Hi all! Apologies for my delay in writing. In short, my own Mr. Darcy has left for deployment and I moved back home while he is gone. The summer has been filled with packing and sadness. But it feels so good to write again! I have the rest of the story mapped out and have hopes to update more frequently. Please review and kindly let me know if there are any errors!
Chapter 6: Matters of the Meadow
Mrs. Reynolds hummed quietly to herself as she revised the ingredient list for the next week. She would order double in case the Darcys' unexpected guests remained. In truth, her pantry stock was rather low. The master of the house had not been home for long bouts since last Spring, and the Darcy household was not one of excess.
She had not felt such spirit in the house for quite some time. The Darcys were far too severe for their own good; she could not imagine being forlorn with such lifestyle and privilege. But she loved them just the same, and Mrs. Reynolds fervently prayed that both brother and sister would find such company that would lift their spirits.
Mrs. Reynolds quickly set her papers and quill aright and folded up the desk–she was not one to lollygag about ruminating on other's troubles. Yet, she could not help but pause once more to look at the picturesque view out the window. There, on the bank of the lake, was quite a merry picture of the Darcys and Miss Elizabeth on a blanket outside.
She harrumphed with satisfaction. Miss Elizabeth was exactly what this small family needed at this moment. Perhaps she would join cook in the wager after all. Many of the staff had started to place bets on just how far Mr. Darcy's attachment to Miss Elizabeth would run. She never joined in such gambling, but the odds were looking very good indeed.
The party lazed about near the lake with an assortment of fresh fruits, nuts, and cold meats. Lazed was perhaps inaccurate, for most of the party were too desirous to please the other.
"And then I will be learning a great deal more of Latin in the fall. Though what a lady is to do with Latin I cannot fathom! I do not enjoy philosophy as much as my brother. He seems to constantly be reading the classics but all they do for me is put me in such a slumber. I once took a nap right in the library when I was supposed to be studying! I was discovered by Mrs. Youn–by my former governess." Georgiana rambled.
The two other members of her party were behaving quite shyly, and therefore she was stuck playing hostess again! Not that she minded, except she was not skilled in conversation. And as Elizabeth and she drew closer, her guard lowered. She found herself desiring to speak of the more pleasant moments of her past, but it proved an impossible task without exposing the darker history of herself.
Surely she could trust Miss Elizabeth to keep such a tale to herself? Oh, but what if by exposing her mistakes, she widens the gap between the couple sitting before her now? She wrung her hands and quietened.
Mr. Darcy, finding that her sister had exhausted her social capabilities, was quick to engage the new member of their party in conversation.
"Do you see that break in the trees there, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth found herself nodding eagerly, for the gap had piqued her curiosity earlier this morning.
"Just beyond the tree line, there's a meadow of flowers. I think you would enjoy the scenery of it all. It's quite picturesque. Perhaps after our lunch, we can stroll and see it? And you, Georgie, would you care for a visit? 'Tis one of your favorite spots, after all."
He had noticed her sister's air turned somber after her near slip of discussing Mrs. Younge. Since his return, the pair had managed to avoid speaking of such unpleasantness, but Darcy felt he would need to speak with her directly and assuage her guilt. Such guilt they both carried!
"I for one am most eager to see it. I noticed it during my walk this morning but feared venturing too far out."
"Did you note anything else you were eager to see more of, Miss Elizabeth?" Georgiana asked innocently enough. But then she noticed how both members of her party's ears began to color, and she was quick to gape. They had discovered one another! Oh, how romantic.
"I did notice there was a small creek in the distance just east of here. I imagine it leads back to Lambton and to the greater farmland of the area."
"Exactly so, Miss Elizabeth." Darcy could not help but marvel at her. "You must be familiar with estate matters, then, to reach such a conclusion on its layout."
"I am, yes. My father needed someone to listen to him. The rest of the girls in the house found him too dull, and he was without an heir to instruct. Luckily for me, I preferred his company to mama's."
He noticed Elizabeth's dimple appeared when she made a quip. He couldn't help but beam at her.
"What part of estate matters intrigued you most at a young age, do you think" Mr. Darcy could not help but prod further, eager to deepen his knowledge of her.
Elizabeth's lips pursed as she considered.
"The people, I suppose. For us all to rely on one another so heavily. The tenants, to the master's planning. The master, to the tenants' labor. It's such an intricate system. As intricate as the natural world, at least it seemed to me at the time."Elizabeth explained.
"And now, what do you think of it now?" Darcy inquired eagerly.
"I think the natural world far superior in planning. The bees are more industrious, after all."
A dimple appeared again; he was lost. Their eyes held longer than they ever had before. Both sparkled
Georgiana blinked rapidly in consternation. Surely, Latin was easier to understand than this back and forth. No wonder her brother fancied Miss Elizabeth! They were the only two who could enjoy estate matters with such intensity. She felt the romance required more kindle.
"Shall we promenade to the meadow?"
Elizabeth laughed gaily, immensely pleased with their picnic. "I am unsure such a walk can be considered a promenade. We require more of an audience than the trees. But I am eager to see this esteemed meadow."
Mr. Darcy hastily stood and offered his hand to assist Miss Elizabeth.
