*This story is copyright protected
Uploading regularly.
I am sorry I have been away !!
Please enjoy!
V x
Please leave a comment, if you feel so inclined - I would like to say a special thanks to all those who are reading and following this story. Especially for all those who have left comments! I am so touched by your kind words and thank you for keeping me motivated and inspired to write more chapters !
Chapter 12
The rain and wind had returned, pelting the windows loudly. Jane and Elizabeth grumbled in unison at the turn of the weather. Lifting their hems, they turned to give a quick farewell to Mrs Bennet and Mrs Hershay and dashed from the house towards the carriage sent from Netherfield to collect them.
Squealing and giggling lightly they settled back into the finely upholstered squabs of the carriage's interior and swaying slightly forwards, and the horses pulled away.
"Oh Mama, will be so worried!" commented Jane squinting out of the window.
"Hardly!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "You saw her. She was most definitely hoping for a repeat of our stay at Netherfield. I can hear her telling Mrs Hearsay all her hopes as her imagination runs wild. Meanwhile the awful gossip is taking notes to spread around our Neighbour's!"
"Oh hush, do not be so hard on her Lizzy, I am sure she means well and she has been a great comfort to Mama. Besides, that could hardly happen. We have the luxury of a carriage, not that Nelly was a poor mount, bless her."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes but smiled warmly at her dearest sister. Sometimes she wondered at Jane, being able to see the good in people to a fault. But it reassured her whenever She witnessed Jane standing firm and able stand by what she thought was right.
"I am so nervous, Lizzy, I confess I am feeling apprehensive to arrive at Netherfield this evening." Said Jane quietly.
"But why should you feel so? Has Mr Bingley said something to upset you?" asked Elizabeth concerned.
"It is rather what he has not said."
Elizabeth frowned.
"I am mortified to admit that when he excused himself to speak with Papa, I thought his intention was to ask permission to court me. Clearly I was wrong."
"Oh dearest, I thought the same, but then I had the thought that he may not wish to ask at such a time when there is so much happening. Have faith, all will be as it should be in the end." Elizabeth said soothingly though, she has been asking herself the same thing.
"You are right, I am being foolish and selfish! What right have I to be so inconsiderate. How are you feeling now you are to meet Miss Darcy?" Jane replied, changing the subject.
"Nonsense, you know it suits me better to be distracted by that which is making me uneasy. I am sure it will be fine. Afterall, if we can manage Lydia, who is unruly and obdurate as can be, then a stubborn yet disciplined young girl should be a walk in the park, no?" Elizabeth joked.
"I know you shall do wonderfully, there is not a person you meet, who is not instantly charmed by you." gushed Jane.
"Oh Jane!"
"Well... unless of course, she is like Miss Bingley." Muttered Jane.
With a shocked gasp she clapped her hand across her mouth and resembling their younger sisters; Lydia and Kitty, the sisters broke out into a fit of giggles, only to sober quickly as the carriage pulled to a stop outside of Netherfield, the rain still clattering loudly on its roof.
"Oh dear, do you think there is any hope we might manage to escape appearing half drowned?" said Jane trying to pull her bonnet to shield her hair better.
"It does not look as though the odds of a cease downpour are on our side, dearest." Sighed Elizabeth. "It is no use putting it off, we must brave the elements!" she declared.
The door was opened, and Elizabeth edged along her seat towards the opening, startling when Mr Darcy appeared with a parasol on the left, as did Mr Bingley for Jane on the right. Mr Darcy looked immaculate in his dinner dress and offered her a quick smile before extending his palm. Reaching out place her hand within his outstretched one she was instantly assaulted by a cold wind and freezing drops of rain atop her bonnet, with the fresh air chilling her cheeks and lips, as she placed her foot on the top rung. Unfortunately, she applied her weight awkwardly upon the slickened surface and lost her holding on the step, but Mr Darcy, always quick to come to her rescue, caught her and pulled her in close against his side and gently lowering her to the ground.
