Copyright 2021 Elizabeth Frerichs
Darcy's heart pounded as Bingley's carriage turned into Longbourn's drive.
He, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley had arrived at Netherfield late this morning. Darcy had expected to have to wait until tomorrow to see Elizabeth. However, Bingley had invited them to join him on his daily pilgrimage to Longbourn, explaining with a wide smile that he had waited to visit on the off chance that Darcy might wish to see the Bennets today.
Now, sitting in Bingley's carriage with Georgiana across from him, Darcy wondered if he ought to have sent word before arriving unexpectedly with Georgiana. Or perhaps he ought to have arranged for Elizabeth to come to Netherfield to meet her rather than introducing all the Bennets at once?
Georgiana had grown progressively quieter. He squeezed her hand now, not wanting to discuss her fears in front of Bingley and Mrs. Annesley but trying to reassure her that she need not worry. Elizabeth would make Georgiana feel welcome—as long as she was there to do so. And he and Mrs. Annesley would shield his sister from the worst of Mrs. Bennet's improprieties.
Bingley jumped from the carriage, secure in his welcome. Darcy helped the ladies out and before he could hardly credit it, they were being announced. As he stepped into the drawing room, his eyes sought Elizabeth's. A slight smile rested on her lips and her cheeks took on a rosy hue. Her smile grew, and he could not prevent his own lips from turning up in an answering smile. Seeing her caused his heart to swell. What a treasure it would be to return to that smile every day!
Like an angel from heaven, the moment she was introduced Mrs. Annesley immediately drew Mrs. Bennet into a conversation about Hertfordshire, and Darcy and Bingley were free to visit with their chosen ladies.
Elizabeth could not help but follow Mr. Darcy's progress as he led his sister towards her. He had returned even sooner than she had expected, and the smile that hovered on his mouth threw his good looks into sharp relief. Had Mrs. Bennet not been obsessed with Mr. Bingley, she would have leaped at the chance to pair Mr. Darcy off with one of her daughters.
"Miss Elizabeth, I am glad to see you looking well," he said as he and Miss Darcy sat down.
"And you also, sir," she replied. "I had not heard from Mr. Bingley that you had returned."
"We have only just arrived this morning."
Elizabeth's eyes widened before she looked down at her lap. Truly, she could no longer hide Mr. Darcy's attentions from herself. Marshalling her thoughts, she turned her attention to Miss Darcy, determined to meet his affability with an attempt to welcome his beloved sister. "You are most kind to wait on us so soon after arriving, Miss Darcy. How did you find the roads?"
Miss Darcy responded haltingly, her gaze swinging between her brother and the floor. Elizabeth saw at once that Mr. Wickham's characterisation was flawed in the extreme—not that she would have expected anything else from such a man. Miss Darcy was not proud, merely very shy. Elizabeth struggled to carry the conversation, finally turning the talk toward music and Elizabeth's attempts to learn from Mary. At that point Mary entered the conversation, and she and Miss Darcy began happily expounding on their favourite composers.
Mr. Darcy then turned to Elizabeth. "I see you have your books with you," he said, gesturing to her workbasket.
Elizabeth nodded. "I—I have been going over the drainage information since you left. I would not wish to misdirect the work," she murmured, her attention on her mother to ensure that the woman was fully engaged elsewhere.
"From our conversations, I believe you have more than done the necessary work to ensure that you do not dig poorly. However, it is not uncommon to doubt yourself when making large changes to an estate. I will tell you what my father told me: do the necessary calculations, but then do the work. You cannot let your fear of making a mistake keep you from acting, as mistakes are both inevitable and invaluable. Sometimes you simply do not have all the information, and you will not obtain it until you begin the changes. But what you learn from your mistakes is invaluable. It can make you into a better landlord, and, as I have recently learned, into a better person. From my experiences with you, I believe you are more than capable of turning mistakes into an advantage."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I shall do my best," Elizabeth said, surprised by his heartfelt encouragement. "How was your trip to London? Were you able to conclude your business satisfactorily?"
Mr. Darcy grimaced. "I was able to meet with the person I had desired to speak with. She did not provide me with any helpful information and appeared utterly ignorant of my chosen subject," he said quietly.
"And do you intend to pursue your chosen subject?"
"Until someone else provides information, I do not believe there is any way to pursue it. I have—" He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I have begun to consider your views on the matter to be more likely, little though I like the idea."
"I am not particularly enamoured with the suggestion either, but I have been unable to account for the—subject in any other way."
"Indeed."
