“Then you must have a horse whilst you are at Pemberley.” There was no sense to stable a horse in town for even his sister, but Mrs Annesley ought to ride whenever she wished whilst in the country. “I have two horses that can carry a woman.”
“That is not necessary, sir.”
“It certainly is, madam. You cannot always be inside or without exercise, even if the weather is cool.” It was the first Tuesday in August, but it felt like April. “This rain is bound to end, and you and Georgiana must escape the confines of the house on the first dry day. I shall have you seated at the first opportunity.”
A post-boy from the inn yard ran in to deliver his party’s letters, scarcely managing to touch his hat before depositing them, pocketing the coin Darcy gave him, and running back out the door. He saved Bingley’s letter for the last, since it was likely to be the greatest strain on his eyes.
Bingley wanted his friends to meet his new bride and wrote that he had left London the twenty-second of July with his sister. He then joined the Hursts at a friend’s home in Birmingham, and they were all now on their way to Pemberley.His ideas flow so rapidly that he writes that he left with his sister, but then later mentions meeting the Hursts and Miss Bingley at the home of another friend.He also wrote that he intended to arrive on Wednesday, August 6.
Damn it.Today was Tuesday the fourth; Bingley had mistaken the dates. If Bingley left Birmingham yesterday, he might arrive at Pemberley tomorrow—Wednesday the fifth—or he could break his trip and arrive on Thursday the sixth. He might arrive tomorrow before Darcy’s party did.
The door opened, and Balfour entered with Mrs Lanyon and Utterson. Balfour and his sister both had pleasing countenances and the same black hair and amber eyes. But whilst Balfour was cheerful, affable, and talked a great deal, his sister had a quiet dignity that scarcely made her conversable.
“You were not waiting long, were you?” Balfour cried as he pulledout a chair for his sister. “Hester needed to arrange her hair and change her shoes after we got wet. It is possible her behaviour may arise from vanity.” His voice raised in mock outrage, and he winked at her.
“Lewis, you will give Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley a poor opinion of me.” Mrs Lanyon’s voice was calm as it ever was. “You should not represent me in such a light.”
“If any of us is vain about their appearance, it is you, Balfour,” Utterson drawled out his words in a long, slow tone. “We might have been down a quarter of an hour ago if not for you.”
Utterson was not an ill-humoured young man, but as their acquaintance furthered, Darcy noticed that Utterson often found other people provoking. A difficult quality for one studying the law. There might be a similarity in their dispositions as he came to know Utterson better, but Balfour was easier to get on with.
“Idowish to appear to my advantage,” Balfour said, smiling to everyone around the table. “You will notice that I added a cravat pin and exchanged my waistcoat for another. One cannot allow travelling and bad weather to prevent a gentleman from taking care of his appearance.”
The servants brought in the meal and Darcy passed out the letters, with Utterson taking his eagerly and ignoring everyone to read them. “When we are finished with dinner,” Darcy said, “I intend to ride ahead to Pemberley tonight.” After hearing everyone’s exclamations of surprise, he explained Bingley’s letter.
Utterson shook his head. “Bingley is too careless for my liking. He has put you to an inconvenience.”
“Perhaps his new wife is a delightful distraction. We ought to make Mr Bingley some allowances,” said Mrs Lanyon. She then turned to Darcy. “Although I shall miss the opportunity to ride with you tomorrow.”
“When the rain has stopped and we are all at Pemberley, you need only name the day.”
Mrs Lanyon thanked him and gave him a contented smile that he returned. She was near his age, widowed, wealthy, and, as Mrs Annesley said, still blooming. But she had little conversation, andnothing in her character that could be described as liveliness. He simply enjoyed riding with a woman who rode well and left him alone to his thoughts.
“You may all take your time in the morning,” Darcy said. “It is only ten miles. If I leave after dinner, I shall be there before eight o’clock.”
Balfour leant closer once everyone resumed eating. “Dinna say you only want to be there to greet Miss Bingley,” he whispered. His vowels were shorter, and a few “ayes” and “naes” crept in occasionally, but in general an Oxford education and London society had stripped Balfour of his Scottish accent, unless he was being particularly mischievous.
Darcy threw him a look that earned him a knowing smile. “I am riding ahead to be a good host to my friend, and whomever he brings with him.”
Darcy pushed his food back and forth on his plate. He had not been a good friend to Bingley, and he had been too full of pride, too capable of being selfish with anybody outside of his circle. He was fortunate he had preserved Bingley’s friendship, and grateful that Jane Bennet had forgiven his friend and they were now happily wed.
What a horrid state of selfish vanity I was in when I proposed to Elizabeth.He had learnt the lesson, but he had learnt it too late to marry a woman he loved.
Going home would be the final restoration of his peace. He would survive his disappointment, especially since Elizabeth thought no more of him, the last man in the world she could be prevailed on to marry. He had done what he could to rectify his errors, and whilst she may not hate him, in the event that they ever met again, he had no reason to believe she would renew their acquaintance.
Balfour brought up a hand to conceal his mouth from the others, and leant nearer to provoke him again. “You want to ride ahead to be certain that Pemberley looks its best for its new mistress? Be sure the grand staircase is polished. Shall you offer your hand to Miss Bingley in a fortnight?”
Darcy scowled. “Spare me from ever offering for Bingley’s sister.”
CHAPTER TWO
“We have only one stage remaining,” Bingley said as their party stood in the inn yard whilst the horses were exchanged for fresh ones. “We ought to be there by noon.”
It felt good to be released from the confines of the carriage. Elizabeth shifted her shoulders back and turned her neck from side to side. Every turn in the road varied the gorgeous prospect and exhibited new beauties. Here in Derbyshire, the picturesque-loving tourists would have all of their wishes gratified. The dales must be explored through their various windings, and the hills scaled to their highest points of elevation.
Such a beautiful place!
Elizabeth and Jane and Bingley had been travelling for a fortnight, staying several days with this friend or that so Bingley could proudly introduce his bride as they travelled towards Scarborough. Bingley’s circle seemed to know no bounds. He said that they would next meet his friend and his widowed sister, and their friend who was studying the law. Elizabeth understood that at this next home they would stay a fortnight, and it would be good to have the opportunity to cultivate a new acquaintance and have a break from always sitting on the fold-down seat in Bingley’s chaise.
