In the Wilds of Derbyshire Page 28

  It seemed to Fitzwilliam that Miss Bennet was the only one who recognized the situation for what it was, and he could only admire her restraint as Lady Emily’s behavior became more overt. Several times he had seen Miss Elizabeth watching Lady Emily, clearly afraid that her composure might be overcome. She did everything she could to defuse any potentially volatile situations, often taking herself out of Darcy’s company in order to prevent it, though it was also clear to Fitzwilliam that she desired his presence as much as he desired hers. And Darcy, far from being discouraged from her propensity to seek the society of others, appeared perfectly content to watch her from afar when the occasion demanded it.

  So matters continued until a day in which there was again a large gathering of society in the area. There were enough of the younger generation that there were often separate amusements for them alone, apart from their elders. On this particular day, it had been proposed that they visit the ruins of an old roman fort which sat some distance north of Pemberley. Those who were to attend gathered at Pemberley as the closest estate to the ruin and proceeded there in a line of carriages, with several of those attending having brought baskets for a large picnic lunch once they had reached the area.

  The departure from Pemberley proceeded without any issue, and soon they had reached their destination. Having visited it before, Fitzwilliam was not much interested in the site—it was little but a small clearing on top of a low hill, foliage surrounding it, a few low walls covered with moss and lichen, slowly being swallowed up by the surrounding forest. A road ran within a few hundred feet of the fort, which was there the carriages stopped, and they alighted, walking the final distance.

  Miss Bennet, Fitzwilliam saw, was surrounded by the close friends she had made in Derbyshire, and they chattered gaily as they walked. By contrast, Lady Emily had immediately attached herself to Darcy, reminding Fitzwilliam of Miss Bingley’s propensity to clutch his arm as if she never meant to let go. Fitzwilliam kept himself near to Darcy to be of assistance, should it be required.

  They stopped in a large open area near the top of the summit, and the baskets were laid down while those present began to explore the ruin. As Fitzwilliam walked with the others, he was privy to their conversation, though he remained attentive and silent. Lady Emily was still attached to Darcy’s arm, but they were also close enough to Miss Bennet that they were able to converse easily.

  “I will own that I had not expected there to be a Roman ruin in such an out of the way place,” said Miss Bennet, her interest and curiosity lighting her face, making her appear uncommonly pretty.

  “Though many have tried to explain it, its purpose is unknown,” replied Darcy. “It is thought it was the stronghold of some minor lord or something of that nature. There is not much left of it, as much of the stone has been carried away for use in other buildings.”

  “Is that so?” asked Miss Bennet, her customary archness coming to the fore. “And does some of the stone of this fort reside in the walls of Pemberley?”

  Darcy laughed—even while Lady Emily frowned—and said: “No, though that would be a fine thing, indeed, do you not think? In fact, the stone that makes up the walls of Pemberley comes from a quarry some miles to the west.”

  “I should have known, for the stone does not look at all alike.”

  “Have you become an expert in rocks?” asked Lady Emily. Though the woman attempted to rein in her annoyance, it was still clear in her tone. Miss Bennet also recognized it.

  “I am not, though it is evident that the coloration of the rocks is quite different from Pemberley.”

  “Come, Mr. Darcy,” said Lady Emily, steering Darcy toward the west site of the structure, “shall you not tell me what you know of the history of this place?”

  Though Darcy’s eyes strayed back to Miss Bennet, he went along. His voice floated back, saying: “You have visited this place before, have you not, Lady Emily? I would have thought you were well acquainted with what is known.”

  They passed out of earshot and Fitzwilliam debated going after them, but for the moment he decided against it. Darcy did not need him to play nursemaid, though Fitzwilliam wondered at times, given his obtuseness. Fitzwilliam turned back and he caught the eye of Miss Bennet, noting her contemplation of the pair who had just walked away.

  “Her actions are not precisely hidden, are they?”

