Chapter 24: Gathering Clouds
Darcy was becoming used to Elizabeth dropping in to his study, usually after breakfast. Even Nevins was changing what had been their usual timing to accommodate her. He could hear her approaching footsteps outside, and in anticipation, Darcy closed the ledger he was reviewing.
"Miss Elizabeth," he greeted her. If she was embarrassed at being expected, she showed no signs of it. She smiled as she entered the study.
Elizabeth had come with a list of questions that she had already written out and they went over it together, before she moved on to the bookshelf. While Darcy could not quite comprehend Elizabeth's desire to learn about the minutiae of running Pemberley – and frankly, had never heard of ladies from his circle doing so – he appreciated the gesture and was thoroughly impressed by it.
When he had chosen Elizabeth to be his bride, he had focused on what he felt were the obvious advantageous qualities. She was a sensible, rational person, intelligent, and well-read. She was caring, compassionate, and spirited. She enjoyed the outdoors, almost a necessary quality when based out of an estate such as Pemberley.
All of that was still true; true but immaterial, because now he had lost his heart to her. All the rationalising in the world would not change that fact.
Darcy felt an aching sadness. Now that he had recognised Elizabeth for the person she was, the one woman who made him truly make him happy, it was just a matter of time before she slipped away. He had, after all, set the wheels in motion. Elizabeth had asked for nothing, but she had made no secret of why she had agreed to marry him. Unlike him, her acquiescence was unwilling, based on a need to save her family. She lamented her inability to choose, and never had it been clearer than when she had stated that free will was a luxury only for the very wealthy.
The best gift he could make to her was giving her the choice she had been robbed of, and Darcy had serious reason to doubt that Elizabeth would choose to remain at Pemberley if given a genuine choice.
"You are distracted," Elizabeth said.
"You have distracted me," he responded without thought.
"That is not good," Elizabeth noted, "as you look rather sad. I would not wish to distract anyone by bringing them grief."
"Do not worry yourself, I am not unhappy. Georgiana told me that you seemed apprehensive about your impending horse-riding lessons?"
"It is a feeble attempt to change the subject sir, but I shall let it go," she replied tartly, but without the hint of any real annoyance. "I would dearly prefer to enjoy the beauty of horses from their side, instead of atop them. I wonder if my powers of persuasion may yet convince you out of these wholly unnecessary lessons?"
Darcy laughed, burying his earlier despondency. "I would counter by suggesting that you will be able to better enjoy the beauty of Derbyshire by horseback. Especially in the snow, the views are breathtaking, but walking can only get one so far. As well, any summer tours would be enhanced by your ability to travel further by horse, beyond manicured gardens. If that will not convince you, imagine your sense of mastery when you are able to ride, without fear or trepidation!"
"Appealing to my vanity, I see. Clearly, your powers of persuasion exceed mine!"
Elizabeth had been tired from her riding lesson, but the weather was warm and the sun shining. When Georgiana finished her practices and wanted to walk about the garden to collect flowers, Elizabeth eagerly agreed. Jane had declined in order to finish some letters, and Darcy had been nowhere to be found in order to be invited.
"Did Fitzwilliam say if Mr. Bingley's sisters would be joining him at Pemberley?" Georgiana asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. "I did not ask, and cannot recall him mentioning." She observed Georgiana's nervous expression. "Do you not wish for Miss Bingley or her sister to attend here? I am sure Mr. Darcy can limit the invitation to just his friend, if too much company is not something you wish for."
"Oh! I cannot possibly ask him to do such a thing. It is nothing, and Miss Bingley is very nice to me, as is Mrs. Hurst. They both require a lot of attention however, and it simply tires me out. They also have such set opinions, I am always afraid of saying or doing something ill in their presence."
Elizabeth smiled. "Heavens, you are the last person I know that would behave badly! You have nothing at all to worry about; you are nothing if not appropriate." She thought her words may give some comfort and reassurance, and was instead perturbed when Georgiana looked down, dropping some of the flowers that she was holding.
"I am a foolish, foolish girl, and your opinion of me is mistaken and so undeserved!"
Surprised, Elizabeth moved closer to the younger girl, and clasped her hand. "My dear, what is the matter? There must be something particular to make you feel so bad about yourself. Whatever is troubling you, know that you can share with me and lessen your burden. We shall be sisters before the year ends, and I hope that you can trust me as such. But if that is perhaps too much just now, your brother is devoted to you and I am sure that -"
She was cut off at the sound of an approaching visitor. Elizabeth and Georgiana both turned to see a man approaching the house on horseback. When he saw them, he dismounted and hat in hand, bowed. He was neatly dressed, in clothing that was dusty with travelling absent rest. He seemed worried and tired.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am."
The ladies curtsied, and Elizabeth determined that it would be wiser to walk him to the house. Upon introductions, she found out that he was a Mr. Mason Poole here to see Mrs. Reynolds, but was able to determine nothing else. He was exceedingly polite and deferential to both of them, even walking several steps behind them. As they approached the stairs, Mr. Poole stalled as if to seek entry through the servant's entrance. Elizabeth did not see the need to stand upon such formality, and moreover, she would not be able to guide the gentleman there. As she invited Mr. Poole inside, she saw the butler, Mr. Nevins, exit the house, approaching them.
As Elizabeth watched in disguised interest, the butler absolutely blanched at the sight of Mr. Poole. In turn, the visitor bowed.
"Miss Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, the Master was looking for you indoors," Mr. Nevins said, attempting to usher them inside.
She smiled genially. "Mr. Nevins, it seems that we have a guest."
"I shall tend to Mr. Poole, thank you Miss. I believe that the Master was in the sunroom," he said, apparently needing no introduction.
Elizabeth nodded, wondering who Mr. Poole was to cause such consternation to the butler. She dawdled, following Georgiana slowly.
"I sincerely apologise for arriving in this manner," she heard Mr. Poole state in a low voice, "but I could not risk sending a message beforehand. You may hear soon that we are in some very serious difficulty and I am hoping that you could prevail upon Mr. Darcy to help, as we were once able to do."