Page 16 of Stranded at Michaelmas

Beside her, Mr Darcy shifted Davy more securely in his arms. “I confess I had reached much the same conclusion.”

Despite herself, Elizabeth laughed.

“I think, Mr Darcy, that we have found ourselves stranded once more,” she said after her laughter had subsided.

Curiously, Elizabeth felt no unease at finding herself so nearly alone with Mr Darcy in the darkness. Young Davy was with them, certainly, but a sleeping three-year-old could hardly be considered an adequate chaperon. Still, it was not Mr Darcy’s company that troubled her. She simply had no desire to give anyone cause for gossip should their absence be noticed—or prolonged.

“I believe I know the way well enough that we ought at least to attempt to return to the party,” she said after studying their surroundings for a moment. “There is some light coming from that direction, and it should help us keep to the path.”

Mr Darcy agreed, and with Davy secure in his arms, gestured for Elizabeth to lead the way.

She did so, moving cautiously over the uneven ground. The last thing she wished was to lose her footing—or, worse still, discover that her confidence in knowing the way had been misplaced.

The walk, which they had accomplished relatively quickly by the light of the lantern, proved far slower on the return. Elizabeth stumbled once or twice over the uneven path, and each time Mr Darcy reached out with his free hand to steady her. That he managed to do so while carrying Davy was a testament to both his strength and his sure footing.

Each brief touch sent a small thrill through her, and Elizabeth became increasingly aware that she was in very real danger of losing her heart to the gentleman.

Altogether too soon, the lights of the celebration came into view. The dancing had evidently been abandoned while the search continued, and lanterns could be seen moving in several directions beyond the barn.

Georgiana must have noticed them almost as soon as they emerged from the darkness, for a cry went up nearby. Within moments, Mrs Turner was hurrying towards them, and Mr Darcy scarcely had time to greet her before she was reaching for her son.

“Oh, he is well, is he not?” she cried.

“He is,” Mr Darcy assured her. “We found him sound asleep in the grotto. Other than a few dried tears on his face, he seemed perfectly well. I suspect the walk there exhausted him, which is why he has scarcely stirred since we found him.”

“He was so excited about coming to Netherfield this evening that he refused to sleep at all today,” Mrs Turner said, gathering Davy close. “And he was awake far too early this morning. I think it would be best if I took him home.”

“There are wagons available for the evening,” Elizabeth told her. “Please ask one of the drivers to take you. It is far too dark for you to walk all that way with him.”

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth,” Mrs Turner answered.

A few minutes later, Elizabeth watched as one of the wagons carried Mrs Turner and Davy down the lane towards their home.

“Is she one of the Longbourn tenants?” Mr Darcy asked.

“No. Her husband is a tenant here at Netherfield,” Elizabeth replied. “I believe Jane introduced him to Mr Bingley earlier this evening.”

“You seem remarkably well acquainted with the tenants of an estate that is not your own,” Mr Darcy observed.

For the first time since their acquaintance began, something in his tone made Elizabeth bristle.

“With no master or mistress on the estate, my sisters and I have done what we could for the tenants here,” she answered tightly. “The family who previously occupied Netherfield were very kind to me, and I spent a great deal of time here when I was younger. I often accompanied the lady of the house when she called upon the tenant families, so I came to know many of them quite well.”

She glanced towards the departing wagon. “When the family left Netherfield, I saw no reason why those friendships should end simply because the house stood empty.”

Mr Darcy regarded her for a moment. “I fear you have misunderstood me, Miss Elizabeth. I did not intend to criticise your familiarity with them.”

Her irritation diminished somewhat. “No?”

“Quite the contrary,” Mr Darcy said, his expression serious. “It is a good thing that you and your sisters have taken an interest in the tenants here. When an estate lacks an attentive master, the people upon it are often the first to feel the neglect. I have seen no evidence of that at Netherfield.”

Elizabeth blinked, taken aback. She had been so certain he meant to criticise her.

“Oh,” she said quietly.

Mr Darcy’s expression gentled, as though he regretted having unsettled her.

“Come,” he said. “I believe you could use something warm to drink. Bingley contributed some mulled wine to this evening’s festivities, and it has grown rather cool out here. I imagine many of the landholders will begin taking their leave before long.”