Elizabeth thought of little outside of the Darcy siblings for the next few days. Despite Mr. Darcy's response she had hoped Miss Darcy might call. In truth she had hoped they would call together. When this did not occur for several days Elizabeth consoled herself with the idea that if the situation with Miss Devon had been resolved with her termination there may have been enough uproar at Pemberley to make them forget about her at least for a time. And while she did not forget about them, Elizabeth remained active enough to find the occasional moment where her thoughts of them, or him, did not consume her.
In the week that followed her encounter with the Darcy's Elizabeth's music master came for her usual lessons which were now three times per week. She visited the stables every day with treats for both the animals and the stable hands. This and her natural curiosity and happy disposition, especially when around the horses, had made her a favourite from almost her first visit. Jane had recently suggested they make a special gift for their aunt, uncle and Mr. Barlow for hosting them. It was to be three embroidered pillows and although at first Elizabeth resisted – she was both terrible at and hated embroidery – Jane arranged their work so that Elizabeth was left with the most simple tasks – spooling the thread, filling the pillows and the like. This helped occupy the sisters on two rainy afternoons during the week in question. On the second of these two occasions, which were carried out when the intended recipients were otherwise engaged, Elizabeth had difficulty focusing on the task at hand.
"Would you like to stop for the day?" Jane asked with her usual kind accommodation. And yes, Elizabeth did want to stop, but she knew Jane would simply find time to do all the work herself.
"No," she answered pulling more batting from the basket.
"You are thinking of Miss Darcy?" Jane asked turning her gaze back to the pillow she was embroidering.
"Yes," Elizabeth said, not adding that she was also thinking, quite intently, of Mr. Darcy. "I cannot help but still hope for a visit."
"Of course," Jane responded in obvious sympathy. "I am sure her failure to visit is in no way a reflection of her desire to establish a friendship."
As if to confirm Jane's wisdom and perception they heard a small commotion outside the door and a moment later Mrs. Gardiner nearly burst in. Elizabeth rose quickly to place the pillows Jane was not stitching behind her chair. Looking at her sister she saw Jane had placed her half-finished pillow behind a blanket.
"Ladies," Mrs. Gardiner began, sounding slightly winded. "We have a visitor."
Although being just after one o'clock it was a little early for morning calls this did not seem enough of an aberration to justify their aunt having hurried from her rose garden, where she had planned to spend the afternoon, or for her somewhat harried presentation. When she regarded her younger niece for another moment understanding dawned and Elizabeth's hope soared.
"Miss Darcy?" she asked, slightly breathless despite having exerted herself no more than taking one slow step toward the door where her aunt stood.
"Not quite," Mrs. Gardiner answered and in the small second before she elaborated Elizabeth's heart began to beat wildly and she became light-headed enough to feel the need to sit down. Which she did as her aunt continued, "it is Mr. Darcy." She explained. At Elizabeth's sharp intake of breath her aunt's eyes fell on her, smiling slightly she clarified, "old Mr. Darcy."
"Oh," was Elizabeth's only response. Somehow she had not considered meeting their father. He had hardly been mentioned in her conversation with the siblings. Dozens of questions came to mind about what he was like and why he was here. There was no time to consider even one of these as Mr. Simms announced their guest.
After Mr. Darcy was announced and Simms withdrew Mrs. Gardiner expressed her welcome.
"I hope you will forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner, for the liberty I have taken in calling without warning," Mr. Darcy said in response, his voice and manner were more formal than Elizabeth was used to. This combined with his connection to her Mr. Darcy caused her to be less certain of how to receive him than she otherwise might have been. Fortunately, her aunt was the consummate hostess and after her initial agitation she slipped effortlessly into her role.
"Mr. Darcy, you have nothing to apologize for. We are honoured to have you in our home," she said with a kind smile. "Please allow me to introduce my nieces, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire."
Mr. Darcy bowed to each girl as they offered their best curtsies. It quickly became apparent that the Bennet girls were too intimidated and Mr. Darcy too reserved to advance any conversation. Mrs. Gardiner understood what was required.
"Might I offer you some refreshment, Mr. Darcy?" she asked, moving to the bell-pull by the door. "Mrs. Allen has prepared some of her famous cinnamon scones."
