Only Mr. Darcy Will Do (16 page)

The ride back to Pemberley took longer than the one to Lambton. Elizabeth could readily perceive that the road was getting muddier as the carriage dipped and rocked. She hoped the Ketterlings would be all right on their journey home.

When at last they pulled up in front of Pemberley, there was only a slight mist coming down. The coachman jumped down off the front and opened the door, as a servant from Pemberley came out to escort Elizabeth into the house.

“Thank you so very much,” Elizabeth said as she took their hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I truly enjoyed myself, your hospitality, your friends, and hearing all those stories about my aunt.”

“It was our pleasure,” replied Mrs. Ketterling. “If you have the opportunity to come again before you leave, or if you need anything, our home is open. You are always welcome.”

“Thank you. And do not forget Mr. Darcy’s invitation, as well.” She stepped out of the carriage and turned back to them. “Good night.” Elizabeth then hurried into the house.

As she entered, she heard sounds of laughter coming from the direction of the drawing room. Mrs. Reynolds approached her, clasping her hands together. “Good! You have returned. Did you have an enjoyable day, Miss Bennet?”

“Yes, I did, thank you.”

“Do you wish to join the others in the drawing room?”

Elizabeth pondered that for a moment. “I… perhaps I ought to go check on Emily, and then I shall return to my room.”

“Yes, ma’am,” nodded Mrs. Reynolds. “I shall inform Mr. Darcy that you have returned.”

“There is no need for that,” Elizabeth protested with a warm laugh.

“Oh, but there is. As soon as it began to rain, he asked to be notified when you returned.”

Mrs. Reynolds curtseyed and walked away, leaving Elizabeth to wonder whether he wished to be notified because she was merely his guest or because he was concerned about her. Her heart beat loudly as she took the stairs up to her room, feeling a greater admiration for the man—whether he wished her to or not.

Elizabeth was awakened in the night by the sound of a hard, driving rain lashing against the window pane. With a sigh of resignation, she realized her hopes for a sunny, rain-freshened morning were doubtful. She curled up underneath the blankets, pulling them up over her shoulders, grateful for the warm and dry sanctuary that Pemberley offered.

A flash of lightning lit the room, followed a few seconds later by a deep rumbling. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, reaching for her robe. She knew that Emily would likely be awakened by the thunder, and she would be ready to go to her if her parents did not.

She walked over to her window and peered out, unable to distinguish anything, even when the flashes of light lit the sky. The rain was so fierce; it ran down the window in torrents. Another boom, this time louder, shook the room. Elizabeth knew immediately that she would soon hear Emily call for her, so she walked across the hall to her room, taking a quilted coverlet with her.

She opened Emily’s door quietly and stepped in. She did not hear the girl stirring, so she tiptoed over to a chair and sat down, draping the coverlet over her. She leant her head back and closed her eyes. With the next flash of light and deafening thunder, Emily awakened and let out a whimper.

Elizabeth immediately rose from the chair and walked over to the bed. She stroked the little girl’s head. “I am here, Emily. There is nothing to fear.”

“Why does it have to be so loud?” she asked as she buried her head against Elizabeth.

“It must be fairly close,” Elizabeth said soothingly. “But remember, the thunder cannot hurt you.”

“Gladys told me it is so loud because God is angry,” she said fretfully.

Elizabeth chuckled. “Perhaps not angry,” she assured her. “He is just reminding us how powerful He is. If the thunder were only a whimpering rumble, we would not think Him powerful at all.”

“Is it good that He is powerful?” Emily asked.

“Oh, yes,” answered Elizabeth. “For then we know He can answer our prayers.”

“Does He answer all our prayers?”

Elizabeth thought back to Rosalyn asking Elizabeth to pray for success in her scheme to attract Mr. Darcy’s attention. Shaking her head, she said, “If He does not think it best for us, He will not. We have to trust Him for His answer, whether it is what we want or not.” She knew that perhaps any prayer she prayed seeking Mr. Darcy’s affection may not be answered as she desired as well.

She stayed with the young girl for the remainder the night, falling asleep on the edge of her bed as the thunder and lightning gradually diminished. The rain, however, kept up its steady deluge.

At dawn, as a muted light crept into Emily’s room, Elizabeth awakened. She sat up on the edge of the bed and rubbed her shoulder, which ached due to the awkward position in which she had slept.

She walked over to the window and looked out. Just looking down at the flooded courtyard sent a shiver through her, and she pulled her robe tightly about her. She doubted there would be any outdoor amusements today.

Later that morning, as they gathered for breakfast, Miss Darcy informed the party that due to all the rain, Mr. Darcy, along with his cousin, had gone out early with his steward to survey the land. She hoped they would return shortly. Her demeanour reflected a slight reticence at having the responsibility of everyone’s comfort without her brother by her side and a storm outside.