Silence fell between them as Elizabeth considered how best to express her joy at his return, or whether in fact to do so.
"I am glad that your business was so speedily concluded," she finally said, unable to meet his eye.
"As am I," Mr. Darcy replied. "I must admit that I am glad I went to London for the opportunity of bringing Georgiana back with me, but otherwise I would not have chosen to leave had I known my business would be so unsatisfactory."
Elizabeth dropped her gaze even as her heart soared. Mr. Darcy would have preferred to stay in Hertfordshire. Dare she infer a compliment to herself in that? But no, while she had resolved to think well of him, she still considered it unlikely that he would offer for her. Better to save her dignity than to act like a lovesick fool and to lose his kindness and friendship in the process.
"And how did matters here progress while I was away?" Mr. Darcy asked after a few moments of silence.
Elizabeth sobered, recalling the continuing harangues from her mother as well as the new awareness of how much she had missed Mr. Darcy and the painful realisation that he was a far better man than her father. "My Aunt Philips brought us word that matters have been satisfactorily resolved with—" She glanced at Miss Darcy who was still occupied in conversation with Mary, Kitty having joined in.
"Bingley told me they have sent him to one of the prison hulks," Mr. Darcy murmured.
Elizabeth gave a small nod. "I hope your sister will enjoy Hertfordshire."
"I am certain she will," Mr. Darcy said firmly.
With that, the two turned their attention to their sisters. Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised to see Miss Darcy looking less uncomfortable while chatting away with Kitty and Mary. All three appeared to be enjoying the conversation. Miss Darcy was apparently proficient at drawing and playing pianoforte as well as the harp, and that combination had prompted a discussion of the relative merits of drawing versus music. Both her sisters were attempting to convince Miss Darcy that their chosen activity was by far the superior, but after hearing Miss Darcy's views on the subject, both expressed an interest in attempting the other's. Miss Darcy then agreed to spend time playing music and drawing with them. She then shyly suggested that Elizabeth might join them.
Elizabeth agreed, though she laughingly declared that her drawing was far worse than even her pianoforte playing.
Miss Darcy stared at her wide-eyed. "Oh, but I am sure you are just being modest."
"Indeed, no. I have never taken the time to learn to draw, so I am not at all accomplished," she replied with a smile.
"But you excel at music!" Miss Darcy exclaimed before instantly shrinking into herself.
Elizabeth hesitated. "I have certainly improved under Mary's tutelage, but I would not call myself a proficient."
Miss Darcy looked to her brother, confusion evident on her face.
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat awkwardly. "My sister is recalling my praise of your playing from last autumn. Rarely have I heard anything that I enjoyed so much."
Elizabeth stared at him, wondering if perhaps he was not quite the same man who had gone to London. A different Mr. Darcy had written the Letter. Perhaps another than her own Mr. Darcy had come in his place? But no. That was fantastical in the extreme.
Yet . . . his behaviour in the autumn had indicated little inclination to even tolerate her, let alone speak well of her to his sister.
She shook off her abstraction as the silent group waited for her reply. "You are too kind."
"Not at all," Mr. Darcy replied, his tone making the words slightly more significant than the typical rejoinder usually was.
Elizabeth determinedly turned her attention back to Miss Darcy and began to speak to her about her other accomplishments, wondering if this was the woman Mr. Darcy had used as his measure for an accomplished woman or whether, perhaps, he had just been teasing her last autumn and had allowed Miss Bingley to proclaim a wide variety of talents that he in no way agreed with.
Certainly Miss Darcy's education had been varied. Equally certain, if it were ever necessary for Elizabeth and her sisters to become governesses or companions, they would have to learn a great deal more. It had never been more obvious to Elizabeth how great the gap between her own education and that of a fashionable lady was. She had been accustomed to feeling superior, being well-versed in the important things as compared to ladies like Miss Bingley who could net purses but could not read a word of Latin; however, perhaps she had erred in this too.
Ignoring those skills would not make her more fit to marry a man like Mr. Darcy, nor to take any position open to a gentlewoman of reduced circumstances. A part of her mourned that she had added a wedge between herself and Mr. Darcy through her own prejudice. If only she had been less contemptuous of the softer arts. But really, as her mother had been their primary tutor in such things, it was no wonder that the jangling nature of their relationship had only pushed her towards the places she had felt accepted in—such as her father's library.
Well, she would speak to her sisters. They could not change the past, but they could make the best of the present, and perhaps the advent of Miss Darcy would be just the thing for them to expand their educational horizons.
