“Pemberley has many places not to be missed by a nature lover, which are only accessible on horseback,” Darcy responded. Elizabeth blushed at the inference that she would see those places one day.
“As of yet I may not be the most proficient rider, but I have come to enjoy the exercise,” Elizabeth related. “Until Mary and I learnt, Jane was the only one of us…” A wave of sadness overtook her and her eyes teared up. “Please forgive me, Mr Darcy, it is still hard to remember things my late sister enjoyed doing.”
“You mean like the day you met my sister and cousin at the bookseller in Metting?” She nodded. Darcy handed Miss Bennet one of his monogrammed handkerchiefs—this one sans Sweet Williams—to dry her eyes while he kept his body between her and the rest of the room. He waited until she was done. Rather than hand the linen square back to him, she worried it between her fingers, and Darcy made no attempt to reclaim it. Both of them thought about the fact it was not the first of his handkerchiefs in her possession. He held back until she had put herself to rights. “After my mother passed away when I was barely twelve and even though I believed boys should not cry, I did when I saw anything which reminded me of her. Slowly over time it got better.
“By the time my father was called home to God a little more than five years past, I was able to master my emotions better than as a young boy, but I felt the same inside no matter the mask I displayed externally. The truth is, each of us mourns as we see fit. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Never be embarrassed to express your love for your late sister. It will take you time, and you are the only one who will know when it is right for you to move on.”
“Charlotte,” Elizabeth cocked her head to her friend, “gave me very similar advice soon after we lost Janey.” She placed the linen square he had given her with its mate in her pocket. She decided to be a little bold. “I have decided to listen to my late sister’s words and not mourn her for too long, so rather than a year, I will observe six months complete.”
“That means you will be out of deep mourning in the middle of January?” Darcy verified, fighting to tamp down the excitement that rose because she had seen fit to inform him about her shortened period for mourning.
“Correct,” Elizabeth confirmed. She felt her cheeks heat up again. The tenderness and understanding in his voice gave Elizabeth warm feelings, warmer ones than she already had for Mr Darcy.
Darcy was fully aware he would need to wait the full six months as they had had no understanding prior to Miss Bennet’s sister’s passing. That meant he would be able to begin courting her—if she agreed, that is—in mid-April. He was fully aware Miss Bennet was a woman worthy of pleasing, and if she judged him lacking, she would refuse him. He decided to change the subject to more mundane topics as he did not want her to feel pressured.
“I assume, when you see your father, you will be able to report that the books he sold me are being cared for as they should be,” Darcy stated.
Elizabeth appreciated the safe topic as she was sure no one had missed how she had been blushing, even with Mr Darcy’s broad shoulders protecting her. “Yes, I most certainly will. I know my father will be greatly relieved to know you revere the tomes as much as he did.”
“There is a question I wanted to ask, one at which I hope you will not take offence,” Darcy said.
“Until you ask it, we will never know.” She arched an eyebrow at him.
“As you pointed out at Pemberley, when I met them in Hertfordshire, your three younger sisters were vastly different than how they act now. What, if I may be so bold, has affected such a change?” Darcy enquired.
“If you mean Mary looked like she wanted to join a convent, and the younger two were abrasive and wild?” Darcy nodded his head, not looking her in the eye. “With Mary, after Jane was taken, she followed some advice Jane had given her about her manner of dress, while at the same time, rather than being the forgotten middle child, she and I became very close. Much to my shame, I never considered how lonely Mary had been. I had Jane, while Catherine and Lydia had one another. Mary had to be her own friend. She has started to blossom, and once she followed the advice Jane had given her, rather than look plain, her true beauty, both inner and outer, was revealed.
“The changes in the younger two occurred out of my sight. Evidently, it started when Father put them back in and then employed a companion who also has experience as a governess. Her name is Mrs Perkins, and a good friend of my Aunt Maddie’s.”
Lady Hilldale was close enough to hear the name of her beloved former companion. She turned to Mrs Gardiner, “Did your niece refer to Mrs Camile Perkins who is now companion to Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia?” she verified.
“Indeed, Lady Hilldale. Camile and I have been close since shortly after she was employed by your family,” Madeline confirmed. “So far she has done wonders with them, and even with their mother.”
Charlotte who was sitting and speaking to the group which included the viscountess and Mrs Gardiner nodded her head. “Until it is seen with one’s own eyes, it is hard to believe they are the same girls they were only two months past,” Charlotte mused. She looked at Mrs Gardiner, “Your sister is much changed as well.”
“That she is,” Madeline agreed. Changing the subject, Madeline asked, “Is it just me, or does the Colonel favour Mary’s company? He talks to her rather than the viscount, my husband, and brother. I hope he will not excite expectations in our Mary. It is only recently she has blossomed to be the lady you see now.”
“Richard is as honourable as the day is long. He would never engender expectations he does not mean to fulfil in any lady,” Lady Hilldale reported. “In the years I have known him, never have I seen him pay as much attention to one lady before now.”
“There is little to worry about, Maddie,” Gweneth opined. “They have only just met. Speaking of which,” she turned and looked at Charlotte, “was it just me, or did Mr Parker enjoy your company when we were at Pemberley?”
“He is a godly and learned man who is an interesting conversationalist,” Charlotte brushed off the comment, but her blush belied her words. “Miss Parker was in company with us, and I spoke to her as well.” Charlotte did not add that the majority of her conversation had been with the shy but kindly vicar.
Taking pity on the blushing woman, Madeline looked to where the group of younger girls sat. Even though Lilly and Addie were a few years younger than Catherine, Miss Darcy, and Lydia, the older three were including them in their conversation, and all five looked extremely comfortable together.
The visit lasted some hours, and before the group from Pemberley departed, Mr Darcy reiterated the invitation to Pemberley on the final day of the year. The mistress of the estate confirmed all the residents of Lambert Hills would be present.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Brother, Catherine and Lydia are nothing like youdescribed them when you told me about your time in Hertfordshire,” Georgiana stated shortly after the Darcy coach departed the Lamberts’ estate.
Darcy related a synopsis of what Miss Bennet told him. “It seems the death of his daughter shocked Mr Bennet out of his indolence,” Darcy remarked.
“You seemed to monopolise Miss Bennet’s time,” Lord Hilldale observed.
Thankfully it was dim in the interior of the cabin, so no one saw the tips of Darcy’s ears turn red. “She did share a change in her length of mourning with me,” he revealed and told what she had decided.
“Does this mean we will join Mr Bingley in travelling to Hertfordshire?” Georgiana enthused. “Catherine mentioned they will be traveling together with Mr Bingley and the Hursts when they all journey southward. Would it not be perfect if we travelled with them too? If we do so, I will have friends to be with for the hours in the coach.” She saw her brother’s raised eyebrows. Giana blushed. “I am not saying your company is not desirable, Brother, just that being with girls close to my own age is very enjoyable. Especially, when all they want is to be my friend and are not looking to get to you through me.”
