Hello, here is chapter five, as promised ;)
Jen is my grammar-saviour, a lot of thanks to her.
I hope you will enjoy it. We saw Lizzy falling from the tree in the last chapter.
Chapter Five
Bam! Hermes jumped with a start at the disturbance. Fortunately, his owner quickly calmed him down and then he started to look for the cause. When he finally spied Elizabeth, sprawled on the grass under the old tree, he almost pinched himself to make sure he was still awake.
Elizabeth quickly stood up, hastily smoothing down her skirts and clumsily curtsied. "Mr… Mr Darcy! What a surprise. I did not expect you here."
Yes, I can see that. She was completely flustered, blushing and stammering, grass in her hair. Utterly charming, Darcy decided. "Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you are well." He bowed and then started towards her. "I did not mean to frighten you." Looking up at the tree then back at Elizabeth, he smirked and added mischievously, "Although, when I rode out this way, I did not expect to find any ladies here in Hertfordshire, either in the trees or lying under them."
"Oh." Elizabeth finally found her composure when she realized he was teasing her and tried not to look angry or scandalized. "And pray tell me, Mr Darcy, where do you usually find ladies in Derbyshire?" She smiled and accepted his hand.
He slowly led her around the pond. "I usually can't find any. Maybe I should start looking in the trees." He flirted back.
Elizabeth laughed joyously, feeling more at ease than she ever had with any other man. "What have I done? I betrayed my own kind by giving this secret away to a man."
"I won't tell on you, Miss Elizabeth." Darcy loved the sound of her name on his lips. "However, my silence won't be bought cheaply."
"And what price stands for saving my reputation as a secret keeper?" Elizabeth smiled at him teasingly. "I am just a poor country maiden—I do not have much money."
"Oh, but the price is not monetary. I just require your company for the rest of the morning and your pleasant conversation." Darcy raised his eyebrow in silent challenge.
"I could do that, Mr Darcy." Elizabeth beamed up at him. "Shall we discuss books?"
"Yes we can," Darcy immediately agreed, "will you tell me about the book you are currently hiding in your right pocket?"
"I…" Elizabeth blushed. "How did you know I was hiding a book?" "It was only a guess, but now you have confirmed it with your expression," he smiled deviously. You were obviously seeking a quiet place, and for what better purpose than reading? Because I did not see a book in your hand, I had a suspicion that you hid it."
"Mr Darcy, you are too clever." Elizabeth conceded her defeat and slowly extracted the volume from her pocket.
"Love?" Darcy frowned in confusion, taking the book in his hands.
Elizabeth blushed. "It is a collection of poems."
Darcy smirked and looked at her with inquiry. "I did not peg you for a poetry lover."
"Usually I am not. But yesterday, this little piece literally fell in my lap, and I thought why not try it out?" Elizabeth giggled, remembering her rather ungraceful antics in the library. "I think that one of Netherfield's previous occupants used the most beautiful calligraphy when making his own collection in this little volume."
"You are probably right." Darcy hummed while he was skimming the pages of the book. "It does not look like any collection I know, and as my mother is great admirer of poetry, I try to find all the newest collections for her when they come out."
"You buy books for your mother? I should have known you would be the perfect gentleman!" Elizabeth exclaimed without thinking. "I mean, you obviously care for your mother very much, not many sons would do that for their parents." She tried to hide her hasty declaration.
Darcy's ears got red from embarrassment. "It is nothing. My mother has done so much for me, and it is my duty, as a first son, to repay her. During a riding accident two years ago, her left leg was badly injured and now she cannot walk without the help of crutches. She stays at Pemberley all year and I bring her new books when I return from Town."
"It sounds that you are really close. Does she miss you when you have to stay with Mr Bingley for such a long time?" Elizabeth bit at her lip, feeling incredibly selfish in wanting to keep him here with her forever.
"We are close, but she has my younger sister, Georgiana, with her all the time I am away. When those two team up, I tend to stay at a safe distance," he said with a fond smile. What he did not disclose, was that he was purposely staying away since his mother's requests for him to marry Anne were becoming more and more frequent.
"Oh, poor you." Elizabeth mocked him. "Such a pity, one strong man standing against two gentle women. What should my father say with six females against him?"
"I think he deserves a halo." It slipped out so quickly that Darcy did not have a time to censure himself. You stupid man, now you have insulted her. He silently berated himself.
Fortunately, Elizabeth was not insulted. She only laughed. "Yes, he often says that, too."
Darcy exhaled with relief. He liked her more and more. Every other lady would take offence, slap him or start crying, but not his Elizabeth. Mine? This really should stop now—mother will not like it if I refuse Anne. Though Darcy knew he did not want Anne any more than she wanted him, he was biding his time, hoping that she will finally find a suitor and he will be free.
Hope was the only thing he had, and it was slowly dying with Anne getting older and still not engaged. She was quite handsome – not as beautiful nor tempting as my… no, stop that thought! Darcy silently scolded himself, annoyed at his weak will and relieved that Elizabeth did not seem to notice his appraisal of her figure – again. He quickly retreated back to his original thought. Anne would have had quite a lot of suitors. She was handsome and rich, but apparently, nobody was brave enough to call on Rosings Park and face the Dragon.