"That would be lovely Mrs. Gardiner," he responded with a hint of a smile. "Despite my long absences from Derbyshire in recent years I have heard of the marvel of the scones of Barlow Hall."
"How remarkable," Mrs. Gardiner replied, smiling widely. After inviting him to sit they arranged themselves with Mr. Darcy in the chair beside his hostess and Jane and Elizabeth on the settee opposite them.
Elizabeth was anxious to inquire after Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy. In addition, she was intensely curious to know what had happened with Miss Devon, but even with an opening she did not know how she could possibly inquire after that. In addition, though she had told Jane and their aunt of her encounter with the Darcy's she included few details, explaining only that she had walked with Miss Darcy for a while and met her brother. It was of no matter as Elizabeth found no opportunity to interject amidst the exchange of pleasant but meaningless conversation. The recent rains were praised while the snow of last winter was lamented. Mutual acquaintances were discovered and asked after. When the scones and tea arrived and all talk seemed to center around favourite foods and drinks Elizabeth was practically bouncing in her seat so great was her impatience. Jane noticed and cast her sister a warning glance. Just when she thought she could no longer contain her curiousity the adults stumbled upon one of the few topics capable of distracting Elizabeth in that moment.
"You may not remember, Mrs. Gardiner, but years ago, we did meet."
"Of course, I remember," Mrs. Gardiner said, laughing just a little. "I was not certain you would."
"I do indeed, you were charming and precocious."
"I was impertinent," Mrs. Gardiner countered with a smile.
"Perhaps, but it was still charming." Mr. Darcy shook his head slightly, and Elizabeth felt certain he was envisioning her gentile and perennially composed aunt as a precocious and impertinent child. She needed to know more.
"Will you not tell us the tale?" her question might have been a little forward, but she had taken care to speak quietly and calmly – more like Jane than herself.
"I am perfectly willing," Mr. Darcy answered with more warmth than she had expected. "However, I would not want to make Mrs. Gardiner uncomfortable in any way."
Displaying some of her own natural playfulness Mrs. Gardiner quickly replied, "since you are convinced I was charming not impertinent I suppose I need not be afraid."
"I believe I indicated your impertinence was charming," he smiled at her and then – to the great surprise of all the ladies present – turned and winked at the girls. Elizabeth was enchanted.
Dropping all pretense of disinterest she eagerly asked for the story.
"Are you certain? I would not want to tarnish the image you have of your aunt." The formal delivery combined with the teasing statement brought to mind, for Elizabeth, another Mr. Darcy. It had taken her half their walk to recognize his teasing.
"You needn't worry on that score," Elizabeth replied with great seriousness. "Although Mrs. Gardiner is the very best of aunts, an accomplished lady, a gifted hostess and an adept horsewoman, among other things, I have long been acquainted with her . . ." here she paused and leaned ever so slightly toward Mr. Darcy, "occasionally unorthodox behavior." Though she wanted to Elizabeth couldn't quite bring herself to wink at the older gentleman.
"Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed, without any real censure in her voice. Mr. Darcy laughed quietly, regarding Elizabeth with a curious gaze.
"Well then," he said, "I shall have no scruples about sharing with you the whole story." And he did, pausing only briefly to praise the scones as he finished his.
It turned out the tale involved a somewhat mischievous eight-year old Madeline Baxter, a great deal of mud and a recalcitrant donkey. The ladies were all laughing by the time he finished.
"I do not believe my man was ever able to get my coat clean," he said reaching for another scone. "However, it was well worth it."
"How so?" Elizabeth asked.
"Though she remained in the carriage the future Mrs. Darcy was with me that day," his voice grew wistful, "she later told me that the way I behaved that day decided her for me."
"She thought a man who wrestles small children and animals in the mud was a worthy match?" Elizabeth asked with genuine curiousity. Although Jane gasped and Mrs. Gardiner rushed to admonish her niece and apologize to their guest Mr. Darcy quickly assured her all was well.
"To be quite honest I asked a very similar question when she told me, which was not until many years later," He confessed. "She said she could easily imagine growing old with a man so willing to dirty himself for the sake of others." Mr. Darcy paused and seemed gripped by a deep sadness which Elizabeth desperately wanted to alleviate. However, even her brashness would not allow her to speak into what seemed to be a very heavy and private silence. After a moment he continued, "Mrs. Darcy was a very singular women who had grown up as the daughter of an earl with all of the expectations that brought. It was, I have learned, a somewhat stifling life. Apparently a lifetime of mud and donkeys was quite appealing after all that."
