Netherfield Park Quarantined (2 page)

“I have her address at home. I would be more than happy to copy it down
for you and have a servant bring it to Netherfield.” Elizabeth could not believe her
ears; the proud Mr Darcy was wishing to have contact with people of trade who
lived in Cheapside. How could this be possible?

Darcy decided to seize an opportunity. “That will not be necessary. If I
remember correctly, you enjoy a walk in the morning hours. Were you, per
chance, planning to walk tomorrow morning?”

Seeing Elizabeth nod her head, Darcy continued. “With your permission, I
would like to meet you atop Oakham Mount. Near dawn tomorrow morning? You
could bring the address to me then.”

Now, Elizabeth was extremely surprised and nearly speechless. Could he
have really asked for time alone with her, walking about the grounds of
Longbourn? She felt as if she was spinning with disbelief. “Yes, I do still walk out
each morning, weather permitting. How did you know that Oakham Mount was
one of my favorite places to which to walk?”

With a slight smile, Darcy looked directly into Elizabeth’s eyes. “I make a
habit of knowing as much as possible wherever I am, Miss Elizabeth, especially
when I am in the company of a very accomplished young lady.”

Elizabeth felt the heat of her blush growing in intensity. “Very well, Sir; I
normally arrive at Oakham Mount just before sunrise, as it is one of my favorite
sights.”

“Then I will meet you there, bright and early. Thank you Miss Bennet.”
Darcy then turned and walked away.

Charlotte Lucas had seen the exchange between Darcy and her friend, and
went to her friend to learn what had happened. “My, Eliza, you appeared to be
quite surprised at whatever it was Mr Darcy had to say to you.”

“I was amazed at how pleasant he was in speaking with me. I informed him
of Aunt Helen’s being from Lambton, which is near his estate in Derbyshire. Mr
Darcy knows my aunt’s family and thought of them fondly. Does this not
contradict everything that you have come to believe of the proud man?”

“I have told you before, Lizzy, that I did not believe he was truly too proud
to associate with all of us. And I am also sure that he is quite fond of a certain
young lady from Longbourn.”

“Charlotte, how could you say such a thing? Mr Darcy has never looked at
me except to find fault. No, I believe he was being polite as he was remembering
Aunt Helen’s father. Mr Darcy has an extensive library from what I have heard Mr
Bingley say, and Mr Thompson owned the bookshop in Lambton. It only stands to
reason that the two men would have discussed books frequently when Mr Darcy
would go there to shop.”

“Believe what you wish, my dear friend. I for one will not be surprised to
one day learn of his asking for your hand, if you are careful and do not scare him
away.” With that, Charlotte turned and walked to where Jane and Bingley were
conversing with Sir William Lucas.

Across the room, Caroline Bingley had moved quietly until she had arrived
beside Darcy. “Mr Darcy, I am sure that you are finding this evening to be utterly
lacking in any social graces and trying to determine how best to escape such a
gathering.”

“On the contrary, Miss Bingley, I was just thinking of the joy that can be
found in a pair of fine eyes.”

Smiling at his words, and believing that they were meant for her, Miss
Bingley decided to pretend no notion of whom he spoke. “And just whose fine
eyes have drawn you attention?”

Without thinking of the consequences, Darcy spoke. “Those of Miss
Elizabeth Bennet.”

 

This was not the news that she had desired. “Miss Bennet, well, I had not
heard. When am I to wish you joy?”

 

“I have not spoken to the lady of such matters. I would hope that you are
polite enough not to speak of it to her either.”

“Of course, Mr Darcy, you may be assured of my silence in this matter.”
Caroline said as she thought to herself of the situation.
I shall keep this
information secret and pray that I can convince both Mr Darcy and my brother of
the unworthiness of the Bennet sisters.”

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~~

 

Chapter 2

Elizabeth took her time walking to Oakham Mount the following morning.
She was not sure how she felt about meeting the Master of Pemberley there,
though she planned to only speak with him for a moment as she passed him the
address he had requested. Finally reaching the top of the hill, she was surprised
to find Mr Darcy already there and waiting for her.

