Page 42 of To Love And To Cherish
Just beyond the edge of town, the sound of approaching hoofbeats caught her ear. She turned, and her heart leapt. Mr. Darcy approached on his black stallion.
He dismounted at once. “Miss Elizabeth, may I be of service? Those appear heavy.”
She flushed. “They are Miss King’s castoffs. Mrs. Hattie meant to destroy them, but I thought the tenant children at Longbourn might find joy in such things. I could not bear to see them burned.”
Mr. Darcy’s expression softened. “Your generosity is admirable. If you will allow me, Ares can carry these for you.”
Without waiting for further protest, he hung each bag across the pommel with care. Then he fell into step beside her, leading his horse as they walked towards Longbourn.
“So you have moved into Mrs. Talbot’s home?” he asked.
“I have. I feel rather nomadic,” she admitted. “Returning to Longbourn feels strange, as though I no longer belong there. It must be how Lydia feels. She has not returned since she left for school. Liddie stays with my uncle in London now, avoiding Mamma, who wishes to see her married.”
They continued in companionable silence until he spoke again, hesitating. “Elizabeth, that is to say, Miss Elizabeth, do you truly forgive me for my words at the Meryton assembly?”
She glanced up and was struck by the flush rising to his cheekbones. “Yes,” she said gently. “I no longer feel hurt. I believe all was resolved yesterday.”
He looked pained. “I had no notion I had wounded you so. I thought my remark overheard, not relayed. When I learned you had heard of it, I expected anger, but not pain. That knowledge shames me.”
“You need not reproach yourself further. You apologized. I accepted. It is behind us.”
“You are certain?”
“I am. You promised to look to Jane’s happiness. There is nothing I desire more. If Mr. Bingley truly wishes to marry her, and you can aid the cause, I can bear no resentment.”
“Very well,” he said. “I shall do my utmost.”
They reached Longbourn, and Kitty came to receive the bags with delight. Darcy and Elizabeth returned to Meryton at a more leisurely pace. When at last they parted, she watched him ride away, her heart full. She loved him; she had loved him all along, since the day he rescued her from that street urchin six years before.
The week passed swiftly. Mary’s effects were sorted and packed. What remained was given away or consigned to the flames. On Monday morning, Mr. Bennet stood upon Mrs. Talbot’s porch, and she was nodding in approval.
“You have a hard-working girl there,” said Mrs. Talbot. “If not for Miss Elizabeth, Mary would still be wrestling with her first box. I should have her here till next year.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “My Lizzy has always been industrious. Dr. Edgerton says he will miss her assistance.”
Mrs. Talbot gave him a sidelong glance. “I believe there was some affection on his part.”
“Perhaps. If so, he concealed it admirably. Lizzy never suspected.”
Mrs. Talbot observed, “She sees neither her beauty nor her worth, nor the way men look at her. Even Mr. Darcy. He andhis sister have called here twice this week for tea. Both are quite taken with her.”
Mr. Bennet’s brow furrowed. “I have noticed it myself. But a man of Darcy’s stature will never choose a country girl with no fortune and no connections. He must marry high, with rank and wealth. Lizzy is everything good; she is kind, clever, and, to my eyes, lovelier than Jane. But such qualities are rarely enough in society.”
“If Lizzy marries in Scotland, I shall see her once a year at most. She is my favorite child. I shall miss her dearly.”
Mrs. Talbot touched his arm. “That is life, Thomas. I left Scotland for Matthew, and here I remain, far from kin and country. And your Elizabeth will do the same when she meets her fate.”
Each of her sisters embraced Elizabeth in turn, murmuring their farewells. At last, it was her father’s turn. He drew his beloved Lizzy into his arms and held her for a long moment.
“We did do better, did we not, Elizabeth?” he said softly.
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Yes, Papa. We did very well. I love you. Take care of yourself.”
He pressed her hand once more before she stepped into the carriage. They stood together and watched in silence as it bore her away.
Chapter 22: Darcy Contrives
Darcy rode Ares up the winding path to Oakham Mount and, once at its crest, sat still in the saddle, gazing over the valley stretched before him. The view, bathed in golden morning light, resembled Eden itself. He could see Meryton nestled below and, beyond it, a carriage just setting off along the Cambridge road. It was the same conveyance that had arrived yesterday, bearing the professor who would escort Elizabeth and Miss King to his home.
