Chapter 13:
Elizabeth rose early the next morning and broke her fast with her brother in law, who ate little and said even less. Mr. Bailey was a pleasant man and Lizzy was truly thankful for the life he had offered Jane. At the time, she did not see Jane's wisdom nor free will but now she saw that Jane had chosen well for herself. He was older, was not titled, and perhaps was less handsome that what Jane could have married were it not for Lydia, but there was a quality about him that made him worthy of Jane and it had nothing to do with those material things.
Lizzy kept a watchful eye on her brother in law and tt did seem odd to Lizzy that he coughed in between bites and after what could not amount to more than half a piece of toast, he excused himself and left the house to go to work. She made a mental note to ask Jane if her husband was well—though she knew from experience it was most likely a trifle cold. It reminded her when Jane caught a cold visiting Netherfield and she quickly pushed that thought aside, for it was with a lot of pain and regret about what could have been and what was.
Elizabeth turned her attention back to her dark tea and drank it fast, loving the burning feeling of drinking a hot cup of tea. Jane joined her soon after and dismissed Elizabeth's cries that a married woman should breakfast upstairs. There was a smirk on Lizzy's face as she imitated her mother's shrieks and Jane laughed as she helped herself to some light break fast.
"You are incorrigible!" teased Jane, sitting beside Elizabeth. "And what are your plans for today? Is Mr. Rochester to call, yet again?" teased Jane, in a playful tone. She quite liked the Rochesters and could see that Mr. Rochester was genuinely interested in her sister. That was all Jane wanted for her sister, a love and care that was genuine.
"Yes" said Elizabeth, forcing a smile, "He asked me after the ball if we could go for a walk today at Hyde Park, I could not refuse."
"Oh?" said Jane, looking up from her cup of tea, "I thought you were interested in him?"
"I barely know him!" said Elizabeth nervously, she had not told Jane what she truly felt. Yes, she had shared that she had gone to Derbyshire but if Jane knew that her heart beat only for Mr. Darcy, that much, she had and could not reveal. Not while he was married and had a son…
"Elizabeth?" asked Jane.
"I apologize, I was woolgathering" said Lizzy, forcing another smile.
"So it seems" muttered Jane, knowing full well that Mr. Darcy's appearance at the Ball had caused a mixture of emotions in Elizabeth. She had once been privy to feelings those butterflies in her stomach—before, many years ago, when she was so young and so naive, she thought bitterly.
Elizabeth nonchalantly changed the subject and they spoke and laughed and Lizzy even helped Jane in the kitchen, until it was time to get herself dressed for her mid-morning outing with Mr. Rochester. She donned on a light lilac dress with a matching bonnet and looked every part the beautiful young lady.
Mr. Rochester said the right compliments, as he always did, and they rode on his carriage, alongside his mother and sister, who served as companions. Elizabeth said little and smiled much, and when she noted Mr. Rochester was curiously studying her, she looked at the window, seemingly enthralled with something outside.
Once at Hyde Park, Mrs. Rochester and Miss Rochester walked ahead, allowing the young couple a means of privacy. Mr. Rochester offered his hand and they walked on.
"You are very quite this morning" observed Mr. Rochester.
"Am I?" asked Elizabeth playfully, wanting to push all the thoughts out of her head, "I must still be tired. It was truly a lovely Ball."
"Yes, it was" said Mr. Rochester and they fell back into a comfortable silence. He was an astute man but he knew when questions should not be asked and though he was dying to know more about the gentleman who clearly had affected Miss Elizabeth thus, he did not dare. They kept walking, with an easy conversation, nothing of important was truly said but it was a pleasant enough conversation.
"Colonel!"said Elizabeth, interrupting Mr. Rochester's remarks on the weather. They had been walking for half an hour and where now approaching a finely dressed military man, who looked every part the gentleman, though he was not as half as handsome as Mr. Rochester.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said, bowing slightly, "What a pleasure!" Though he looked pleased to see her, he looked very worried indeed and as if in a rush.
