“Miss Mary,” he continued, “Miss Elizabeth mentioned that you have spent a good deal of time assisting with Mr. Bennet since his illness began. I should like to commend your efforts and hope that your father has made progress.”
“Thank you kindly,” she said, still blushing with the attention. “My father is yet very weak, but he has been no burden, and I am happy to help.”
“Please, everyone, do be seated,” Mrs. Bennet asserted. “Mr. Darcy, would you care for some refreshments? Perhaps you would like some tea or a glass of cool lemonade following your journey from Town. We also have some freshly made ginger biscuits. You will not be disappointed, as our cook is known to be one of the best in our neighbourhood, even if I do say so.”
“A cool drink would be refreshing, thank you,” William answered as he purposely took a seat next to Elizabeth, momentarily glancing at her before turning his attention back to Mrs. Bennet.
“Very good,” she answered. “Kitty, please tell one of the servants to have the trays sent in now.”
“Yes, Mama.”
Having noted that Mr. Bennet was not in the parlour, William asked, “Mrs. Bennet, may I inquire after your husband? If he is up to it, I should like to speak with him this afternoon. I have a gift for him as well. It is a book from my personal library in Town.”
“Mr. Bennet is resting, though you need not worry, since he usually takes a nap at this time of day. I am sure he will be pleased with your gift. Even before his illness, he rarely left his book room since reading is one of his favourite pastimes.”
“So I understood from Miss Elizabeth.”
“After our refreshments, may I suggest that you and Lizzy take a nice long walk while you are waiting for him? The environs here are rather pretty this time of year, and I am sure after having sat for so many hours in the carriage, a bit of exercise would be welcome.”
“Thank you. I would enjoy escorting Miss Elizabeth, providing it would be of no discomfort to her recent injury. Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth could not help but blush again. After what happened at the ball, and what Eliza had said she overheard, shehad not expected William to be so cordial towards her family, especially considering her mother’s current effusions. “My ankle is greatly improved, sir. I was actually hoping we might take a walk to Oakham Mount this afternoon. From there you can see the entire valley and much of the village. The panorama is quite lovely.”
“Ah, yes, Oakham Mount. I remember you saying it was one of your favourite places. In truth, I am curious to see one of the areas mentioned by William Cowper in his writings.”
“Then I will be happy to show you. By the time we return, Papa should be available.”
Once refreshments were brought in and served, it was not long before William and Elizabeth left the house, accompanied by Mary. After a few more pleasantries were exchanged between the three walkers, Mary chose to lag behind with the intent of gathering wildflowers in a basket she brought for that purpose. William was pleased with her gesture, as he had much to say to Elizabeth and appreciated the opportunity for more privacy. From there the two of them walked side-by-side along the well-worn path.
Continuing on, he reached in his pocket and handed her one of the gardenia blooms he had earlier plucked from the bouquet. It warmed his heart to watch as she inhaled this small offering and gifted him with a loving smile.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he asked, “would you mind if I called you by your Christian name when we are alone?”
“No, not at all.” She beamed. “Tell me, do you have a preference for what I might call you?”
“Most of my acquaintances call me Darcy though I really have no preference, as long as it is not Fitz.”
“No, I would not care to call you Fitz.” She chuckled. “Somehow it does not suit you at all. I wonder, would it offend you if I shortened your given name and called you William?”
“I would like that. Georgiana is the only other person who has ever called me William.” His smile was endearing as he reached for her hand and softly kissed it. “I would very much like it if you did the same.”
Overcome by his sentimentality, she tenderly responded, “Then William it is.”
The conversation remained fairly light for the next ten minutes or so, until they reached the bottom of the rise going to the Mount. Mary had a small book stored in her basket and said she would be happy to stay back and read while they made the climb. With it being a direct path to the top, she could easily watch from where she would be sitting on an old log bench.
During their ascent, Elizabeth told William more of their surrounding community and a bit about the various neighbours whom he would be meeting at dinner. When they reached the top, she remarked, “I know it is nothing to the peaks, but coming here has always given me great pleasure, as well as solace. It matters not what the season may be; if the weather permits, I am up at first light and off to this very place as often as I am able.”
He smiled warmly. “In my estimation, Pemberley is nature personified, and I hope you will feel the same about your new home.”
It was obvious to Elizabeth that William took great pride in his heritage, and she was fascinated by his answers to her many questions concerning his estate and the Lambton village where her Aunt Gardiner had grown up. After a time, they reached the top and took a seat on a wooden bench in a shaded area overlooking the view.
Feeling a bit warm after the climb, Elizabeth removed her bonnet. Placing it on the bench, she decided to ask more of his little girl. “William, I know you said your daughter was doing better when Mama enquired, but I am still concerned. Wewere all so worried when Uncle Gardiner received your message saying how terribly ill she was.”
Noting the uneasiness in her voice, William took her hand, saying, “Anna was far better when I left Rosings Park two days ago, but upon arriving last Saturday, she was in a very bad way. To my horror, my little child was fevered and her throat hurt so much that it was hard for her to speak or swallow. Her cough was frightful, and I could barely hear her voice above a whisper. Anna’s nurse told me that she had been crying for days, waiting for me to come. It was not until the evening of the ball that my aunt finally saw fit to inform me by express how truly ill she was. As we tended her, the only time she was able to sleep undisturbed for a few hours was when I held her in my arms. Elizabeth, I … I do not know what I would have done if I had lost her.”
She squeezed his hand, her eyes filling with tears and compassion. “Then it was worse than we imagined. And to think you had to face all of that on top of what happened at the ball.”
Barely able to restrain his own emotions, William quietly said, “You are very kind, and I knew you would understand why I could not come sooner. Anna is such a sweet child and is so very precious to me. While I have tried my best to be a good parent, she needs more than her father and her Aunt Georgie.” He swallowed hard and imploringly said, “She is in need of a mother. And if you will allow it, Anna would be blessed to have you, Elizabeth.”
