“I wonder, too,” he said, shaking his head. “Somehow…I just do.”
They said nothing else during their walk, but the silence was comfortable. Darcy checked his pocket watch twice before deciding he needed to go in. “I must eat and then ride out to the tenants again.”
“And I must check on my sister. Perhaps I will see you later today.”
“I hope so.”I hope very much.
CHAPTER 10
14 November 1811
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth was humbled by Mr Darcy’s trust in her.
She was stirred to hear him speak of his sister with so much care—while also revealing so much. The secret he had vaguely confided in her was about such a young girl, it might even be ruinous—and yet he had faith that she would keep it.
Even knowing that no man was as perfect as Miss Bingley’s description of Mr Darcy…even smiling when Mr Bingley had said that Mr Darcy was the best man he knew and when Mrs Nicholls said that Mr Darcy was the most impressive man of her acquaintance….
Elizabeth was beginning to understand the uses of the superlatives in others’ descriptions of the man.
For now, her Uncle Edward remained the best man Elizabeth knew, but she was beginning to wonder if, once she had a chance to know Mr Darcy better, he might near that mark as well?
As she helped Jane refresh herself, smooth the bedding, change her chemise, brush her hair…Elizabeth’s thoughts kept straying to Mr Darcy. The timbre of his deep voice when he said, “thank you so much.” The quaver in his voice when he described his sister as “even more silent and practically a recluse.”
She was relieved to read to Jane, thus distracting herself from thoughts of a man who was so far out of her reach.
CHAPTER 11
14 November 1811
DARCY
After visiting the Marshalls and the Garretts, Darcy and Bingley were able to speak with two more tenant families that morning. There were no dramatic problems revealed, although a roof repair would be needed soon on the Robinsons’ cottage.
After they left the Brewers’ cottage, Darcy asked Bingley, “What did you notice about Mrs Brewer?”
“Ahh…I suppose that she might be increasing,” Bingley suggested.
“Do you have any ideas about what should be done regarding the possibility?”
“Well, I suppose that I could ask if they need anyone such as a wet nurse or…someone to help with the birth? But would she not be embarrassed if I asked such a thing?”
“I agree that she might be. So…what might you do?”
Bingley was silent for a short time, and they rode up a rise before he answered, “I suppose I could ask Mrs Nicholls to send a woman, a maid or possibly a resident of Meryton who knows of such things, just to make certain that there are no problems in the offing, and to suggest that they immediately reach out if a problem emerges.”
“Well conceived, Bingley. As I told you before, your interest and care for people will be useful in becoming a very, very good master.”
As soon as they returned to the manor house and cleaned up, Bingley met with Mrs Nicholls while Darcy knocked on Miss Bennet’s door.
Miss Elizabeth answered promptly and gave a good report, but he heard quite a lot of coughing during the short time they spoke. “I suppose,” he hazarded, “that you are giving your sister hot tea with honey to suppress the cough?”
“I am. The maids are urging me to give Jane laudanum, but I feel that there is some danger with that medicine, and she seems to be steadily improving.”
Darcy shook his head. “I cannot abide laudanum, myself. I commend you for avoiding it.”
“I will see you at dinner, I suppose?”
