Elizabeth was a lady worth winning. That her friends were fiercely loyal to her only recommended her further. If I could earn Elizabeth’s good opinion, her admiration, her heart, I would move mountains to make her the happiest woman to walk on the earth.
Miss Lucas’s mouth tilted upward. “You have your work cut out for you, sir.”
Lord, did I know it!
CHAPTER 12
Icarried Elizabeth to Miss Lucas’s cart, where Mrs. Bennet received her daughter with open arms, fussing over her comfort and petting her hair. She would ensure Elizabeth got a proper meal and a warm bath. Miss Lucas sent word to her own father and Mr. Bennet that Elizabeth had been found and was safe at her home, attended to by her mother and sisters.
They did not want my help. Though I was eager to give it, the circumstances made their refusal a prudent decision.
Upon returning to our refuge, I moved the furniture back to their original position and folded the blankets. I swept the floor of the mud we had tracked in the night before and the ash from the fire, leaving the place much as we had found it.
My stomach grumbled, reminding me I had not eaten since the day prior. If I returned to Netherfield Park on foot, I could secure a meal and a hot bath. I believed Bingley was not overly concerned that I had not returned, as he should know I would act sensibly and seek shelter from the storm. However, once he learned the horse upon which I had left Netherfield had arrived at the Meryton stables without its rider, he would be frantic. The hour was still early, fueling my belief that I might interceptthe horse and rider before they set out for Netherfield. I could purchase a meat pie at the bakery and thus avoid having to explain my less-than-pristine appearance to Bingley’s sisters.
I smoothed my hand over my shirt. Although it was in an unrecoverable state, once I tied my cravat and donned my great coat, most of the wrinkles would be hidden. The stubble on my jaw needed a shave, but I was not so disheveled that I could not appear in the village. Certainly no one would notice the state of my jaw when the storm that had ravaged through the area would be of more pressing interest, anyway.
As I thought about it, I realized that there was bound to be some damage needing repair, and I was not incapable. The north of England was no stranger to savage weather. With so many families dependent on Pemberley’s care, it often befell upon me to repair their homes along with every other able-bodied individual with the proper skills.
Now committed to action, I directed my steps to Meryton, eager to begin my campaign to prove to Elizabeth’s neighbors that they were not beneath my notice and attention. I would assist those who had no family to help them or whose age prevented them from helping themselves.
Confident of my current course, I started to consider what I might do to gain Elizabeth’s favor, earn her respect, and win her heart. She would be unable to leave Longbourn for at least two weeks, perhaps longer. As someone accustomed to activity and the soothing beauty of nature, no doubt she would have to settle for books and conversation to occupy her time. She would appreciate a break in a routine bound to become tedious even for the most imaginative soul.
Before an idea had fully formed, I reached the stables. The horse that had abandoned me happily munched on straw, his coat brushed and shining, his hooves picked clean and wiped free of mud. He did not look up when I entered much lessshow any remorse for abandoning me. I could have kissed the ungrateful beast for the favor he had unwittingly done me.
“Mr. Darcy! I just finished polishing your saddle and was about to return this fellow to Netherfield.” Mr. Craig eyed me cautiously. No doubt he was amused by his knowledge I had somehow lost my horse.
“How is he?” I asked.
“I might ask the same of you, sir. We were worried when he returned without his rider during that storm. I would already have gone to Netherfield, but a tree branch fell on Widow Scott’s roof. It took several of us some time to clear the debris.”
“Was she harmed?”
“No, she is well enough, even if her house is not.”
I learned the villagers would be convening at The Golden Lion shortly to exchange progress and ensure that everyone who required assistance had a means to make their needs known. I listened to him intently and talked more than I normally would, even explaining enough of what had happened to separate me from the horse to satisfy Mr. Craig’s curiosity.
Once we had shared a good laugh at my expense, I arranged to take the horse back to Netherfield once I had made myself useful in the village.
Next I went to the bakery, where I exchanged a few polite words with the baker and a coin for two meat pies to break my fast. He and his customers were busy discussing how the hail, howling wind, and flooding waters had affected them and so did not question my appearance.
After some nourishment, I felt more like myself and knew what I needed to do before I called at Longbourn on the morrow. After penning a message to my man of business, I sent it by messenger with the expectation of a prompt reply. My instructions were clear and concise, and I was certain my man would not fail me.
After that, I stopped at The Golden Lion. As Mr. Craig had said, the local men and several regimental soldiers had gathered there, the former focused on planning what needed to be done and the latter on appearing to be in charge. Consequently, nothing at all was being accomplished. As I expected, Wickham was not present.
When I had my fill of discussion, I roused several men to join me and set to work. We removed tree limbs, patched roofs, and returned items that had blown into neighbors’ properties. Many garden posts needed to be righted, and I was content to lend a hand.
It was dirty work but gave me a glow of accomplishment with the added benefit of justifying my rumpled dress and providing an explanation for my whereabouts since yesterday. Bingley would never question me, and his sisters would find no scandal to discuss so long as Mrs. Bennet and Miss Lucas kept silent.
I worked long and hard until the Widow Scott insisted I stop and eat a hearty meal of beef stew she had prepared for our group. The baker, grateful we had spared him from having to repair his mother’s roof, sent more bread than a regiment could eat.
After working a few hours side by side with the carpenters, thatchers, and the blacksmith, they sent me off with friendly expressions of gratitude. The bolder ones among them treated me like one of their own, shoving my shoulder, clapping me on the back vigorously, and generally accepting me into their circle.
I fetched Bingley’s horse from the stables, confident that I had successfully shifted popular opinion in my favor.
During my ride to Netherfield Park, I crossed paths with Sir William, who was on his way to the village with a cart full of supplies for his neighbors and friends. It pleased me to report what I knew and assure him that his assistance would be mostwelcome. He departed with a contented smile, and I dreamed of soaking my sore limbs in a hot bath at Netherfield.
I found that Bingley, too, had been occupied helping his tenants to repair their residences, dig drainage ditches, and move fallen branches. That we had been similarly occupied pleased him as well as it did me. He did not rely as strongly on my guidance in estate affairs as I had feared.