"This is a friend, Mr. Rochester" she said, introducing the two gentlemen. "This is Colonel Fitzwilliam" said Elizabeth.
"Cousin of Mr. Darcy" said Mr. Rochester knowingly.
"Yes" said the Colonel, unsure of what to make of the comment, but he did not have time to waste and interrupted them, "I apologize, I must make haste!"
"Is anything the matter?" asked Elizabeth, her mind jumping to the one man she avoided thinking of.
The Colonel thought of telling her the truth but he could not. His cousin had told him that Miss Elizabeth was being courted and though he knew his cousin loved her, he had promised he would never interfere again.
"My mama has sent me on an errand" he said with an enchanting smile, "You know how mamas can be" he added playfully to Mr. Rochester.
"Ah" said Mr. Rochester, "Well, indeed, we must not keep you from your way. I know how important it is to attend to one's mama" said Mr. Rochester in a light tone.
"Indeed" said the Colonel forcing a smile and hoping his true angst was not notable. For he truly did need to make haste. He had to reach Mr. Darcy and bring him back to Pemberley, for Anne had taken a turn for the worse. He hoped the intelligent Miss Elizabeth could not tell what was on his mind and he disappeared as fast as he had come, hoping to reach his cousin as soon as possible. If he was fast, they might could set out to Pemberley within the hour.
"That was curious" observed Mr. Rochester, watching Miss Elizabeth's face as she watched the Colonel continue on.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Miss Elizabeth, now turning to face her companion.
"I do believe he was lying, though I hope whoever he is trying to reach receives good news" said Mr. Rochester, a small frown on his face. "How did you know the Colonel?"
"Oh, we met while I was visiting a friend, Mrs. Collins. She is a dear childhood friend who married a cousin of mine, actually, and he was at his Aunt's in Rosings" said Elizabeth, smiling as she remembered that visit and everything it brought, "Lady Catherine is his aunt" added Elizabeth, feeling he probably knew her.
"Yes, formidable lady" teased Mr. Rochester, giving her a smile. "I do not know the Colonel nor his cousin, Mr. Darcy well, though we are in the same circle of friends. Though I am a gentleman and responsible for my tenants, a task I take much pride in, I am also interested in how the world is changing. You see, I do not believe that landed gentry can continue indefinitely—it is too dependent on cheap workers and eventually, as history has shown, people tire of certain circumstances—I apologize, I must be boring you" said Mr. Rochester, stopping himself. He felt very passionate about this subject.
"No, not at all. I love hearing you discuss this. I will not lie and say I had thought about it much before meeting you, however, now that you have opened my eyes, so to speak, I do think you are right. It is only a matter of time before things change. It is ironic, is it not, how change must come but we always think it will not?" said Elizabeth, thinking of something much deeper and much more personal than servants and cheap workforce.
"Indeed" said Mr. Rochester. "Shall I continue?" he teased.
"Please do!" said Elizabeth, and they continued their walk discussing trade, commerce, and the changes that surely laid ahead of the landed gentry.
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Mr. Darcy's hand shook as he read the note Richard had delivered. He could barely finished reading before his legs were moving infront of him, eager to get on his horse and ride home.
"Tell Mrs. Patlocke to close Darcy House, I am leaving this instant" announced Mr. Darcy to the footman standing nearby. "Richard, I must ride this instant." Mr. Darcy had never seemed this taken with news.
"Darcy" said Richard, "I shall come with you." Mr. Darcy nodded and they went to the back of the house were a man was reading the two horses. A footman came running and handed them a pouch filled with wine and they loaded the horses, ready within twenty minutes to head out to Pemberley.
"Your wife" said Richard sadly, looking at Darcy's worried face.
"My cousin" said Mr. Darcy, looking every taken with the news. Richard nodded softly, understanding. He loved her—as a cousin, not a wife. And this trip was a family matter, one that would require both of them to be strong for what was to come. They both new Anne's health after the baby was been fragile and they knew what this meant.
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Yes, there will be a happily ever after for E&D. I'm so happy you are enjoying the story :)