"And you Richard? Darcy asked, "what does almost in love mean?"
"Miss Elizabeth Bennett is beautiful, charming and intelligent," Richard replied with a self-satisfied smile. "She's also quite a clever girl. She saw her mother approaching you and applied for my intervention."
"Why did she think an intervention necessary?" Darcy asked curiously.
Richard's grin grew broader. "The poor girl is under the impression that you are shy and needed protection against her mother's onslaught."
Darcy was unsettled at this information. Was he so transparent that a young woman unknown to him had seen behind his mask of aloofness? "Did you tell her that I was not shy?"
"Of course, Darcy. I told her that you were so open and affable and ready to be pleased that you hadn't even put a pebble in your slipper."
All the men laughed except Bingley. "What's this about a pebble?"
"When Darcy doesn't want to dance," Richard replied, " he puts a pebble in his slipper and tells everyone he's sprained his ankle and can't dance. He's developed a limp that is quite pathetic to see."
Bingley was outraged. "And all these years I thought you were simply the clumsiest man I'd ever known."
"You didn't tell her that, surely," Darcy demanded.
"No. I allowed her the delusion that you are shy. Besides, I think she was really more embarrassed that her mother would approach you without an introduction. She is very discreet but I could sense her discomfort at her mother's actions and those of her two youngest sisters." Richard considered his cousin for a moment, "Does it matter what Miss Elizabeth thinks of you?"
"Certainly not," Darcy replied. "I haven't even been introduced to her." He changed the subject abruptly, "So you're almost in love, Richard. And is the lady almost in love with you?"
"What woman could resist me?"
Guy spoke up, "shall I list them all?"
Bingley chimed in, "how can you be almost in love? It's all or nothing." He threw a wary look in Josh's direction. "And Miss Jane Bennett is the lady I shall marry."
"Not if I marry her first," Josh said.
"Don't be ridiculous,Josh," Guy said. "You know you prefer brunettes. Miss Elizabeth Bennett would better suit you."
"Good grief!" Darcy said. "There should be a better criteria for choosing a wife than the color of her hair."
"Settle down, Darcy," Richard said. We're just being silly."
"Not me." Bingley stated.
"Nor me." Josh said.
Darcy was unable to sleep that night much to his annoyance. He'd had a long day and he couldn't remember when he'd last danced so much in one evening yet sleep would not come. He poured a small brandy and stood at the window gazing out at the night sky. Once more he felt that terrible restlessness when his mind slipped by so many years of loneliness. He envied his friends for the almost cavalier way they spoke of marriage.
Richard might almost be in love but when he married it would be to a woman of means. As the younger son of an Earl, he could do no other. And Guy and Josh would have to marry women who possessed at least ten thousand pounds. They were not yet the owners of their estates and the choice of a bride while their fathers still lived would never be theirs. He just hoped that they wouldn't raise expectations where there could be none.
As far as Bingley was concerned, he could very easily choose his own bride. He just hoped Bingley wasn't so fixated on a blond goddess that he couldn't see beyond the beauty that would fade in time.
As for himself, he had no answers and eventually crawled back into bed wondering what the next day would bring.
Darcy was still half asleep when he entered the breakfast room the next morning. He was surprised to see only Anne breaking her fast. "Where is everyone?" he asked.
"Caroline and the Hursts are still abed," Anne replied. "The rest of your friends have gone calling at Lucas Lodge and Longbourn. I will be calling later. Will you join me?"
"I don't think so. I thought I'd take a ride. Take a look at the countryside."
"I won't be going until after lunch. I'm meeting Miss Elizabeth Bennett for a walk into Meryton. Do come, Wills. You've not yet met the Bennetts and I think you should."
"I'll think about it."
Darcy rode for a good two hours traversing the Netherfield estate and the environs occasionally stopping and resting in the shade. It was a beautiful setting and he thought it might be a wonderful place to grow up and take long walks with a book for company. It certainly was one of his own favorite pastimes at Pemberley. His mind slipped sideways thinking of what it would be like to share his Pemberley with a woman he adored and who loved him for the man he was. Was such a love possible? Or was it just a fairytale built on longing.