Laughing at her clumsiness she moved to check the hem of her skirts, only to find Mr Darcy pull her in a little tighter.
"Forgive me Miss Elizabeth, but I should not like you to catch another chill so soon after the last." He said with a gentle smile as he began leading her quickly into the house. She glanced up at him and his warm gaze caressed her face.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Only a day before, she wondered whether she would ever see him again, and now he was here. They moved together under the parasol, making their bodies brush against each other. the sensation was as delightful as she remembered from when they had ridden on Domino. Looking ahead she saw Jane and Bingley entered before them and wondered how they had managed to overtake them. Once in the entrance hall, they lingered together a little longer than necessary before he gently withdrew from her assisting her in removing her pelisse and bonnet. His fingers brushing against the sensitive skin of her throat as he pulled the ribbons loose and then he turned to allow the butler to remove his outerwear. She immediately shivered although she felt heated.
Elizabeth curtseyed, her heart suddenly fluttering in her chest as the weight of the importance of this next acquaintance settled upon her shoulders.
"I hope you have had a pleasant afternoon," asked Mr Darcy politely.
"Indeed, it was quite remarkably pleasant, sir," she teased enjoying twinkle it brought to his eye.
Looking down she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and took a step forward, only to find herself unable to move another step due to Mr Darcy's immovable stance. Looking up at him, Elizabeth raised her brows expectantly.
"Miss Elizabeth, I must warn you about something. During our separation since this afternoon, my Aunt Dorothea arrived earlier than anticipated…" revealed Darcy.
"And this worries you?" she replied standing straighter.
"Yes, but I do not believe you grasp the cause for my apprehension."
"I take it she is foe and not friend?"
"Not quite, my Aunt Dorothea is very dear to me… it is just that she revels in doing the unexpected and may shock you." he said now starting to lead them towards the chatter further within the house.
"Am I to understand that you are worried she might frighten me off?" chuckled Elizabeth.
"Now that I am starting to understand you better, I do not think you are easily frightened or intimidated, but my aunt is the sort of character you either love or hate." He chuckled.
"I am now looking forward to a most diverting evening…" she said looking up at him, her cheeks flushed with excitement and nervous anticipation. He looked down at her and placed his palm over her gloved hand, brushing her knuckles with his thumb distractingly.
"Darcy! There you are, stop this rakish behaviour and bring Miss Bennet to meet your sister. Miss Bingley has resulted to complimenting Georgie on the genteel placement of her hands upon her lap!" Boomed the voice of an older woman silhouetted by light from the room behind her. "What will be next... her earlobes?!"
"Aunt Dorothea, allow me to introduce to you Miss Elizabeth Bennet." Replied Mr Darcy accelerating their pace and closing the distance. "Miss Elizabeth this is my aunt; Miss Dorothea Darcy."
"Ha! And after meeting Miss Bennet just now, I was expecting you to be fair." Exclaimed Dorothea.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy." Said Elizabeth waiting for her eyes to adjust so that she could see the older lady clearer.
"None of that, we shall confuse Georgie and I, if we 'Miss Darcy' us both!" she cackled.
"Shall we?" asked Darcy gesturing to the room beyond.
"Why the hurry, nephew? Afraid I shall shock Miss Elizabeth, or she shall shock me?" teased the Miss Dorothea looking up at her nephew fondly.
Now that she had turned to the side, Elizabeth could see that she looked like Mr Darcy although, her features held a sharper edge to them. Her grey hair was elegantly coiffed atop her head and clearly visible, she appeared not to favour the lace caps most woman of her age favoured. Her clothing was a simple pale blue to match her light eyes, and fitted elegantly against her slender frame, accessorised with ivory lace fichu and ivory gloves to her elbow, with a sizable emerald ring on each hand and matching earbobs.
"Just moments ago, you were hurrying us to ease Georgie's discomfort." Said Darcy dryly.
