“They are certainly a mystery,” Mr. Darcy said. “We never know when they will form, or how destructive they will be. It seems the safest thing to do is assume every storm might be dangerous until proven otherwise.”
“Indeed,” Sir William said.
Shortly after luncheon, Sir William and Charlotte rose to take their leave. They expressed regret that Mr. Bingley and the Darcys must soon leave the neighborhood. They also wished them a safe journey back to London.
Jane and Elizabeth excused themselves to walk the Lucases to their carriage. While Jane accompanied Sir William, Elizabeth followed with Charlotte.
As they walked, Charlotte looked at Elizabeth and grinned.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Yes, Charlotte? Is there something you would like to say?”
“Oh, my dear Eliza, are you sure it is not you that has something to say to me?” Charlotte asked with contrived innocence.
“If you will recall, I did tell you some days back that I had a few things to acquaint you with,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, I do recall. We were to discuss these things the day of the storm, were we not? I am sure you remember, of course, damsel in distress that you were,” Charlotte said, giggling.
Elizabeth could not hold back her laughter at Charlotte’s ridiculousness. They came to stand in front of the carriage.
“Perhaps I shall call on you after my guests leave for London.”
“Please do! I shall look forward to it!” Charlotte said with a teasing smile. Then she turned and allowed her father to hand her into the carriage.
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head.
Sir William bid them farewell and boarded the carriage. Elizabeth and Jane waved and watched them drive away. Once the carriage left the drive, they went back inside to their guests.
Darcy had accompanied Bingley to check on the progress of a few tenants with significant wind damage. Repairs were already underway at each farm, and the Netherfield cook was told to prepare dinner again for those tenants. Netherfield itself was badly damaged. When he and Bingley arrived at the house to look it over, the sight before them was shocking. The situation was much worse than it appeared the night of the storm, as they had suspected it might be. They were hard-pressed to find a single window that had not been shattered. In the light of day, it was also easy to see the water damage in parts of the house where the roof had been torn away. Now, with the house exposed to the elements and animals the way it was, it would only worsen. Darcy could see no way forward other than for it to be demolished.
The steward had likely already written the owner regarding the state of Netherfield Park. However, Bingley also wrote a letter informing him of the storm, the state of the house, and the situation of the staff and tenants.
That morning, as Darcy assisted his friend, his head had been full of Elizabeth Bennet. He kept reflecting on the previous day. They had practically spent the whole day together, and he had enjoyed every minute of it. He liked the way she interacted with Longbourn’s tenants. It was obvious they were fond of her and respected her. What would it be like to have her by his side as mistress of Pemberley? To have her riding on the estate with him? He was sure she would develop a good rapport with Pemberley’s tenants as well, and she would show the same dedication to his estate as she did to her father’s. She would grow to love Pemberley and its people just as she did Longbourn. And he was certain they would also grow to love her.
When he and Bingley had returned to the house and then joined everyone in the drawing room, Darcy had found it difficult to attend to the conversation. His focus had been entirely on Miss Elizabeth . . . on her eyes, her smile, her hair. Normally, he would cast a look around the room to make sure he was not being observed, but he suddenly found himself not caring if he was seen looking at her. So, he continued to feast his eyes on her. Of course, minutes later, she turned his way and saw that he was watching her. Darcy thought she would demurely look away, but instead she daringly held his gaze.She can hold a man prisoner with those eyes, he had thought to himself as he looked at her. He could not repress the smile that had come to his lips. Miss Elizabeth had smiled back at him—
Pausing his musings, Darcy looked at his pocket watch. It was half an hour before dinner. With his mind repeatedly wandering to other things, such as Miss Elizabeth, he had not been veryproductive in going through his correspondence. Well, it would keep. Darcy put his letters away and got up to change for dinner.
Chapter 14
When they had all gathered in the drawing room after dinner, they began discussing poetry. Mary mentioned the book of poetry she had recently borrowed from Elizabeth as well as her two favorite poems in the book.
Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy notice her copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets sitting on the table. He reached for it and began flipping through the pages.
“What is that, William?” Georgiana asked.
“Shakespeare’s sonnets,” he said.
“Lizzy has been reading them,” Mary volunteered.
“Which one is your favorite, Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked.
“My favorite is 116,” Elizabeth replied.
“Will you read it, William?” Georgiana asked.
Oh no,Elizabeth thought, watching him. She could feel her face getting hot.
