Chapter Text
“Her favorite walk, and where she frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which edged the side of the park where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity.” [Jane Austen pt. 2 ch. 7]
“More than once did Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park, unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, and, to prevent it ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that it was a favorite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time, therefore, was very odd! Yet it did and even a third …” [Jane Austen pt. 2 ch. 10]
Fitzwilliam Darcy’s heart beat faster as he caught sight of Miss Bennet walking in the grove ahead of him. In his mind he congratulated himself on being correct that she would continue to meet him here. She obviously felt the same as he.
With a greeting, Darcy, made his presence known and then quickened his pace to join her. He was eager to spend time with her, for she was lovely and lively. Miss Elizabeth’s charming manners were just what he needed to counteract the frustrations of visiting his aunt.
His mother’s sister, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, seemed to be living under the assumption that he came to Kent every Easter for her help, rather than to give his own.
Lady Catherine was an intelligent woman but she had not been raised to run an estate as male heir would have been. Ever since her husband, Sir Lewis De Bourgh had died some fifteen years earlier the Darcys had taken it as their responsibility to help oversee Rosings. Darcy’s father used to come out every year to go over her books and make the serious decisions that a steward ought not. And at his father’s death, it had become just one of the many responsibilities that he had inherited .
If only Lady Catherine would realize this , he thought, maybe she would stop offering quite so much advice! But he had to admit to himself that even then, it would be unlikely for his aunt to hold herself back.
After all, she did not scruple to offer constant advice to everyone within her circle, including Miss Bennet. A person wholly unconnected with her and without particular interest in her guidance!
Only then did he realize he had been walking next to Miss Bennet for some minutes without saying anything after greeting her. Slightly embarrassed to have been so silent Darcy said the first thing that came into his head.
“How have you been enjoying Hunsford society, Miss Bennet?” Though the question felt a little abrupt he thought it was a good topic, for her eyes always seemed to light up when talking of people and their little eccentricities. He had noticed often how much she seemed to enjoy people in general. How he admired that trait. How he envied it!
“I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that I cannot speak much on this subject as I am at the disposal of Charlotte and my cousin, whom are not very much in society,” Miss Bennet answered, but then her eyes did sparkle, and her mischievous smile flashed as she added, “But what society I have been exposed to has been very generous and attentive.”
Darcy stifled his laugh. How he loved her humor. Of course, her comment was a tease about his aunt’s uninvited assistance in all matters.
For a moment he couldn’t tear his eyes off her beautiful face. Alight with amusement, sunshine in her hair, and strength and confidence in her every step. There was something very energetic and playful in her manner that always entranced Darcy. That she was also every inch the polite and genteel lady she ought to be, made her perfection in his eyes.
Yes, his ardent admiration for Miss Elizabeth Bennet was quickly winning the war against his more pragmatic side. It was one thing to ignore the desires of his heart when he had been in her home town of Hertfordshire. For in that place every exposure to her myriad of charms was accompanied by a reminder of her unsuitability, namely, her family.
Her father was a gentleman and well respected in the area as an estate owner and leader in the community but was far too amused by the foibles of his neighbors and family to intervene when he should. Elizabeth’s mother was terror. Darcy inwardly shuddered just thinking of her. She was the daughter of a tradesman and the low breeding showed! She laughed loudly often and without restraint, actually shrieking at times. She spoke of money in public, both hers and anyone else’s. Also she overindulged in drinking at parties and the shameless matching-making of her daughters for financial incentive. Adding to Elizabeth’s poor connections were her three very silly, younger sisters. Each one in their own way were self-involved little horrors. Also, she had uncles that were in trade! Though the name Bennet was itself an old and respectable name, Darcy could not think to connect himself with it in its current state.
With these considerations in mind, he had torn himself away from her, and his friend from her sister, four months ago, thinking that he would never see her again.
But then Elizabeth had been here in Kent when he had arrived! And if anything, she had grown more beautiful, and more delightful then she had been four months ago when he had left her. Every night he was tortured with her image in his dreams and during the day he could hardly resist running to her and proclaiming his love.
Another glance at her face and he saw she was looking at him with an odd expression. Though he wasn’t sure what the expression signified, it reminded him that he had again lapsed into silence. “And how do you find your friend Mrs. Collins? And your cousin? Do you think that they are happy to be here at Hunsford?”
He hoped the Collins did like Hunsford, because if he did break down and marry Elizabeth then she would have a pleasant friend in the area. He smiled to imagine them in the future, married and her accompanying him here for his yearly visit. She would be someone he could confide in as well as a welcome break from the personalities housed here. Yes, she would make the time spent at Rosings much more pleasant indeed.
“My cousin could not be more pleased, Sir, he is tremendously grateful for your aunt’s condescension. Charlotte, I mean Mrs. Collins is, I think, quite satisfied. She enjoys her relative freedom and the ability to run her own home.”
Darcy nodded. He genuinely liked Mrs. Collins, as he saw in her a bit of a kindred spirit. She was a quiet, serious person with a very practical attitude.
“And Maria, I mean, Miss Lucas, is a very charming companion as well. She is so cheerful and eager to please, one cannot but like her.”
Darcy nodded to be polite but could not respond as he had almost forgotten that the girl had accompanied Miss Bennet to Kent. She was a silly little thing, completely forgettable in her mediocrity.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam tells me your visit is almost at an end. How did you enjoy your time with your aunt and cousin?” then Miss Elizabeth laughed, “But here, what could I be speaking of? You could not have but enjoyed yourself! As we all know what prestigious care Lady Catherine takes of her favorite guests.”
“My time has been well spent. Her estate is in good order. As for being a guest of my aunt, few people could complain. Every comfort is looked after, and the rooms are very fine.” Darcy did not want her understanding how much he disliked coming here. After all, he might someday try to convince her to accompany him.
“Oh, yes, I am sure. Not the smallest of discomforts would be overlooked,” Elizabeth said solemnly but with a sparkle in her mischievous eyes. Lord, how he loved those beautiful eyes!
“It is true. Every room has its own copper tub, luxurious furniture, fresh linens every morning, and the staff is very well trained. No guest, not even you, could want for anything while staying with my aunt,” Darcy insisted. Then he caught himself, suddenly worried that he was being too transparent. She would know why he wanted to convince her of his aunt’s hostess skills if he wasn’t careful. He did not want to get her hopes up when he hadn’t quite made up his mind yet.
But then… were not his actions already too transparent? How else could she interpret him finding her so often on her walks? Why this must have been the third time they had met here and talked together while strolling.
“Of course, sir, I meant no offence. Your lady aunt is everything generous.” said Elizabeth in a somewhat subdued voice.
Darcy didn’t know what to say. If he let her know her teases were justified, that indeed his aunt did fuss and try to control every aspect of his stay with her, then it would be admitting to being uncomfortable. But if he continued to defend his aunt then he would probably slip and say something of their future married life. Better to say nothing further.
“No offence taken, Miss Bennet,” Darcy said just to relieve her mind and then lapsed into silence. He so loved that she didn’t feel the need to fill every minute with conversation as some women did. He did enjoy their comfortable silences. Soon, they had circled the park and she took her leave of him.