Chapter 23: A Morning Walk
Elizabeth was up early the next morning, perhaps a little earlier than was usual for her. She stood before the mirror studying her reflection. She did her hair up in the usual ponytail, and wore her dark rinse Capri pants, with her pale blue tank top and her favorite converse shoes. She bit her bottom lip and wondered if she might look too informally dressed. She adjusted her hair and let out a small sigh. "This will just have to do." She wasn't sure why but she felt nervous about spending time with Darcy this morning. In the past, she had always been so annoyed with his attitude and behavior that she didn't think twice about how handsome he was or how captivating his smile could be. She didn't consider the way his eyes sparkled ever so slightly when he laughed. No, before he was always too rude, and obnoxious for her to have noticed those things, but then yesterday he wasn't rude at all. She took in a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror one more time. "Don't let yourself go there, Lizzy. Remember he didn't think you could possibly be of any interest to him when he first saw you, so there is no reason to think he has changed his mind now," she reminded herself of his earlier comments. "He's just trying to be polite," she decided as she grabbed her camera bag and left.
Darcy stood waiting near the front gate of Rosings for Elizabeth to arrive. He had been there for the past half hour thinking about what he should say and possible conversations he could have with her. He glanced down at his watch again. "Why did time have to tick by so slowly?" he mumbled to himself. His heart was racing as he struggled to control his nerves. He looked up and saw her walking up the drive from the cottage house.
"Am I late?" she asked.
"Not at all," he told her. "I only just got here a moment ago, myself."
Elizabeth smiled, "It is a beautiful morning, isn't it?" she said as she breathed in deeply.
Darcy couldn't take his eyes off her. He smiled, "It is indeed."
Elizabeth found herself blushing a bit under his intense gaze; she wasn't entirely sure what to say at that moment so she turned toward the path and said, "Should we start in this direction?"
He smiled, "Yes this way toward the rose gardens, there is a particularly lovely view of the south side of the house from the edge of the gardens."
They walked together down the path away from the main house as Elizabeth snapped pictures along the way. Darcy loved watching her work; she seemed so captivated with the tiniest details in things. "I think you must have an artistic eye to see what is of interest to capture on film and what to pass by," he told her.
Elizabeth smiled, "I never thought of it that way, but yes I guess to some degree that's true. When I'm taking pictures, I like to do so in such a way that I capture a moment, not just the object. In doing that it becomes so much more meaningful."
"It's just as I said; you're an artist. I'm sure many of the great painters of history felt the same way," he told her.
Elizabeth laughed, "Be careful now you don't want such compliments to go to my head," she teased him. "I might have to double the cost of doing your photos."
He laughed, "I'm sure whatever you work out with my cousin will be worth it. I really did like the portraits you took of Georgiana. She looked so much like my mother did when she was young. I found myself very moved by them," he told her in a moment of vulnerability.
Elizabeth didn't realize how hard it must have been for Darcy to lose his mother at such an early age. He always seemed so in control of his emotions. She didn't think how difficult it must have been for him as a little boy. "I'm sorry if they in any way brought up painful memories."
"No don't apologize, they didn't bring up painful memories, but the opposite. When I looked at the pictures, I saw my mother's smile. Georgiana looks very much like her. It just reminded me of some very happy times. My mother had a way of smiling that made me feel as though I didn't have to take everything in life so seriously," he told her. "I think Georgiana has often made me feel the same way."
Elizabeth was moved by the emotion of what he shared, "Your mother sounds like she must have been a very wonderful person."
"She was," he said as he cleared his throat and then changed the subject. "And so here we are," he said as he pointed off toward the house.
"This is a very good spot," she said as she began taking photos. "Maybe you have a bit of an artistic eye as well," she told him.
Darcy didn't say anything more. He just watched her while she worked. He tried to stay out of her way while she took the pictures she wanted. He was nervous about talking to her, but the more they chatted, the more comfortable and relaxed he became. He looked over at her, and she smiled. He realized at that moment that her smile made him feel very much as if the rest of the world could just disappear and he would still be content because he was with her.
Elizabeth laughed, "Are you ignoring me?" she called out to him again.
"I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts for a minute." Darcy told her. "What was it you said?"
She pointed at the rose bushes that they found themselves surrounded by. "I said now that I have seen this garden I think I understand why the house was given its name, Rosings Park. The flowers here are beautiful."
