Elizabeth hummed as she rolled curling papers in the hair framing her face. Holding the paper in the rolled hair while looking in the mirror, she reached for the curling iron.
"Be careful, Lizzy!" Exclaimed Mrs. Gardiner as she entered her niece's room. "You do not want to burn your hand right before Mr. Darcy calls."
She caught her aunt's eyes in the reflection of the small mirror in the Inn's room. "I apologize, aunt. I will refrain from scaring you again." Elizabeth said with a cheeky smile.
"You are cutting it close."
Curling another strand of hair in a paper, "I have found that my curls do not last long at all and so it is better to curl them immediately before I depart."
Mrs. Gardiner sat on the end of the bed. "I do like that color of dress on you. It is one of my favorites of your dresses."
"Let us hope Mr. Darcy finds it pleasing as well. It is a far sight better than the blanket I wore and he still offered for me." She turned on the stool, her face serious. "Tell me aunt, how much did uncle have to convince Mr. Darcy to offer for me?"
Her aunt nonplussed, hesitated. "Lizzy! You were compromised. Anyone knew that."
"You did not look happy when we arrived at Pemberley yesterday."
"Your uncle and I had expected him to talk to you immediately and when it was obvious he had not, well, you could not expect us to be pleased."
"You could not expect him to not do his duty, aunt. He is a gentleman and prides himself on being the best gentleman he can."
"You know him better than we had expected, Lizzy."
At that statement Elizabeth turned back to the mirror.
"Did he court you in Hertfordshire?"
Elizabeth laughed under her breath then stood. "No, he most assuredly did not like me then. Well, he did not show it at least. I had no idea, indeed I thought he disliked me as much as I did him."
Mrs. Gardiner joined her near the door. "Oh Lizzy." Her aunt's usual pleasant demeanor fell. "I had hoped you would marry for love, as you had always declared. But you seem to get along well, from what I have seen?"
"I...we seem to understand each other better now." Elizabeth quickly opened the door and entered the hall where Mr. Gardiner was waiting for them. She did not want that avenue of conversation to continue. That would lead to her revealing the horrible declaration he had made at Hunsford, and the dreadful things she had said. The less anyone knew of that scene the better.
They descended the staircase just as Mr. Darcy entered the Lambton Inn. Elizabeth's entire body flushed at the sight of her handsome betrothed. She took a deep breath as she descended the rest of the steps, the better able to get control of herself though she had not forgotten that he had declared they would get married before even discussing it or even asking for her hand. Even with her reticence on the matter, Elizabeth knew she was very fortunate indeed that Mr. Darcy was a gentleman and would do what was required. But as she had told him the day before, she wanted their felicity in marriage not left to chance.
After greetings were exchanged, Mr. Darcy escorted Elizabeth outside and handed her up in his barouche. The carriage was well appointed, the bench quite comfortable. But it was not as large as a coach and therefore her thigh brushed up against his when he shifted on the bench beside her.
Mr. Darcy must have instructed the driver beforehand on the intended route as he gave no instructions, but pointed out the various features in Lambton and then amongst the Derbyshire countryside. Both Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy discussed their love of the large tree by the smithy and how they had both climbed on it as children.
Elizabeth learned much about her betrothed during the ride and conversation with her aunt. It was still astonishing how more talkative he was in comparison to any other time she had met him. She could not determine if it was it due to a determined change in his behavior or was it due to his being more comfortable on in his own land.
They were now on the far Northern end of his lands when Mr. Darcy called for the driver to stop and they all descended to walk along the riverbank. Mr. Darcy pointed out the best fishing spots to Mr. Gardiner as well as inviting him to fish anytime he wanted at Pemberley.
Mrs. Gardiner leaned close to Elizabeth. "I shall never be quite happy till I have been all round the park. A low phaeton, with a nice little pair of ponies, would be the very thing."
Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy to see that he was occupied in describing which outcropping of the bank concealed the biggest trout. Then she turned to her aunt, "I shall not request it too soon in the marriage for fear he thinks I am mercenary."
"Lizzy, no one who knows you would think that. You told me yourself how disagreeable he had been in Hertfordshire. You are the last person anyone would think had purposely tried to compromise him."
The two men then walked back to the barouche and they continued their tour of the grounds of Pemberley. An open field not far from the stream was dotted with wildflowers and a large oak tree.
"What a perfect tableau, I could not think of a more perfect setting for outdoor luncheons and picnics." Elizabeth turned to her betrothed. "Do you have outdoor luncheons under the tree?"
"I have a faint memory of attending one as a child. I can easily arrange one if you would enjoy it?"
Elizabeth glanced away, the heady knowledge that this man would arrange matters to please her, making her blush. She glanced at her aunt and saw excitement and wonder in her eyes. Her aunt would no doubt continue her line of questioning again that she was better acquainted with the man next to her than she had led them to believe. "I think that would be wonderful if it would not be too much of a bother."
