It would not do to spend the morning considering how reasonable or unreasonable were his own regrets, and he was resolved, after all, to be considerate of Mrs Lanyon for the sake of their mutual friends. “Yes, I should be happy to spend the morning with you.”
“Do not waste your time,Eliza; he is the younger son. When he is a barrister and has briefs, he might earn only six hundred a year. After his brother inherits the baronetcy, I suspect Mr James Utterson will no longer receive an allowance, either.”
After hearing about their earlier tour of the picture gallery, Caroline, for such reasons as Elizabeth could not comprehend, was inclined to share her thoughts on Mr Utterson. Before breakfast, Elizabeth had asked after Jane, but she had been with Louisa, as she more often was now. Elizabeth had walked through the house, and whilst she admired Pemberley, Mr Utterson, returning from a ride, offered to keep her company in the portrait gallery until breakfast.
I suppose I could be grateful that Caroline thinks well enough of me to wish better for me than a competency of six hundred a year.
“We spoke only of the house and the paintings,” Elizabeth patiently replied.And on how considerate a landlord Darcy is.“Mr Utterson did not propose whilst we talked about Miss Darcy’s drawings.”
She could not give attention to what were likely good paintings, except for one portrait that she had stood several minutes before in earnest contemplation. Had Mr Utterson not asked if she thought it a striking likeness to Darcy, she might have still stood there, realising that the arresting smile he wore in the portrait was like how he used to look at her.
Although the expression of it was all wrong, she now remembered the warmth of his former regard every time that she looked on Darcy. She was certain the words “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you” would stay in her mind for the rest of her life.
“In any event,” Caroline continued, “you would do better to set your cap at Mr Balfour. Although his wealth comes through the East India Company, his allowance appears to be larger than Mr Utterson’s,andhe will inherit an estate. It could be a proper match—for you,” she added.
“I cede any claim to Mr Darcy’s single guests to you.” Elizabeth wondered why she had not simply said she ceded claim toallof the single men at Pemberley, and then pushed the thought away.
“I thank you for the compliment, but no,” Caroline said whilst pulling a face. “Mr Balfour is half—well, he has no ambition, and Mr Utterson thinks too often of his own complaints. Besides, I could little marry a man who has a lesser fortune than my father had.”
Elizabeth, Jane, Caroline, and Louisa were taking advantage of the clear afternoon to walk in the park. There was a grandeur and beauty to Derbyshire, in the valley with all of its glory diversified by woods of various green hues, the windings of the stream, and the grey-coloured rocks. The only rival to the scenery she had seen was in the size, elegance, and beauty of Pemberley House itself.
Even Caroline’s sharp conversation was not a distraction from admiring the beauties before her, although Elizabeth preferred to walkalone. They had fallen behind Jane and Louisa, and this seemed to be by design. Since they had joined the Hurst party, Jane and Louisa were often in conversation together. New duties were put before Jane that now likened her to Louisa. Household cares and husbands, and likely soon children, would pull Jane down a different path.
If only that did not put me more often in Caroline’s sole company.
It seemed that in the absence of Louisa, Elizabeth would do for a substitute to hear all of Caroline’s jealous, artful, or snide comments. Caroline’s vacuous talk about “did she not think this style of gown would do better for Jane” and “had she met Lady Such and Such yet” was taxing her forbearance.
Elizabeth had a sudden thought and stopped walking. “I have grown tired. I should like to rest.”
“What? Here?” Her voice rose to a shrill cry. “You cannot mean to sit on the ground.”
“I do, here, by the stream bank. Would you care to keep me company?” Elizabeth kept a smile from her lips, and sat and settled her skirts around her.
Caroline looked at her own gown and shook her head. “No! I shall find the others and bring them back to you, and we can return to the house together after you have recovered.” She gave her a pitying look and left.
Having succeeded in ridding herself, however briefly, of unwanted company, Elizabeth grinned and took in the scene. There was an immensity to the landscape, both in the park and what she had seen of Derbyshire on her way to Pemberley. The house itself gave variety and animation to a scene of wonderful beauty, and also seemed at home in the wilds of Derbyshire.
After contemplating the stream—another object of beauty, circling the meadow—she saw Mrs Lanyon walking her horse across the meadow towards the stable. She was on the other side of the stream, and only reined in when Elizabeth rose to greet her.
“Good afternoon, Mrs Lanyon!” Elizabeth called to the other bank. “I am surprised to see you back so early. But where are your companions?”
“Miss Darcy’s horse lost a shoe,” Mrs Lanyon said. “Mr Darcy ledthem back to repair the loss, and I rode as far as my own knowledge. I am now to see if the farrier has seen to it and if they still wish to ride.”
“I was just admiring the noble stream and how it winds through the valley. You shall see more of this fine country by horseback than I shall see by my own two feet.”
Mrs Lanyon had been about to signal her horse to leave just as Elizabeth replied, and had to pull on the reins quickly to stay its progress. Elizabeth watched her sigh and set her shoulders.Mrs Lanyon is not inclined to chat.She was unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed at how soon Mrs Lanyon wished to be gone from her.
“I suppose that I shall, if you do not ride. However, Mr Darcy tells me that there are lovely walks in the park.”
Elizabeth felt the building wind and wondered if it would rain tonight or tomorrow. She gathered her purple pelisse tighter across her. “I hope to find time, in between the rain it seems likely we shall have, to visit all of Pemberley’s principal walks. I have had just as much pleasure going over the grounds as I had the house.”
“Aye, ’tis a handsome and spacious building... standing on elevated ground and commanding fine views over the adjacent country.”
Something in her manner and the way she took in the house made Elizabeth ask, “Do you draw?”
Mrs Lanyon raised an eyebrow. “I have years bestowed in learning the typical accomplishments, the same as you, the same as any proper gentlewoman.”
This stern reply surprised Elizabeth. “Ma’am, have I said or done something to offend you? I did not mean to imply that you are not accomplished. I do not draw myself, although I take pleasure in seeing the performance of others.”