"Yes, they are, my aunt takes immense pride in them. Every year she hosts a garden party to show them off when they are in full bloom," he told her. "I suspect you shall receive an invitation along with the Collinses to this year's party."
Elizabeth arched her brow. "I do think Charlotte mentioned something about that when I first arrived," she told him then laughed. "My cousin was all worked up. He wanted me to be sure that I had the proper attire for such an occasion, and that I realized what a special honor it was to be included."
Darcy laughed, "Yes your cousin does seem to be the sort of fellow who would worry about something like that," he told her thinking back to the way he carried on at Netherfield.
"Yes, Collins is a rather odd duck," she laughed and said. "Although, I think I already see some of Charlotte's positive effect rubbing off on him. He's not quite so..." she looked for the proper word to use.
"Annoying," Darcy interjected teasingly.
She laughed, "I was going to say talkative, but yes annoying does work too," she admitted as she stopped to take a picture of a very beautiful long-stemmed red rose. "Perfect." she whispered softly then turning to him she said, "So where are we going next?"
"If you like I can show you the pool area and my aunt has some lovely water gardens in that area of the property," he offered.
"Sounds amazing," she said as she walked along beside him. She couldn't get over what a lovely time she was having and how polite he was being.
The pool area was just a short walk down from the rose gardens. Elizabeth found that the landscape was very suited to the home itself. Rosings Park was a very stately home, and the gardens reflected that. They were all very pretty, and perfectly manicured, just the way her ladyship preferred it. When they entered the pool area, Darcy's phone went off. He excused himself for a moment. She watched him as he talked to whomever it was, about some new company they acquired. It was interesting how at that moment he became very confident, very formal, and in control. He was the boss, and he spoke like one, she found herself having a new appreciation for him.
"Sorry about that," he said as he got off the phone.
"No worries," she said as she held up her camera. "I have been working all morning," she told him. "I can hardly fault you for having to do the same."
He had almost forgotten that. "Are you getting some of the shots you were looking for?" he asked Elizabeth.
She smiled, "I am, thank you." Then she turned and looked off over in the distance. There was a small hill that didn't look like it would be too much of a climb for her, she thought from that vantage point she would be able to get a very lovely sunset photo of the entire house. She turned and took several more pictures of the pool area, along with the pool house. "Do you know when the pool house was built? I can't imagine it being much older than the last fifty or sixty years."
Darcy thought for a moment, "I believe it was put in during the late 1930's. My great Uncle George de Bourgh did the design himself. It is considerably more modern than some of the other buildings on the property."
Elizabeth shook her head, "It's strange, but somehow it feels out-of-place to me?" she said as she looked at the way the gardens flowed into the pool and then the very modern design of the building with so many straight lines and angled edges.
Darcy knew exactly what she was talking about. "I have often said the same thing, it seems disjointed like it doesn't fit," he agreed.
Elizabeth smiled, "We finally agree on something, I think this could very well be a first for us," she teased him.
He laughed, "I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later."
Elizabeth glanced down at her watch. "I should probably be getting back. Charlotte will be waiting to have breakfast with me."
"Of course," he said as they walked back to the main gate together. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
She stopped and looked at him. "We are not done yet, Mr. Darcy," she smiled at him. "Have you forgotten this afternoon? I'm doing your PR photos."
"I did forget that," he told her.
"Well you will just have to put up with me for a while longer today," she said before turning to head back to the cottage.
Darcy stood there watching as she went. "I could put up with you for a lifetime," he mumbled to himself before he turned to go and join his aunt and cousin for breakfast.
Richard glanced at the clock as Darcy came into the room. "I notice your morning walk went longer than usual, cousin," he commented.
Darcy shrugged, "It was a particularly lovely morning. I saw no need to rush myself," he told him.
"Did Elizabeth join you?" he asked him.
"Yes, she did," Darcy said. "She wanted to get some photos of the house; she's doing a magazine spread of older homes around the countryside for an architectural magazine."
Lady Catherine interrupted, "Were you showing Miss Bennet the grounds this morning Fitzwilliam?" she asked. "I wondered why you would be out with her when Mr. Collins phoned me this morning."
"Yes, she mentioned she was going to be photographing Rosings, and I volunteered to show her the view of the house from the rose garden," he explained.
