Monster chapter, this one, sorry.
Vince, as they drove along that morning, watched eagerly for the first appearance of Pemberley House and, when at long last they turned and found themselves at the end of the woods and the top of a considerable hill, his spirits were in a high flutter. His eye was instantly caught by Pemberley, situated on the opposite side of the valley, into which the road gracefully wound. It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of woody hills. Vince was delighted. He had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. It was simple and yet grand all at once and to Vince it seemed entirely like Howard in its appearance.
They descended the hill, crossed a bridge over a very pretty stream, and drove to the door, but while examining the front aspect of the house, all of Vince's apprehensions of meeting its owner again returned. He dreaded lest the chambermaid of the inn be mistaken and began to twist a lock of hair absently between his fingers.
On applying to see the place, they were admitted to the hall and while they waited for the housekeeper, Vince had leisure to wonder at his being where he was, breathing in the air that Howard was accustomed to breathing, looking upon the paintings Howard chose to keep on the walls. He felt a shiver slide down his spine at even this most vague contact and realised sadly that he was still very much in love.
The housekeeper, when she came, was a sensible woman of middle years and was happy to show them around the main rooms, explaining paintings and sculptures as they went and allowing them time to admire the lofty ceilings and expansive windows. Vince wanted to enquire whether her master were really absent but did not want to draw attention. Thankfully his uncle asked the question for him.
"He is away at present, however," the housekeeper said, and Vince turned away in alarm, while she added: "we expect him tomorrow, with a party of friends."
Vince concentrated on regulating his breathing whilst seeming to examine a bookshelf. How fortunate that their own journey had not by any circumstance been delayed by a day!
His aunt now called him to look at a picture and he obliged. He approached and saw the likeness of Mr Nathan Wickham suspended, amongst several miniatures, over the mantlepiece. His aunt asked him if he thought it a good likeness, to which Vince agreed that it was fair, if a little forgiving. The housekeeper came forward, and told them it was the picture of a young gentleman who had once been a friend to the family.
"He is now gone into the army," she added. "But I am afraid he has turned out very wild."
"So I heard," Vince replied solemnly.
"And that," the housekeeper continued, pointing to another of the miniatures, "is my master, and very like him, too. It was drawn at the same time as the other, when he was but fifteen."
"I have heard much of your master's fine person," said Mrs Gardiner, looking at the picture. "I was acquainted with him when he was a boy and he appears to have turned out very fine. It is a handsome face."
The housekeeper replied but Vince did not hear any more of the conversation. His breath had been stolen by the portrait. Howard's fifteen-year-old self was sweet beyond measure. His eyes held a trust that was certainly not present in his person now, and a youthful awkwardness that Vince found endearing. He wished he could pluck the young man from the picture and hold him tight, assure him that life would not be as cruel as he might imagine, and to tell him not to lose the hope in his brown eyes.
"Vince?" his aunt recalled him to himself with her question. "Has he changed greatly since the miniature was painted?"
The housekeeper's respect for Vince seemed to increase on this intimation of him knowing her master.
"Does the young man know Mr Darcy?"
Vince coloured.
"A little," he said.
"And do not you think him the very picture of what a gentleman should be?"
"Yes, he is very handsome," Vince managed to respond as his voice turned decidedly husky in tone.
"I am sure I know none so handsome," the housekeeper continued without seeming to notice Vince's reaction. "But in the gallery upstairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him. This room was my late master's favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be then. He was very fond of them."
This accounted to Vince for Mr WIckham's being among them. The housekeeper then directed their attention to one of Mr Michael Darcy, Mr Darcy's younger brother, drawn when we was only five years old.
"What a charming little fellow, he looked," Mrs Gardiner exclaimed. "And is this young Mr Darcy as handsome and tall as his brother?"
"Oh, he is quite handsome, though not quite so tall. He is a keen horseman and delights greatly in music and in art. In the next room is a new instrument just come up for him from Town, a present from my master who has decided that it would be quite negligent to let his brother and charge neglect his musical talent. Mr Michael Darcy comes here tomorrow with the party and we shall all be most pleased to have him home."