"It will not disappoint, Miss Elizabeth. You have my word." He smiled crookedly, and Lizzie's breath held as their hands met. She would need to write a letter to Jane–again.
Georgiana applauded her brother silently. A bit of flirtation perhaps from her taciturn brother! They would find felicity yet, she was sure of it.
As they neared the treeline, Georgiana realized she forgot her shawl. Unneeded in this weather, but an excuse all the same.
"Oh, I seemed to have forgotten my shawl. I can't walk much farther without it. I'll catch a chill, of course. I'll run back and wait for you at our picnic." And Georgiana raced away, ignoring the raised brows of her brother and Lizzie in equal measure.
"I would hate for her to catch a chill in summer." Mr. Darcy bowed his head slightly, his face stoic. Only a small twinkle of his eye would reveal the jest of it all. He offered his arm, and Elizabeth gladly accepted.
They walked in companionable silence for several moments, until Darcy began to speak again.
"I've always preferred being out of doors, myself. I believe that is why I took such a liking to riding from such a young age. Here, I am no more significant than the trees or the stream nearby. When my father passed, I'd come to this meadow often to remind myself my worries were of less significance than they seemed."
Elizabeth felt a long-buried wall crack within her, as her soul reveled in the discovery of a kindred spirit. How she misjudged him! Or had he improved his manner since their last meeting?
"I, too, find comfort in nature, as you well know. Similarly, I have found being out of doors freeing from the restrictions placed on women. The hills of Meryton do not judge if my walk is graceful enough or if my head is tilted ever so perfectly. I do not have to work to appease them. Just as they do not work to appease me. How freeing it is!"
Mr. Darcy, afraid he would be overcome soon, was quick to lighten the tone they had set. But how he wished to learn more of her!
"And yet, if this is a promenade, I daresay the shrubs are eager to be seen to their best advantage."
She chuckled lightly, then gasped.
For the meadow was quite breathtaking. The sunlight danced between the branches of the trees. Flowers of red, orange and pink abounded, eager to find more sun. Yellow daffodils swayed in the breeze. The land was so full, so lush, that Elizabeth could not help but step forward and ever so gently graze her fingers amongst the foliage.
Mr. Darcy swallowed as he took the sight of her in. The meadow was a sacred Darcy space. He used to play here as a child with Wickam. His family would sneak away on Sundays after church, and he could still remember with clarity Georgiana toddling, no taller than the flowers. In those times, life was simpler. He had not known the burden of heartache and responsibility.
But being here–with Elizabeth now–he felt the same peacefulness wash over him. If at this moment, her presence at Pemberly is all the Lord would gift him with, then by God he would cherish every moment he could.
He admired the way her hair shone auburn in the light, how her hands remained restless in the face of nature, and how her figure swayed with the trees. He was in danger of declaring himself once more. He was too familiar with her here.
"We should head back to Georgiana." Mr. Darcy's voice echoed in the meadow.
Elizabeth turned swiftly to study him. There was a shuttered look about him now. Gone was the openness he displayed earlier. She nodded to him, and they set out back to the picnic.
Though Darcy offered her his arm, he remained rigid throughout. Such an aloof manner disquieted Elizabeth, and she sunk into her thoughts. She was reminded of the early days of their acquaintance, where he stared and found her wanting. Or so it felt to her then. And now.
Georgiana brightened as she saw the couple. She considered finding them in the meadow to share the news, but she doubted her ability to find them. She hastened to meet them and failed to notice the downcast party.
"Miss Elizabeth, your uncle has awoken! Doctor Colborn is with him now, but I imagine when he is more settled he would love to see you."
Elizabeth disentangled herself from Mr. Darcy. "I'll go up at once. I thank you again for your hospitality. A quick curtsy and she was gone.
Mr. Darcy struggled against his selfish nature. He should feel cheered that Elizabeth's uncle had awoken, and yet all he feared is that their time in the meadow would be the last time he and Elizabeth shared a private moment.
He felt little confidence that he would receive an affirmative response to any request he made, be it courtship or marriage. Mr. Darcy hastened back to Pemberly to come to Elizabeth's aid, but he now feared his true desire was to reveal to her his improved character in the hopes she would look favorably upon him.
Georgiana started to head back to the house and paused.
"Brother, whatever is the matter?"
"I-" Mr. Darcy stopped. "It is nothing, Georgiana. Let us return."
"I pray you do not think me so naive. I know tenderness when I witness it, Fitzwilliam. Please, tell me what troubles you so."
He hesitated only a moment, then confessed, "I fear–if Uncle Gardiner wishes to leave–I will not have another chance with Miss Elizabeth."
She was quick to settle him, "Oh, not at all! There is such progress with you two, Fitzwilliam. I see it plainly. We will find ways for us to be in company again, and maybe I can even offer them to stay longer! I can write to her and maybe we can be in London at the same time. Perhaps, you can share your feelings with her now, before she leaves."
Mr. Darcy's countenance darkened further.
"'Tis not as easy as it appears, dearest Georgie. There are more obstacles to overcome than you are aware of."
"What obstacles? I am sure tis nothing but the anxiousness of new feelings, Fitzwilliam."
Mr. Darcy paused. "I have been secretive, sister."
And he led them to a bench to reveal the sorry history between him and a pair of fine eyes.