Author's Note: Thanks for all of your reviews. A bit of groveling is the order of the day as many of you have said.
This is unbeta'd. All the mistakes are my own. Please review.
The next morning, Elizabeth and Jane entered the breakfast room to find the rest of the household already in attendance. Elizabeth gave a perfunctory 'good morning' to the room in general, fixed her plate, and sat next to Jane at the table. While the conversation flowed around her, she made a point to avoid looking in Mr. Darcy's direction. From what she had glimpsed of the man, he seemed intent on reading his newspaper and drinking his coffee.
A footman entered and handed Jane a note from Longbourn. Earlier, they had sent word to their father requesting the carriage so that they might return home that day. However, the note that their mother sent in response simply said that the horses could not be spared until Tuesday and that they would have to stay until then. Elizabeth knew that this reply was her mother's matchmaking stratagem to keep Jane in Mr. Bingley's home for a few more days. So, at Elizabeth's urging, Jane applied to Mr. Bingley for the loan of his carriage.
He replied jovially, "Of course, Miss Bennet. But I beg you to wait one more day. For I would hate to have you make the trip in the cold weather before you are fully well. We can attend services tomorrow and then you can be reunited with your family. Does that suit?"
They agreed to his plan, although Elizabeth was more reluctant than Jane since she truly wished to get as far from Mr. Darcy as she could. However, she knew that Jane would enjoy the extra time in Mr. Bingley's company. For despite her mother's machinations, it was obvious to anyone with good sense that Jane and Mr. Bingley were well on their way to forming an attachment. From the beginning of their acquaintance, he had singled her out and showered her with attention. And how could he not? Indisputably, Jane was the sweetest, most beautiful lady in the county. Likewise, Jane had admitted to Elizabeth that she found Mr. Bingley to be the most amiable of men and that she liked him very much.
Once those arrangements were made, Miss Bingley eyed Mr. Darcy rather coquettishly, but directed her comments to Elizabeth, "Miss Eliza, how is it that your father is unable to keep carriage horses at the ready? Surely only the draft horses are needed on the farm."
Elizabeth grinned ruefully at this opening salvo from the snide lady. She remembered that Mr. Darcy had likened her to a shrew and fishwife but replied demurely, "You see, Miss Bingley, this is the time of harvest in Hertfordshire and we are anticipating a bountiful crop this year. Every cart, wagon, and horse, be they a carriage horse or draft horse, is required to bring in the harvest before the next rain. It is the way things are done here. But I understand that you might not be familiar with the workings of a country estate, having lived in town most of your life." She finished the last statement in an airy manner and with an innocent expression in her eyes. "Thankfully, I believe that harvesting is nearly complete."
Miss Bingley narrowed her eyes very briefly as if she was not sure whether or not she had just been insulted. "Yes, we do not have to worry about such things in town, thank heavens." Then she turned to Mr. Darcy, "I am sure that you never have to divert your carriage horses to the farm, Mr. Darcy. Your stables are superior to anything that the country folk of Meryton have at their disposal."
Reluctantly, he looked up from his newspaper and answered her, "Miss Bingley, you are correct that, for the most part, my carriage horses and riding horses are not needed on the farm. However, there have been instances where they have been called into service during an abundant harvest to transport men and supplies about the estate."
Ignoring the fact that he had supported Elizabeth's statement, Miss Bingley gushed, "Pemberley is the most well-run estate in the country. I have never seen its equal. And it boasts such a knowledgeable master."
Elizabeth hid her smirk behind her teacup. She pointedly ignored Mr. Darcy who, once again, was staring at her.
She and Jane made their way back to their rooms, Jane to rest and Elizabeth to collect her outerwear. She hoped to slip out without coming into contact with any of the other inhabitants of the house. With that in mind, she took the back stairs and exited in the opposite direction to the garden. Passing behind the stables, she cut through to a grove of trees and set off at a quick march, for she felt like she had a good bit of frustration that she needed to vanquish with a vigorous walk.
