Chapter Four
"Oh… what in the world are you doing staring at her?!" A voice shouted in his head.
Fitzwilliam Darcy wasn't able to keep the shaking of his hands concealed when he realized the woman from his brothers' party was standing before him! Or should he mention: behind the iron fence which separated them from the grounds surrounding the home. Early that morning, as was his custom, Fitzwilliam Lizzy and after praying his usual prayers, was informed by Francis that the early bushes of his new roses arrived! And Fitzwilliam… loving the season of spring… prepared in exited anticipation to greet Newport's nurseryman when he delivered them. This event took place in the morning and Fitzwilliam been left alone to tend to them.. Francis, more like a father than a family's butler, left Fitzwilliam alone when they arrived. And Fitzwilliam was more than happy to be alone when Francis merely nodded when he watched Fitzwilliam was in his own world! But when Fitzwilliam heard the sound of carriage wheels, he wondered if Phillip and Henry returned from their business?
And his friends, the local birds of the air, were chirping in the garden, when commotion from the front was heard. Fitzwilliam, kneeling, disliked hearing such noises; so, with the strength he had, he made his way over to the fence where the voices were coming from. As he approached, he struggled to make out who they were for one was a female and the other was a man. But he'd never heard such pounding in all his life!
"Could that be the reason for the birds' flight?" He thought as he made his way over.
"If Phillip and Henry returned early, they normally would drive to the stables… not the front!"
But when he realized he was staring at "the Queen of Beauty," Fitzwilliam's world stopped.
He found it difficult not to answer her butler, Norman, who made his name known as he answered.
"Norman. Seems you're one to let word slip."
Thank goodness for the steadiness in his voice, Fitzwilliam thought but he could tell that "the Queen of Beauty" barely took her eyes off of him. Fitzwilliam found it a little unnerving to notice this so he turned, with some difficulty, when Norman replied.
"Fitzwilliam… I mean… Mr. Darcy… I didn't expect to see you there."
The young woman, to Fitzwilliam's knowledge, continued to stare at him and he felt hurt when this happened. But who would blame her? He was used to it. Instead of being rude, though his soul shouted at him to take flight, Fitzwilliam turned and addressed the Bennet's butler.
"I was out in the garden when the nurseryman delivered the new Lizzy bushes, Norman. I heard the common and thought something was wrong. The birds took their cue when…"
"I made myself known and got to your butler's nerves?" The voice of the young woman asked.
"Miss Bennet!" Fitzwilliam heard Norman cry.
"Seems the Queen of Beauty has a voice about her." Fitzwilliam replied and for once – he was a bit pleased to notice that the young "Beauty," shrunk under the influence of the butler. But Fitzwilliam also noticed something about her…
"You here to see me?" He asked after a moment's pause.
When the young Miss Bennet kept staring at him, which to Fitzwilliam felt more like she was staring right through his skull, he heard her reply.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy. And if Norman would care to leave…?" He watched her turn as she gave the butler a raised brow or a gesture towards the carriage.
"I would like to talk with you, Mr. Darcy, from prying ears."
"Very well, Miss Bennet," Fitzwilliam heard Norman reply. But he could tell the Bennet's butler wasn't at all pleased knowing something was taking place and Fitzwilliam wondered if this was the right place for them to have conversation. It was still early morning and Fitzwilliam wanted to return to his flowers and plant the new bushes so they could grow beside their friends. But when he'd heard the commotion, he'd decided to rise and see what it was all about. And who would have thought?
"The Queen of Beauty was the one!" He thought.
Norman's figure soon returned to the carriage and as Fitzwilliam waited, he took his chance to peer over at "the Beauty" as she followed the butler with her eyes. Yes… from the evening before… she was a beauty to behold! Her long hair was up in the normal women's style: a bun but it was curled and a few curls hung from the back of her head down to her shoulders. Fitzwilliam never knew her to be such a beauty and he remembered hearing stories about her from his brothers. He felt a little ache in his back so he stepped forward and used the fence to support himself when she turned and his heart gave a leap. He tried to keep his reaction in when she asked.
"Mr. Darcy?"
"Yes?" He replied.
From Elizabeth's view, when "The Beast" made himself known, she felt her heart beat when she realized he was standing right beside herself and Norman! She blamed Norman so much for having not stood up for her against Francis! But what made it worse was that "the Beast" knew Norman! And he happened to be on the other side of the fence! When she listened to the two gentlemen talk, she knew she was in two worlds: one she was the Queen of Beauty and two: her butler knew "the Beast?"
