Page 42 of Conundrums & Coincidences

Having waited to come forwards, Darcy simply bowed to her when what he really wanted to do was hold her as closely as he had while carrying her from the garret. “Congratulations. Your worries have been obviated and your diligence well rewarded.”

“Thank you. Yes, matters have taken a most favourable turn.” Her happiness overflowed, and laughter escaped. “I suppose, at length, after this ebullition of shock and delight have subsided, something like composure may succeed it. For now, I am dazed and hardly know what to do or feel or say or even think. How I wish my family was here with me!”

How I wish to become part of your family!

At once, there seemed to exist an unexpected and unwelcome reserve between them; and, like Elizabeth, Darcy hardly knew what to say. In looking about, he noticed Mr Hadley awaiting his turn to congratulate the winner. The manner in which the young man was bouncing from foot to foot indicated his shin had not been badly injured.

Excusing himself and stepping aside, Darcy joined Miss Rigby and Mrs Vincent, who stood chatting just inside the parlour. While making the occasional comment, he could not help but listen to the conversation taking place beyond the doorway.

“Truly, I am not one who takes defeat with bad grace. I am utterly delighted for you.” Mr Hadley sported a wide, genuine smile. “On our first day here, I told you I had no expectation of winning a contest of mental acuity. Indeed, I was completely perplexed by this clock’s secret. At any rate, what would I do with a country house that I could not put up for purchase? No, that is not a case of sour grapes. Even had I won this place and the fifty thousand pounds, I most likely would still want to be hard at work in London at the Inns of Court, learning to be a barrister. Eventually, Eastmeadow Park, the estate in Eton Wick, will be mine someday. My brother is considerably older, and he never married.”

“Well, sir, you must come and visit me, although I have no notion of how or when I shall take up residence here at Oakwood. There is much to be decided…or decided for me, as I have not quite reached the age of majority, though my birthday is nigh.”

“How happy I shall be to see you as mistress of these venerable walls! But I should very much like to visit you, wherever you may be. Perhaps I shall have to call on you and Darcy at Pemberley one day.”

“Good heavens! Why would I be at Pemberley?”

“Come now, Miss Bennet. You must know Darcy is violently in love with you. It is plain to see.”

Plain to see? Darcy was violently, ardently, passionately in love with her. Still, he winced at having made his feelings so easily perceived by another. For such a private gentleman, those sorts of displays, clear demonstrations of intense emotion, were unprecedented. Even Elizabeth herself had not been aware, in Hertfordshire or in Kent, of his admiration and love. Only Miss Bingley, at Netherfield, had suspected his interest in the young woman.

But if I thought for a moment that such a public display was what Elizabeth desired, I would run to the top of that staircase and shout of my love for everyone to hear. Yes. That is as likely to happen as to see a hog fly!

Having accepted a glass from Christopher’s tray, Darcy took a sip and tried not to pull a face at the wine’s sweetness. He suspected barrels of the vin de pays had been imported—that is to say smuggled—from France’s northeastern region. Then sugar had been added and the champagne allowed to further ferment before being poured into superior English glass bottles. Nevertheless, he heartily joined the others and raised his glass in a toast to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and drank to the health of the new mistress of Oakwood Manor.

Half tempted to propose to her on the spot, admit what he had done, and let her accept him in appreciation for it, Darcy knew neither of them would be happy in a marriage where one’s love was unreciprocated. Besides all that, Elizabeth has enough to occupy her time and energy for the nonce.

Just then, Mr Hadley came up to him. “Well, Darcy, as soon as Mr Bolton and Jimmy have my Cleveland bays and curricle ready to go, I shall take my leave of Miss Bennet, give my thanks to Mr Monroe and Miss Rigby, and be on my way to Eastmeadow Park, four miles distant as the crow flies. After spending the night there, I shall continue on to London in the morning. I must say this has been the most diverting se’nnight I can remember. Although I came here with no expectation of winning a contest of mental acuity, I am rather proud of myself for having made it as far as I did. Remember when I…”

Soon the two gentlemen were sharing a bit of a laugh about the epergne puzzle.

“It has been a genuine pleasure,” said Mr Hadley, “to make your acquaintance, sir. Perhaps somewhere, sometime, our paths may cross again, eh? I am sure that you and a certain young lady will find your way to one another.” For an instant, it seemed the amiable fellow was going to give Darcy a nudge or a wink, but he simply grinned at him.

“It has, indeed, been a pleasure, Hadley.” Darcy passed one of his calling cards to the younger man. “I hope you will call sometime while I am in residence at my town house. If for no other reason, you should come and see your old friend Biscuit. And if you ever find yourself in Derbyshire, Pemberley’s doors will be open to you, always.”

The two shook hands, and Darcy was sorry to see Mr Hadley go.

I, too, should leave, but… Blast! A brilliant idea formed. Why did I not consider such beforehand?

After ascertaining from Alfred that Mr Monroe was in the library, Darcy went there and conveniently encountered not only the attorney but also Elizabeth and the chaperon.

Immediately upon bowing, he blurted, “Has the express already been dispatched to Mr Bennet?” At their surprised expressions, Darcy added, “To save her father the trip, I could take Miss Bennet to Longbourn. ’Tis almost on my way.”

“On your way? Are you for Derbyshire, then?” asked Mr Monroe, eyebrows shooting upwards.

“No.” Too late, Darcy realised his folly. “I shall first go to my town house.”

The attorney exchanged a knowing look with the ladies. “Then what a strange route you would take from Oakwood to London, sir. Rather than simply travelling due east from here, you first would go north into Hertfordshire, would you?”

“I said almost, not directly.” It had been a daft idea, and Darcy was paying the price for it.

Miss Rigby, too, appeared entertained. “And would you have Miss Bennet travel alone with you, an unrelated gentleman?”

“Of course not. I would ask someone to accompany us. Perhaps a mature woman with experience in being responsible for the decorous behaviour of a young, wealthy, unmarried lady.”

“Well,” said Miss Rigby. “You are fortunate that I happen to know where you might find both a meritorious chaperon and such a young lady.”

“I thank you for the offer of transportation, Mr Darcy,” said Elizabeth. “However, my father has been staying in London with my relations on Gracechurch Street, near Cheapside. And Mr Monroe and Miss Rigby will be escorting me there on the morrow. Papa and I shall remain with the Gardiners awhile. There are legal matters to settle, you see.”