  Though a little startled by his observation, Miss Bennet rolled her eyes. “It appears they are to Mr. Darcy.”

  Fitzwilliam nodded agreeably. “He appears to have a bit of a blind spot, though he is usually adept at seeing this type of behavior. I would not have you worry, however, for he has no interest in her.”

  “Why should I be concerned?” asked Miss Bennet. “I have no claim on Mr. Darcy.”

  “Perhaps you have no claim on Darcy, but it is clear you have a claim on his attention, for he can hardly turn away, it seems.” Miss Bennet blushed and Fitzwilliam gleefully twisted the knife a little further. “And I do not doubt you will soon have a firm claim on Darcy himself, Miss Bennet. And I am convinced he will be happy to be caught.”

  With a roguish grin, Fitzwilliam stepped away from her, noting the progress of Lady Emily and Darcy as they walked the perimeter of the fort. Fitzwilliam did not think the woman to be the type who would attempt a compromise, and with the rest of the party walking among the ruins, he did not concern himself regardless. Miss Bennet was joined by her friends, and they inspected every inch of the ruin, laughing and talking amongst themselves.

  Soon they all gathered near the side of the ruin and baskets and blankets were produced, their lunch spread out before them, and the company set out to partake of it. As so many of their number had contributed to their lunch, there was a wide variety of food, and far more than they could ever eat. For a time, all unpleasantness was forgotten as they ate. In time, however, Lady Emily’s displeasure soon made a reappearance, as Darcy and Miss Bennet took the opportunity to sit close together to eat. And as soon as it was eaten, they rose and excused themselves to walk to the far side of the ruin.

  Fitzwilliam watched carefully as Lady Emily’s eyes followed them, and as soon as she rose herself, Fitzwilliam was by her side, claiming her hand to escort her. The flashing of her eyes and thinness of her lips spoke to her displeasure, but Fitzwilliam did not care for it.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Colonel Fitzwilliam?” said she when they had stepped sufficiently away from the rest of the company to assure they would not be overheard.

  “Does a man require a reason to wish to escort a lovely young lady, other than the desire to bask in the brightness of her company?”

  The glare she shot him informed him she was not impressed by his flattery. “If I thought admiration to be the only motive for your interference, I might give credence to your words. But I cannot, for your actions have been too marked to be mistaken.”

  “And yours have not?” asked Fitzwilliam. His pointed look failed to make her blush; she only appeared to be more exasperated. “Unfortunately, it appears you have not been as blatant as necessary, for the object of your actions has missed your meaning entirely.”

  Lady Emily’s eyes darted to where Darcy and Miss Bennet now stood, speaking earnestly some distance away. A quick glance at the remainder of their party revealed that though some had begun to walk again, having finished eating, several who remained at the blankets were watching the couple and speaking amongst themselves. Georgiana and Miss Drummond were giggling together, no doubt expecting an announcement of an engagement before long.

  “It is only a matter of time,” replied Lady Emily, her eyes never leaving the couple.

  “You may think that, Lady Emily. Perhaps believing it will make it true, though I doubt it very much.”

  “I have much more to offer him than Miss Bennet does,” replied she. Obstinacy, it appeared, was one of her failings.

  “You do?” asked Fitzwilliam. “Does Darcy love you, cherish y
ou, bestow every bit of his attention on you as if you were the most important person in the world?”

  A glare met his statement. “I am the heir to my father’s earldom. Whoever marries me will sire the next earl of Chesterfield, will see his consequence and influence grow. Do you think Mr. Darcy will put love ahead of such considerations?”

  “Do you think he will not?” rejoined Fitzwilliam.

  When she did not reply, Fitzwilliam continued: “Watch them, Lady Emily. Observe their behavior with each other, without the clouding lens of your own scheming, without any prejudice for her situation, and without any bias, and tell me you do not see a young couple completely devoted to each other. Almost from the first moment of their acquaintance, their regard for each other, their attention for each other, everything in their behavior, and those little signals which I believe they are both ignorant of in themselves have told me how their relationship will end. They are becoming more and more devoted to each other, and there is nothing you or I could ever do to separate them.”

