Sufficient Encouragement Refresh– Chapter Twenty-Two

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Chapter Twenty-Two

Mr. Darcy gave Elizabeth a smile that reached his eyes as he sat beside her. “I hope you have had a pleasant morning?” he asked.

“Very,” she replied with an indulgent smile. “I managed an invigorating walk and returned only a moment before your arrival, as you can no doubt tell.”

“Indeed. I confess I am unsurprised.”

“My habits have become well known,” she said, feeling a bit of apprehension.

“Just so, but also there’s this.” He reached towards her hair and removed a small twig. His hand grazed her ear, causing her to draw in a quick breath. Her face burnt crimson, and she could hardly tell if it was from his touch or because she was so unkempt that she had a piece of the forest in her hair.

“I…uh…” She blushed again as she could come up with no ready explanation. She should have at least kept her bonnet on her head. It was a cold morning, but she relished the sun on her face.

“Fear not, I find it charming,” he said quietly for only her ears. Ears that still tingled in memory of his touch.

Mrs. Hill arrived with the tea things just then, and their conversation turned to the refreshments. Mrs. Bennet, with a wink and a nod, requested that Elizabeth serve. When she handed Darcy his cup, their fingers grazed, and her breath caught again. She could nearly swear the man was unsettling her on purpose. Her task completed, they tried speaking again.

“How has your sister enjoyed Netherfield?” Elizabeth asked. It had been two days since Elizabeth and Jane had been invited there to meet Miss Darcy and Lord Arlington.

“She likes it very much. She was exceptionally pleased to meet you and Miss Bennet at last.”

Elizabeth grinned. “I assure you, the feeling is very mutual.” She glanced to where Miss Darcy now sat, next to Arlington but under the inspection of Kitty and Lydia. “I fear my younger sisters are too exuberant for her.”

Darcy also watched his sister. “She is quite shy. I doubt she will wish to do much beyond visiting here.”

“A girl cannot always be kept at home,” she said, hoping her words were gentle.

Darcy stiffened. “And so she is not. Last summer, she was sent to Ramsgate, and now she is here.”

“Yes,” she cautiously began, “but there is more to holidays than merely sitting and drinking tea in a new house.” Elizabeth watched in horror as an expression of hauteur overshadowed Darcy’s face.

“And the shops of Meryton are unique from the shops of Lambton or Ramsgate?”

Elizabeth pursed her lips and did not answer. Instead, she directed her attention to Jane. She had blushed when Bingley had asked to speak with Mr. Bennet, and Elizabeth easily saw her nervousness. The interview with Mr. Bennet was taking longer than Elizabeth expected, which allowed her a moment to pause and consider.

Elizabeth realised that surely Mr. Darcy knew his sister better than she did. He would also understand what was best for her temperament. Miss Darcy was not out in society, and so it would be unlikely that she would attend any evening events at other places.  Elizabeth had never been in such a situation herself, stuck between childhood and adulthood as it were. When Mrs. Bennet believed each daughter finished her education, she put them fully out in society. Certainly, for Jane, she hoped to secure a marriage, but Elizabeth acknowledged that, in her own case, it simply proved easier to allow Elizabeth to attend events with Jane than listen to the pleading to go and insistence upon every detail when they returned. Details of people’s expressions and way of talking, that is. Mrs. Bennet quickly tired of attempting to recount such things but would gladly regale anyone and everyone with ears on the courses of a meal or the lace on a gown. The younger daughters followed suit and could not be kept home when Elizabeth and Jane had come out at fifteen.

Elizabeth realised it was not her place to push for Miss Darcy to be allowed into more adult situations than her brother wished. Indeed, she regretted she had not had time to learn more of herself before she was told to appear a certain way for society’s sake. Several minutes had passed while she ruminated while Darcy sat silently next to her, and just when she resolved to turn to him and speak, she was surprised to hear him instead.

“I apologise, Miss Elizabeth. The truth is that I do not entirely know what I am doing raising a young girl, and while her paid companion is everything proper, she does not necessarily challenge my assumptions. If you think other outings would be beneficial…”

She smiled at him. “No apology is necessary. I quite forgot my place.”