She would have liked nothing better than to walk on to Longbourn and not look back. However, Jane had pleaded with her to remain even though she no longer needed nursing. Therefore, she would just have to get through one more day with the maddening inhabitants of Netherfield.
As she walked, her anticipation for tomorrow's return to her home lifted her spirits. Being the second eldest of five daughters, she was accustomed to a boisterous household of ladies, and she missed them all. Her sisters ranged in age from fifteen to twenty-two, Jane being the eldest. Elizabeth had just turned twenty, Mary was eighteen, Kitty was seventeen, and Lydia was fifteen. Jane and Elizabeth had always been close and had taken it upon themselves to spend time with the younger girls in order to help them become young ladies of character and worth. Elizabeth had become a mentor to Lydia, for they were both of a lively nature and enjoyed many of the same pursuits. Likewise, Jane and Mary had done the same for Kitty, for the three of them were quieter and more retiring.
However, it had not always been so. Up until five years ago, Lydia, who had been spoiled by their mother, was on track to becoming completely unmanageable. Kitty and Mary were in danger of becoming petulant and pedantic due to that same mother's neglect. Elizabeth, recognizing the risk inherent in allowing the situation to continue, had enlisted Jane in a crusade to save their younger sisters from becoming the product of their mother's poor parenting. By showering them with love and attention, they had been able to guide them to more circumspect and decorous behavior. None of the girls had decent dowries, so that left them with little but their charms and respectability to recommend them. Thus, the five sisters had developed a tight bond, and although the younger girls were, at times, a bit over-exuberant and silly, they were good girls who were growing into fine young ladies.
Their mother was very loving to all of her girls, but she had a limited education and mean understanding. Her main goal in life was to see each of them married as soon as possible. This ambition was fueled by the fact that their father's estate was entailed on the male line, and a distant cousin was set to inherit when their father died. Therefore, Mrs. Bennet spent a great deal of her time bemoaning their fate should their cousin cast them into the hedgerows. Even with her poor understanding, Mrs. Bennet recognized what a precarious position that they all were in. This fear made her fretful and nervous.
Conversely, their father was a highly intelligent man who had a sarcastic bent. He enjoyed studying characters and laughing at the foibles of others. Yet, for all of his intelligence, he was an indolent man. He only did the minimum required of him in the management of his estate. And he allowed his wife to spend too much of the estate's profits on trivialities. Thus, he never saved towards his daughter's dowries or his wife's widow's portion.
Elizabeth loved both of her parents but was not blind to their faults. Despite their poor parenting skills, all of the girls knew that they were loved. Thus, for the most part, Longbourn was a happy chaotic place to have grown up.
Once her nervous energy was spent, Elizabeth turned her steps back toward Netherfield. As she approached the back of the stables, a flaxen-haired boy of about eight, ran toward her.
"Miss Lizzy, Miss Lizzy. Come see the new puppies. Blue Girl just had eight pups last night." yelled the excited lad.
Elizabeth grinned and hurried to follow him into the stables and towards the last stall. The boy climbed up onto a barrel and she stood on a wooden crate so that they could both peer over the wall to where an Irish Wolfhound lay with her new puppies sleeping beside her.
Elizabeth said with awe and delight in her voice, "Oh my. How precious! Blue Girl, what a good mama you are."
To her surprise and chagrin, Mr. Darcy chose that moment to enter the stable. Without reserve, he walked up beside them and asked, "May I join you?"
Elizabeth wanted to refuse the hateful man but knew that she could not. So mustering as much politeness as she could, she nodded coldly and asked "May I introduce Master Daniel Chippley to you, Mr. Darcy? His father is the head groomsman here at Netherfield."
Mr. Darcy favored the boy with a smile and replied, "We have already met. Ah, I see that Blue Girl had her puppies."