Yet she had come there to apologize on behalf of all those present at the party the evening before! And she was intending to make amends for it! After she managed to shoo Norman away, she took a step forward as she answered.
"I wish to say I'm sorry for how you were treated last night, Mr. Darcy. It was wrong and the mistreatment wasn't right. I came here to say, that on behalf of everyone, my sincerest apologies."
"Master Fitzwilliam! Whatever are you doing standing by that fence?!" A voice interrupted and much to Elizabeth's annoyance – Francis appeared from behind the man using the fence to support himself. He didn't have time to reply when Francis, upon spotting Elizabeth, narrowed his eyes at her as he barked.
"And I thought I told you to never be seen here, Miss Bennet! Care to listen and leave Mr. Darcy alone?"
But then Mr. Darcy surprised Elizabeth when he answered.
"And Francis? I believe someone needs to make himself useful by returning to his duties?"
"But… Master… Fitzwilliam…!" The butler exclaimed but Elizabeth watched as "the Beast" pushed himself from the fence as he turned and shaking his head, addressed Francis.
"No excuses in this circumstance, Francis! I want to hear none of that! Miss Bennet here has done something which I will explain later. For now," he gestured for the butler to vanish, "return to your duties."
Elizabeth was as surprised by "the Beast's" words as the butler was. But Francis recovered before he nodded and soon left. When Mr. Darcy turned back to her, Elizabeth was stunned when he explained.
"I'm sorry about my butler. He's a bit protective about my brothers' rules when it concerns me."
Then she found the sentence she never thought she knew she was cable of asking.
"Your brothers' have rules for you? And yet they call you 'the Beast?'"
Inwardly, she wished she could have vanished into a hole when Mr. Darcy's chest puffed out a bit as he replied.
"That is the nickname they call me… as everyone calls you 'Beauty.' Am I correct on that?"
Elizabeth's reaction surprised herself when she turned and narrowing her eyes on "the Beast," placed her hands on her hips and in her defense, she exclaimed.
"Why, Mr. Darcy! I have never heard of a man talk to me in such a way! You do recall that I am the Beauty of Newport?"
"Yes." He replied but Elizabeth detected that Mr. Darcy or "the Beast" wasn't at all what he'd been from last night. And if she was watching correctly – was he enjoying talking with her or was he only yearning to escape her presence? Elizabeth knew the day needed to be moving along and she had those social invitations to respond to but for her… in this moment… it seemed this was the only opportunity she could have with the Darcy Brothers' brother – Fitzwilliam. Then she remembered something and her voice softened.
"That wasn't my intention, Mr. Darcy. I didn't mean to tread on that area. I came here to say I'm sorry for how you were treated last night and what can I do make amends for it?"
When she managed to collect her courage, she turned to him but he turned from her after she asked this. The morning sun was rising and Elizabeth heard a few chirping of the birds as she waited for Mr. Darcy to respond. His back was turned and she wondered if he wanted to return to his gardening or wish to rid her for the life of him. Recalling how he'd puffed his chest out, which was something she'd never seen in a man, Elizabeth wondered if speaking with him in this setting was alright or even appropriate for a woman of her standing.
"After all," a voice inside her asked, "you are the queen of beauty, are you not?"
"Miss Bennet," he began after what seemed eternity, "your apology has been the first I have heard from someone who took time out of their lives to step down and say they were sorry for watching how I was treated."
Touched, Elizabeth felt her heart leap when the "Beast" turned and smiling at her, he finished.
"I can see your butler wishes to be moving along. Why don't you return, Miss Bennet? I'm sure you have plenty of things to do. But thank you for apologizing for last night's treatment. It means more to me than what you can imagine. But before you leave," it was here Elizabeth saw he was using something to help him walk: a cane? Making her way over to the fence now, she placed her hands on the cold iron as she watched him hobble over towards a little Lizzy bush. As she did, he finished.
"I want to give you a Lizzy to remind you of this morning. This one here has blossomed and it is one of my favorite colors and I'm sure you will enjoy it." Then he used his hand and gently plucked the loveliest Lizzy Elizabeth ever seen in her life in his hand! Then, with some difficulty, he made his way back to her and when he extended his palm, the flower was in his hand as he said.
"Here. I hope you enjoy it."
