Page 9 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Elizabeth sat at a small desk writing their aunt Gardiner of the evening’s amusements.
“How long have you known Mr. Darcy?” Mary asked Elizabeth.
“A few minutes longer than you,” quipped Elizabeth.
“Let her finish her letter, Mary. She has already said that they have never met before. It is true that our aunt and uncle have talked of them to us and of us to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.”
“By association, we might at last see the changes needed in our younger sisters’ behaviors,” Elizabeth said, then dipped her quill in the inkpot.
“Mr. Darcy was all kindness,” Mary said, a light blush rising on her cheeks.
“Do guard your heart against him, Mary. I believe his will soon belong to our Lizzy,” Jane said in her gentle way, though those same words teased Elizabeth.
“I am not afraid of losing my heart to him. He is too serious for me. He is indeed better served in losing his heart to Elizabeth,” Mary said, also goading her sister.
“You are both ridiculous,” Elizabeth sang out. “Mr. Darcy would no sooner select me for his bride than he would choose to wed a barmaid. He may not be bound to his cousin in betrothal, claiming his aunt’s wish one neither desire, but his wife will be from the first circles. And that is the end of this conversation.”
“Oh, poor Mr. Darcy.”
“I think not, Jane dearest. I am certain she will be perfection.”
“As he is not betrothed, I hope he chooses you, Lizzy,” Mary said again.
“If only such a man would fall madly in love with me,” Elizabeth said good-humoredly. “I think him everything honorable. And for diverting attention from his friend and my beloved older sister, I would render him any favor within my power to gift.”
“I always appreciate your efforts to stop our mother from exposing us to her most embarrassing behaviors. Your efforts to protect us and our sisters from ridicule are greater feats than any knight might attempt, Lizzy,” Jane said, moving to kiss the top of Elizabeth’s head while gesturing that she finish the letter.
“During our set, he said he did not often dance at assemblies or balls. That he is uncomfortable around those he does not know. He was exceedingly glad Uncle Gardiner suggested he and Mr. Bingley make our acquaintance.”
Jane began plaiting Mary’s hair. “I am not jealous of you, but I wish my hair had your natural wave, Mary. Not even with braids or irons can I make a curl stay a full evening’s outing,” Jane said, a wish she had spoken a thousand times before. “I, too, appreciate Mr. Darcy’s coming into the neighborhood with Mr. Bingley. He may depart without offering for you, Lizzy, and do what society expects of a man of his circle. But I think he will leave his heart in your care.”
Chapter 4
An Interlude on Oakham Mount
At daybreak, Darcy looked across the valley surrounding the hill and exhaled. Rolling fields of overturned dirt showed recent signs of harvesting. Smoke rose from Netherfield chimneys and, if Miss Elizabeth’s directions were accurate, Longbourn’s chimneys in the other direction.
Darcy had risen before dawn and jumped out of bed, intending to join Miss Elizabeth for her walk that morning. Sitting on the stump at the top of the hill, he chastised himself for thinking she would be about this hour after so late a night as they had due to the assembly.
Startled when he heard someone approach, Darcy stood. Not wanting to intimidate her, he sat on the stump again. Knowing he would do so when he saw her, he again stood. He tucked a hand in his pocket, then took it out. He folded his hands behind him, then crossed his arms, which he was prompt to uncross.
“I think you looked most at ease sitting and watching the sunrise, Mr. Darcy. Might I join you on the stump? I, too, prefer to watch the beauty unfolding at daybreak. The color scheme ofpinks, oranges, and blues as they brighten is nature’s glory, I think,” Miss Elizabeth said, walking closer to him.
She held out her hand in greeting. Though unexpected, he shook it, amazed by the warmth, and he held her hand a moment longer. He sat next to her, giving her all the distance one stump allowed two people. Her intoxicating scent conjured an image of rain falling on lilacs. Darcy leant closer to breathe her in.
“Forgive my audacity, but you smell…enchanting.”
“My sister Mary makes this scent. It has no name, and she prefers to keep the ingredients a secret.”
She spoke in a hushed tone that did not disrupt the peacefulness enveloping them. Given that she was a new acquaintance, it was a significant consideration.
“It is the loveliest I have ever encountered,” Darcy said, unashamed, even though he had been caught out. He could not claim to know her above what Gardiner had imparted. But, if his cousin Fitzwilliam or Bingley asked, he would admit he never had been so comfortable with a woman not of his family. Perhaps the reason wasthatGardiner spoke of her so often. “Your uncle has told me how clever and charming you are, but what do I not know about Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“You already know I am the second daughter. I have four sisters, and I have the best of connections in the Gardiners.”
“It is my genuine pleasure to become acquainted with you, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said. He was unable to look away from her, for her eyes had arrested him.
“I beg your forgiveness for my mother. Our estate is entailed to the male line. In consequence, she is desperate to see her daughters married. She makes every effort, though there are few eligible gentlemen in our hamlet. My father hates Town, where the husbands she seeks might be found.”