"None at all. It is settled, I will call for you tomorrow for an outdoor luncheon."
The barouche turned back towards the village then, Mr. Darcy needed to take care of business matters he had neglected while away for several months.
Elizabeth was surprised at how much she wished they did not have to part.
The next day arrived slowly such was Elizabeth anticipation for the outdoor luncheon. At Longbourn they had used several blankets and carried a basket of wrapped sandwiches for the meal. The last time they had done such a thing had been many years ago. Mrs. Bennet had detested the experience and it had never been repeated. Except for the times Elizabeth rambled along the paths through their land and brought an apple to eat while sitting on Oakham Mount.
She was sure whatever food would be in the basket Mr. Darcy would provide would be far better fare, but it did not matter to her. An outdoor luncheon was an event she was predisposed to find utterly enjoyable.
When the barouche Mr. Darcy had sent for Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrived at Pemberley, it was to a sight she could not have expected in her wildest dreams. There were the expected large blankets on the grass, but the tables and chairs on them were not. Nor were the table clothes, plates and glasses, covered dishes of food, vases of flowers and footmen at the ready to serve. But that was not all, as croquet hoops were set on the field waiting for players. Elizabeth closed her mouth thankfully before the barouche stopped and Mr. Darcy took her hand to help her descend.
"I hope you approve?"
Elizabeth could not take her eyes from the picnic, nay outdoor luncheon set before her. "How could I not? It is… it is wonderful."
She turned to him, a grin on her features. Then she saw her favorite childhood game on the field by the blankets, hoops and sticks. Had her aunt mentioned it to him yesterday? Elizabeth glanced at Mrs. Gardiner but found her mentioning to Mr. Gardiner the foresight to have vases with flowers on the corners of the blankets.
How long had this taken his staff to arrange and prepare? This certainly could not have been undertaken by a smaller estate. Elizabeth felt honored and was struck by the wealth and power Mr. Darcy commanded. Even though she had never chased men for their prestige and wealth, she could understand its appeal.
He bent his arm and escorted her to the table as another equipage approached bearing Georgiana, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hearst. The youngest Bingley sister seemed to have recovered from her fainting spell the day before, though not as lively. The news of Mr. Darcy's betrothal must still be affecting her.
Once they were seated, covers were removed from the dishes and the true fare was revealed. The expected finger sandwiches, slices of ham and cheese were present and accompanied by the unexpected - bottles of wine, a variety of pies and freshly caught trout. The trout melted on her tongue.
"This is exquisite, Mr. Darcy," stated her uncle. "From your stream?"
"Yes. I could not regale you with my fishing tales the day before without catching our luncheon this morning." Mr. Darcy answered Mr. Gardiner while he stared at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth could scarcely focus on her meal. She had asked him to court her and he was conducting an admirable job of it. When they had some semblance of privacy, she would tell him so. Perhaps during croquet. Or during a walk by the stream.
With the feast concluded for the time being, the pies were covered but stayed on the table, the group approached the croquet hoops, even Miss Bingley. Elizabeth was unsure what surprised her more, that Miss Bingley deigned to join in playing a children's game, or her display of not unconsiderable skill at knocking her ball through the hoops.
When Georgiana and Elizabeth were stuck at the same hoop, they reached an agreement. "Your brother is quite good at croquet. It would be a shame if my poor aim knocked his ball far out of play."
A shocked glance preceded Georgiana's giggles. They both aimed their balls and knocked Mr. Darcy's far from the next hoop. He did not mind though, he was ever the perfect gentleman happy that everyone was enjoying themselves.
"This was a splendid idea, Darcy!" Exclaimed Mr. Bingley. "I have never enjoyed myself more."
"I should not be the recipient of your praise, Bingley. That honor goes to Miss Bennet, for picnic was her proposal."
The Gardiners agreed it had been a wonderful scheme, their happiness and delight evident. Mrs Hurst stated it was a nice diversion but Miss Bingley was silent and looked ill. Mr. Hurst had not joined his wife in the game, he was face down on the table exuding intermittent snorts.
After the game of croquet concluded, for which Georgiana and Elizabeth declared themselves the winners for knocking Mr. Darcy's ball away from every hoop he attempted to capture. Mr Bingley was a surprisingly good shot but conceded that the ladies won as they did such a fine job of taking care of his main competitor, Mr. Darcy.
Georgiana and Elizabeth walked back to the picnic table arm and arm, laughing. The table had been set up perfectly as it was now entirely in the shade of the big oak tree.
They all resumed their seats for pudding, which along with the pies now included tarts. Elizabeth had difficulty choosing between a custard or apple tart. She could not remember an entire afternoon in which she had been so pleasantly entertained.
"Miss Bennet," asked Georgiana. "Have you played hoops and sticks?"
"It was my favorite game as a child. I have not played in some time. Shall we play now?"