Mrs Gardiner, whose manners were easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by her questions and remarks and the housekeeper, either from pride or attachment, Vince thought both, took evident pleasure in talking of her master and his young brother. Vince listened to their discussion as he stared once again at the small portrait of Howard Darcy and wished he could have known him longer and better.
"Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?"
"Not as much as I could wish for, ma'am; but I dare say that he may spend half his time here, and Mr Michael Darcy is always here for the summer months."
"If your master would marry, you might see more of him."
"Yes, indeed, but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who is good enough for him."
Vince smiled at that and decided that he quite liked the housekeeper, who seemed to be of a similar opinion to himself. He could not think of a single person worthy of Howard's affection.
"But surely his marriage is imminent," his aunt continued. "I heard that he was engaged, or at the least betrothed?"
"He was, certainly," the housekeeper nodded but seemed unwilling to say too much. "It is no longer considered such a settled matter. I am not privy to all of the details in this and would not wish to give out information that could lead to gossip."
"Oh, of course. You are to be greatly commended on that," Mrs Gardiner reassured and the housekeeper smiled at the compliment.
"I take it from your loyalty that he is a pleasant master, then?"
"He is truly, a most wonderful master to work for. I have never heard a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him since he was four years old. He is a most sensitive soul but not a man of many words or boasts. Some call him proud but I assure you it is only natural reserve that makes him seem so. He is kind to his tenants and the poor in the town. Those he chooses to call friend are very much honoured."
Vince nodded to himself, his heart beginning to be overwhelmed by feeling. The desire to see Mr Darcy was becoming painful and he hoped that once the viewing of the house was done they would journey quickly on to Dewsbury and avoid any possibility of meeting his party on the road.
When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen, they returned down stairs, and taking leave of the housekeeper, were consigned over to the head gardener, who met them at the hall door. As they walked across the lawn towards the river, Vince turned back to look again; his uncle and aunt stopping also, and while they conjectured as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road which led behind the stables.
They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight.
"Howard?"
Their eyes met instantly, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. Howard absolutely stared, and for a moment seemed immoveable from surprise; but shorty recovered himself and advanced toward the party.
"Mr Bennet."
"Mr Darcy."
They stood in silence, each searching within their heads for something courteous and lighthearted to say.
"Might I have the pleasure to be introduced to your companions, Mr Bennet?"
"Yes, of course," Vince rushed, turning his eyes away from Howard and shuffling his feet nervously on the lawn. "Mr Darcy, this is my uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Gardiner. Aunt, uncle, this is Mr Darcy. The master of Pemberley House."
"How do you do?" his uncle stepped forward, holding out his hand for Mr Darcy to shake, which he did, returning the welcome with little smoothness.
"Have you been in the area long?"
"No, we are but passing through on our way to Dewsbury and had a sudden thought to show my nephew, Vince, this wonderful house. He was a little acquainted with you over the winter, we understand, and my wife and I thought he might appreciate your most delightful estate."
"You are most welcome, of course," Howard nodded, looking down at his own feet in a mirror of Vince's own action.
"We were told you were not expected until tomorrow," his aunt offered and Howard nodded and replied without looking up.
"Yes, I came a day early, to see that a gift I had acquired for my brother had arrived safely and to go through with my staff what would be needed for our guests."
"We shall take our leave from your property then," Mr Gardiner enquired.
"Not at all," Howard replied hastily. "The grounds are well worth seeing and you have an excellent guide with you. I shall take my leave of you. Good day."
He made a short bow and Vince and his uncle did likewise, his aunt giving a curtsy deeper than strictly necessary.
The small group made their way around the grounds but Vince hardly saw where they went, stumbling several times when they entered the woods. He felt he should congratulate himself on having met with Mr Darcy and having maintained a facade of indifference, such as they had been able. With time, he felt, they would be able to meet and show nothing for one another. And just now he was pleased that they had need to walk in single file so that none could see the emotions flitting across his face. He longed to explore the entire park but, when they had crossed the bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs Gardiner could go no farther, and thought only of returning to their carriage and the waiting inn.
