Page 154 of Bitterness of Spirit & The Painting

“So do I,” Darcy agreed. “I am slowly reacquainting myself with the sea. I have recently discovered the pleasure of solitary rides or walks late at night or in the early morning when the beach is empty.”

“Oh yes, riding by the sea must be wonderful,” Jane declared enthusiastically.

“It is! Let us go. Tomorrow?” Bingley immediately offered.

Elizabeth laughed, somehow uneasy with herself. “It sounds wonderful; I have no other choice but to watch you, with my heart full of envy! Since I do not ride, I shall be content to either walk around the house or follow you in a carriage, with Mary.”

“Oh…You do not ride at all?” Bingley asked bluntly while Darcy turned his head, but not quick enough for Elizabeth to miss the concealed smile that twisted his lips.

“I do ride a little—and very ill. Just like I play the pianoforte. And yes, Mr Darcy, I imagine you disapprove of my lack of proficiency. It is because I do not practice more,” she teased him from an impulse she could not understand.

As soon as she finished, her face coloured with mortification, but he turned to her with an expression of joy on his face. His smile broadened and dimples appeared in his cheeks from her teasing.

“You could not be more wrong, Miss Elizabeth. I only disapprove of the claim regarding your performance. I have heard you playing and I very much enjoyed it. But I do wonder why a brave, daring, determined young lady, so fond of nature is not more willing to improve her riding skills? I am convinced that, if you wished to, you could conquer this within days.”

Their gazes were now locked and the warmth inside her grew so much that it made her dizzy. She tried to keep her wits and composure while answering.

“Your trust in my strengths is much appreciated, Mr Darcy, although I am not entirely certain I am worthy of it.”

“On that, I also disagree,” he replied, with an earnestness in his voice that contradicted their little teasing game.

“I completely agree with Mr Darcy,” Jane interjected. “You can accomplish anything you wish to, Lizzy. And yes, you should improve your riding, it is long overdue.”

“And here I am, watching my beloved sister taking Mr Darcy’s side,” Elizabeth pretended to be vexed.

“I am always on your side, Lizzy dearest. But that does not mean I cannot see the truth in Mr Darcy’s words,” Jane concluded.

“There is a simple way to resolve this: we have plenty of horses—one of us could help Miss Elizabeth to practise,” Bingley interjected serenely while Jane heartily agreed.

Darcy said nothing more, he only continued to look at Elizabeth and she returned his stare from time to time. She felt uneasy, even distressed to be so close to him, but to all her nervousness was added a sense of pure and utter joy, completely new, and slightly overwhelming.

What could have been nothing more than a teasing conversation between friends actually carried a much deeper meaning for her, and for him. The simple words were heavy with significance, adding more to the depth of the bond that was slowly connecting them to each other.

Darcy could not take his eyes from Elizabeth and felt grateful every time she raised hers to meet them. She was not at ease—and neither was he—but she did not seem to dislike his company. And she was teasing him, smiling at him—as she used to do before. But her smile, her words and the sparkle in her eyes were utterly different, as he could see a warmth, an appeal that he had missed before.

Both Elizabeth and Darcy were disappointed when the carriage stopped at their destination, each thinking of ways to prolong their time together. Less guarded with his feelings and manners, Bingley immediately asked for permission to escort the ladies on a walk after dinner—and Jane accepted, thanking him, flushed, grateful and looking exceedingly pretty. However, the prospect of more time together was once again ruined by the rain, which returned that evening and lasted through the night, causing additional disappointment and misery.

However, the next morning, even from dawn, it became apparent that the sun had regained its strength and reigned once again over the clear sky.

∞∞∞

The following days were the most wonderful that Elizabeth could remember spending on a holiday. The weather was very fine and the company even more so.

They spent most of their days at the beach, together with Julia and her children. Darcy and Bingley had rented a second bathing machine and they generously offered their support with the three boys. They supervised them while swimming and helped them to improve and, while they were separated from the ladies, the boys’ cries of joy and enthusiasm were enough proof of the pleasant time they were having.

In the afternoons, Darcy and Bingley offered to teach the children how to ride, under the close watch of their mothers and cousins.

Elizabeth felt it was somehow an attempt to entice her to ride too, as they had discussed in the carriage.

While she felt flattered by Darcy’s obvious effort to impress her, she politely declined Bingley’s insistence that she practise her riding. The mere thought of Darcy helping her into the saddle, arranging her feet, touching her, troubled her deeply and only added to her general state of delight and discomfort caused by Darcy’s presence. Not that in his absence she would feel more at ease, as she found herself often missing him and longing to see him again during the short times when they were separated.

Mrs Julia Norwood was a regular companion too, and she became a dear and much-admired friend day by day. Her familiarity with Darcy still disquieted Elizabeth at times, despite her genuine admiration for the lady.

Bingley and Jane were together at every given opportunity. Mrs Gardiner considered it her duty to write to Mr Bennet and inform him about how things were progressing. She received a response with Mr Bennet’s full consent for a potential happy event and his plea to keep it secret from Mrs Bennet until there was a clear understanding, to protect both her nerves and his sanity.

On two additional occasions, Elizabeth met Darcy again on the shore at dawn. It was not planned, but their common habit provided more fortunate coincidences—as Bingley kept saying.

As they expected to meet, they were properly attired, but they were also well aware it was hardly a proper encounter; if someone were to see them, it could turn into a compromising situation. Yet both accepted the risk, to the benefit of the comfort and joy they shared.