"She will hold out a little longer, she is a Darcy after all! Why not delay Miss Bennet's fawning interval a little longer." she replied patting his shoulder.
"I fear as much as I wish to curry favour with my soon-to-be sister, I cannot save her from that torment." Came Elizabeth's quick rejoinder.
"No?" asked Miss Dorothea arching a brow and levelling Elizabeth with a piercing gaze.
"I am not Miss Bingley's favourite person, for reasons I am sure you are all too aware of."
"Really? I cannot imagine what you mean?" she said feigning perplexity.
Elizabeth nearly faltered but then she caught a small nod of encouragement from Mr Darcy and stayed her course.
"As you know a lady must be politic, but I believe she is in awe of my walking skills and sun kissed complexion. I have offered to take her on one of my jaunts but she is afraid could not keep pace with me." She quipped.
"Ha! Indeed! I must say, I think we shall get on swimmingly. Now let us enter the room for it has gone disconcertingly quiet during our rendezvous!" She said walking ahead with the use of walking cane Elizabeth had failed upon first inspection.
"Well, I daresay I have passed the first play," remarked Elizabeth making Darcy chuckle.
Entering the room, she could already see Jane and Bingley secluded in the corner of the room, where at their entrance Mr Bingley stood and bowed offering a warm greeting before turning his attention back to Jane. Elizabeth saw the now familiar faces of Darcy's cousins Colonel Fitzwilliam, Sir Percy and Lord James. Stood beside the Viscount was a young woman nearing her thirties, with her hand resting upon her gently protruding stomach. She had red hair and a warm open expression as she smiled kindly in greeting. Next Elizabeth's attention was captured by a young girl, tall and slender with strawberry blonde hair and freckles dotted across her nose, glancing nervously between her brother and Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, it gives me great pleasure to introduce my sister Miss Georgiana Darcy to you. Georgie this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet." He said encouragingly to his sister already rosy cheeked in her embarrassment at being the focus of the room.
Rushing forward and taking her hands in her own, Elizabeth decided it was best to not take too much choice over how to proceed with the introduction from the young Miss Darcy, "I am so happy to make your acquaintance Miss Darcy. Your brother has told me so much about you, I feel that I know you already."
"I hope not too much, Miss Elizabeth." Replied Miss Darcy a little startled, "My brother tends to exaggerate I am afraid."
"Nonsense, your brother is the one person I could not accuse of such a trait. I believe I have come to understand him to be honest to a fault." She teased looking up at the gentleman in question.
"It is rude to discuss someone as though they were not present, is it not Miss Elizabeth." Said Mr Darcy.
"Only if it is at their expense."
"Surely, even for humours sake it is at my expense?"
Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply when a girlish giggle pulled their attention back to Miss Georgiana.
"Do not worry Miss Elizabeth, my brother has shared much with me of you." Miss Darcy added shyly.
"Then I suggest we compare the tales, in pursuit of the truth or if indeed your brother is wont to exaggerate! And please do call me Elizabeth or Lizzy, we are to be sisters soon."
"Very well, Lizzy. But I insist that you must call me Georgie."
"I would be very happy to!" said Elizabeth.
"I am very pleased to be gaining you for a sister, Lizzy," said the young girl growing shy once more.
"The pleasure is all mine, Georgie."
Shortly after their arrival, and the party gathered in the dining room, where Miss Bingley went to great pains to ignore the Bennet's and instead direct her attention to a reticent Miss Georgiana and a slightly uneasy looking Sir Percy. She threw a few pointed looks towards Elizabeth and particularly Mr Darcy when paying Sir Percy compliments. Lord James and his wife had excused themselves to take dinner in their rooms, as Lady Millicent was feeling fatigued, and the Viscount had accompanied her for her meal.