“You must have been up before the rooster even thought of waking this
morning, Mr Darcy. Or did you go to sleep at all since the last we saw of each
other?”

Darcy smiled. It amazed Elizabeth to see the man before her smile, and she
thought he should do so more often. When he smiled, a pair of handsome
dimples showed on his face which made him even more attractive than before.
“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. I hope that you slept well last night.”

“I did, Sir, and am ready for another wonderful day. My sisters and I are
finishing our harvest of flowers and herbs today, so that they can be prepared for
the coming winter. Jane makes the most enjoyable rosewater and a cream with
lavender and chamomile.”

“You have quite a day laid out for you, it appears. I believe that my friend
will be calling later on your sister.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Jane will be pleased. She has come to have a very deep
regard for Mr Bingley.” After the words escaped her lips, Elizabeth was
dumbstruck as to why she would be so open with this man. Something about him
drew the information from her lips.

Darcy was curious. He had wondered about his friend’s relationship with
Miss Jane Bennet. In his way of thinking, it was not easy to determine the young
lady’s feelings for Bingley. As his friend was in and out of love often, Darcy
warned him of being careful. Mrs Bennet was quite determined to marry off her
daughters and it would not surprise Darcy if he were to learn that Jane was only
doing her duty to her family rather than truly caring for Bingley. But here, before
him, was a way to determine the truth.

“Might I be bold enough to ask you a question, Miss Elizabeth?”

 

Looking at him with her eyebrow arched, Elizabeth nodded.

“I am unable to determine your sister’s feelings towards my friend. She
appears to enjoy his company, but I cannot decide if her heart has truly been
touched by Mr Bingley. I was prepared to believe that she would follow your
mother’s dictates and secure a marriage, whether she loved my friend or not. But
it just dawned on me that you are close to your sister and would know her
feelings. If she has truly attached her heart to him, I will do what I can to
encourage my friend into declaring his intentions.”

For a moment, Elizabeth’s anger boiled up inside her. Then she accepted
Mr Darcy’s explanation as to why he believed as he did. Jane was demure and
kept her feelings close to her, not allowing many people to become too close to
her. Though she was a loving and caring person, Jane was also guarded in
granting others the privilege of accessing her feelings. With their mother, it was
not unfathomable for others to mistake Jane’s intentions and feelings.

“Jane has a difficult time sharing her feelings openly, and I am one of the
few in her life with which she is open with. As to her feelings towards your friend,
she cares a great deal for him. Her heart is attached, as I believe Mr Bingley’s is.”

Darcy nodded his head. “Then I will do what I can to encourage Bingley’s
relationship with Miss Bennet. They are very much alike in personality.”

Elizabeth laughed. “As kind and good natured as they are, if they were to
marry, all of their staff will take advantage of them, for neither would think bad of
anyone.”

“So very true, Miss Elizabeth. As I said, they are very much alike in
personality. I am pleased to know that my suspicions were for naught. I thank
you for allowing me to learn the truth. If I had acted on the assumptions, I would
have been most displeased with myself.”

“Thank you for not causing my sister harm. Jane is dear to me and I would
not wish her to be heartbroken.” Elizabeth said as she turned towards the sunrise.
Why am I feeling nervous in front of this man? I do not like him, yet I wish to know
more about him. Why would I wish to know more when I know what he thinks of
me? Did he not make himself well understood when he declared me not
handsome enough to tempt him to dance?

Darcy could see that the young lady before him was struggling with
something. “Miss Elizabeth, might I inquire as to how you are doing this
morning? You seem uncomfortable. Have I done something to disturb you?”

He is being so kind, and yet, most times he is so dark and harsh in his
manners. Who is this man before me, for he most definitely cannot be the Mr
Darcy I met at the assembly?
“I was just thinking that the difficulty that you have
in determining Jane’s feelings can also be said about you, Mr Darcy. You seem
quite different from the man that I have witnessed at gatherings since your arrival
in the neighborhood.”

“Ah, yes, you have found me arrogant and proud, if I am not mistaken. A
common perception, I can assure you. May I speak freely?”

