Right, so this is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it! :D
"Miss Elizabeth, I was under the impression that you were well aware I was Lady Matlock's nephew from our introduction at the ball," Mr. Darcy mentioned. He was neither accusatory nor disapproving—just amused. His amusement grew when he saw his dinner partner blush. He had been working up the courage to get some sort of friendly interaction-teasing included-through the first course. Now, with the entry of the second, his Courage Reserve levels may just be high enough.
"Your impression would be correct sir. I just thought Miss Bingley was making you uncomfortable so I was trying to distract you. I apologize if my impression was incorrect," Elizabeth explained.
She sat there meekly, praying she hadn't offended the man for real this time. Not a meek person, she felt a little ridiculous, blanching at this man's ability to bring this out in her. Her mother would be thrilled.
She was surprised to hear a suppressed laugh emanating from Mr. Darcy. She looked over as he tried to school his features, able to subdue himself into a deep chuckle.
"Miss Elizabeth, if I may be so forward as to thank you profusely for your actions?" Mr. Darcy requested, his smile absolutely stunning.
After an internal sigh of relief, Elizabeth allowed a charming smile to grace her features in return. "You may be so forward, Sir."
"Well then, Miss Elizabeth, I thank you for your actions. Charles is a most trusted friend, but his sister…" he trailed off, unable to finish this delicately.
"Is a character?" Elizabeth suggested. His eyes twinkled at her as he replied, "Yes, thank you. A character. A very undesirable character."
"Poor Miss Bingley! And to think she is chasing you with such admirable dedication!" Elizabeth cried mockingly.
"Is she that obvious?" Mr. Darcy winced.
"Mr. Darcy, her cap is set on you, and I'm sure all of London knows."
"Well nevertheless, there is no 'poor Miss Bingley.' Only conniving, scheming and insupportable Miss Bingley," he muttered. Elizabeth had to choke back a laugh as she stole a glance at the end of the table where the subject of their conversation sat.
"Oh dear, Mr. Darcy, I do believe she's staring at us!" Elizabeth laughed. Mr. Darcy snorted lightly.
"Miss Elizabeth, as my friend please refrain from ever bringing to my attention such grave circumstances." Elizabeth rolled her eyes but she couldn't help but marvel at the easy banter and pleasure she took from his company. She blushed lightly at the way he had apologized to her the day before and the way his attention had been focused on her.
Don't be silly, Elizabeth. His only other friend in the room, Mr. Bingley, is rather occupied with your sister! Of course he'll be talking to you! she chastised herself.
Upon this reminder, she spared a glance for her sister and her possible new beau. Jane was smiling radiantly at the adorable ginger.
She's so happy…Elizabeth realized. I might have to start coming to terms with my big sister finding love and moving on from our simple family life.
She sighed and Darcy eyed her with concern. "Miss Elizabeth? Are you alright?"
She looked up at him and offered a sad smile. "I'm perfectly fine."
"Well what is it?" he asked earnestly. She just gestured to the other end of the table. Upon noticing his friend and Miss Bennet he looked curiously back at Elizabeth.
"What's the problem?" he asked.
"She's falling in love."
The party had separated after dinner and the men had quickly decided that they had best not keep the ladies waiting. Entering the parlor not long after the women had, Bingley found his sweetheart and Caroline sitting on the sofa near the coffee table. Louisa sat near them yet hardly participated in the amiable conversation. Darcy noticed his friend's absence from the set and quickly spotted her standing near the large fireplace, one hand delicately resting on the mantel. He followed her gaze to the landscape hanging above it. He smiled softly at the vision of his Pemberley. His heart swelled at the thought that she found it as beautiful as he did.
Approaching cautiously, he murmured quietly to the woman.
"Perhaps you would like to sit down?" Elizabeth looked up, surprised to see him so soon. She suddenly noticed just how anti-social she must have seemed and a light pink adorned her cheeks. Regardless, she nodded at his offer.
He attempted to stifle a chuckle as she flushed and followed him to two chairs positioned side by side. They sat in a rather uncomfortable silence until Elizabeth summed up the guts to address her new friend.
"Mr. Darcy, I heard from Jane that you have a sister?" she inquired. She was happy she did, for his countenance brightened at the mere mention.
"I do, Miss Elizabeth! Georgiana Darcy is very dear to me."
"Is she not in London with you, sir? I recall you mentioning her presence, yet she is staying with her aunt?"
"She is. I wish I could have her with me. Alas, my aunt stole her away and insisted she stay with her. i agreed it was for the best. You see she is not yet out and though I deemed it a bit early, Aunt Matlock thought it was time to start coaching her for her future," he confessed with a bow of his head.
"Not yet out?" Elizabeth exclaimed, her eyebrows shooting up in shock. "How old is your sister, Mr. Darcy?" In a moment she heard the impertinence in her words and quickly begged his forgiveness. She was merely surprised.
"No, Miss Elizabeth, it is quite alright, I assure you! I have no qualms with telling you she is not yet sixteen," he answered gently. She nodded in understanding.