Rosalyn’s face displayed her great disappointment for the same reason. In watching her, Elizabeth wondered about their excursion the previous day. There had been no Rosalyn coming to her room last night or this morning to confide in her whether her hopes and expectations had been met—or dashed.

Elizabeth listened with a curious ear for talk about their tour the previous day; however, everyone was more apt to express concern about the rain and their hopes that it would end soon.

Elizabeth decided to spend the day with Emily going over her studies. Their time in the country had allowed for their lessons to be sporadic, at best.

Emily had enjoyed the recent respite from memorizing the dates and reigns of the kings of England and identifying the countries and their capitals on a map. She had hoped today would be another day of leisure without those lessons, and was disappointed when Elizabeth remained firm.

As somewhat of an enticement to Emily, it was proposed that she and the Goldsmith girls would have some of their lessons together. This produced much excitement amongst the three young girls, and they happily endured their lessons for most of the morning.

Later, Emily had her lessons in the music room. It was apparent to Elizabeth that Emily needed a great deal more practice, and she was grateful for the opportunity to refresh her skills. With the stay at Pemberley being two weeks long, she felt strongly that there might be an evening of music that would afford Emily the occasion to perform. She wanted to ensure her young ward would perform adeptly.

They sat at the pianoforte practicing a duet, Elizabeth playing the more difficult lower part, and Emily the easier higher part. As they played, Miss Darcy walked in quietly and sat down.

When Elizabeth noticed her, she abruptly stopped. “Miss Darcy, you must wish to play. Emily is looking for any excuse to begin reciting her kings.” She looked at Emily with a teasing smile.

“No, I heard you play and thought I would come in and listen. It sounded very nice.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, and then turned to Emily. “What do you say, Emily?”

“Thank you, Miss Darcy,” she dutifully replied.

“I shall sit here quietly and read, if it is no bother.” She sat down in a chair and opened her book.

Elizabeth turned her attention back to Emily, but wondered why Miss Darcy would have come in here, knowing how much she enjoyed the other sitting room. She had suspected that she felt overwhelmed by the unexpected departure of her brother with all the guests looking to her for some sort of diversion. She must have given everyone leave to spend the morning at their own leisure.

At one point, Elizabeth looked up and noticed Miss Darcy watching. “Miss Darcy,” she said. “I understand that you are quite proficient at the pianoforte. Would you have some advice for Emily?”

Georgiana’s face brightened. “I would be honoured to give her advice.” She arose swiftly and walked over. Sitting down on the bench on the other side of Emily, she quietly watched her play, and then gave her a few helpful suggestions on finger placement, touch, and rhythm.

Georgiana worked with Emily for close to an hour. At length, Emily began to practice on her own while Elizabeth and Georgiana walked over to some chairs and sat down. “Miss Darcy, you have a natural gift not only of playing, but of teaching,” smiled Elizabeth.

Georgiana’s face lit up. “Do you really think so?”

“I do. Have you taught anyone to play before?”

A slight blush crept across Georgiana’s face. “No, I merely taught Miss Willstone in the manner in which I remember learning.”

Elizabeth smiled at her. “You not only give very helpful instruction, but your manner is very gentle and patient.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana appeared to greatly appreciate this compliment. “I think I would enjoy imparting my love for music to someone else, although it is truly something I have never really considered doing. I believe I am expected to perform, not teach. Perhaps someday, however, I will teach my own children.”

Elizabeth let out an appreciative laugh. “Yes, perhaps you shall.”

“You must feel a great sense of fulfilment in teaching Emily.”

“It is something
I
never really considered, either, until about a year ago.”

“Was that when your father died?”

Elizabeth nodded, fighting back the threat of tears. She let out a soft laugh, “But to answer your question, Miss Darcy, I do enjoy teaching Emily. I am not proficient at all things—such as drawing and painting—she will, therefore, receive instructions from masters as she gets older. I confess that I enjoy reading and learning on my own, and I can only hope that Emily will see that she, too, can take opportunities to read and learn, even when her studies are completed.”

“There you are!” The voice pierced through the room, causing Georgiana to flinch. Both ladies looked up to see Rosalyn standing in the doorway. “I have been in the sitting room waiting for you, Miss Darcy.” Her eyebrows pinched in confusion. “I was hoping to talk with you.”

“I am sorry,” Georgiana offered. “I heard the music coming from in here and wandered in. I was not aware you were expecting me in the sitting room.”

“I understood you to say you were going to spend some time in there.”

Georgiana let out a very soft sigh. “I shall be there shortly.” She stood and turned to Elizabeth, saying, “I enjoyed our time, Miss Bennet.” She then joined Rosalyn, and the two walked out.

