The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

19. Elizabeth

Chapter 19

Elizabeth

W eary and travelworn, the group arrived at the Inn in Derbyshire jointly with their Aunt and Uncle Gardener. Lizzie leapt from the carriage to embrace her aunt. “Oh, how good it is to see you!” She squeezed her tightly and received a kiss on her cheek.

“Lizzie my dear. You have been through so much. I hope you are well?” She stared into her eyes as though searching her soul.

“I am, Aunt. And Lydia is also. She is as well as can be. Mary and Kitty have joined us, but Jane sends her regrets.”

Her aunt’s smile grew. “Your mother has been keeping me abreast of the updates there. Though I can hardly account for her grand effusions at times. She acts as though a wedding will happen tomorrow one minute and not for many months the next.” She fanned her face.

“They are very much in love and quite pleased with themselves. That is all anyone knows at the moment, even Jane.” Lizzie grinned. “And I have not seen a more deserving human for this kind of happiness. She is all smiles.”

“Pleased I am to hear it.” Aunt turned to the others, hugging and kissing them in turn. “And now we must freshen up, for I have a grand treat for you this very afternoon.”

“What is it, Aunt?” Kitty walked with the skip of the young still. She twirled once for good measure then turned inquisitive eyes back on their aunt.

“How would you like to take a guided tour of Pemberley? It is the grandest home in the area, and has the finest library as well as sculpture garden of any I have seen.”

Lizzie’s heart clenched and she began to shake her head.

“Are the family in residence?” Mary placed a hand on her forearm and she sent a grateful glance in her direction.

“No. They only open the house when no one is home.”

Lizzie nodded, relief filling her. “Then we must. Let us see this grand house, shall we?”

They were all freshened up and ready to ride in the Inn’s open chaise and four within the hour.

“The countryside is the loveliest I’ve seen.” Lizzie breathed in the soft smells of earth and a hint of something green. “I’d give a lot to walk these meadows.”

“And you shall. Why not?” Her aunt laughed. “We can employ the Inn’s servants, if you like.”

“I’d very much like.”

“And I shall go with you.” Mary surprised her with a new interest in walking.

She nodded. “Thank you. I welcome the company. But be aware. Once I begin, I find it difficult to stop. There is always something else to discover, isn’t there?”

Mary laughed. “Especially in a new place.” She shrugged. “I imagine it will be good for me. I’ll try not to disrupt your plans with complaints or wishes to rest.”

“Very good, Mary.” Aunt Gardener smiled with a great warmth. “I look around at you all, and I feel so overwhelmed with happiness. You ladies are some of the finest I know. How good it is to be your aunt.” She patted their knees in turn as they faced each other in the carriage.

Soon all talking ceased as they entered the lane to the great Pemberley estate. Lizzie was certainly speechless, and the others as well, it seemed. Every vista was lovely. Every turn brought new glorious things for the eye to feast upon. The grounds were cared for, it was obvious, and in a way that allowed plants to be wild and free. Not much trimming or containing of glorious flowers and rolling shrubbery. Winding stone walls made their way across large expanses of grass. As they turned another bend, a great pond came into view and in its reflection, Lizzie saw Pemberley for the first time.

A figure with a familiar gait walked toward the stables to the right of the house and for a moment, Lizzie was certain she’d seen Mr. Darcy, but then she shook her head. It could not be. The family was not in residence. But even still, the thought of seeing him like that, after knowing how he’d aided her sister, after thinking she’d never see him again, caused such a pounding in her heart she could scarcely catch her breath.

“Are you well, Lizzie?” Her Aunt Gardener reached a hand over to touch her forehead and the sides of her face.

“I—perhaps I just need a moment. I’m a bit lightheaded.”

“Don’t tell me Lizzie will take to the vapors like Mama!” Kitty fanned herself and pretended to fall back in a dramatic faint.