"She is my sister Lydia's age!" she told him enthusiastically. "Such a pleasant age for a young lady."
Darcy could not help but chuckle this time. "And how is that, Miss Elizabeth?"
"Why, sir, one has freedom! She is allowed to visit the shops with other dignified ladies, however she is yet to be given any obligations. Once her first season out comes, she is meant to be as appealing as she can, making a chore of being as accomplished and pretty as she can possibly be!" she declared emphatically.
"Do you find it much a chore?" the gentleman inquired, eyes sparkling.
"Pleasing a man is always a chore," she replied, "for who says that women who play the pianoforte would not rather go to school to study philosophy?" She made sure her eye met his.
"And are you one of these women, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy asked slowly.
"Sometimes I fancy I am one of these women, but then I sit in my father's library and remember I can be quite satisfied with my lot in life as long as there are books," she stated decidedly. Mr. Darcy's lip twitched at the corner. He couldn't help but have an urge to please this woman. As a result, he abruptly stood and offered his arm.
"Miss Elizabeth, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my humble library here in Darcy house?"
Elizabeth answered with a demure smile and a pretty blush, taking his arm. She could hardly think, his offer had been so sudden. All she could jumble together was, "The pleasure would be all mine."
Her only thought was why he was so eager to show his library off to her. She had indeed just stated a large library would make her happy with her lot in life but…surely he could not mean…surely he was not suggesting a life in his library?
Elizabeth, don't be such a silly creature! You are becoming just as assuming as those women in the ton! You like to read, he likes to read, let him show you a simple library, so let it just be a library!
They glided through his home together, causing a pause through the rest of the company, leaving them to marvel how naturally their movements synched.
The conversation throughout their journey had dissolved Elizabeth to a bout of laughter and Darcy to a round of low chuckles, however he quickly sobered up once they reached the destination.
"Miss Elizabeth, I must beg you to close your eyes."
Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow in silent amusement. Darcy rolled his eyes. "Miss Elizabeth, I must insist. You will ruin my surprise!" She giggled, but conceded as he put his hand on the door knob. Gently taking her hand and guiding her, he began to smile. What if he could do this with every room? In all of his homes? Perhaps on a sort of tour…
A wedding tour? his conscience provided its unlikely—yet not unwelcomed—input. His eyes briefly narrowed at himself before shaking his head pure of all such thoughts. It was much too early. He cleared his throat and gently told his companion to open her eyes. As she did so, he grew bolder at her gleeful expression.
Elziabeth twirled, taking in everything around her. She was wrong. This would never be just a library. This would be heaven. Shelves towered upon shelves, books dwarfing books. It was more magnificent than anything she had ever witnessed. Her senses were almost overcome! Her library was not small, but it was nothing compared to this monstrosity! How on Earth did he acquire so many books!? Was he part of some secret society that sent hundreds every month? Was there a way to join this secret society?
"Oh Mr. Darcy! This is magnificent! Where did you get all these books?" she wondered in awe.
"It's a small selection from my library in Pemberley," he admitted. She turned to face him, eyes wide.
"A small selection?" she choked, her twirling coming to an abrupt halt. He nodded with a broad grin.
"Miss Elizabeth, please allow me to offer you the never ending service of my library. I'm afraid I am the only one using it, so I fear I neglect hundreds of books at a time." Elizabeth was nearly speechless with gratitude. She slowed considerably though, placing an arm at her side that was previously stroking the spine of a volume.
"Sir, why all this kindness?"
"You said yourself you were running out of books in your family library. I am merely offering you my own," he stated humbly. Elizabeth smile was dazzling.
Mr. Darcy stared in wonderment before continuing himself, "So, Miss Elizabeth. Could you be satisfied with this lot in life?"
Elizabeth was so engrossed in the vast selection that she barely heard his voice. Turning around she merely muttered a noncommittal, "Hm?"
Flushing a deep red, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. "I just asked if it would be acceptable for me to introduce my sister to you at some point? Even though she is with my aunt, who is supposedly teaching her about being a lady, I believe your influence would be good for her."
Elizabeth smiled and replied, "Sir, I would be honored to meet Miss Darcy. However, I must disagree. My influence would be most unwelcome. I am not demure or malleable like some believe ladies ought to be. I'm afraid all I could teach her was impertinence." Though a light teasing tone was offered, Mr. Darcy could see the worry and heaviness in her eyes.
Worry? About what? Perhaps she thinks I don't find her a good lady? He mentally scoffed—the idea was absurd! She was every bit the lady. In fact, she was a progressive lady! He found it refreshing and wonderful.
"What you call impertinence, I call intelligence and liveliness. I would hate to allow my sister to become a doormat. I think your influence is exactly what she needs. She is a bright girl—I want her to use it," he confessed. Elizabeth was touched. Could this man truly think so highly of her? Was she the model he wished his sister to look at?