Daniel said proudly, "My papa, says that they're all as healthy as can be. They'll bring a fine price when they're bigger."
"Certainly. Will you be helping Blue Girl take care of them, Daniel?" asked the gentleman.
"I sure will. Though, Papa says I have to wait a few weeks before I can go in the stall with the pups. He says that Blue Girl won't let anyone get too close till they get bigger. But it will be my job to bring food and water for Blue Girl. Later, I might be allowed to play with them and train them with my papa."
Elizabeth refused to look at the despicable man and had withdrawn into silence as the other two prattled on. But, neither did she want to leave, for she adored puppies and Blue Girl was a neighborhood favorite. Unwilling to admit, even to herself, that the other reason that she stayed was that this Mr. Darcy was the nice Mr. Darcy. She was intrigued to listen as he engaged the groomsman's son like he would an equal. He was smiling and chatting about the new litter in an easy, friendly way that she had never seen him do anywhere else, that is, anywhere else but in her bed chamber at two o'clock in the morning. It made her a bit wistful, but she knew not what she was wistful for.
They watched as the puppies began to wake up and move toward their mother for nourishment. A discussion ensued about the puppies' markings, color variations, and sizes. Even Elizabeth contributed her opinion as to which one she liked the best.
Finally, Elizabeth, weary of the contradictory feelings that Mr. Darcy invoked, stepped down from the crate and bade Daniel and Mr. Darcy goodbye. However, the gentleman stubbornly appeared at her arm and asked to escort her into the house.
She hastily replied, "That is not necessary. I am certain that you have more important affairs to see to."
"Please, allow me to walk with you. I have something that I would like to say."
Elizabeth gave him a baleful look. "If it has anything to do with the great matter, I have already asked you not to importune me on that any further, sir."
"Please, I just want to apologize for my words yesterday morning."
He gave her a pleading look, much like the expression that he had used when he had so clumsily apologized for insulting her at the assembly. She found that she could not refuse him when he stared at her so beseechingly. Silently berating herself for her weakness, she simply nodded and took his arm.
As they moved toward the house, he began, "It was unforgivable of me to assume that you were in any way to blame for what transpired between us two nights ago. But I beg you to forgive me, nonetheless. I realize that it was entirely my fault."
Detecting sincerity in his tone, she nodded her head in acceptance and responded, "I forgive you. I suppose it is all very confusing to you since you cannot remember everything that occurred."
"Yes, exactly. It is maddening. I can recall vague images and some of our conversation, but very little besides that. What I do remember is a bit embarrassing. My Valet stated that I made my way into your room to offer some sort of apology. Could you enlighten me as to what that might have been about?"
She hesitated, unsure how to answer him without further embarrassing herself or the gentleman.
He prompted her, "What did I speak to you about that was so urgent that I felt the need to invade your quarters?"
Pursing her lips, she chose her words carefully. She did not want to reveal everything that he had said for she hoped that he would not remember the excessive number of pretty compliments that he had given her. "You said that Mr. Bingley had just informed you that I had heard your insult of my person on the night of the Meryton Assembly. So, you came to offer me your apology."
He looked at her in bewilderment and asked, "What insult are you speaking of? I do not recall issuing an insult to you or anyone else that evening."
She laughed and then, with a droll mimicry of his deep voice, intoned, "She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."
Horror overspread his face as the memory of his faux pas came back to him. He rubbed his forehead with his free hand in mortification. Then when he had recovered his composure, he murmured, "It is no wonder that I am the last man that you would want to be caught with in a compromising position. You must despise me."
She shrugged in indifference, "Well, you have not been my favorite person. But I was able to laugh it off and attribute it to your taciturn nature." She winced as she realized that she had just delivered an insult of her own. Hastily she muttered, "Forgive me, sir."