As they returned to the main walk and came within distance of the house, Vince blanched when he caught sight of Howard standing near their carriage, dressed in fresh attire and having apparently combed his hair. He had hoped that they might slip away unnoticed and seeing the man dressed so delightfully was just too much for him and he stumbled once more and fell to the ground. Howard was at his side in an instant. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were still some distance behind, having stopped to allow Mrs Gardiner to rest, and Vince realised that he and Howard were quite alone.
"Do not try to stand," Howard murmured. "If you have hurt an ankle standing will only injure it further."
"Thank you Mr Darcy, but I am not a weak young lady, prone to twisted ankles and swoons."
"I apologise, Mr Bennet," Howard said, still with his eyes averted but a slight smile on his lips. "You had me quite fooled."
Vince wanted to smile in return but would not permit himself. It would lead too easily to further expression of his feelings.
"I must offer my apologies for our being here, Mr Darcy," he said, plucking at the blades of grass around him. "We were assured by several people that you would not be at home and that you were rarely seen at Pemberley in any case."
"It is no inconvenience at all, Mr Bennet. I have not been much at home this last year but intend to spend more time here in future, and as I remarked earlier, I came home a day early and quite unexpectedly. You should have seen my housekeeper's face. It was quite the sight."
Vince did chuckle at that.
"You must treat your housekeeper well, Mr Darcy. She spoke very highly of you."
"Did she?"
"Of course, and assured me that you were not to be married at any time soon, as there is no woman she has heard of who is worthy of you."
"She is a kind woman and was very much the mother figure for my younger brother."
"We heard much of him as well," Vince said, beginning to feel comfortable in the conversation, even if it was quite odd to be so seated on the grass with another man, especially one he had decided to avoid.
"Are you really not to be married?"
"The news of your sister's decision has spread like wildfire," he said jokingly and Vince chuckled again.
"But, in truth, it was not so much my decision to not marry Miss de Bourgh as it was her decision to marry another. Lady Catherine is still very much against the match and seeks to lay the blame for the situation at the feet of whoever she shall be able to bully most successfully."
"How horrid for you."
Howard shrugged and Vince endeavored to slide a little closer to his side across the lawn without further ruining his breeches with grass stains.
"If I were not such a coward I might have stayed to see it out, but as it is I have gathered a number of companions and fled to my country residence. And now our party is complete."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You shall stay a day or two before heading on to Dewsbury, surely, Vince?"
"I do not think so Mr Darcy. I do not think it would be pertinent to delay our journey here."
"But among my party are them who will claim acquaintance with you and wish to see you."
"I can think of none in our intimate circle who would make such an assertion, Mr Darcy."
"Not even Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
Vince was torn but he knew that it was foolishness to continue in Howard's company. He moved to pluck another blade of grass and his hand instead brushed against that of the other man. He jumped violently and pulled himself quickly to his feet, just as his aunt and uncle approached. Howard stood more carefully and when he did so, placed himself still close enough to Vince that they could feel the heat radiating from one another's bodies.
"There is another who would very much like to make your acquaintance, Mr Bennet," he said with apparent casualness.
"My younger brother, Michael, has been told much about your love of music and good humour and has made it known that he would like to meet you at my earliest convenience. Surely now is a most convenient time, if your aunt and uncle can spare a day or two."
Mr Gardiner assured Howard that there was no rush for Vince to move on at all and that if Vince wished to stay on and see his friends it could be accommodated. Vince's stomach seemed leaden. It was quickly agreed and, to make the engagement more assured, Howard offered the use of his rods to Mr Gardiner and invited him to spend the day after next fishing at his very over-stocked trout pond.
With the arrangements made they made their polite goodbyes and entered their carriage. As they departed Vince watched as Howard walked slowly toward the house, his hair already tousled out of its style by the wind and his shoulders tight within his brown coat. He had no right to still be so very attractive, Vince thought, feeling exceedingly ill. It was unpleasant enough to be in love, without the object of the affection displaying himself so fetchingly.
They drove back to the inn where it was decided that Mr Gardiner would escort his wife to her sister's house in Dewsbury the next day and then return to fish at Pemberley and collect Vince in good time. They said goodnight and then, despite his knowledge that the action was a little silly, Vince climbed into bed with his hairbrush in hand. Both to remind him that he should not be thinking of Howard and to console himself that at least his doomed affection was not one-sided.