She blushed at the thought, forcing herself to turn back to the books so as to hide it. Silence stretched for some time, both enjoying each other's presence and the atmosphere of the library. Darcy was thinking back to dinner and her reaction to her sister's seemingly love-struck state. Pausing, he gathered his courage and addressed Elizabeth.
"Miss Elizabeth, about your sister," he started. Elizabeth faced him with a quizzical brow and waited for him to continue. "You seemed…melancholy at her response to Mr. Bingley. I was merely wondering why, and if there was any assistance I could offer?"
Elizabeth sighed and took a seat on the nearby chaise.
"Mr. Darcy, I will sound a most selfish creature," she admitted. He shook his head.
"We are all allowed those moments, Miss Elizabeth. Now, please, I don't mean to be forward, but Bingley is my dearest friend. If there is something I should be worried about…" he said. Elizabeth emphatically shook her head.
"No, Sir! Please do not misunderstand my conduct! I assure you, Jane is the truest, most gentle of women. That is not the problem. That will never be a problem, in fact!" she cried. At his urge, she continued, "However, she is also my dearest friend. She is my confidant. We spend all of our time together, think highly of each other's opinions, and often speak late into the night of hopes…dreams…our future," she confided. "And now she's in love. And I am so happy for her, truly I am. She deserves happiness more than any I have ever known. But…" she trailed off, biting her lip.
Throughout this speech, understanding dawned on Mr. Darcy. It was something he thought about every time he noticed how much Georgiana has grown.
"But this means you may soon lose her," he finished softly. She looked away, tears welling in her eyes. Willing herself to smile she nodded.
"I will be happy for her the day she gets her happily ever after. I truly will. I shall just miss her. That's all it was, Mr. Darcy."
He sat next to her and gently took her hand. "Miss Elizabeth, you remember. She may soon depart to married life, but that does not mean she will be leaving you behind. You may find yourself swept up at the same time!"
She laughed. "Oh, Mr. Darcy, I have yet to meet a man who wants me for my character and not for my position. I assure you, the men who discover my character at all seem to be determined to keep a friend's distance."
"Not every man…" he whispered to himself. It was in that moment-that single minute, where he sat next to a sad girl with thoughts of a bleak future-that he decided for certain.
He would give Miss Elizabeth her happily ever after.
The friendly couple arrived back at the parlor to find Caroline and Bingley hanging on Jane's every word.
"I wonder what they could be talking about Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth mused. Her companion merely shook his head, claiming he never assumed to know what a young lady could be talking about.
"Well shall we find out?" Elizabeth suggested. Hardly waiting for an answer, she walked to the small party and took a seat next to Bingley.
"Oh, Lizzy! They asked about our family estates! Here, Lizzy knows much more about them than I!" Jane confessed. Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow, saying she highly doubted that, however she took her cue with grace.
"Burghley House is in Stamford. It is a beautiful creation. The tenants are kind and quite wonderful people. Netherfield in Hertfordshire, however, I hold dear. It is not as grand or large, but it is situated most spectacularly in wild country and I do love the almost unkept feel about it. The tenants there are simply marvelous. The town of Meryton is charming."
Darcy and Bingley were impressed. A family who cared about the tenants was rare, and one who brought them up with pride was even rarer. Darcy made a mental note to discuss this at further depth with Elizabeth at a later time. Unfortunately, both men were snapped out of their thoughts by an unwelcomed opinion.
"The tenants?" Caroline sneered. "Why would you care at all about what kind of people the tenants are? Surely there is no interaction!"
Darcy stared in disbelief at the ignorance this woman portrayed. Bingley looked almost ashamed of his sister. How so high handed a woman could be related to such a good man, Elizabeth would never know.
Elizabeth sharply examined Caroline before saying coldly, "Miss Bingley, I assure you, my family thinks highly of our tenants. What is an estate without the good people who work it?"
Caroline looked at Darcy before saying to him, "Well, Mr. Darcy, it seems even in London where one is expected to be civilized, there will always be a presence of country roughness."
Elizabeth looked as if she had been slapped. Jane's eyes grew wide, completely taken aback. This woman had seemed so amiable! Perhaps she didn't realize the extent of the insult? Bingley grew red with rage. Never had he been more ashamed of his sister.
Mr. Darcy, the one she had predominantly addressed, could hardly comprehend what he had heard. Opening his mouth slowly, he spared a glance at Elizabeth. She was frozen, hardly daring to breathe. Turning back to Caroline, he made his quick reply.
"Miss Bingley, without care for the tenants, an estate will fail. There would be a state of disrepair and absolutely no funding. The master is no more important in the grandeur of a house than the tenants are, and it is this bit of advice I recommend you keep in mind, should any landed gentleman deem it proper to marry you."
Caroline colored highly at the implication of her unsuitability. Elizabeth, on the other hand, simply gazed at the gentleman in gratitude.
Darcy merely hoped his gaze could convey all he thought of Elizabeth, and just how suitable he found her.
Hope you all liked it! Review! :D