 

“We have been speaking openly, Mr Darcy, I see no reason to stop now.”
Elizabeth teased.

Again, Elizabeth was delighted with the sight of his dimples. “I must admit
to you that I am not comfortable in settings that are new to me, especially in large
groups of people. It is difficult for me to converse with others; I become tongue
tied and sound like a fool. My sister and I are both extremely shy, and she is even
worse than I. Only when I am comfortable in speaking with someone can I be
open and intelligent.”

“That is why you are able to speak with me so freely; you have become
comfortable in my presence?”

“I find you to be extremely intelligent, Miss Elizabeth. I feel an easiness
that is rare with someone of such a short acquaintance. You are a strange young
lady, for you do not hold to the ways of most in society. It is refreshing, to say the
least, and I am pleased that you have allowed me to speak openly with you. I only
pray that you will allow me to continue speaking with you so, for I have come to
enjoy our banter.”

“Well, I must admit to you that I am surprised. I believed you disliked me,
especially after the assembly.”

 

Darcy’s expression saddened. “Why would you think so after the
assembly?”

Elizabeth tried desperately to think of the proper wording. “Mr Darcy, I
must be honest with you. I overheard your conversation with Mr Bingley. When
he said that you must dance and suggested you ask me to be your partner.”

Darcy turned his back and walked toward the edge. Standing there for
several moments, when he turned back around, Elizabeth could see pain written
in his expression.

“If I could only turn back time and take back those words, Miss Elizabeth. I
had no notion that you had heard me. Bingley was irritating me that night with
his pestering, and when he made his suggestion, I did not even turn to look at
who he suggested. My opinion of you has been quite different, to be honest, for
some time now I have come to find you the most handsome woman in my
acquaintance.”

A gasp escaped Elizabeth as her eyes searched his for the truth. For several
moments, she continued to hold him in her gaze, feeling as if she could see into
his very soul. At that moment, Elizabeth Bennet knew the truth. Mr Fitzwilliam
Darcy held a very tender regard for her. But this was all too new to her. Until just
moments ago, she believed that this man was proud and looked at her only to
find fault. She turned away from him, needing to collect her thoughts.

“Please, Miss Elizabeth, do not leave. I wish to know you better, learn more
of who you are.”

“Mr Darcy, this is quite difficult for me to understand. I have thought that
your constant watching me was to find fault in my appearance or behavior. It
never has occurred to me that you might be wishing to know me better. And I
must admit that the slight you made at the assembly has made my own prejudice
rise against you. As you had harmed my pride with your words, I aimed to only
think the worst of you.”

“Forgive me, Eliza…Miss Elizabeth. If you could not see my growing
fondness for you, I fear that I do not know how to react. My actions have never
been negative, and I watched you closely out of admiration and wishing to know
you better. I have never felt such for a lady before, as I kept myself well-guarded
against the matchmaking mammas and their simpering daughters who only see
me for my bank book and my property. Never has anyone caused me a moments
flittering in my heart. Please allow me to know you better, and at the same time,
you can come to know me better.”

Turning back toward him, Elizabeth was reluctant to look into his eyes.
Would she wish to know this man? Was he truly different than she had come to
believe, was he truly a kind and caring man rather than a man who showed
disdained for all who were around him? Suddenly, she realized that he had taken
hold of her hand and was gently caressing the back of it with his thumb. She
raised her eyes, slowly, until she looked into his eyes. Yes, she felt as if she could
see into the depths of his soul and what she saw told her that he was a kind and
caring man, and that he cared for her. At that moment, Elizabeth knew that she
wished to know this man better.

“I agree to your request, Mr Darcy, though I have one condition. I do not
want anyone else to know of our agreement at the moment. If my mother were
to learn of our being here at this moment, she would be crowing through the
neighborhood that you and I were to be wed. I have made no such commitment
and have only consented to spend time getting to know you better.”

Smiling, those tremendous dimples showing clearly, Darcy nodded his head.
“That is something I can accept, Miss Elizabeth. Though I do ask one thing of you,
when we are alone, would you please call me by the name my sister does? She
calls me William.”