He rode slowly back to Netherfield deep in thought.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy," Caroline Bingley said before he'd taken two steps into the dining room, "we were beginning to think you had lost your way."
"Yes, Darcy" Richard said, "we were about to send out a search party, we were so concerned."
Darcy threw a look at his cousin, "Richard, be good."
Richard exchanged a smile with Anne.
Bingley spoke up eagerly, "we had a great morning. We stopped in at Lucas Lodge and then Longbourn. Everyone was well and said how much they enjoyed last night."
"It was probably the highlight of the year for them," said Caroline.
Bingley chose to ignore the remark by his sister and continued, "we've all been invited to Lucas Lodge tomorrow night."
"Another insipid night with the natives?" Caroline sneered.
"That sounds delightful," Anne said. Count me in. How about you, Wills?"
Darcy thought for a long moment. "No, I believe I'd rather stay here and read."
"What a delightful idea," said Caroline. " We should all take a page from Mr. Darcy's book and read more. There's nothing I love more than curling up with a good book on a Summer's night."
Darcy heard Mr. Hurst snort at this ridiculous statement and suppressed a smile wondering at the woman's stupidity. He glanced at her and could see her spirits had risen considerably. He could almost see the wheels turning. Did she really think he was stupid enough to remain at Netherfield alone in her company while they curled up with a book. He suspected that it wasn't a book she wanted to curl up with.
"Darcy," Anne said, "do reconsider joining me in my visit to Longbourn this afternoon. "Besides curling up with a book, there's nothing more pleasant than an hour's walk through the countryside."
Caroline scoffed, "you haven't missed much, I must say, Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennett is a termagant of the first order."
Darcy laughed out loud. How Caroline Bingley could describe Mrs. Bennett as scolding nagging bad-tempered woman and keep a straight face was beyond him. Anne rolled her eyes and Mr. Hurst snorted again. Darcy glanced at Bingley who sat there with a dazed look on his face no doubt thinking of Miss Jane Bennet.
Guy and Josh were eying Darcy with some amusement. Louisa Hurst was smiling at something she saw through the window and her husband was attending his lunch with great concentration.
Darcy continued to laugh unable to get the fork to his mouth.
Beside him, Richard hissed "put that fork down before you stab yourself."
"I'm trying to" he managed between peals of laughter. Everyone at the table except Caroline found his laughter infectious and one by one joined him. It took Darcy several moments before he could calm himself during which he considered his answer to Anne's question. Once he felt able to control his mirth, he responded, "I believe I will join you, Anne. Mrs. Bennett sounds like a formidable lady and I could use the laugh."
The table once more erupted in laughter. Once more Caroline Bingley abstained.
On the way to Longbourn Darcy told Anne that he fully intended to attend the party at Lucas Lodge. "Just don't tell Miss Bingley until it's too late"
Anne and Darcy were announced and ushered into the Bennett drawing room.
Mrs. Bennett swooped down on her guests greeting them all with her shrill voice. She dismissed Anne with hardly a word and focused all her attentions on Fitzwilliam Darcy whom she had on good authority possessed ten thousand pounds a year, owned all of Derbyshire and half of London. "Such a pleasure Mr. Darcy. I've heard such good things about you."
"A pleasure, Mrs. Bennett," Darcy said with a bow. "I'm delighted to meet you at last." He glanced about the room and saw four young ladies; one angel, the accomplished one and the two silly geese.
They took their seats at Mrs. Bennett's direction. "Come, Jane," she cried, beckoning the angel. Come sit here with Mr. Darcy while I order tea."
Jane obeyed with a slight flush to her beautiful face.
Darcy glanced at Anne who immediately addressed Jane. "We all had such a wonderful time last night, Miss Bennett. We're looking forward to tomorrow night at Lucas lodge."
Mrs. Bennett hurried back, "oh yes, the Lucas's are such good friends of ours. It's so tragic that our dear friend Charlotte is so plain. Nothing like our dear Jane."
Jane closed her eyes in embarrassment and Darcy heard a gasp from the doorway. He looked up into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.
Elizabeth Bennett entered the room and addressed Anne, "Miss De Bourgh, how good to see you again so soon."