“No, you were advising me out of concern for my sister and spoke forthrightly rather than out of deference. I expect no less from my friends.”

A part of Elizabeth swelled with pride, but the notion of friendship with Darcy could not entirely satisfy. She took a calming breath. “In that case, I will tell you my thoughts. I have taken the time to consider that, as she is not fully out in society, she should not attend other functions. However, a lady’s holiday should be much more than a respite from lessons but include appropriate amusements. She should not be confined to bending over her needlework.”

“You suggest outdoor exercise, I am sure.”

“I do.” She nodded enthusiastically. “She should have time to speak with other young ladies of various ages and temperaments. Once she has come out, others will be thrust upon her. She ought to take this time to learn how she might handle herself in difficult situations, how to deal with difficult people and differing opinions. She has known the school room; now she must learn society before being thrown into the sea.”

Darcy heaved a sigh. “Your metaphor is very apt. I would hate for her to suffer as I have.”

Elizabeth wondered what he meant. Miss Darcy was left in the custody of her elder brother, and although she knew Darcy’s parents had passed, she had not supposed it was so long ago that they had little help guiding him into society. Now was not the time for such questions. “Miss Bingley praises her accomplishments. Does she often play for others?”

“Never.”

“Is that by choice or lack of opportunity?”

“Both, I daresay.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I trust you and Mrs. Annesley see to all the education she needs. Undoubtedly, she has masters aplenty and surely has seen household accounts, but our country society might be the best way to teach her all the things ladies do not find in books.”

Darcy gave her a gentle smile, and she was held captive by the intensity in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but just then Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley returned.

“Well?” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, practically bouncing in her chair.

“It is my great privilege to announce that Mr. Bingley has requested a formal courtship with our daughter, Jane.”

“Courtship?” Mrs. Bennet asked, and Elizabeth could have echoed her confusion. In another instant, Mrs. Bennet could not be contained. “Oh, gracious! Jane, a courtship!” She hugged her eldest and dearest daughter before running to Mr. Bingley’s side and flattering him profusely. Kitty and Lydia giggled at the display. Both Jane and Mr. Bingley had eyes only for each other.

Elizabeth wondered how she might give her sister and her suitor privacy when Miss Bingley’s voice cut in. “My congratulations, Jane dear.” She walked to her friend, kissed her cheek, and then turned to her brother. “This news is simply wonderful, Charles.” Before either could reply, she curtsied to Mrs. Bennet. “It would not do for us to stay beyond civility, though. Thank you for allowing us to visit.”

“Oh! Do not stand upon ceremony now. We are to be family!” Mrs. Bennet cried.

“Indeed,” Miss Bingley said with little enthusiasm.

Rather than allow Miss Bingley to insult her family, Elizabeth approached. “I am sure Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst will be calling more frequently due to the increased intimacy between our families, but we cannot expect to take up all of their time, or his lordship and Mr. and Miss Darcy’s time. I believe other calls were to be made.”

“Oh, in that case…” Mrs. Bennet trailed off.

Darcy approached as well. “Yes, thank you for your hospitality.”

Elizabeth smiled to hear a note of warmth in his voice. She was uncertain if he meant it, but she perceived he was attempting to be more genial. Soon all the guests were leaving the drawing room, and Elizabeth scolded herself for being so silly as to want another moment with Darcy or at least some idea of when they might meet again.

Just before leaving, Miss Darcy stole to her side. “I regret I did not get to speak with you more, Lizzy, but your other sisters are delightful.”

She laughed. “Oh…they are certainly something. I am not sure that delightful is quite the word I would choose, however.”

Miss Darcy smiled at the tease. “I know how fond you are of walking. Would you join me tomorrow?”

Elizabeth glanced to Darcy, who watched the scene from the other side of the room near the gentlemen. “I would love to, but you had best consult with your brother and then send me a note.”

“Oh, but we arranged it all before arriving. If it pleases you, we may all meet here after breakfast.”

“That sounds marvellous! The path is well maintained, and even Miss Bingley may manage to enjoy it.”

“It shall only be us, my brother, and my cousin,” she said softly.