“No, Kitty. I shall not be fainting.” She looked away as though to enjoy more of the vista, but her eyes scanned the area near the stables to prove she’d imagined things. She saw no one further. No matter. They would tour the home and then be gone from the place before any sight of Mr. Darcy.

With deep breaths, she counted slowly until they arrived at front of the door. Every place has a feel about it and this could be nothing but elegance. Understated, comfortable elegance. The front stairs were grand and beautiful stone. She was awed by it all. Mr. Darcy was the master of all this? She swallowed and then stepped up to the front door.

The butler had kindly eyes. “Whom shall I say is calling?”

Aunt Gardener smiled. “Good afternoon. We are the Bennet sisters and Mrs. Gardener and hoping for a tour of the lovely estate? I used to live in Derbyshire and have such fond memories.”

A woman about the same age as Aunt Gardener approached with similar kindly eyes to that of the butler. “Welcome. You have come at the perfect moment for a tour. I have some time this morning dedicated to just such a pursuit before some responsibilities later.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Gardener stood at her side and the two began chattering away about Derbyshire and some of the local families.

Lizzie smiled and took in her surroundings. The home was lovely and obviously very fine but not extravagant, not overstated, not wasteful. Things seemed comfortable, useful and organized. She smiled. There was such a strong aura of Mr. Darcy himself she could almost smell his soap.

They went through room after room, each exactly as she thought they should be, each comfortable and cheery and, well, perfect, so much so that Lizzie almost couldn’t stand to be in such a place that would be forever outside her reach.

Dwelling on just such a thought, she stepped into the music room as the man himself stood up in front of them.

The housekeeper shook her head. “Oh, Mr. Darcy. Forgive us. I was not informed of your arrival.”

“No matter. I first went to the stables. It’s no problem at all.” His eyes traveled over the group and stopped on her.

She sucked in a breath and then dipped a curtsey. “Mr. Darcy.”

“Ah yes, Miss…Elizabeth, was it?” He dipped a quick bow, but showed no further sign of recognition. “Please feel at home. In fact, I’m certain Cook can provide tea for our guests?” He nodded to his housekeeper who turned to her. “I was not aware the young lady was familiar with the family. Certainly.”

“Please feel at home.” He dipped his head in a smaller bow and then exited the room.

Her breath left her in such a moment of deflation she leaned against the wall for support.

Mary came to stand beside her.

She avoided her gaze, though she knew what she would find there. The same confusion and questions she herself felt. Was she no more than a casual acquaintance to the man? Had he dismissed her already? She dipped her head a moment, staring down at her toes and then made a decision to move forward without further care. She lifted her chin and attempted to find a bit of sparkle to her eyes. “How lovely to offer tea. I do feel that we shall have to decline the kind offer, as we have further engagements this evening.”

Her aunt opened her mouth as if to protest, but Lizzie shook her head so she paused. Bless her aunt. Lizzie would have some explaining to do later.

But the group was soon escorted to the front door and after much effusive thanks, Lizzie was at last outside. She breathed deeply the air and then climbed up into the carriage. The sooner they hurried away the better.

What was worse for her? Being completely dismissed by Mr. Darcy as nothing more than a casual acquaintance or being seen at his house, a pathetic and desperate move of a young girl hoping for a bit of his attention?

She couldn’t abide the thought of either scenario and both had just happened to her. She clenched her fists together under her skirts, trying to dismiss all thoughts of him from her mind.

“That Darcy is such a polite young man.” Mrs. Gardener smiled with appreciation. “He and his brother were both the kindest of humans all growing up. I remember them being loved by all, regular princes for our town, I’ll tell you.”

“His brother?” Lizzie had not heard of a brother.

“Yes, Arthur and Fitzwilliam. Two peas in a pod so they would say, though I think they are as different as can be.”

Lizzie and Mary exchanged a look. Lizzie had heard nothing of any brother.

The carriage made quick work of the return trip and they soon found themselves back in the Inn.

