suggested some of his own, argued, agreed, and pondered with her, but he didn't scoff or cajole.
She led him next to Beacher's Knoll. The mature trees had been harvested. Most had already been converted to lumber down at the Meryton saw mill. Now men and workhorses were doing the arduous task of pulling out stumps. As Elizabeth and Darcy approached from one direction, the Bennet chaise approached from the other. Mr. Jarvis and Mary waved. One of the men blew a sharp whistle with his fingers and mouth, and the work stopped. Mr. Jarvis hopped out, helped Mary, and then reached back to pull out a large basket.
Mary smiled at her sister and Mr. Darcy, "Cook made enough if you would like some dinner?" Neither were hungry, but they did dismount. Darcy watched with wonder as, with total ease, Elizabeth talked to the men, thanking them for their work and asking about any problems. She then recalled herself and introduced Darcy. She is at ease and in command in any setting. What an amazing Mistress of Pemberley she would make.
While the work was stopped and the men ate, Elizabeth, Mary, Jarvis, and Darcy walked around the rolling rocky hill. Elizabeth pointed out the features and her plans. Darcy suggested the need for planting cedar trees and shrubs as wind-breaks to protect the cherry orchard. Jarvis noted that the stones should be piled along the side facing the stream as a preventative against spring flooding and wash-off. Even Mary made several suggestions. Though she had never been an outdoor person, she had kept her eyes open while visiting the tenant farms.
Elizabeth informed Jarvis that she had heard from the Western Apiarian Society. They had recommended several local beekeepers to consult. They had also sent the latest literature. It seemed that there was a two-hundred pound reward promised to the person who found a way to collect the honey without destroying the bee colony.*
When work resumed, Jarvis and Mary rode off in the chaise and Darcy enjoyed helping Elizabeth to mount again. Then she led him down the creek trail until it joined the larger river. They followed this downward until they reached the brickworks. Darcy watched the construction, noting several unusual features. Elizabeth began to explain the entire process of scraping and sifting, claying, liming, curing, and baking. When she realized that she was running on, she blushed, and apologized.
"Not at all, Miss Elizabeth. I am truly impressed. Not one in fifty landowners I know personally could have done half so much in twice the time. Truthfully, most wouldn't have even tried." The horses had ridden quite close together and Darcy found himself gazing into Elizabeth's dark, sparkling eyes. Impulsively he reached out and took her slender hand.
A shock went through both riders. Elizabeth wasn't wearing gloves and the contact was exhilarating… and quite disconcerting. Darcy allowed his hand to linger for a moment. Elizabeth impulsively squeezed his hand, resting any fears he might have felt that he was giving her unwanted attention. Slowly releasing her hand, Darcy scanned the horizon. "Is that high hill also on Bennet land, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth had not missed the free use of her given name. Finding her voice, she replied, "Yes. That is Oakham Mount; my favorite place."
"Then shall we ride there?"
They rode together in silence. At spots the trail thinned, requiring them to continue single-file, but they were together again whenever the trail allowed. Then they were climbing, the horses straining. They broke out of a thick grove of scrub trees onto a clear rounded top, and pulled to a halt. For several minutes they sat silently, surveying the entirety of Longbourn, Netherfield, and another distant estate.
Darcy dismounted and helped Elizabeth down. When her feet touched the ground, his hands lingered and she looked up at him. Then he stepped back and gestured to a large boulder that happened to be Elizabeth's favorite resting place.
The silence made Elizabeth nervous, so she started to ramble, "I've sat here thousands of times. I often read Georgie's letters here, or bring a book of poetry." She pointed the opposite direction, "If you step through those trees, you have a view of Meryton and the river…"
She stopped suddenly as a warm hand caressed her cheek. Frozen, she met Darcy's eyes, "Elizabeth, do you know when I first saw you?"
She shook her head slightly, unable to speak and not wanting to shake off his warm hand. "It was at Father's funeral." He saw Elizabeth's sad remembrance, "I was miserable, not necessarily just because of father. It felt like everybody, even some of my own relatives, were hovering like vultures. And then I looked across the room and saw this enchanting young woman." His thumb lightly stroked her cheek and she fought not to close her eyes and purr. "I saw this beautiful girl, short, with raven black curls and sparkling dark eyes. She was across the room, not even looking at me, but she bewitched me immediately."
Removing his hand reluctantly, he took both of Elizabeth's hands, "I spent the next hour wandering the halls of Pemberley, looking for her. Then I saw her out by the lake, talking to my little sister, but I couldn't get away from my guests in time to catch her." He had Elizabeth mesmerized, "I thought of her, occasionally, and wondered who she might be. And then, one day, there she was, storming my office with the fire of heaven in her eyes. A true Boadicea."
Elizabeth grimaced, but Darcy grinned teasingly, "I must admit, I was too bewildered at the moment to match her face to the girl from before. I could barely make out her words, I was so… captured. After I understood what was happening, I was only thinking about saving Georgiana. But you were a constant presence in my mind… Elizabeth, you have not left my mind since then. You have been with me, night and day, even though you left and I haven't seen you face-to-face for long, endless months."
Darcy suddenly stood, faced out over the valley, and then just as suddenly turned back to face Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how much I ardently admire and love you. In telling you this, I am aware that we have not spent very much time together. I am aware that you have taken on great responsibilities in the care of your family and Longbourn estate. And I know that your friendship is with Georgiana, not with me. Your family does not know me, but your father and I have corresponded quite regularly for these three months. If you would prefer that I call on you, and then court you for an extended period, then I shall." He gulped, steeling himself before continuing, "If your feelings are not the same and never shall be, you have only to speak the word and I shall try to never say another word.
"But my wishes and desires are fixed already and shall never alter, more than anything in this world, I want you for my wife."
Elizabeth looked up at Darcy in wonder, but made herself ask, "What about our differences in station?"
"I am a gentleman. You are a gentleman's daughter. In that we are equal. Our differences in income do not matter to me in the least. You would be a greater asset to me and my family than any dowry."
"But sir, what about my family? I know that Georgie has shared some of her letters with you. My family can sometimes lack in propriety… even be quite ridiculous at times"
"Elizabeth, you have not met my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourg yet. I know enough about your family to know that my aunt trumps any ridiculous relatives that you can throw at me." He looked desperate, "Come, Elizabeth, if my overtures are unwelcome, then please tell me? But please be assured that nothing in this world will change my mind. I think only of you. If you cannot love me, then tell me so."
Elizabeth stood. She stepped forward. One hand reached out and took his. The other hand reached up and smoothed his clenched jaw. "I do not need you to call on me for months, or even to court me, Fitzwilliam Darcy. It has been months now since I have known that you are the only man in this world that I could ever marry. I love you, Mr. Darcy."
It took Darcy a moment to shake off his growing fear to process her answer. Then Elizabeth was lifted effortlessly and wrapped in his arms. With ultimate tenderness, he kissed her. It is impossible to say who deepened the kiss. Before long they had to pull apart to breath, only to repeat their earth-shattering kisses again and again.
It took iron self-control, but Darcy and Elizabeth eventually broke apart, recomposed themselves, mounted their horses, and rode back down the mountain towards Longbourn to share their news.
* On Beekeeping: The Western Apiarian Society was real... I believe that it still exists in some form. The two-hundred pound reward was also real. For millennia, people gathered honey by killing the bees and breaking open the hives. The Society saw this as a great waste. They were seeking a way to collect honey without killing, so several very wealthy and prominent members contributed to create the reward. It would be many years after the time period of this story before modern beekeeping methods were created, but the effort began clear back in the 1700s.