He waved his hand in protest, saying, "No, no. You have nothing to apologize for. Furthermore, it seems that I have much that requires your forgiveness." He brushed a stray curl off of his forehead as he collected his thoughts. "Miss Elizabeth, once again, I beg of you to forgive my harsh words. They should have never been uttered and are patently untrue. For you are a very attractive young lady who any gentleman with a modicum of sense would be happy to stand up with. I was in a churlish mood that evening and should have kept myself at home. However, that is no excuse. Please, know how contrite I am, and forgive me for my rudeness."
She told him, "Well, you may consider yourself forgiven. Especially since this is the second time you have issued an apology for the same offense." She smiled mischievously and added, "But I must say that your first apology was much sweeter and strown with many pretty compliments."
His face flooded with color, and she laughed merrily at having discomforted him so thoroughly.
With surprising good humor, he shook his head at her merriment and said, "You are very gracious, Miss Elizabeth. I am not sure that I want to know how I sought to acquit myself in my drunken state." She smiled widely at him, eliciting a rueful chuckle from the gentleman. She was once again struck by his dimpled smile.
"Sir, I am curious about one thing concerning our encounter: I find it odd that you would have known which door was mine when coming from the servant's passageway. How did you come to be so familiar with the layout of the house?" she spoke with puzzlement in her voice.
His face took on a sheepish expression. "Well, I use those passageways quite often whenever I am trying to avoid attention." At her questioning look, he said with a surprising wink, "Miss Bingley. She likes to know where I am at all times. By using the servant's doors and hallways, I can thwart her attempts to commandeer my notice."
She grimaced in sympathy but waited for him to continue. "From my youth, I have been enthralled with the architecture of country houses. Most contain hidden stairs and hallways, even tunnels. My cousin who is closest in age to myself as well as a childhood friend from my estate spent countless hours exploring the manor house at my estate. We considered ourselves to be pirates in pursuit of treasure."
Elizabeth smiled and said, "How delightful! I, too, enjoyed exploring Longbourn, but I am sure that it did not yield such a wealth of hidden passages as your home. I can easily imagine a small gang of boys creeping about seeking out trap doors and forgotten rooms. It must have been great fun to have such good friends to carry out your adventures."
He agreed with a chuckle, "Yes, my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, is the brother that I never had." Then he sobered as he added, "However, I am no longer close to the other young man that I played with as a boy. He turned out rather badly."
Without thinking, Elizabeth interjected, "Oh, would that be the infamous Mr. Wickham?"
Darcy abruptly stopped walking, forcing Elizabeth to halt also. "Miss Elizabeth, are you acquainted with George Wickham?"
Elizabeth wished that she had held her tongue. She had wanted to avoid any discussion about their conversation in her chambers two nights ago. Darting a brief glance at his shocked face, she stammered, "W-well, no. But you told me something of him the other night, Sir."
His shocked face morphed into one of great alarm. "Could you give me the particulars of what I said concerning that man?" This was said in his most imperious voice, causing Elizabeth to drop his arm and step away as she eyed him warily. Seeing her reaction to his agitation, he added, "Please, Miss Elizabeth, I need to know."
She ran his drunken words through her mind to determine the most innocuous of his ramblings. Reluctantly she responded, "Well you mentioned that he had an unsavory character and that you had paid him money in lieu of the living that your father had left him in his will. Your words alluded to keeping the wolf from tending the fold or some such expression. I am sure that I do not recall your exact words." She trailed off uncertainly.
He asked insistently, "Was there anything else?"
"You did make me promise to avoid the man, should we ever meet." She hoped that would appease his curiosity.
However, he persisted. "Is that all?"
Elizabeth was beginning to feel quite vexed at his interrogation but decided that he had a right to know what she had been told. "S-sir, you did tell me that he had importuned your dear sister."
She jumped when he swore quite savagely. Although shocked at his ungentlemanly behavior, she elected to placate him. "You may rest assured that I will never breathe a word of what you related to me to a living soul. I promise you that most sincerely." She trailed off as he took to pacing on the drive before the house.