The rest of the visit passed pleasantly enough. Elizabeth's new awareness of her feelings towards Mr. Darcy at times caused her to read deeper meanings into Mr. Darcy's words, and she several times had to admonish her wayward heart and rosy cheeks, reminding herself severely that she was not some schoolgirl. She was reasonably certain she had not made a fool of herself by the time they left, though a wish that they might see the Darcys again soon had leaped from her unruly lips. Mr. Darcy's smile had grown, and he had replied that he was certain they would.
"Well, what did you think?" Darcy asked his sister the moment they were finally alone later that evening. He was so anxious for her response that he could hardly sit still and shifted in his chair like a small boy stuck in Sabbath services while Mr. Collins preached.
Georgiana's expression brightened. "Oh, William, I do so like Miss Elizabeth. And the way you look at each other—it is—I only hope that one day someone may look at me the way you look at her."
"At each other?" Darcy repeated, his heart beginning to speed up. "How does she look at me?"
"Well, I—I am not experienced in such things, but I believe the way she watches you and the times when she blushed . . . . She was so happy to see you when we arrived. I am glad that you brought me with you today so that I could witness her joy."
"She did not seem indifferent," Darcy mused, almost to himself.
Georgiana smiled shyly. "No, she did not."
"And what did you think of the other Bennets?"
"I—" Georgiana faltered. "I believe that I will enjoy my time with Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, and Miss Kitty. I did not speak with Mrs. Bennet or Miss Bennet enough to form an opinion on their characters. Miss Lydia did not seem lively at all."
"No, she did not." In fact, she had sat in a corner somewhat removed from the company, a shadow of the vibrant young woman who had so disgusted him.
Georgiana drew in a deep breath. "I wish to speak to her about Mr. Wickham. If I can at all alleviate her suffering—I wish to speak to her."
"Mrs. Bennet is not aware of her daughter's situation, so it will have to be arranged through Miss Elizabeth."
Georgiana's eyes widened. "Miss Lydia's mother does not know about Mr. Wickham? How can she not notice the alteration in her daughter?"
"She does notice; Mrs. Annesley mentioned that Mrs. Bennet is concerned for her youngest daughter's health and that she has 'not been herself as of late.'"
"Yes, but—but do they not wish for their mother's support?"
Darcy sighed. "Georgie, I know that we have spoken much of Mother and of how encouraging she was to me, but that is not true of all parents. From my observations, Mrs. Bennet would certainly take her daughter's side, but she would consider Miss Lydia to have been abominably used and would air her grievances to the neighbourhood."
"Would she not understand that doing so might hurt Miss Lydia later?" Georgiana asked with confusion.
Darcy considered, trying to see things from the perspective of the woman who (hopefully) would someday be his mother-in-law. "I do not think it would occur to her. Mrs. Bennet appears to live very much in the moment and is ruled by her emotions. Nor does she expect her neighbours to take any view other than her own. She would likely believe that everyone would see how ill-used Miss Lydia was and imagine that only a fool would be put off by the truth. I doubt she would consider that, though it would not deter someone who knew the family before learning the information, it might discourage others from accepting the Bennets in the first place. Nor would she account for the story to twist with the tides of gossip."
Georgiana remained silent as though struggling to accept the information. Finally, her eyes misty, she stood and went to him. "Thank you, Brother, for caring for me. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for Miss Lydia and her sisters to lack the support of their parents."
Darcy stood and enfolded her in a hug. "I am only sorry that I am but a poor substitute for our parents."
Georgiana shook her head against his chest. "No, not a poor substitute. You are the best of brothers." She drew in a shuddering breath. "I am glad that the Bennet daughters at least have each other."
"As am I," Darcy replied firmly. "I will speak to Miss Elizabeth about obtaining a private conversation with Miss Lydia for you."
"Thank you." She hesitated. "Miss Mary and Miss Kitty have invited me to return on Monday so that we may play pianoforte together. Is that—do you think that would be all right?"
"Neither I nor Miss Elizabeth will be present," Darcy reminded her. "She is overseeing the installation of new drains on Monday, and Bingley and I intend to watch."
"They thought I might be at loose ends that day."
"I see. As long as Mrs. Annesley accompanies you and you are comfortable going without me, I do not see a problem with it."
Georgiana squared her shoulders. "I am a bit nervous, but I am determined to become well-acquainted with them. And I do want to play a duet with Miss Mary."
"Then go you shall," he said with a smile, proud of her resolve.
"Lizzy, I believe Mr. Darcy likes you," Kitty said as the five sisters were sitting in Elizabeth's room that night, all arrayed in their nightgowns.