"Miss Elizabeth, may I introduce you to my cousin Mr. Darcy."
Darcy stood abruptly and dropped his hat which he fumbled and retrieved before bowing to Miss Elizabeth. As she curtsied to him he stared at her wordlessly. When it was clear that he was not going to say anything, she turned to Anne. "Have you come for our walk, Miss De Bourgh? It's certainly the day for it."
"I'm looking forward to it," Anne replied.
"I'll just get my bonnet."
"Get Jane's Bonnet too," Mrs. Bennett directed.
"I'd prefer to stay home this afternoon, Mama," Jane replied, gently.
"Nonsense! A good walk will do you good."
With a sympathetic smile, Lizzie left the room and retrieved the two bonnets.
Darcy accompanying three lovely ladies left the house and began a leisurely stroll down the road to the village of Meryton. He walked a distant behind the ladies studying the pastoral charm of the woods which lined their walk. Everything was green and lovely and he could easily imagine a young woman ambling through the woods and finding just the right spot to sit and enjoy a book.
When they reached the turnoff to Lucas Lodge, Jane made her excuses and headed towards Lucas Lodge. "I'll meet you back here in an hour," she said, but don't tell Mama," she added with a shy smile.
The three continued down the road now walking abreast with Elizabeth in the middle. Occasionally she turned to Darcy to see if he had anything to say but he steadfastly remained silent though interested in what the two ladies had to say to each other.
As they walked at a leisurely pace Elizabeth pointed out places of interest, particularly the road to Oakham Mount. She turned to Darcy "I think you'd enjoy a ride to the Mount, Mr. Darcy," she ventured.
He turned to her in surprise at her address and caught his breath. Her eyes were almost the color of violets and were framed by a double row of long thick lashs. The pleasure he felt looking at this woman was mixed with a pain of longing he'd never felt before. He nodded, numbly aware that Miss Elizabeth Bennett must think him the stupidest man in England.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled gently at him before turning back to Anne.
By the time the young women had reached Meryton they were calling each other by their first names and were fast becoming good friends. Darcy loved listening to them but especially he loved listening to Elizabeth laughing. What he most noticed about her was that she had nothing bad to say about any of her neighbors. She allowed that some of them had their foibles but didn't everyone? He saw also that though he hadn't uttered a word throughout their walk she continuously turned to include him in her observations and amusement. He supposed she thought his continued silence simply one his foibles.
When they reached Meryton she pointed out the different shops, especially her favorite, the book store. "It's very small but there's a fast turnover and I'm the first one in line on Thursdays."
"What kinds of books do you prefer, Miss Elizabeth?" The question was out of his mouth before he had formed the words.
Elizabeth turned in surprise. It was the first time she had heard his voice and he assumed that she probably thought he was incapable of speech.
"I have eclectic tastes when it comes to reading, Mr. Darcy. But I confess I'm partial to biographies and history and of course the Greek plays and our own Mr. Shakespeare." She grinned at him, "and if you keep my secret, I must confess I like an occasional novel."
Darcy returned her smile, "so does my sister, Georgianna."
"You have a sister? Is she at Netherfield with you?"
"No, she's in London. She's just sixteen years old and I thought that she would be bored at Netherfield."
Anne spoke quickly, "Darcy, why not tell Georgie to join us? I'm sure she misses our company. And I know how much you miss her."
"Perhaps I will. You don't think she'll be overwhelmed by...some of our company?"
"Georgie likes to walk out as much as we do and some of our company would not like to ruin her slippers. Oh, do, Wills."
Darcy smiled, "I can't refuse you anything, Anne. I'll write Georgie tonight."
On the way back to Netherfield, Anne said, "I'm glad you found your tongue at last, cousin. I was beginning to think you were going to remain mute throughout the afternoon."
Darcy had nothing to say in his defense. What could he say? He felt unnerved and unmanned.
"Darcy," Anne said, "are you listening to me?"
"No,"he replied. "I've been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."
"And will you tell me which lady has the credit of inspiring such reflections?"
"Miss Caroline Bingley."
Anne grinned, "She'll make a lovely bride with her orange ostrich feathers."
The two cousins were still laughing when they finally reached Netherfield.