The pair finished their respective tarts then walked out from under the shade back into the sun where the hoops and sticks laid on the lawn. They each took turns holding the stick with the other throwing the hoops trying to land them on the stick. Much laughter ensued as it was a game Elizabeth loved but she was notoriously horrible at it. She could even hear her aunt laughing at her, and then screaming.
Wait, that was not right. Elizabeth turned back to face the picnic. At first she could not fathom what was causing distress, but then Miss Bingley stood while pulling at her dress and screaming.
"Beast! Help! This foul beast is eating my dress by Madame Devy!"
Elizabeth ran back to the picnic as the gentlemen, excepting Mr. Hurst, stood to come to Miss Bingley's aid. As she rounded the table to the far side and the screaming woman, she stopped and quickly covered her mouth. Laughter would not be appropriate at this moment. Miss Bingley's fashionable dress out of gold threaded muslin was currently in the mouth of a sheep.
"Abominable creature! Where did it come from?"
The creature in question tossed its head, the loud rip of Miss Bingley's dress filling the air. Along with a long drawn out scream.
The men moved at once while Mrs. Hurst yelled at the footmen to do something. Miss Bingley held her hands over the exposed shift on her right leg. Mr. Darcy caught and held the sheep by the wool about its neck as the beast chewed its ill gotten feast. Mrs. Gardiner approached and offered her wrap which Mr. Bingley tied around his sister's waist. It mostly covered the large missing piece of her costly dress.
"Sheep! I hate sheep! Dirty, filthy —"
"Caroline!" Mr. Bingley held the crying woman's arm and guided her to their barouche which had just pulled to a stop from whence it had waited for the picnic's conclusion, further down the field.
Mr. Hurst snorted loudly, waking and raising his head from where it had rested next to his pudding. "What? Fine nuisance, eating out of doors."
His wife grabbed his arm and they climbed into the barouche accompanying the still shrieking Miss Bingley, while her brother tried unsuccessfully to calm her. The crying along with the hoofbeats faded into the distance and the resulting peace and quiet was a welcome respite.
The sheep, who had finished the feast, lifted her head to identify the next source of sustenance which was dangling off the table just a few steps away. The clashing of dishes as the tablecloth was abruptly pulled by the sheep's strong teeth, accompanied the utensils being tossed about onto the blanket underneath.
Cries of alarm and gasps filled the air. Mr. Darcy quickly reached the peckish ewe and with the help of Mr. Gardiner and two footmen, they were able to prevent the rest of the tablecloth being fodder for the ravenous beast. However, the damage was done and broken china littered the blanket at the sheep's hooves.
"She is formidably strong!" Exclaimed Mr. Gardiner as he watched the two footmen push back against the sheep to keep her from charging forward for another bite of tablecloth.
"Yes. Good Derbyshire stock," said Mr. Darcy drolly.
Elizabeth covered her mouth as a laugh threatened to escape. But the hilarity of what had just occurred would not leave her. She turned her back to hide her struggles, tears leaking from her eyes at the effort.
"Oh Miss Bennet, please do not cry." Georgiana stood next to her, worry and concern plainly etched on her features.
Struggling to speak in between holding in her laughter, "Georgiana…no, I…apologize…for …giving the…wrong…impression. I am…trying…to hold in…my laughter!" And then she could speak no more for she had truly failed at the endeavor, she was barely able to stand as she bent over at the waist, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
Giggles joined in from Georgiana, then the rest of the party participated in the laughter which as a rule is quite contagious.
A young sheepherder ran down the field then stopped as the damage the beast had wrought became evident. The young lad was waved forward by Mr. Darcy who turned over the beast to his care.
"How did it wander off this far from the herd?"
The lad looked to be nearly in tears, fear for losing his post obvious. "This one is always causing trouble, sir."
"Do not worry, you are not losing your position. And your pay will not be docked." He looked at Elizabeth with a twinkle in his eye. "This creature is the cause of my future happiness and I shall not hold her misbehavior against you."
The lad replied by dipping his head, a large smile gracing his dirty face.
"I would like her kept in the small fenced field next to the stables," ordered Mr. Darcy. "The beast will be less likely to escape and cause trouble then."
The sheepherder bowed and escorted the cantankerous creature in the direction of the stables, next to the house.
With the picnic concluded, footmen were cleaning up the mess and packing the dishes, their conveyance was called forth. Mr. Darcy handed Elizabeth into the barouche.
As they slowly drew away, Elizabeth continued to look behind her committing the scene of Mr. Darcy standing in front of the outdoor luncheon to memory. For she did not want to forget when she had fallen in love with Mr. Darcy.
Sorry about the delay in posting this chapter. I started a new medicine two weeks ago and...the constipation is severe. So severe I was puking food I had eaten two days earlier. Yikes! Mounjaro does not cause problems in what seems to be 90% of the people, but it's being difficult with me!