Page 28 of Grief and Grievances
“My aunt has spoken most highly of you, Miss Elizabeth,” said Jeremiah, allowing his gaze to linger appreciatively on her visage. “And I must say, I find her praise well-deserved.”
“Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth responded, a hint of wariness creeping into her tone. “I am honoured by her regard, however unexpected it may be.”
“As for Miss Bennet, reports of your beauty have preceded you,” continued Jeremiah, turning his attention to Jane. “But I find that such reports scarcely do justice to the reality.”
“Your flattery is most kind, Mr. de Bourgh,” replied Jane, a delicate blush rising to her cheeks.
As Darcy watched the exchange, he could not help but feel a flicker of jealousy, wondering if perhaps Jeremiah’s gallant admiration for the sisters was more than merely polite conversation. Yet he knew that he must silence such unworthy thoughts, reminding himself that it was not his place to stake a claim on Elizabeth’s affections.
“Forgive our intrusion, ladies,” Fitzwilliam said with an easy smile. “We shall not detain you any longer from your walk. Please give our best regards to Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy.”
“Thank you, Colonel,” Elizabeth replied, inclining her head graciously before she and Jane continued on their way.
Darcy’s eyes followed the retreating figures of Elizabeth and Jane, his heart pounding in his chest. The evening sunlight dappled their dresses as they walked beneath the trees, casting them in an ethereal glow that only served to heighten his feelings of disquiet.
“Remarkable young women,” Jeremiah mused, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the trio as they watched the sisters depart. “I can see why you hold them in such high esteem, Darcy.”
“Indeed,” Darcy murmured, scarcely able to tear his gaze away from Elizabeth. His fingers twitched involuntarily at his side, longing to reach out and take her hand, to pull her close and tell her all that weighed upon his heart. Yet he knew that such a course of action was impossible, not with the burden of expectations that lay heavy upon them both.
“Miss Bennet is particularly enchanting, don’t you agree?” Fitzwilliam chimed in, his voice laced with amusement. “I can quite see why Bingley was so captivated.”
“Ah, yes. Speaking of Bingley,” Darcy began, finally forcing himself to look away from Elizabeth and focus on the matter at hand. “I must advise you that our dear friend is quite enamoured with Miss Jane Bennet.” He neglected to mention the current separation of the pair and his own hand in it. He had, hopefully, set events in motion to correct the matter.
“Is that so?” Jeremiah inquired, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered this new information. “What a pity. Well, they would make a fine match, if I may say so.”
“Indeed, they would,” Darcy agreed, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy. He could not help but think of his own circumstances and the gulf that existed between himself and the woman he loved.
As the conversation flowed around him, Darcy could not help but feel a sense of unease begin to take root within him. He was acutely aware of Jeremiah’s keen interest in Elizabeth, and the thought of his friend courting her was a source of no small distress.
“Tell me,” Jeremiah said, turning his attention to Darcy with a thoughtful expression. “Have you ever considered that perhaps Miss Elizabeth Bennet might be a suitable match for someone such as myself?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications that made Darcy’s heart seize with panic. He struggled to keep his composure, even as his mind raced with thoughts of what such a union would mean—not only for himself but for the happiness of those he cared for most.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a woman of exceptional character,” he replied carefully, doing his best to conceal the turmoil that roiled beneath his carefully crafted facade. “I have no doubt that she would make a fine match for any gentleman who was fortunate enough to secure her hand.”
“Indeed,” Jeremiah mused, his gaze lingering on the spot where Elizabeth and Jane had departed moments ago. “Perhaps I shall endeavour to do just that.”
“Jeremiah,” Fitzwilliam interjected with a sly smile, clapping a reassuring hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “I must inform you that my dear cousin here is himself quite taken with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and cherishes hopes of marrying her, should she accept him.”
Darcy’s cheeks flushed crimson as he shot a grateful glance towards Fitzwilliam, who seemed to revel in this rare opportunity to tease his usually stoic cousin. Jeremiah, for his part, raised an eyebrow in surprise but quickly laughed, displaying no trace of offence or disappointment.
“Is that so?” he exclaimed, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, then I shall refrain from stepping between you and your heart’s desire, Darcy. In any case, it appears there are still several sisters left unclaimed.”
Fitzwilliam chuckled, joining in the jest. “Indeed, I have heard there are three more sisters in the Bennet family, each as lovely and charming as the next!”
Darcy, relieved by Fitzwilliam’s intervention and touched by Jeremiah’s graciousness, allowed himself a small smile. He could not deny that the prospect of facing competition for Elizabeth’s affections had filled him with a desperate urgency to secure her love. Yet now, with the understanding and support of his friends, he felt a renewed sense of hope.
“Thank you, Jeremiah,” Darcy said sincerely, warmth filling his voice. “I appreciate your understanding.”
“Think nothing of it,” Jeremiah replied with a dismissive wave. “After all, we are friends and family. And who knows? Perhaps one of the remaining Bennet sisters will capture my interest instead.”
As the trio continued their walk, Darcy’s thoughts turned once more to Elizabeth. He longed for the day when they might finally overcome the obstacles that had thus far kept them apart, and he vowed within himself to do everything in his power to make her his wife. For now, however, he would content himself with the knowledge that his path was unobstructed by any rivals—at least, as far as his nearest companions were concerned.
Chapter Fourteen
WithJane,Georgianaandnow Lucinda de Bourgh all determined to assist with nursing Anne, Elizabeth found herself with time to take a breather every now and then. The pleasant little walk with Jane had been the first time she had been out of doors in over a week, and Elizabeth had enjoyed it immensely, pushing down her feelings of guilt over leaving Anne. She knew Anne was in safe and loving hands.
This evening, Jane and Lucinda were taking it in turns to read to Anne, and both of them insisted Elizabeth should take dinner with the family, so she left the sickroom, changed into her evening dress, and made her way downstairs. As Elizabeth entered the drawing room, her eyes were instantly drawn to an animated conversation taking place between Georgiana and Jeremiah de Bourgh.