Elizabeth was seated beside Mr Darcy and opposite them was Miss Dorothea and Georgie. Miss Dorothea was in conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam on her right, and Georgie was pushing her food around her plate as Miss Bingley prattled on in her ear, neither caring nor wanting a response from her.
A bark of laughter from Sir Percy at something Mr Bingley had said, encouraged her study of him, he seemed to be everything society depicted to be a rake, but then she doubted that Mr Darcy would be so close to that kind of gentleman… unless he was not so different in that respect. Unmarried women always heard whispers of the behaviours of men and their mistresses, but then were not rakes supposed to be the gentleman without morals, who saw it as sport to seduce innocents?
"You have grown serious in your contemplation, Miss Elizabeth." Said Mr Darcy's voice close to her ear, giving her a start.
"And you wish to know what I am contemplating?" she asked turning slightly towards him.
"I would not dare intrude on your private thoughts, only if I may help to offer any insight, I would be happy to oblige."
"Hmmm…" she pondered.
"Perhaps you wish to play another game to solve this difficulty, Miss Bennet?" he offered taking a sip of his wine.
"I believe that is an excellent idea, Sir." She exclaimed happily sipping her wine also.
"Ladies first," he said, his voice deepening as his eyes focused longer than usual on her lips as she swallowed her sample of the wine.
Clearing her throat, she asked her first question.
"Cats or dogs?" she asked.
"Dogs!" he replied quickly. "My turn?"
"Yes, but you must be quicker not to upset the tempo of the game!"
"Sunrise or Sunset?" he chuckled.
"Sunrise! Summer or Winter?"
"Autumn!"
"No – you cannot pick an answered not offered!" she laughed.
"But I like a little of both." He tried, "Very well, I would choose winter. Sweet or savoury?"
"Would you choose to sing every word you speak or dance every step you take?" she giggled.
He paused before throwing his head back and letting out a bark of laughter, which drew a few curious looks their way. "That is an impossible choice!"
"You have to choose Mr Darcy." She teased.
"Dance every step, unless how loudly must I sing every word? Could I do so quietly?"
"Sir, you cannot change your answer now that you have made your choice!"
"Hmmm…." He began thoughtfully as he looked about the room for inspiration. "Percy or Richard?" he said his voice quieter.
She startled, "I do not understand… why do you wish for me to pick between the two?" she asked nervous they might be overheard.
"Because you were looking in their direction when you began to frown." He replied perceptively.
"If you would really like the truth of it… - will you tell me about Sir Percy?"
Mr Darcy glance away to Percy briefly before asking, "What do you wish to know?"
"Many things... he is most intriguing in his behaviours and mannerisms. He does not wear regimentals and yet bares the title of Sir. The most pressing for me is his interactions with my sisters… why does he take such an interest in my sister Mary?" she asked unflinchingly.
"Has he shown singular interest in Miss Mary?"
"He has?"
"I cannot say that I have noticed. But if it concerns you, I shall go to him and seek answers." He assured her.
"I do not wish to involve myself if there is a genuine affection, or the beginning of one… but I do not know of his reputation at all. I know only of how easily he seems to flirt with women when he is in company with them."
"I suppose that is true…. But then so is Richard and even Bingley. I would say anyone would appear most flirtatious with James and I in the room!" he said in an attempt at a joke.
"Yes – though by your comparison, I would not be considered lively or spirited when next to Lydia and Kitty."
"Miss Elizabeth, I am not comfortable or entirely sure of the answer you seek, but my cousin though playful by nature is honourable to a fault. Though he does not wear regimentals, he was gifted a title for past service." He spoke calmly, but Elizabeth could see that her questions had upset him.
"Forgive me, I misspoke. I should not have inferred that your cousin was behaving dishonourably towards my sister. It is just she is not used to male attention, and I do not wish for her to get caught in something that to most would seem harmless." Elizabeth explained, pleased to see his expression soften.
"I understand. Thank you for explaining your reasons behind your concern." He replied softly.
