Page 63 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
As the sky brightened, leaves whirled in the breeze all around her. Darcy murmured, “It is as if the whole world spins for you.”
When he heard himself, he blushed, both fearing and hoping she heard him. He thought he saw her lips twitch, but he could not be certain. When she did not look at him, Darcy eased, listening to the morning bird chatter. His eyes returned to her when she sighed, donning her bonnet. He did not dare laugh, but he knew Georgiana would agree with the sentiment.
“Shall we?” Miss Elizabeth gestured toward a path he presumed led back to Longbourn. “Your sister was a treasure trove of new topics, and we were fortunate to have her company.”
“She tells it the exact opposite, of course, that her fortune was the greater. As I now understand, you are both correct, I shall bow out and support each side of the proclamation in equal measure.”
“Amusing, rich, and wise? I may have to entrap you after all, Mr. Darcy.”
“I had not looked upon this trip with any pleasure, but your inclusion of my sister amongst you and, in great measure, helped her find the joy of her youth is a priceless gift. I shall ever be grateful that Bingley extended the invitation to us. We see the changes the ladies of Longbourn have wrought with Miss Bingley as nothing short of wondrous. I am in your debt. All my riches are yours. Compromise at your leisure.”
“Hmm, I shall indeed have to rethink our acquaintance. No sensible man worth ten thousand a year is willing to be ensnared by a woman he met near a week previous. You must require coffee, good sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy stopped. “My sister spoke of her adventures at Longbourn: the experience of having so many sisters, the beauty of its gardens, and of how difficult it had beenwhen there was a near argument at breakfast, which started from an innocuous comment of Miss Kitty using her own pin money.”
“I do apologize. There was tension in the house stemming from what you witnessed at the assembly. I will again apologize to your sister, though we are seeing many pleasant changes for my sisters. We sheltered her from the argument, and she made a tea blend that she took to Netherfield. You saw yourself, even Lydia feels the benefit of it, though it took her most of the day.”
“You misunderstand. I would like to thank you all. In private conversation, Ana expressed her appreciation for ensuring our family’s future. She asks to use some of her time in a charitable pursuit, as our mother once did. Because of you, my sister is willing to make this foray despite her innate shyness. No words can express my gratitude, but you have it.”
“Then we are even in our mutual appreciation, just as friends are supposed to be.”
He did not dare react when Miss Elizabeth gave his arm a gentle squeeze. He did not trust himself not to pull her closer. When he was certain her attention was diverted from him, Darcy pinched his thigh and was relieved to confirm he was awake.
Revelations Revealed at Longbourn
Darcy had not thought Mr. Bennet might admit his indolence or be as forthcoming. To his mind, Mr. Bennet was a man seeking redemption in his family's eyes. To regain their respect as a father and make efforts to keep his wife out of the hedgerows upon his demise.
Darcy did not expect Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to join them for the discussion of improvements—one lastingabove three hours. His shock was complete when, at its conclusion, Mr. Bennet said he hoped these measures would keep Miss Elizabeth from service.
Darcy could just withhold his protest when Miss Elizabeth declared it too late to be enough. She explained that she and Miss Lucas intended to go to London after Christmas. They would interview for positions, hoping they were close to one another. To split expenses so that they could potentially build some savings.
Knowing Miss Elizabeth’s intentions spurred Darcy into aiding Mr. Bennet’s plight. “I daresay, the shelves in this room, sir, bow under excessive weight. A few might sell again for a higher price, given their rarity.”
When Mr. Bennet sat to write to Mr. Edward Gardiner, his brother-in-law, requesting his assistance in selling some of his rare and more expensive books, Darcy respected the intent.
Darcy enjoyed lunch with six ladies, ones more interested in asking him genuine questions regarding his sister than himself. The two questions of which he was the principal subject referenced which parks of London he most enjoyed walking his sister through. Darcy returned to Netherfield on his horse alongside Bingley, who had come for tea.
In further contemplation of his time at Longbourn, Darcy had found working alongside Miss Elizabeth in her father’s study that morning illuminating. He had learned many things he felt Bingley should be made aware of.
Though pondering whether the pleasure he felt that morning was mostly due to Miss Elizabeth’s presence, Darcy confessed to being impressed by how vested the women were in the future of Longbourn.
Wondering if he might have appreciated the exercise no matter who it had been, Darcy now knew that making decisions with only his counsel these many years was a detriment.Pondering the coming decades, he relished the thought of having someone with whom to speak of business concerns and enjoy the pleasures that come with a life of happiness.
Chapter 8
Luncheon at Netherfield Park
Darcy could not have said what he expected to find when he joined the party in the Netherfield gardens, all taking advantage of the warmest part of the day. Whatever he might have envisioned, it was not discovering Lydia Bennet next to Miss Bingley at a small table with the Hursts. More shocking was that Miss Lydia, a girl of fifteen, seemed capable of entertaining those she sat with.
Observing Miss Bennet and Bingley sitting together on one side of a table, Darcy suspected they would be equally happy if others joined them as they would be if left alone the entirety of the afternoon. His sister was part of a picturesque quartet with Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, and Miss Maria Lucas.
A fission of anticipation shivered up his spine when he saw the empty seat at the table with Miss Lucas and Miss Elizabeth, though he dared not hope it was purposely done. When he joined the ladies, they told him how Georgiana assisted Miss Mary on the pianoforte.
His sister had said that she forwarded only two suggestions. He was astounded by hearing the same story from their view. He was forced to allow that, in this instance, the MissBennets may have the right to claim a greater pleasure was theirs than it was his sister’s.
Miss Elizabeth also told Miss Lucas much of what Darcy had discussed with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth the previous day. It made him aware that the bonds between the friends were more like that of sisters, as had been implied at the assembly.
“The real wonder is Mr. Darcy’s allowing us to be his sister’s company at all.”