No sooner had they arrived when Mr. Darcy showed up on horseback. He climbed down off his horse and bowed quickly. “I was saddened to hear of your departure. You left without Cook’s finest tarts.” He offered Lizzie a brown linen package. “She would have nothing but I be about delivering them myself.” His half grin was quite charming, and Lizzie found herself even more confused than before. “Thank you.” She dipped in another curtsey. “You certainly did not need to do such a thing.”

“Oh, you do not know our cook. I most certainly did. And besides, I had hoped to join you.”

“You did?” She studied his face. Nothing of the insolence or uncaring appeared there. No concern about her particular family relations. But none of the old familiarity either. Perhaps he was being sincere. Though what to make of this man, she could never know. Would she ever feel completely sure of her reception by him? Somehow she thought she might not. She smiled up into his face. “Again. Thank you. Please send our gratitude to your kind cook as well.”

“Of course. And now I must be off.” He climbed back up onto his horse and rode away in such a rush that he knocked down a servant carrying a large bag of goods toward the inn. Without a glance behind him, he continued down the lane at too quick of speed.

Lizzie frowned, and her expression was echoed in all those around her.

She also could not account for his behavior. The Mr. Darcy at the house party would never have behaved so. But the Mr. Darcy in Meryton certainly had. She would never, ever understand this man.

Later that evening, after indulging in far too many delicious chocolate tarts, she could not account for any of it—not for his behavior at any time, really. Who was the man who thought her not handsome enough who then spent particular attention with her at the house party who disrupted the love of her sister Jane who desired to assist her and Lydia in her plight who now behaved in a friendly enough manner but as though they had hardly met? She wasn’t certain who this new version of Mr. Darcy could be. She felt so unsettled about him she wasn’t certain she could have found a way to thank him if she’d tried. As it was, there had been hardly a moment to say anything at all.

At the early hours of dawn, her eyes finally closed heavily enough that sleep overtook her tired body and busy mind.

Far too early, while at breakfast, they received a note from Pemberley, delivered by a footman in livery. Lizzie admitted to herself that she felt very fancy as a result. She broke open the seal while the footman waited. Her aunt and each sister in turn stared at her while she perused the contents. She felt her face heat and also felt the gazes of many more in the Inn. She lowered the paper and cleared her throat. “It seems that we have all been invited to dine at Pemberley this evening.” Each sister showed different degrees of surprise. Lydia said what they were undoubtedly all—except Mary—thinking.

“Did he not spurn you, Lizzie, and you vowed never to speak his name? I’m glad you are seeing another side to him.”

Mary lowered her face in her hands. Lizzie glanced around the room and saw they were perhaps out of earshot of most, but certainly not the footman who was trained well enough to show no reaction to Lydia’s comment.

“On the contrary, we spent time at a house party this spring and are indeed on better terms…” A long-shared gaze with Mary did not clear her thoughts. “Though things are certainly odd.” She turned to the footman. “I do believe we will accept. Send our regards and gratitude.”

He nodded, bowed, and turned to leave.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Mary turned to Lydia. “Surely you could have kept your opinions to yourself in front of the footman.”

Mrs. Gardener placed a hand over Mary’s. “Your sister is correct, but I do think Lizzie recovered quickly and all will be well.”

Lizzie stared at the missive. “I request the honor of your presence in my home this evening for dinner. Please don’t deny me this privilege.” She mused within herself and could not fathom what day she would begin to understand Mr. Darcy. It was certainly not yesterday or this day or any other day she had yet known him. He behaved in wildly erratic ways, one day knowing her well enough to ask how to help in a highly personal situation, interfering in her sister’s happiness, and then the next acting as though they were barely acquaintances. And in fact, appeared as though he might want to pursue her? Her face colored further and she did not know what else to do besides attend dinner at Pemberley and see what manner of the man called Mr. Darcy she would meet that evening.