Did I tell you that William purchased a new grand pianoforte for me on my sixteenth birthday in March past? He is too good to me, the ideal olderbrother.
You said in your letter that you spent a day or two in Lambton on your way to the lakes. Did you know that Pemberley is only 5 miles from the town? Had I known when you were to arrive, I would have come to see you, and I am sure William would have as well.
I have heard of how much you like to ramble on foot. I am sure you will find many chances to do so where you are.
I look forward to hearing your news. To that end, if you write a reply, the Darcy courier who delivered this epistle will bring me yours back.
With my warmest regards to you and Jane, and best wishes to Mr and Mrs Gardiner,
Gigi
“Why do you think Gigi speaks of her brother so often? And he did send his regards, warm ones at that, to you,” Jane teased her younger sister.
“Jane, the wishes were for all of us,” Elizabeth responded as her cheeks pinked. She had also noticed the same thing that Jane pointed out, but trying to tamp down her hopes, she did not want to attach too much significance to the words.
“When we see them again, and it is when, not if, you will see that yourmuch olderand wiser sister was right, and you will have jumped to conclusions once again.”
This was one time Elizabeth very much hoped she had been wrong.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Hillman arrived at Lakeshore House a half hour before dinner. After greeting his hosts, he satin an armchair near the settee where the Misses Bennet were seated. “Did you have an enjoyable afternoon?” he asked both of them.
“We did,” Jane responded. “We explored Bowness-on-Windermere. There was much to see in the town.”
“Tomorrow we depart for Grasmere in the morning. I am hoping we will see Mr Wordsworth if we pass by his Dove Cottage,” Elizabeth related. “Have you been to Grasmere?”
“I was a lad the previous time I was there. It was before Mr Wordsworth was acclaimed for writingLyrical Ballads,” Hillman replied.
Jane stood and crossed the room to where her aunt and uncle were seated. “May I invite Mr Hillman to join us on the morrow? The previous time he was in the town, he was a lad, even before Mr Wordsworth became famous.”
Maddie looked at Edward with raised eyebrows. Jane had not asked them to issue the invitation, but rather she wanted to extend it. Seeing her husband give a quick nod, Maddie turned back to her niece. “You may do so,” she stated. When she saw the glow of pleasure on Jane’s face, Maddie knew they had done the right thing. It was good to see that the experience with the inconstant Mr Bingley had not made Jane unwilling to become attached to another man.
Jane returned to her seat. As soon as Lizzy and Mr Hillman ceased their discussion about the topography of the area, she took her chance. “Mr Hillman, with my aunt and uncle’s permission, I would like to invite you to join us for our journey to Grasmere in the morning,” Jane said.
Seeing that he had already decided he wanted to spend more time with Miss Bennet, the invitation aligned with his desires. In the hours he had spent in their company, the subject of his family, wealth, or connections had never been canvassed. With the huntresses of theTon,it was usually among the first questions they would ask. “As I have noother commitments, it will be my pleasure to join you on the morrow. It is indeed far too long since the last time I have been in Grasmere; in fact, well over twenty years past. I look forward to it.”
“According to what I have read, Wordsworth is often out and about in the town, and he does not object to speaking of his works with those who have read them. I hope luck will be with us on the morrow,” Elizabeth stated.
Maddie had been watching the interactions with her nieces, and it was not hard to discern that the man’s interests tended towards Jane. She was sure there were things Jane wanted to know but did not feel she could ask within the bounds of propriety. “Mr Hillman, have you been blessed with a wife and children?” Maddie asked innocently. She already knew the answer to the question, but for Jane’s sake, she needed to ask it.
“No, Mrs Gardiner. I am not now, nor have I ever been married.” Hillman divined the reason Mrs Gardiner asked that question and was glad to be able to reply. He did not miss the interest in his answer from the lady in whom he was growing interested. “I have never even had the pleasure of asking a lady for a courtship.”
Jane felt waves of relief flood throughout her body. Not only was he not married, but Mr Hillman was unattached to any lady. She knew that she needed to be very sure before she gave her heart away again, but she had a feeling that this man was nothing like Mr Bingley. In short, while the latter was a boy, Mr Hillman was a man. While she felt he might seek advice in some things, she was positive that he was not a man who once he had made a decision, would be deterred by the opinions of others.
Soon, the butler announced dinner. While he should have escorted Mrs Gardiner to the table, Hillman was thankful Mr Gardiner did the honours for hiswife, leaving him to offer his arms to the Bennet sisters.
During the meal, Hillman was impressed by the sensible conversation which flowed around the table. The most pleasure he found was when he had expressed an opinion, one he did not believe, about why women should not be educated like men; both Misses Bennet argued against hisunjustposition with vigour. At long last, he had found ladies who would defend their own positions and not defer to him just because of his sex, rank, and wealth.
“That is not my true opinion,” Hillman owned, “but I do enjoy a good debate. It is not so interesting when we all agree.” He had a boyish grin on his face.
“Lizzy, Mr Hillman does what you do,” Jane pointed out with a smile.
“There is a story here,” Hillman observed. “I would love to hear it if Miss Elizabeth is willing to tell.”
“There are times I will take positions not my own just to spur debate. There was a case when I had misjudged a man and did so to discompose him because I thought he hated being challenged. I was wrong,” Elizabeth admitted.
“Do tell, I may know the man,” Hillman stated with a straight face. He knew exactly to whom Miss Elizabeth referred, but now was not the time to say that.