It was not fair. Why should he abandon his happiness and sacrifice it in order to marry Anne, a woman for whom he only had brotherly feelings? He loved his mother and Aunt Catherine, but their demands were slowly killing him by tearing his heart out of his chest.
"Mr Darcy, are you quite all right?" Startled from his reverie by a gentle pressure on his forearm, he quickly shook his head and turned his attention back to Elizabeth.
"Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth." He looked at her apologetically. "I have just remembered mother's latest letter."
"I shall not accept your apology, Mr Darcy…" Elizabeth looked at him teasingly.
His breath caught in his throat. Did I finally hurt her so much that she does not want anything with me?
"Because it is completely unnecessary." Elizabeth continued merrily.
Darcy laughed, suddenly feeling very lightheaded. He spontaneously grabbed her hand and bowed over her, almost kissing her. "Thank you, you are too kind."
They continued in this manner for the rest of their walk, laughing and teasing. Darcy described his growing up at Pemberley, his boyhood antics, tormenting their poor housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds, with mud all over the great hall every day. She in return told him what is it like growing up among a flock of sisters, her mother's poor nerves aggravated by her boyish interests, and her father's joy at having a substitution for a non-existent son.
They were so invested in their discussion that they almost missed a lunch time. Only Hermes' impatient whine stopped their conversation, prompting them to hurry back to the house and prepare themselves for the meal.
Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth told anybody about their morning. They silently acknowledged it as their little secret. In case anybody asked, they had a story, she was reading and he was riding until lunch.
"Dear Mr Darcy, how do you like your soup?" Mrs Robbins, who was seated opposite to him, pouted trying to be seductive, while leaning forwards and displaying her décolletage.
Darcy turned his eyes away. She did not interest him as a single woman, and she interested him even less now. "It is delicious, Mrs Robbins, my compliments to the cook."
"Ah, we are very glad that you are happy here Mr Darcy, we would do anything to satisfy any your needs." She looked at him suggestively but he either did not get her meaning or completely ignored it.
"Thank you, Mrs Robbins. I do not require anything else." He politely smiled at her and then turned back to his discussion with Bingley.
When Darcy retired after the meal, he finally decided to reply to his mother's latest letter. He had been putting it off for a long time, but enough was enough and he was not a little boy afraid of his Mama.
He sighed as he read her usual tirade.
...and I hope you will do right by Anne and finally marry her. The poor girl is not getting any younger, it is a shame that you have taken so much time. You know I would love to see both of my children happily settled, giving me grandchildren before I die. Anne is perfectly suited for you, you have known each other for your whole life, you would not have to change your habits nor she hers...
Darcy threw the letter back on the table. His mother was exaggerating as usual. Apart from her leg, she was in perfect health, nowhere near dying. Anne did not want him to "make right" by her, she was perfectly happy as she was. He still did not understand why his mother was so fixed on Anne as her future daughter in law. She constantly wrote to him about Anne, invited her to spend time at Pemberley, and pestered him to visit Rosings very often. Why Anne? Why should I marry a woman who is like a sister to me and miss the chance at love with Beth? Beth, who woke my cold heart, who is sweet and sharp at the same time, who I want to spend my life with?
He understood his mother's wish for grandchildren. She had always wanted a large family, and having only two children did not satisfy her. When Georgiana dashed her hopes this spring, she again started "giving him some subtle advice."
Tiredly rubbing his temples, Darcy could not deal with that right now. His mother would have to wait for her letter a bit longer. He had to carefully figure out how to word it so he could postpone her request without making it very obvious that he was not interested. It was one thing to contemplate marriage to Anne while he wasn't attached to anyone. But now, when he knew what attraction and feelings towards his life-partner could be, how could he give that up?
Darcy was exhausted, losing his good mood from the morning with Beth. Though her closest family and friends called her Lizzy, it meant nothing, he wanted to give her a private name, for him alone. In his mind, she was Beth. For a short time, Beth was his respite, but now he had to return back to reality and all of his problems.
Darcy still needed to open the letter from his friend, Mr Fitzpatrick. They were very good friends in the university and their friendship continued even after they finished. Having spent a lot of time together, Mr Fitzpatrick was there for Darcy and his whole family after George Darcy's death. They treated him like family, and he quickly developed deeper feelings for his friend's younger sister while staying at Pemberley.
When Georgiana turned eighteen and was presented, it was only natural that Darcy's friend would begin to court her. He was a responsible man, ideal for his young and naive sister. She seemed to like him too-they balanced each other very well. Unfortunately, everything was ruined when Mr Fitzpatrick asked Georgiana to marry him. For some unfathomable reason, he was refused. Darcy did not understand why. He clearly saw that Georgiana loved him, and yet, she was unmovable in her rejection, leaving Mr Fitzpatrick broken-hearted. The man decided to travel to Scotland to oversee his northern estates, thus occupying his mind in an effort to alleviate his pain.
Darcy was torn between love for his sister and loyalty to his friend. It had been six months now, and he clearly saw that his sister was moping around the house, with red rimmed eyes and pale cheeks. His friend's letters were no better, trying not to mention her but always failing, wondering how she was.
This had to stop, Darcy decided. He had to face his problems and stop hiding. Though he would eventually have to deal with his mother, he decided to start with Georgiana and Fitzpatrick. Yes, that would be a good beginning.
How did you like it? Please review.
See you on 28th. ;)