Elizabeth could not hold back a start. "Pardon?"
"Mr. Darcy is interested in you. He looks at you nearly the way Mr. Bingley looks at Jane."
Jane's cheeks turned rosy, but she agreed. "I was surprised to see him and his sister today. Mr. Bingley did not mention they had arrived."
"They only arrived this morning," Elizabeth admitted.
Kitty crowed. "So he rushed to see you? How romantic!"
Elizabeth glanced over at Lydia, concerned that any mention of romance might further depress her sister. She could not discern much reaction, as Lydia had been quiet and withdrawn for the past few days, but she fancied that her sister had curled in on herself slightly. "Actually, I wished to speak to you of Miss Darcy's kindness. I believe we ought to return her call tomorrow as she was so extraordinarily polite as to visit us today."
"We should," Jane agreed. "We cannot match her civility, but we can certainly imitate it."
"I found her to be a most congenial young woman. Kitty and I invited her to come play pianoforte on Monday, as her brother will be busy," Mary put in quietly.
Kitty nodded eagerly. "Miss Darcy is going to play her favourite piece for me! She says it always reminds her of a watercolour painting."
"That sounds lovely, Kitty," Jane said warmly.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. "I have been wondering if we ought to use Miss Darcy's visit to better ascertain which skills we are lacking."
"Skills we are lacking?" Mary asked stiffly.
Elizabeth nodded. "I am hopeful that the improvements to Longbourn may provide us with sufficient funds when Papa passes away. However, if we are forced to take positions as governesses or companions, I am not sure that we possess the requisite skills to do so. I certainly could no more teach drawing than could our horses," she said with a little laugh. "And I feel like I am all hooves when it comes to fine work." She sobered. "I know that we do not have as much leisure time as we have had in the past, but I wondered if you thought we ought to make the attempt to learn the skills society considers essential?"
Lydia stirred. "If we had those skills, we would not need to marry?"
"Depending upon the position."
"Then let us learn them," Lydia said fiercely.
Elizabeth exchanged a worried look with Jane. Was Lydia merely avoiding what had happened with Mr. Wickham? Although, perhaps this was a way for her to take back control, to have a choice about marrying or not. Perhaps it was a good sign that she was no longer parroting their mother's views?
Mary cleared her throat. "I agree. I would like the option to marry or not, rather than having to marry someone with whom I would deal extremely poorly. No one can know the future—"
Despite the serious situation, the Letter popped into her mind and a bubble of mirth sprang up in Elizabeth's throat. She forced it back down.
"—and it may not be necessary. But I would rather be prepared in the event that it is."
Kitty nodded hesitantly. "I would rather marry, but it does sound wise to be prepared."
"And such skills would only increase our eligibility and make us more fit in the event that our husbands are involved in London society," Jane put in quietly.
"Then we are agreed?" Elizabeth said, looking around at her sisters who all nodded.
"Perhaps those of us who are given lessons by Miss Darcy may then teach the others," Mary suggested. "She has already offered to teach me something about drawing so that I may compare it with music."
"Yes, she and Mary are going to teach me some pianoforte," Kitty put in.
"I think that is an excellent idea, Mary," Jane said warmly. "I doubt I will attend these lessons as someone has to sit with Mama, but I too would like to learn."
"Even if you will probably not need the lessons if Mr. Bingley has anything to say about it?" Kitty asked with a laugh.
Jane smiled serenely at her sister's teasing. "Even if I marry, I may still need the skills to navigate society. And we do not know if Mr. Bingley will remain in Hertfordshire."
Talk turned from the Netherfield neighbours to Longbourn's tenants, and no more was said on the subject. Elizabeth, however, studied Jane surreptitiously. She and Jane had spoken of Jane's concerns that Mr. Bingley, like their father, would prove unreliable, and she wondered how her sister was doing now that Mr. Bingley had been consistently attentive for the past few weeks. Jane had continued to express her interest in Mr. Bingley more openly and it was obvious that Mr. Bingley reciprocated, however, had Jane's misgivings remained?
Perhaps they merely needed more time together for Mr. Bingley to prove himself.
Sorry this is a bit late, y'all! Busy day :) Thanks for all the reviews and critiques and engagement with the story last week! I so appreciate all your encouragement and feedback and thoughts :)
Thanks to my betas, Arendelle, Dawn, Roberta, and Roxey, who did another fabulous job with this chapter!
And yes, I do appreciate it when people point things out! I am not a Regency expert (although I suppose if I keep writing in this fandom eventually I might become one). In the meantime, however, I need all the help I can get ;)