Best regards,
Bingley
∞∞∞
Darcy closed the letter and set it aside, smiling. He felt he could almost see Bingley’s cheerful smile in every line and every blotted, carelessly written word. Bingley had sense enough, but he certainly made no pretence of being a scholar. He would much rather be out of doors, riding horses, hunting, or fishing. Darcy would have liked that, too, but the realities of running such a large estate as Pemberley, and all the business ventures that contributed to the estate’s well-being, took much of his time away. It was a blessing to have an estate so far removed from the busyness of London. Perhaps he would look around and see if there was anything satisfactory for his friend to let in Hertfordshire, as Bingley had hinted. Then again, it might not be the best plan, seeing that Mrs Bennet was on the prowl for rich men to marry her daughters. With his five thousand a year, Bingley would certainly qualify.
He wrote a quick note to his friend, detailing when he could be expected back in Town, then sealed it and set it in the box for the butler to retrieve later. He left the study, heading out to the garden to walk and clear his mind. Mrs Younge’s words seemed to have upset his thoughts. No good could come of puzzling over the benevolence or selfishness of Elizabeth Bennet’s motives. He would do much better to remove her from his thoughts entirely.
Chapter 12
It was not without some doubts that Elizabeth made ready to pay a visit to Miss Darcy and her brother. She stood at the kitchen table, arranging a basket of fruits from their orchard, a jar of preserves, and some apple tarts which Cook was particularly skilled in baking.
Jane entered the kitchen and looked at her curiously. “I did not know you were off to visit the poor this morning. I will come with you,” she said.
“I am not going to visit the poor. We can go with the parson tomorrow and bring some of our harvest. No, this is for the Darcys. I thought they might enjoy some of the fruit from our orchard. And I wanted to see how things are going in the village for her. I thought she made a good impression on the townspeople yesterday. I hope the tide is turning in Miss Darcy’s favour.” Elizabeth placed a few more of the apples in the basket, careful not to let them crush the tarts. It would be a pity for them to crumble on the way to Miss Darcy’s lodgings.
“That is very kind of you. I am sure Miss Darcy will appreciate it.” Jane fell silent, looking as if she wanted to say more.
Elizabeth gave her a sideways glance, waiting. When her sister did not go on, she prodded. “What is it?” She tucked a piece of cloth over the contents of the basket.
“Do you think Mr Darcy will appreciate everything you’ve done for Miss Darcy? He seems quite a sour fellow,” Jane said.
Elizabeth gave a short laugh. “I do not think I have ever heard you speak so harshly about anyone. Even someone who deserved it.” She hung her head, leaving the basket for a moment. She went around the table to stand in front of Jane. Elizabeth shrugged and gave an exasperated sigh. “I do not know what is wrong with Mr Darcy. I have tried to think of what I have done to make him dislike me. But perhaps I may make amends today when I call on his sister. I am sure there has simply been a misunderstanding between us. If I can only talk with him, perhaps I can smooth things over.”
“Are you sure that is wise? Perhaps you should have Papa speak to him on your behalf. He may be more willing to tell Father what has happened than you.” Jane placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “I too have been trying to think what might have gone awry, but I cannot understand what cause he might have to be offended with you. It defies the imagination.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Well, I am not so dense as to believe I am above making a mistake. But I cannot understand it either. I would have thought he would be happy his sister has a friend in Hertfordshire. And hopefully, will have many more by the end of the winter. She is a sweet girl, and I hate to see her isolated.” Elizabeth bit her lower lip. “In all honesty, I wonder if Mrs Younge plays some part in it. She seems to think Miss Darcy is a cut above her company.”
Jane nodded. “Perhaps you are right.” Elizabeth’s attempt to make light of her strained relationship with Mr Darcymust not have been convincing, for Jane still looked concerned. “Have a care, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth hugged her sister, retrieved the basket, and walked out of the cosy little kitchen. Her walk to Meryton was pleasant, although she could feel a slight chill in the air. She would not be surprised if a light rain fell that afternoon on her way back from town. Dark grey clouds were looming in the distance, heading straight for their sleepy village. Elizabeth did not object to the rain. The weather was still mild, and a walk in the rain was one of her simple joys in life. Her mother did not understand how she could enjoy walking about in damp clothes, but to Elizabeth, there was something very calming about having the rain on her skin, a time when all the world seemed to go quiet except the raindrops falling to the expectant earth.
When she arrived in Meryton, she went to the milliners and purchased some ribbons for Lydia, who had expressed the need for some light blue silken ribbons to tie into her hair for the next assembly. The girls had been in a frenzy, preparing for what they seemed to consider as the event of the winter season, as the newly arrived militia would be in attendance.
Elizabeth did not mind buying little frivolities for her sisters, within reason. However, Lydia and Kitty seemed to be getting more out of hand as of late. She hoped her father would take them in hand and help calm their excited nerves. Heaven knew their mother would not do such a thing. She was just as restless as Kitty and Lydia.
“Good afternoon, Miss Bennet!” a neighbour called as she passed. She went over to the woman and exchanged friendly greetings. Mrs Daughtry was a widow with a daughter only a little younger than Elizabeth, and a very pleasant neighbour.“Where are you off to this afternoon? There will be rain, you know.”
“I know, Mrs Daughtry. I am on my way to pay a call to Miss Darcy.”
“Ah yes, Miss Darcy, a fine young woman. She came to visit my Denise yesterday and was very kind. You know, at the assembly, we all thought she was not a good sort at all. We all believed she thought herself much above her company then. It is good to see we were mistaken.”
The portly woman’s cheeks were flushed, and she wore a wide smile. Elizabeth was relieved to hear it. “I am glad you find her so agreeable. I know how difficult it must have been for her at the assembly. Truly, I believe she was only shy, and did not mean to offend anyone.”
“I am sure we can all see that now. Well, send along my greetings to her, and friendly greetings from Denise as well.”
Elizabeth went on her way with a skip in her step, happy that her friend was making other acquaintances around the village. It had been a kindness to visit Mrs Daughtry and Denise, for they lived in a very simple, quiet style on a small income. Having heard Mrs Daughtry’s good opinion of Georgiana, Elizabeth thought it might be time for her to make her apologies to Sir Lucas. The gentleman was usually very genial and understanding, but he was not without his pride. When Miss Darcy had unwittingly snubbed Sir Lucas’ son, she had snubbed the whole of the community. Until she had healed that breech, she could not count herself to be truly welcome in Meryton.
She soon arrived at the Darcys’ rented house, and the maid let her in just in time to escape the first drops of rain.
“Yes, Miss Bennet?” the girl asked. Elizabeth smiled at her, unsurprised to be recognised. The girl was one of Mrs Hill’s many nieces, and she had visited below stairs at Longbourn often.
“I am here to see Miss Darcy, if she is receiving visitors,” Elizabeth replied. “I’ve brought some things from the garden for her as well.”
“How very kind. I am afraid Miss Darcy and her companion have gone out to make some calls this morning, but they should be back any minute. Would you like to wait for her in the drawing room?”
Elizabeth looked at the grandfather clock, noting that she could afford to wait for a few minutes. “Yes, I shall be glad to wait,” she replied.