  For a moment the woman watched them, her brow furrowed and her air pensive, and he thought she was truly taking his words into account. For a moment, Fitzwilliam thought he had reached her, had induced her to give up this doomed pursuit. But the moment did not last long.

  “He shows some infatuation with her. But I do not believe he loves her. In the end, he will see the benefits of an alliance with me and come to his senses.”

  “If you will not be turned from this course, then so be it. Only take care to protect your heart, if you truly have feelings for him, for I do not doubt you will ultimately fail. Darcy has had his share of heartache and sorrow, and he has also endured his share of ladies trying to attach themselves to him. His closest friend, Mr. Bingley, has a sister who has been determined to become Mrs. Darcy, and has not succeeded, though she has tried for more than three years.”

  “From what I understand of the Bingleys, they are new money,” replied Lady Emily. Her words were said as a fact, with no malice or contempt, as so many of her circle might have spoken them. “The situations are completely different.”

  “Maybe they are. I only mention it as an illustration of my point. Darcy is not a man to be coerced. I believe he has decided that he wants Miss Bennet as a wife, and if he has, he will allow nothing to stand in his way. He deserves his happiness, Lady Emily. Please do nothing to make it harder for him to obtain it.”

  With those final words, Fitzwilliam turned and walked away. Lady Emily, for her part, stayed where she was, contemplating the couple who had begun to walk the ruin again, with no seeming destination in mind. Fitzwilliam hoped he had done enough. But he could not help but think it would take something more before she would surrender to the inevitable.

  The feeling of being on Mr. Darcy’s arm, having him point out various locations of interest, the feeling that they two were alone in the world, was sublime. Elizabeth felt all her cares fall away as they walked, Lady Emily and her actions faded to the background as the sound of Mr. Darcy’s rich baritone worked its way into her consciousness. It was quite the most wonderful feeling she had ever felt.

  They walked along the outside wall of the fort, and Elizabeth took it all in, noting the richness of the soil on which it rested, the verdant greens of the plant life which had sprung up between the stones strewn about the ground, or resting on top of one another. In one location, a hardy tree had taken root among the stones at the base of the wall, pushing them aside in its desire to reach for the sun high above. The dull murmur of the conversation of their party faded into the distance, and the buzz of winging insects took over, accompanied by the rustle of the wind in leaves of the trees overhead.

  When they had reached the base of the far wall of the fort, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth, his manner serious, his gaze searching. For a moment he did not speak, and Elizabeth wondered at his hesitance, even as she shied away from the possible explanation for it.

  “I did wonder, Miss Bennet,” said he at length, “when we were at Pemberley, you spoke of your need to return home. Do you plan to do so soon?”

  “It is my home, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth gently. “My uncle has been very kind in his invitation, and I have enjoyed the weeks I have spent here, but inevitably my steps must return me to Hertfordshire.

  “But I do not think I will return soon. I believe that I am settled here at least until the end of the summer. His original purpose in requesting my visit was to assist Olivia in society, and I believe she grows ever more confident. She will do well, I think, and will not need my constant attendance, though I will be happy to return again in the future.”

  “It is clear to me,” replied Mr. Darcy, “that it is due to your careful guidance that she has become more confident. You have had a great influence on us all, I think, and I believe I am not the only one loath to be deprived of your company.”

  Elizabeth blushed, but she could not look away from his eyes. They pierced her, staring into her very soul, making all her secrets bare before his searching gaze. And Elizabeth wished to know all his secrets in turn, to hold and cherish them, to prop him up in times of need and hardship, and to accept his support in turn. She began to feel lightheaded, almost drunk on the feelings which coursed through her.

  “If it were possible for you to stay in Derbyshire, would you take that chance? I know you must long for your family, and I am certain you will see them again often, but I cannot think of your leaving without the greatest distress.”