"Did you manage to catch your friend Mr Wickham in Meryton earlier?" she asked the first thing she thought of to change the subject.
"No… we did not have that pleasure. It seems he has departed for London and will not return until next week. We shall see him then." He replied in clipped tones. But there was something else. A pain in his eyes that spoke of a more severe memory.
"Ladies let us leave the gentleman to their port and retire to the withdrawing room." Came the voice of Caroline Bingley.
"We need not bother with all that fuss. With the number of couples let us forgo the separation." Miss Dorothea suggested.
Much to Caroline Bingley's chagrin all rose and left the table except for Mr and Mrs Hurst, the former already snoring loudly with his hands clasped over his rotund middle.
As they were making their way to the withdrawing room, Mr Darcy became caught up in a conversation with his aunt, while Elizabeth was happy to listen and observe them together, when she felt a tug on her arm as Georgiana pulled her into a small alcove.
"Sorry, I did not mean to frighten you Miss Elizabeth – Lizzy! But I must excuse myself. I am still rather fatigued from my journey." Whispered Georgiana.
Elizabeth understood her need to escape from Miss Bingley immediately and fought to stifle her laughter.
"Of course. It is always tiring when visiting somewhere new and making new acquaintances." Elizabeth sympathised.
Georgiana's eyes widened.
"No! That is not what I meant forgive me. You must think me terribly rude, and I would not blame you." Georgiana spoke in a rush, wringing her hands together.
"Georgiana do not fret. I know what you meant." Elizabeth assured with a conspiratorial wink.
"Good, this relieves me. I wanted to speak with you a little, I told my aunt I would do so, and she has told William. Do you really have four other sisters?" she asked wistfully.
"I do indeed. We are lively bunch! I would be pleased to introduce tomorrow if you would like to come to Longbourn for tea?"
"Truly? I should be most happy accept, but do not feel that you need to have me over. I understand you must wish to spend time with William, without his annoying little sister –"
"You could never be in the way! I shall insist upon you living with us once we are married, if you will be happy for such an arrangement? I am so excited to get to know you. Your brother tells me of how well you sketch and play the pianoforte. And though I cannot call myself accomplished in those things, I would be more than happy to play with you and accompany you when preparing for your first season."
"I should like that more than anything." She gushed her eyes filling with tears. "I have always wanted a sister!"
"I am happy to hear it. I should like for us to be true sisters, and you will not just be gaining me. I should warn you that my sisters will take their duty of being your sisters very seriously. They may overwhelm you at first." She laughed.
"I shall not be able to sleep for excitement of taking tea with you all tomorrow. But I will leave you now, before William comes looking for you." Georgiana laughed.
"Goodnight Georgie, I am very excited for tea tomorrow too!"
After a moment's hesitation, Georgiana threw her arms around Elizabeth and hugged her, before rushing from the room with embarrassment.
Laughing to herself, Elizabeth wished she could claim fatigue, but in the same breath felt a pull and eagerness to be near Mr Darcy again. It was a peculiar and slightly unsettling feeling, but it was not totally unpleasant.
Elizabeth started when she saw Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and Jane waiting outside the room for her.
"Oh Lizzy, the rain has grown worse and so Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy are going to accompany us home, to ensure our safe journey." Jane said smiling up at Mr Bingley.
"Accompany you! You are not such damsels that you need them to accompany you when I have heard Longbourn is practically over the hill! Come now, the ladies will make it home just fine without you!" Came Miss Dorothea's interjection as she came to join them. "Walking them to the door will be assurance enough."
"As much as I am grateful for the offer, I would have to agree with your aunt, Mr Darcy. And I have extended an invitation to tea at Longbourn tomorrow so we shall all be reunited soon enough!" said Elizabeth. She wanted to have Darcy accompany her, but she felt the need to please Miss Dorothea and prove herself no simpering miss! And so, before they knew it, they had said their farewells and were in the carriage trundling slowly through the rain, home to Longbourn!