"She must have been very special," Jane said, her gentle voice at once soothing and convicted.
"She was indeed," Mr. Darcy confirmed, then seeming to collect himself he added, "and now it is I who must apologize. It is well past the time when a polite guest would have left you ladies to yourselves."
"You may be right," Mrs. Gardiner responded with a smile, rising as Mr. Darcy did so, "I suppose that means we must consider you a friend from now on."
Mr. Darcy looked a little surprised at this, but not unhappy with what could have been considered presumption. "That seems like a fine resolution," he said, then turning to Elizabeth her told her, "I am afraid I have been somewhat remiss as well in offering thanks to you for the service you did Miss Darcy last week."
Though she had been anxious to hear of Mr. and Miss Darcy Elizabeth was now more fearful than relieved. She had not disclosed to her family anything about Miss Darcy's intentions nor that Mr. Darcy walked her home alone. Unsure if Mr. Darcy himself knew any of this she was at a loss as to how to beg him not to reveal any of these details he might be privy to. With few options she simply turned to where Mrs. Gardiner and Jane stood and then looking Mr. Darcy in the eye, shook her head slightly. Hoping the small nod he offered in return meant he understood Elizabeth said, "I was so glad Miss Darcy and I happened upon one another. She is a sweet girl."
"That she is. I am glad to know you have some fondness for her as she has taken quite a fancy to you. This past week I have heard little but stories of your goodness, kindness and beauty."
Elizabeth blushed at this, but rushed to apologize. "She is too kind. I am sorry you have been subject to tall tales. It is no doubt her sweet nature and natural enthusiasm that has led her to speak so highly of me."
"Miss Elizabeth, I did not mean to imply that her excitement has been unwelcome. Quite the opposite. It has been delightful to see her so animated and from all I have heard and seen my daughter has not exaggerated at all."
"Thank you," was all Elizabeth could manage in response.
"It is I who am meant to thank you. Although it was some of my own curiosity that led me to seek you out I have also been charged, by both my children, to express their thanks. And as a token of their gratitude I was tasked with bestowing a small gift." He then turned to Mrs. Gardiner who, beside Jane, had been silently observing the exchange with unconcealed fascination. "with your aunt's permission."
"Of course," Mrs. Gardiner answered with a nod and smile. Mr. Darcy then removed a small book form his jacket pocket.
"I am told you have a great interest in character studies," he told her, "and so it was believed this might interest you." He tilted the title to Mrs. Gardiner, who nodded once again, before presenting it to Elizabeth.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said again, as he placed the book in her hands. She glanced at the title The Nature of Man by Thomas Hobbes. Wanting very much to have something to say about either the book or its author she could not comment having never heard of either.
"It is the English translation of course," Mr. Darcy said and as Elizabeth had not known that this work was not originally an English one she simply nodded.
"I hope I have not offended," Mr. Darcy said quickly. "Fitzwilliam seemed certain this would be a better gift that a bouquet or trinket. Perhaps I should not have listened. What do young men know of the preferences of girls."
"No, of course not it is perfect," Elizabeth assured him having finally found her voice. Mr. Darcy had just succeeded in making this unknown book not only her most treasured possession but also a task she would set herself to with unequaled vigor. When next they met Elizabeth would show Fitzwilliam Darcy she was a master of whatever it was this Mr. Hobbes had to say about humanity.
The next moments saw the foursome make their way to the foyer where Simms awaited them with Mr. Darcy's things. He thanked his hostess and offered his farewells to the girls. Before he went through the door which the butler held open for him he said, "I hope you will forgive Miss Darcy for not attending you herself. She and her brother went off to her aunt and uncle's home in Matlock not two days after you met. Although she was eager to go she has lamented the trip's preventing her from furthering your acquaintance – as she has already sent not one but two letters reminded me of this. As I understand you are only here for the summer we will have to look to next year for the happy reunion."
"Yes, thank you. I look forward to that very much." Elizabeth said.
"And do let me know what you think of the book," he requested before offering one final bow and leaving.