  Elizabeth’s heart began to pound, the blood to flood through her veins, a rushing sound in her ears. This was the greatest declaration of his regard she had heard yet, and she wondered if it was all nothing more than a dream.

  “I believe, Mr. Darcy,” said she, speaking in a halting fashion, “that should the opportunity present itself, I would be happy to stay in Derbyshire forever.”

  Though Elizabeth could hardly believe that she had been so audacious to speak such blatant words, it appeared like her companion was not at all displeased by her declaration. Quite the opposite in fact. Mr. Darcy’s eyes positively burned with intensity, and she felt she might be caught in their depths, scorched to cinders and blown away on the wind.

  “I am happy to hear it, Miss Bennet,” replied he, though in a voice only slightly above a whisper. When he spoke again, his strength appeared to have returned. “If I might impose, Miss Bennet, I think I would like to call on you tomorrow. I believe you and I have important matters of which to speak and our current surroundings, however agreeable, will not be conducive for such.”

  Elizabeth was required to force herself not to start, for it was the first time she had considered where they were in some time. “You are welcome to call at any time, Mr. Darcy,” said she, refusing to look back at the rest of the company, who were almost certainly watching them, enjoying the performance. “I am willing to speak on any subject you deem necessary.”

  “Thank you, Miss Bennet,” said Darcy. He had apparently understood her meaning, despite her rather inelegant way of speaking.

  With an excess of tenderness, Mr. Darcy reached out and took her hand once again. He bowed over it, pressing a kiss to its back. Then he placed it in the crook of his arm and began to lead her back to the rest of the company, though Elizabeth’s mind could not withstand such mundane discussions when compared with the import of what had just occurred. She desperately wished to return to Kingsdown, there to seclude herself in her room to think about what the morrow would bring. It was fortunate for her that the party soon broke up, and the company made their way back toward the carriages for the return trip to their estates.

  “You will join my sister and your cousin in the carriage?” asked Mr. Darcy as they were walking. “Will you stay at Pemberley for a time?”

  “I believe Olivia and I should return to Kingsdown,” replied Elizabeth. “But I will certainly ride with Georgiana.”

  “Very well,” replied Darcy. “I will ride on ahead with Fitzwilliam,
for there is a matter which requires my attention on the estate. I will see you tomorrow.”

  Elizabeth acquiesced, and they soon reached the road where the carriages waited. Mr. Darcy and his cousin saw them situated, and as he was handing Elizabeth up, she could not refrain from teasing him. “But, Mr. Darcy, should we come across a vicious patch of mud, intent upon devouring us, what shall we do without you to beat it back?”

  With a grin, Mr. Darcy replied: “I am certain you would be more than a match for it. But I have ensured there are no other mud monsters to be had, Fitzwilliam and I having chased them all away some days previously.”

  “Then I will rest easily, knowing that our intrepid knights have cared for us so faithfully.”

  With a grin and another kiss to her hand, Mr. Darcy departed with Colonel Fitzwilliam in tow, but not before the genial man bowed to her, a grin plastered on his face. After they had departed, there was some delay of the carriages, for one of those in front of them was not quite prepared to depart. It was while they were waiting that they received a visitor at the carriage.

  “Miss Bennet,” said Lady Emily, appearing in the window, “would you consider riding in my carriage? I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.”

  The wariness she had felt with Lady Emily over the past days materialized in Elizabeth’s mind, and though the woman appeared to be pleasant, she thought she detected a hardness in the other woman’s eyes. Elizabeth opened her mouth to decline when Georgiana spoke first.

  “You may ride with Lady Emily if you like, Elizabeth. Olivia and I will be very well together.” Then Georgiana turned to the lady as if the decision had already been made. “We were to go to Pemberley first, before our carriage was to convey Elizabeth and Olivia back to Kingsdown. Will you join us at Pemberley, or take Elizabeth directly to Kingsdown?”