Elizabeth blinked, trying to make sense of the latest information. His lordship mentioned wishing to walk with her, but her heart hoped it was all Darcy’s doing. “Then we shall have the most pleasant time!”

Miss Darcy said her goodbyes, and Elizabeth dared not even look at Darcy to escape blushing.

*****

Arlington, Darcy, and Bingley arrived at Netherfield before the ladies and Hurst.

“Well done, Bingley. I congratulate you,” Darcy said.

“Better to wish him luck,” Arlington muttered.

“Mrs. Bennet is not so bad as that,” Bingley said.

“Do not forget the younger girls,” he returned.

“Young girls eventually grow up,” a note of sadness lingered in Darcy’s voice.

“If Georgiana were ever as silly as the young Miss Bennets, you would have every right to lock her up for the rest of her life.”

Bingley frowned. “Those are my future sisters you are speaking of.”

“Forgive me. I am sorry I am poor company.”

“He has been out of his environment for too long,” Darcy said with a conciliatory clap on his shoulder. “It is well you do not visit Matlock too often. Yorkshire may as well be an unchartered frontier.”

The words were said without criticism, for once, but Arlington felt them all the same. One day, Matlock would be his and he had spent barely more than a few weeks there in over a decade. He relished his role as a Member of Parliament and the freedom of his own investments, but he knew little of how to be a landlord. Not that his father had shirked his duties in teaching. Arlington simply resented the role as heir.

The carriage finally arrived, and Darcy’s notice was drawn to his sister. Bingley had another idea.

“I will begin dressing for dinner,” he reached the top of the stairs just as Miss Bingley and the Hursts walked in. The latter made their way to the stairs while Miss Bingley called for the housekeeper to go over a last minute menu change.

Realizing they were alone in the hall, Arlington shared what had been on his mind for several minutes. “I believe we have you to thank for our timely rescue.”

Caroline shrugged her shoulders. “We are not so different. You generally accomplish such manoeuvres through charm, and I daresay it would have worked had not Mrs. Bennet been so excited over Charles’ announcement. The Bennets, you will find, are a proud lot. Treating them coldly and inferior gains a bigger reaction than anything else.”

“Is that so?”

“If Elizabeth Bennet knew half of what Mr. Darcy said about her and her family instead of overhearing only his remarks at their first ball, she would likely never forgive him.”

“You think she is so stubborn?”

“They are practically perfect for each other in that way.”

“And what did he say? Called her mother an over-rouged pigeon?”

Miss Bingley laughed. “Worse!”

“Do tell!”

“Charles was dancing with Jane and saw Darcy standing out, as usual. He offered to find Darcy a partner, but he refused.”

“You know all of this?”

“The families of the area talk and their servants hear. My maid is quite faithful, of course.”

Of course. Her maid reported interesting gossip. He nodded his head for her to continue.

“Charles would not take no for an answer and continued to press. Then he pointed out Eliza. Now, guess what he said.”

“Oh, I am sure it could not be gentlemanly and that he was awestruck by her beauty,” Arlington drawled. Caroline’s eyes twinkled with mischief that they often lacked. The same cunning behaviour that repulsed in Lydia Bennet appealed coming from a sensual lady of five and twenty.

“Never! He said she was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt him to dance, and he was in no mood to give consequence to ladies slighted by other men.”

Arlington affected incredulity. Sadly, such behaviour was standard in London—though generally out of earshot of the recipient—undoubtedly, Meryton was scandalised by Darcy’s words. All the more as the Bennets were reputed beauties of the county. “You, of course, were unavailable?”

“Naturally,” she sniffed. “There was a shortage of partners, but other ladies—the youngest Miss Bennets, for example—did not have to sit out. Eliza is pretty enough to have partners aplenty if only she would make herself more agreeable.”

The housekeeper finally appeared. “I apologise profusely, Miss Bingley.”

“Yes. Well, do excuse us, my lord,” Caroline said to him and Arlington bowed before ascending the stairs. As he dressed for the evening, he rather thought Caroline had determined exactly what drew Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet. Neither one of them performed to society’s dictates. They could charm and please only when they decided it worth their while. On the other hand, he charmed and pleased everyone while Caroline charmed no one. Was it possible opposites did attract?