Elizabeth brought a finger up to her lips and tapped them thoughtfully as she watched them leave. She was not altogether certain, but it seemed to her that Miss Darcy did
not
wish to spend time with Rosalyn. If she knew Rosalyn as well as she had come to know her, her fervent aspirations for Mr. Darcy were such that they were causing Miss Darcy more than a little disquiet. Emily, who had stopped playing, confirmed her suspicions.

“I do not think Miss Darcy likes Rosalyn.”

“Emily!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Why would you say such a thing?”

“Because of yesterday. I could see it on her face while we were out looking at the peaks. Whenever Rosalyn came up to her, I noticed her eyebrows pinch.” Emily mimicked on her own face the appearance of pinched eyebrows. She then turned back to her playing.

Elizabeth had to laugh at her imitation. “Did you see her make that face very often?”

Emily nodded. “Whenever Rosalyn was with her
or
with her brother. I noticed a definite frown when Rosalyn was out walking with Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth smiled and patted the young girl’s head as she considered how discerning little Emily was. “Was Rosalyn often with Mr. Darcy… or Miss Darcy?”

“The only time she was not with Mr. Darcy or his sister, she was with Mr. Hamilton. He frequently joined them.” She stopped and looked at Elizabeth. “I think Mr. Darcy was most pleased whenever he came by.”

Elizabeth shook her head as she contemplated Rosalyn’s scheme. From Emily’s description of the events, Rosalyn had succeeded in achieving the
exact opposite
of that which she so greatly desired.

***

Elizabeth returned to the music room after getting Emily settled in her room to take her afternoon nap. She brought a book to read and hoped she could remain there undetected by Rosalyn. Elizabeth let out a long sigh. She had so enjoyed Rosalyn’s company when she first came to the Willstones’ home in London. Yet now she had come to dread her very presence. Had Rosalyn changed? Or had Elizabeth changed due to her now having similar feelings for Mr. Darcy?

The sound of footsteps coming down the hall caused Elizabeth to tense. She looked up to see Mrs. Goldsmith enter. She had not really spent much time with the lady and now actually welcomed the opportunity to get to know her a little better.

“Hello, Mrs. Goldsmith,” Elizabeth said softly.

“Oh!” Mrs. Goldsmith said as she turned. “I did not see you.”

“Do you play the piano?” Elizabeth asked her.

“I play a little. When Gladys and Harriet began learning, it helped me recall what little I learned when I was younger. I must confess that I had been rather neglectful of practicing through the years. I actually find now that I enjoy it more than I did when I was younger.”

“You can play if you like,” Elizabeth offered. “It will not disturb me. I am only reading.”

Mrs. Goldsmith waved her hand in the air. “Oh, I am quite sure it will disturb you. I said I can play a little,” she laughed. “But not well, at all!”

She came in and sat down next to Elizabeth. “I have always enjoyed this room,” she said softly. “I often thought that by just sitting in here, my music skills would improve.”

Elizabeth laughed. “How nice that would be if improvement came without all the practice!”

“Yes.” Mrs. Goldsmith leaned back in the chair. Elizabeth could see in the manner she was resting that she was quite comfortable.

“How long have you been acquainted with Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked.

“My husband, Benjamin, and Mr. Darcy went to Oxford together. From the moment they met, they became the closest of friends.”

“Hmmm,” Elizabeth replied with a nod.

“I used to be quite intimidated by him,” Mrs. Goldsmith continued. “And quite resentful.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Truly? Of Mr. Darcy?”

Mrs. Goldsmith nodded her head. “I feared he would not think well of me. I had neither the connections nor the fortune that Benjamin’s family expected, and I believed he felt the same. I resented him because my husband always sought his advice. I felt as though he had some sort of control over Benjamin.”

“And now?” Elizabeth’s curiosity was piqued.

Mrs. Goldsmith smiled. “Now I am indebted to him.”

“Indebted?” Elizabeth’s surprise was evident.

She went on to explain, “Benjamin’s family did indeed consider that an alliance between us would be disgraceful, foolish, and dishonourable. They could not… would not… consider that the love we had for each other was sufficient grounds for marriage.”

“And Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“Believe it or not, he is a man who believes strongly in a marriage based on love. He not only encouraged my Benjamin to make me an offer of marriage, but he also helped smooth things over with his family.” Her eyes lit up as she said, “Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Mr. Darcy was a very honourable man, who liberally gave very wise advice, and who also happens to believe in love.” She looked at Elizabeth and laughed. “You cannot find fault with a man like that.”

“No, no.” Elizabeth laughed nervously, her rapidly beating heart signifying its agreement.

The two talked for a length of time, eventually moving on to the subject of Mr. Bingley.