Lady Catherine told him, "I must say, I was not at all pleased that this magazine sent this young, inexperienced woman to take pictures of my home. I think they would have given such an important task to a more experienced photographer."
Darcy shook his head, "Aunt Catherine you have nothing to worry about, her work is really very good," he told her.
"Oh, and how would you know that? Are you acquainted with her work?" his aunt asked.
Darcy realized his mistake as soon as he said it. "Well yes actually, I have seen her work before," he said hoping to sidestep the fact that he allowed Georgiana to choose her own photographer for her portraits. "She took pictures of my friend's home in Meryton," he told her hoping not to have to say anything more.
"Oh, and is his home as grand as Rosings Park?" she demanded to know.
"It's a nice property, but it is not the size or scale that Rosings is, so there is some difference," he explained.
Lady Catherine grew impatient. "Exactly why someone with more experiences should be taking these photos," she snapped at him. "I told Mr. Collins that he should contact that editor of the magazine at once and tell him that I am not at all pleased with his choice."
Darcy tried to keep his patience. "Aunt Catherine the editor chose Miss Bennet because of her unique perspective when she captures a photo. As I said, she's very good."
"You based your opinion of a few snapshots that she has taken of your friend's house," she told him. "If Rosings is to be a part of this article then it must be represented properly."
Richard finished eating his eggs and sipped his coffee. "Aunt Catherine, I have seen Elizabeth work as well, and I can assure you that she's very good," he told her without thinking.
She scoffed off his words. "Can I assume that the pictures you saw are the same ones, of the same house that Fitzwilliam has seen?"
Richard didn't see the warning look that Darcy shot in his direction. "No, I'm talking about the ones she did of Georgiana for her graduation and her portraits."
Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes and glared at Darcy. "Please tell me this is some kind of joke, and that you haven't commissioned that woman to take Georgiana portraits when I specifically suggested that you hire Gaston!" she snapped at him.
Darcy pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair; he knew the battle was about to begin. "Aunt Catherine I was very appreciative of your suggestion to me. Gaston is very good at his craft, but Georgiana was not comfortable with his work. She sought out Miss Bennet on her own. I agreed to allow her to take the photos on a trial basis and then make a decision whether we would use them or not," he explained.
Lady Catherine shook her head in frustration, "Then you can still back out and not use them."
"No, we can't back out. We are under contract, and even if we weren't, I still would not back out. Miss Bennet's work is every bit as good as Gaston in my opinion, and what is more important, Georgiana is happy with them," Darcy told her.
"As good as Gaston!" she repeated his words as if she were amazed. "Who is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, where has she trained to perfect her craft? Who was her mentor, who has she worked for that has any kind of social standing?" she demanded to know. "These are not just any photos Fitzwilliam; the Darcy name is at stake here; our family's reputation must be considered. Where did Georgiana even come across Miss Bennet's work in the first place? Was there a proper recommendation given by someone whom we know at least?"
"No Aunt Catherine, she wasn't recommended to us by anyone we know," he said reluctantly knowing he wouldn't hear the end of it. "Georgiana found her on the internet."
She blinked her eyes in disbelief. "Now I know this must be a joke. You cannot possibly be serious that you are going to allow Miss Bennet to do the portraits that will hang at Pemberley as well as at the Royal Museum. What am I to tell my friends when they ask about who did Georgiana's portraits," she demanded. "You can't really expect me to say they were taken by a photographer she found on the internet!" she cried. "Your mother would be so upset Fitzwilliam that you would have so little regard for tradition."
Darcy got up. "Aunt Catherine, I don't want to argue with you about this," he told her as he headed for the door. "I have made my decision; Miss Bennet's is the absolute best photographer for Georgiana."
"I was not finished talking to you," she yelled out after him.
Darcy took in a deep breath he saw Richard about to bust out in laughter. He stopped at the door and looked back at his aunt, "Aunt Catherine, it was Richard who suggested to Georgiana that she consider someone else in the first place. When she said, she was uncomfortable with Gaston he told her to find someone else," he said as he stepped out of the room.
Lady Catherine spun back around and yelled at him. "Is that true!?" she demanded of him.
Now it was Darcy's turn to laugh, the last thing he heard Richard say was, "I didn't suggest she look for photographers on the internet."