When Elizabeth reached over and touched his fingers, they were soft and she longed to talk with him more when he quickly retreated them as she whispered, hating the way her voice sounded.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It is lovely."
He bowed slightly as he answered.
"I hope as much, Miss Bennet. I bid you have a fine morning."
Then she watched as he turned and using that cane, hobbled back to his gardening, where Elizabeth was left standing – watching him leave. The curve in his back and the way he seemed to walk remained in her mind when she turned and disliking more and more how she wasn't able to forget about him… Elizabeth asked Norman to drive her back to the Bennet residence. When the coachman slapped the reins, Elizabeth glanced back as the gates of the Darcy property opened but she didn't depart without seeing that the figure of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, hidden to a side tree of the garden, watched as her carriage left. As the doors closed, Elizabeth had a sparkle of hope she would see him again! She just didn't know when as her driver took off.
"Well… how did the Queen of Beauty enchant you, sir?" Francis later asked.
Fitzwilliam, as he sat in the dining hall of the manor, was annoyed when the butler approached him with the evening's meal. Later that day, as he progressed along after planting his roses out in the garden, which were perfect, Fitzwilliam wasn't able to push away the truth that Miss Bennet, the beauty of Newport, came on her own account to say she was sorry for the mistreatment he'd gone through the night before. Remembering Phillip and Henry were out of town, he was now in charge of the Darcy household! And he never liked having his own servants' talk to him in such manners! Especially if a visitor, such as Miss Bennet, came and said she was sorry for the mistreatment. He also remembered how she'd dressed for the occasion and this was impressive! He'd heard stories about how "fair a woman she was" and that his two brothers weren't the only ones vying for her hand. But what amazed him, as he turned to Francis, was that she was still alone and unwed!
"She seemed to have been quite a queen, to be sure, Francis!" Fitzwilliam replied and he was thankful he had strength in his back to answer him. As the butler nodded, Fitzwilliam disliked how Francis was displaying the attitude his brothers' would have wished him to have. He instead addressed.
"And Francis? Next time someone like her rings the bell – let her in! I wouldn't advice interrupting or acting in such a way which would offend someone! Especially the Queen of Beauty!"
"Yes, sir." Replied Francis.
Then a thought dawned on him and Fitzwilliam wondered if this would work. But then he remembered he was in charge of the Darcy manor… was he not? As Francis spooned out the soup, Fitzwilliam leaned forward as he asked.
"Francis? How would Miss Bennet react if she received an invitation to dine sometime with me this week?"
His butler's reaction was just what he yearned to see. The man practically jumped on his feet when he turned and after a moment, answered.
"Request that Miss Bennet dine with you, sir?! Isn't that against your brothers'-?"
"Rules?" Fitzwilliam asked but he didn't move. He kept his composure when Francis answered.
"I… don't suppose they would object, sir. But why do you wish to have Miss Bennet here? She's being invited to all kinds of social gatherings as you know."
"Yes. I know that." Fitzwilliam answered but he didn't wish to push down any sign of hope. Unknown to Francis, but he'd seen her glance over her shoulder when she left the manor. And she'd seen him. Fitzwilliam also knew of the "social gatherings" but he wondered if Miss Bennet would respond to this one…
"I have a way of writing, if you may recall, Francis." Fitzwilliam answered and he was feeling a little mischievous as he played the event in his mind. But he also knew that Miss Bennet was the lady of the social town yet when he'd seen her last night… something about her was different… something stood out to him he'd never heard about her… and regardless of how his brothers' wished for him to remain hidden… Fitzwilliam wanted to know more about "the Queen" he endlessly heard stories about.
Francis stirred him from his trance when he asked.
"Sir? What would you like to do?"
Ignoring the pain in his back, Fitzwilliam stared into Francis's eyes as he replied.
"Invite her to the manor to dine with me this weekend. I plan on talking with her about a certain matter…"
"Seems that you've received another invitation to Diamond Springs, Miss Bennet!" Norman exclaimed.
The days following her visit with "the Beast" or Fitzwilliam Darcy barely left Elizabeth. Throughout the course of the week, which consisted of her responding to the other social gatherings' she received from her friends, Elizabeth was seated in the parlor of the Bennet Residence on Wednesday afternoon and here, it was when Norman appeared and waved in front of her an elegantly decorated envelope! When she paused in her writing, she asked.
"An invitation to Diamond Springs? Who is it from? One of the Darcy Brothers?"
Though part of her hoped it was from Fitzwilliam! She kept this to herself when the gentleman handed her the envelope as he replied.