After a few moments of stony silence between them, he came to stand before her. His eyes were a storm of rage, despair, and shame. "Do I have your word that you will not divulge any of the information that I so stupidly revealed?"
Elizabeth recognized his fear and love for his sister and set aside her impatience with his imperious question. "Yes, Mr. Darcy, you have my word that I will never breathe a word of your sister's unfortunate experience with that man. I am aware that we are mere acquaintances of short duration, but I assure you that I am not a gossip and I would never divulge such hurtful information to even my closest sister, even my dear Jane. I have young sisters myself, and I would protect them as I will protect your sister."
Their eyes locked as several emotions played across his face, the main one being gratitude. He took her hand and brought it to his lips in a fleeting kiss. Elizabeth's breath caught at the sweetness of the gesture. Then he intoned with great feeling, "Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You do not know what it means to me to hear your words of care for my sister who you have never met." Then, with a wink, he added, "You are an admirable as well as tolerably handsome woman."
She laughed in surprise and delight at his effort to lighten the mood. "I am happy to receive your approbation for my tolerability."
He placed her hand back on his arm and they proceeded on to the house with a feeling of quiet affibility.
That evening, dinner with the other residents of Netherfield was much more pleasant for Elizabeth. Jane was feeling well enough to join them, and her presence tended to temper some of Miss Bingley's tendency to dominate the conversation. Elizabeth, seated next to Mrs. Hurst, was pleased to discover she was a convivial dinner partner. Mr. Bingley and Jane spoke exclusively to one another. Mr. Hurst was content to concentrate on his dinner and sought no conversation. Miss Bingley monopolized Mr. Darcy for the entirety of the meal. Elizabeth mused that if anything could drive him to over-imbibe, it would be Miss Bingley's simpering and fawning for the duration of four courses. At one point during the dessert course, their eyes met and he lifted his eyes to the ceiling briefly. She could not stifle a laugh.
After the gentlemen rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, Elizabeth found herself extremely entertained by the interactions of the party. Jane and Mr. Bingley gravitated towards each other as was their habit. Mr. Hurst could not interest anyone in a game of cards, so, he promptly found a sofa to stretch out on and was soon snoring. Mrs. Hurst sat in a chair next to her husband and played with her bracelets. Miss Bingley began speaking to Mr. Darcy the moment that he entered the room. Strategically, he selected a chair that was set apart from the rest of the furniture groupings and immersed himself in a book. Elizabeth had also chosen to enjoy a book of poems that had been on the table next to her chair.
Miss Bingley was desperate to attract Mr. Darcy's attention, but he studiously attended to his book. Therefore, she proceeded to speak loudly to her sister from across the room about their exalted friends back in London.
"Louisa, you remember Miss Montgomery at the Smitherson's Ball. That dress was ghastly. What was she thinking? It was blue with tiny yellow flowers. So provincial. I believe it was the same shade of blue as Miss Eliza's gown. That is a fine shade of blue for the country, but not for the sophistication of town." Elizabeth looked down at her blue dress and could not hide her smirk. It was the latest muslin from her uncle's shop in London. Furthermore, she had seen that same shade worn by several of the bejeweled ladies that she had seen at the theater on her last visit.
Miss Bingley appeared to be undeterred at having failed to get a response from her favorite gentleman or her least favorite lady. Thus, she continued her monologue. By that time, Elizabeth had stopped listening in favor of applying herself to reading her poems. It was a much more enjoyable pastime.
However, she looked up when Mr. Darcy stood and stepped over to the window. After a moment of peering into the night, he turned and reported, "It is raining quite heavily. If it keeps pouring down at this rate, the roads will be impassable in the morning."
Elizabeth and Jane looked at one another in consternation. They were both very aware of how often the brook that flowed along the border of Netherfield and Longbourn overflowed its banks. With a sinking feeling in her heart, she realized that they might not be able to return home tomorrow after all.