"See for yourself, Miss Bennet. The address is from the manor!"
"Alright. Take care, Norman! And don't bother me when I read it! The last thing I need is having a butler hover over me as I read!" Elizabeth replied and she made sure it was distinctly clear that Norman receive her feelings on that topic. As the obedient butler he was, as well as the coachman, Norman slightly bowed to her before he left her in peace. Thankful he was away, Elizabeth stood and approaching the window, she excitedly opened the envelope and let out a gasp when she read the sender's invitation.
"To Miss Elizabeth Bennet
You are invited to dine with Fitzwilliam Darcy
At Diamond Springs Manor
May 9th - 1896
7:00 Evening"
And the address was written but Elizabeth didn't notice this. Pressing the papers to her chest, she made sure none of the servants' were watching her before she approached her desk. In a much hurried manner, which was different from what she was accustomed to, Elizabeth immediately replied to Fitzwilliam Darcy's invitation. She found it challenging when she realized her hand was struggling to write. But she was charmed when she reached over and re-read how Fitzwilliam Darcy composed the summons to dine with him! As excited as she was, Elizabeth suspected something was stirring when she glanced over and noticed the lovely Lizzy he'd given her. She'd set it somewhere where none of the servants' would notice… all except Norman… who seemed to shrug his shoulders after the days since Monday when she'd seen 'the Beast.'
The fragrance of the flower sent her such feelings of charm, Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was inhaling the perfume sent from India or the most elaborate scent of tea! She felt herself blush when she realized she was daydreaming…
Shaking herself out of it, she resumed replying to Mr. Darcy's bidding. Once this was finished, Elizabeth Lizzy and making her way out to the parlor, she rang for Norman and when he appeared… he asked.
"Yes, Miss Bennet?"
"Norman? Ride into town and have Mr. Darcy letter in the post before this Saturday!"
She inwardly knew Norman sighed but he complied. When he took the letter, he answered.
"Yes, Miss Bennet."
And for once… though this wasn't her custom… Elizabeth heard herself reply.
"Thank you, Norman. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome… Miss Beauty…" he answered but when he said this, Elizabeth captured his eyes and she didn't miss the sparkle in them. When this happened, she wished she didn't feel the increase of heat in her cheeks when he smiled at her before he left. From there… Elizabeth knew Norman would ride into town to respond to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy's request she dine with him. As she watched him leave, she remembered she needed to be ready for the dinner and May 9th was that weekend! As if on cue, when Elizabeth turned around, one of the other maids, Sophie, stood to the side as she asked.
"Sophie? Would you care to ask Oliva to prepare a new gown for me? I plan on dining elegantly this weekend."
The maid, who was a few years older than herself, curtsied as she answered.
"Very well, Miss Bennet. Is there anything else you would like for the event?"
Seeming to wonder if others of her household were suspecting she was doing something at Diamond Springs, Elizabeth moved her head to the side as she cautiously answered.
"Yes, Sophie. Seems I will be wearing one of the finest gowns Newport will supply. Unless of course, the one ruined is given to the poor, I wish to wear the one which the seamstress is working on. When will it be ready?"
The light-blond maid answered.
"This Friday, Miss Bennet."
"Excellent." Elizabeth replied and using her hand, she shooed Sophie away to her duties. Part of her wished none of her servants expressed such admiration for her "being Queen of Beauty" and rarely did they address her in such a way but it was how she was being treated that implied this. Elizabeth, although known to most of her friends, was orphaned. After the passing of her papa at the age of 15, Elizabeth was not given a legal guardian for most of her relations were out of state and none expressed such a wish to take care of her! It pained her when she turned and a haunting memory came… it was when she'd wished papa never died and left her alone…
But she drew her shoulders back when Oliva's voice asked.
"Miss Bennet? The dress will be ready by Friday! What else do you wish to wear with it?"
"The diamond necklace and matching earrings." Elizabeth replied.
As the day progressed along, all Elizabeth was looking forward to the dinner she would have with Fitzwilliam Darcy. And May 9th was that Saturday… she could hardly wait to see him again!
"Even if it means keeping this a secret from my social friends." Elizabeth thought as she waited and listened to what Olivia informed her about the dress and how the seamstress was preparing it. For a woman such as herself – Elizabeth was pleased to know the lady was meeting her every request for this particular gown. She hoped Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy would like it for their dinner Saturday night as the remaining days passed by.
